Activities of the Conference of Saint Vincent de Paul, Aldona

SVP Aldona was founded in May 1973 with only 4 members under the spiritual support of the parish priest. It was christened as society of St Vincent de Paul, Conference of St Thomas, Aldona.

Presently our membership is 22 members all who are active. There are 7 auxiliary members.

During my tenure as President (1994-1999), SVP Aldona celebrated its Silver Jubilee during which time a souvenier was released which helped in fund generation. At this point in time the Society unanimously agreed to donate Rs One Lakh to the Aldona Old Aged Home with the condition that one bed would be reserved for an SVP beneficiary without charge.

We have on our beneficiary list around 60 families and individuals to whom we dole out aid in the form of money, ration supplies and/or clothes. We have been educating several students from kindergarten to university level by paying for their tuition fees, books, uniforms and transport allowance. We help those with health problems by paying for their medications. We have also built or repaired the houses of some of our beneficiaries.

Every year on 9^th September we celebrate our Founder Blessed Fredric Ozanam Day at the Old aged Home, Aldona. We start with the Holy Mass followed with a get-together with the inmates and nuns. We sing-song and conduct games with prizes given to the winners.

The feast of St Vincent de Paul is celebrated each year on the Sunday nearest to the 27^th September. We have a get-together at the Parish Hall with our beneficiaries and their families with lots of entertainment and games. This is also repeated in December prior to Christmas with distribution of sizeable ration to each beneficiary.

As the work of carrying out the activities depend mostly on the generosity of well wishers fund raising becomes a very important aspect. We do this through appeals and raffles.

In Goa, SVP is organised with one Central Council under which are 20 Particular Councils in the South and 18 Particular Councils in the North. The Particular Council (PC) oversees the conferences under their umbrella. Each Conference reports to their PC which then reports to the Central Council. If major decisions are needed to be made the matter goes to the National Council and if required then to the Headquarters in France . In Goa we are proud to say that we have over 200 Conferences.

Written by Joe Castelino