Society of St.Vincent de Paul, Bangalore

St. Patrick's Church Conference

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a lay Catholic Organisation spread over 132 countries all over the world. It was founded in Paris, France by Fredric Ozanam, a 20 year old law student in Sarbonne University and a group of fellow students when materialism was sweeping the western countries. These young men set about accepting the challenge to prove the practical value of their Christian belief by helping the poor, the down trodden and the oppressed. The Society was started in Paris in 1833, founded in India in 1863 and in Bangalore in 1954. It was named after St. Vincent de Paul, who lived from 1581 to 1660, as he was devoted to helping the under privileged and an apostle of Christian charity.

The Conference of St. Patrick's provides to the needs of the poor and the neglected irrespective of caste or creed. At present they take care of 30 adopted families, 3 of whom are non-Christians providing them with medicines and medical treatment in Catholic hospitals. Funeral arrangements of the poor and the destitutes are made as and when the need arises. Visits to the sick in hospitals, prison, and homes for the aged are made by the brothers and sisters . We supplement the cost of education to deserving students covering 8 schools in the Parish, besides meeting the costs of 2 financially weak students in technical courses of St. Patrick's branch of the Indian Technical Institute. These projects entails substantial costs to them which in turn is drawn from the funds they collect by way of rent of their building. During the season of Christmas they distribute double weekly aid and new tailored clothes followed by a sumptuous lunch which their adoptees very much look forward to. During Easter and other important feasts like their founder, Fredric Ozanam, we play hosts to a hearty breakfast which they much relish. During the coldest season in Bangalore we offer blankets to their adopted families. These blankets are donated to the Conference by a generous well-wisher. Any short fall in distribution is met by the Conference as part of a duty entrusted to their care. They undertake Sunday collection in the Church at all Masses. Undoubtedly, accurately checking of cash and recording involves arduous work besides the amount of time spent but needless to say it is all done in a spirit of goodwill.

Mr. V. Correa, Brother of the Vincent de Paul

Any generous donation contribution to the Conference towards this noble work will be much appreciated and gratefully accepted.

Blessed Fredrick Ozanam was born in Milan (Italy) on 23rd April 1813 and died at a very young age on 8th September 1853. In recognition of his meritorious service to humanity, His Holiness Pope John Paul II has declared that during his visit to Paris the Beatification of Fredrick Ozanam - the first of its kind to be celebrated in Paris - will be held on Friday 22nd August 1997 at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral.

To commemorate this great event of the century and, once in a lifetime occasion for Vincentians all over the world, the Bangalore Central Council has decided to publish a Souvenir - which will be released on Sunday, 24th August 1997 by Most Rev. Dr. Alphonsus Mathias, Jud. Ph.L., the Archbishop of Bangalore - after the Eucharist celebration to be held at the sacred Heart Church, Richmond Road, Bangalore.

Encouraged by the generous support and co-operation in bringing out the Silver Jubilee Souvenir, once again, the members of St. Vincent de Paul appeal to all their dear friends and well wishers to contribute whole heartedly towards the success of this "Beatification Souvenir".

The 'Ozanam Centre' at Jerome's Home - The Silver Jubilee Memorial - now has ten inmates and, and it is their desire, to make it possible to accomodate 10 to 15 more ages widows and destitutes.

Thank you and God Bless You all
Rev. fr, Terence J. Fransz, Diocesan Spiritual Adviser, ( Chancellor - Archdiocese of Bangalore)
Bro. Eric J. Fernandes (Finance & Fund Raising), Bro. V.C. Joseph - President (Bangalore Cebtral Council), Bro. Herbert D. Misquith ( Chairman, Beatification Souvenir Committee).

For more details on how you can contribute and help, write to :
The Chairman, Beatification Souvenir Committee, S.V.P. Bangalore Central Council, St. Mary's Basilica, Shivajinagar, Bangalore 560 051.


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Thought for the Day:" Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, Fon in the manner their fathers did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did they fathers to the false prophets." Holy Bible: Luke 6:20-26

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