St Vincent de Paul continues refounding process in NZ

“We are not a network of welfare groups getting together to run Op Shops and distribute some food parcels,” Mr Stevens said.

“When Blessed Frédéric Ozanam founded our Society, it had a mission of growing, developing and sharing the Christian faith of its members. It was his intention that members should learn and grow their knowledge of God.

“He also taught that if you want to grow your love of God, you need to put it into practice by sharing your love with your neighbour in a practical and personal way. As Jesus put it so simply in the Gospels, love God and love your neighbour as yourself.”

The Society of St Vincent de Paul in New Zealand is currently in a nationwide process of refounding to reawaken the spirit that inspired the founders of the Society in their radical service of others. More than 100 members from around the country attended a workshop on Refounding in August and a range of Refounding materials have been distributed to more than 100 conferences around New Zealand.

“There has been a lot of enthusiasm for the refounding process,” Mr Stevens said. “Members realise that we are currently a Society in decline and that if we want to be vibrant and attract new members, we must be prepared to do things differently. Our founder encouraged us to be bold and innovative and now is certainly a time for that.”

The refounding message is being embraced by conferences around the country, especially the focus on spirituality and developing conferences into genuine faith communities.

“Prayer and reflection are at the heart of our conference,” said Peter Ryan, president of the Our Lady of Kāpiti Conference, which has flourished in recent years.

Mr Ryan said putting a stronger focus on prayer and reflection has been critical to strengthening the conference, which has grown from about six members to 30 members over the last five years.

A similar story of growth and vitality is evident in the St Peter Chanel Rangiora Conference in North Canterbury.

The growth in numbers in those conferences has allowed them to greatly extend their work with the vulnerable and disadvantaged in their areas.

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Vinnies putting spotlight on the spiritual (Society of St Vincent de Paul NZ)