March Week 06

Monday

St Patrick’s Cathedral weekly donations of food for Vinnies foodbanks

We wish to thank the staff and parishioners of the St Patrick’s Cathedral for their ongoing support of the SVdP foodbanks .  It was lovely also to have some extra help today from the I-14ers… they helped pick up food donations, prepare food parcels and collapsed all our recycling today…even though they struggled with sleep deprivation and aches and pains from the hard out Adventures on camp! Thanks to Lucia, Reynold and Lavrenti who hid from the camera for putting your Faith into Action.

March Week 05

Tuesday

St Peter’s College – Theme : Lack of Resources for families – Clothing Drive

Check out the boys in blue! These young men from St Peter’s College are in the midst of sorting clothes and shoes for the theme: “Clothe the Cold”… The Vinnies van is hard at it today transporting the apparel to distribution centers in Auckland. Well done SPC!

 

St Paul’s College -Theme : Homelessness

A big thank you to the Vinnies of St Paul’s College tonight for serving and connecting in with residents of emergency housing. So great to see you all in your element! As the theme of ‘homelessness’ unfolds this term we look forward to the many more gifts you have to share. “Lead to guide and serve”

 

Wednesday

St Paul’s College – Theme: Homelessness

Big ups to St Paul’s College Vinnies for letting us come out today to unpack the theme “Homelessness”. The crew will be taking what they learn and serving it up again at an emergency housing center tomorrow night… stay tuned as their journey continues to unfold!

 

Saturday

Auckland Vinnies Secondary School Execs Camp 2014 : CAMP IGNITE 2014

“The Society of St Vincent de Paul is not just an organisation… it’s a family.” 

Around 70 people headed to out to Camp Adair over the weekend for the annual service and leadership training CAMP IGNITE for Vinnies Exec leaders from 13 different Catholic Secondary Schools.

It was a deeply moving experience shared by all as they poured over the stories of the Vincentians founders, trudged through mud, swung from lofty heights on ropes and climbed mountains to reach the light within. It was a journey of song, of laughter and tears… these young men and women now take their light back to their homes to share with those around them.

A huge thank you to our faithful Vinnies Legends Vavao, Farani, Tumua, Tulua O’tuafi and Mata for you continual love and support for the group as well as providing us with the most amazing meals!

Sio Briggitte Laumatia thank you for challenging us with your hardout dawn session that was both really hard and profoundly transformative. Like you say the force is strong amongst these young leaders.

To our dear Vinnies I-14 Team members and leaders (Ignite 14) Thank you for the amazing support and leadership you provided over the weekend. All your hard work attending the training and your commitment to the cause was really evident. We are so so so Proud of you all. You were absolutely stunning.

We praise God for the GIFT of this weekend …We THANK GOD that the Holy Spirit moved us all 

“Let us Unite, to Ignite… and Share With Others What Matters Most: God’s Light”

 

 

 

 

March Week 04

Tuesday 

Sancta Maria College – Theme: Food Insecurity

It was great to meet up with Mr Gorman, DRS of Sancta Maria to plan out the Vinnies programme for the next 2 terms..Such an awesome challenge given they have 300 in their group…Such exciting times. Thank you also for the donation of canned food from the students we picked up today! God bless : )

 

St Mary’s College -Theme: Homelessness

Such a moving experience with the St Mary’s College Vinnies this evening… These young women served with a smile and a song at an emergency housing center, sharing their time and gifts with all those present. As part of their focus on Homelessness this term, the team at St Mary’s hope to connect and experience the realities faced by others in society…A special shout to the “tree of wisdom” -Gloria for the guidance and wisdom and also to the rest of the Liston team for your commitment and compassion.

 

Video Link:

 

Wednesday

Baradene College – Theme: Food Insecurity and Vulnerability

An awesome meeting with the Baradene Vinnies today as they unpack their theme for this term -Poverty… and understanding the implications of lacking the basic necessities and choices for many families in New Zealand.

As part of their service work these Vinnies are in the midst of organizing a mega can drive for Auckland SVdP foodbanks.. the photos speak for themselves, a true testament of their compassion and willingness to serve others! There was an amazing turn out of students and we wish to congratulate these wonderful ladies on their commitment …It was also awesome to meet up with the legends Fr John Allardyce and Mrs Everitt ….such an honour!!

 

Thursday

Sancta Maria College – Theme: Vulnerability (Fundraiser to support orphans in Malawi)

The Sacred Heart College Vinnies are in full swing as they prepare for the amazing year ahead. The school was abuzz with activity as the seniors and the staff were hosting Sacred Heart College’s Open day. This group of young men have just completed their fundraiser for young people in Malawi..well done. We are very stoked to work alongside this passionate group of young men .
Also a special mention of Mrs Oliphant one of our longest serving Vinnies teachers…she has been serving behind the scenes supporting the work of the Society for the last 14 Years!!! What commitment! Much love and respect.

 

St Dominic’s College – Theme : Food Insecurity

Great to see the Vinnies of St Dominic’s College today. This awesome group of Vinnies are currently focussing on the theme of Poverty  -unpacking and understanding Food Insecurity..They have launched an appeal to collect food for the local SVdP foodbanks. What great energy!! Looking forward to their journey of service as it unfolds !!

 

Friday

Baradene College – Theme: Food Insecurity

The team @ Baradene have spent the past few weeks working on their theme of “Food insecurity” -unpacking the reality of families that struggle to put food on the table.. . The Youth team were really stoked at what the Baradene Vinnies have achieved. They collected approx 2000 cans of food..these will be distributed out to several of the local SVdP food banks that are currently struggling with the referrals coming in for food assistance. Welldone to the leadership and the vinnies team from Baradene!!!

 

Carmel College – Theme: Homelessness (De Paul House Emergency housing)

Wonderful to see the Vinnies of Carmel College today as they seek to immerse themselves in this term’s theme: ‘Homelessness’. Did you know that around 200 people sleep rough in the centre of Auckland City.

Did you know this is only one formof homelessness? The secondary form of Homelessness is those seeking accommodation in refuges, emergency housing, shelters etc?? 

Carmel college will spend the rest of the term learning about Homelessness and finding different ways to try and make a difference…From Easter egg drives to visitations to De Paul House… these young women are up to a solid start! Great work ladies !!

Ignite 2014 Young Adults Team- Theme: Food Insecurity

Great to have the Vinnies Baileys (aka media crew) and some of the I-14ers mucking in at the centre today…always appreciate the help on our fullon freaky Fridays…prevents them from being ‘Freakout Fridays’ !!

 

Sunday

Tertiary Young Adult Vinnies Group – Theme: Vulnerability

The Vinnies from the Tertiary group have be volunteering to prepare and serve meals at the Auckland City in the weekends.

 

 

 

March Week 03

Tuesday

Marist College –  Social Justice Workshop

It was great to meet up with the entire Year 12 students of Marist College. Such a wonderful group of passionate students. In today’s session we talked about Justice and how Vinnies tries to live out the Catholic Social teachings in its work and practices. It was great to get input from the group on how they assess need and inform the decisions they make about how and who they help. It was good to reminded about the common good and how we should see one another as our brother and sister.

Marist College- Theme: Homelessness

As the old saying goes..you can never judge a book by its cover..and nothing is completely as it seems…Tonight the students who came to serve meals at the hostel reflected on their preconceived ideas of what a homeless person would be like. The honesty from the students was refreshing..they were first to admit that they were scared…and that they held sterotypical views. As the evening unfolded, and the meals were shared, the students found themselves either in fits of laughter or listening totally intrigued to the stories of people ..people just like you and me ..stories about life, love and loss…These brothers and sisters are such a gift to us all…they keep us in check and remind of what is important….its amazing what you find when you go to the poor…you find out somehow..we are the ‘poor’ ones.

 

 

Friday

Vinnies presentation at the  Catholic Schools Directors of Religous Education Retreat 

Representing 16 different colleges ! Hey people spot your favorite teacher !!..Our team were invited out to the DRS (Director of Religious education retreat) to give a presentation on our Vinnies work. We had a great time! What an awesome group of passionate, Gospel called and committed people! Legends!

 

Auckland Vinnies Secondary School leaders monthly Executives  March meeting 2014

The Vinnies Exec Leaders from the Secondary Schools gathered at Liston Hostel for their monthly Council meeting hosted by the youth team to map out their justice themes, service programmes, events and submit submit baselines data fir this year. 

Great to see the Ignite 14 crew supporting and thank you to Anna for facilitaing our awesome baselines data collection. Hope you all have a good week…look forward to connecting in with some of this week…Bring on SCHOOL’S CAMP IGNITE 2014!!

 

St Mary’s College – Theme: Homelessness

St Mary’s College Vinnies are focusing on Homelessness this Term. Great turn out …really moved by the commitment and compassion of this group. Good luck for all your initiatives and service projects.

 

Saturday

Vinnies Young Adults Ignite 2014 Team training

Thank you to the committed team of Ignite i14’ers who turned up for Vinnies Youthwork101  training today…This is the team that will be working closely with our current school leaders.. The journey thus far has been pretty awesome.
Thank you to our most knowledgeable and experienced facilitator Helen who held a stunning session today on the foundational elements of working with young people. Judging from the conversation and feedback the participants who attended were stoked for the opportunity to have access to the training.
We would like to thank Olivia for taking the time to open up and welcome us all into the space and also to Bernie and the team at Newman Hall for letting us use their facilities. Rock on i14’s!!!

 

March Week 02

Tuesday

Young Adults VInnies Group

Today Young Adult  Vinnies had their first meeting for the year! Lots of new faces! Sounds like there are lots of amazing opportunities in store! Next meeting is on Tuesday 18th March at 1pm at Newman hall! Would be great to see you all there!

 

Thursday

Sancta Maria College first Vinnies meeting for 2014

Had an amazing visit with the Vinnies crew at Sancta Maria College today! Whoa 250+ members!!! 
Ready for another wonderful year of learning, connecting and service.. these young men and women have come together with two things in mind: Fun, and Faith in Action. 2014 here we come!!

 

Friday

De La Salle College first Vinnies meeting for 2014

And so the legacy continues… It was great to see the Vinnies of De La Salle College today as they look towards continuing the story of the Society within their school and the wider community. Much thanks to the school Vinnies leaders Mose, Sam and Allen for bringing the crew together!

 

Sunday

Vinnies Young Adults Ignite 2014 Team

The Ignite 14 Team got together in the central city today for their training in preparation for the upcoming School Exec Camp as well as school visits, retreats, events and service projects. This crew will be supporting the Auckland youth team in the delivery of the schools programme this year. We are so excited and grateful to be working with such a group of energetic and gifted young leaders. Thank you to our awesome facilitator Hannah and her seasoned colleague and support Chris.

 

 

 

March Week 01

Saturday

JOURNEY WITH THE STARS CONCERT

Vinnies young adults put on a concert to raise funds for the Auckland SVdP foodbanks.

What a beautiful night…God we praise you for the gift of youth, of music, of dance, of passion, of love and ultimately the gift of you..”Journey with the stars” ..it certainly was …Thank you to all of you who made it happen!

Exquisite performance by Theresa Murphy

Grand Finale : We are the World sunf=g by all the youth performers.

The Vinnies concert – Journey With The Stars