AUCKLAND DIOCESE HOST CHARITY WALK TO SUPPORT SVDP FOODBANKS
As part of the ’Fit for Mission” pastoral plan the Catholic Diocese of Auckland organized a Sponsored Walk for Charity to raise funds for Auckland SVdP foodbanks. The walk was held on Saturday, 21 March. It was 5km walk along Westhaven marina boardwalk which ended up back at Pompallier. It was a successful event with around 70 people attending. The main organiser of the event was Una Daly. The Society of St Vincent de Paul in Auckland are very grateful to the organiser and all those who supported this walk.
MEANING, PURPOSE, DIRECTION , HAUORA
These were some of the words that came out of the presentations by the St Mary’s Vinnies seniors as they reflected on their “Values” and “WHY” they are important.
“Values make us who we are..shape us”
‘Gives me identity..”
” Values ground me in shaky situations…”
“Make life worth living…”
“I value, my family, my faith, life…all life is sacred..”
“I value my values..”
” It reflects my respect for myself and others..”
Through this wonderful conversation we discussed how it is our “values that are lived out” that have the greatest influence on who we are and who we become.They are a blueprint … a gift from God .your values will have.the greatest influence on what we do and how we relate to others. We look forward to how these wonderful young women live out this year of service.
SOCIAL JUSTICE STARTS AT HOME
As part of Justice Programme the Marist RE department invited the Vinnies team along to talk to the Yr 12s about how they live out the Catholic Social Teaching in their work. The youth team flipped the cards and asked the students to choose their favorite Catholic Social teaching and explain how they live this out and also in their school community
It was quite an experience listening to the presentations by the students. Respecting Human Dignity was the popular one followed not to far behind by “Preferential option for the Poor and Solidarity. They had an impressive understanding of the Social teachings and excellent examples of how these were being lived out by their communities. Well done Marist College!
SPENDING TIME AND BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS
As part of a ‘Positive Socialization’ initiative for vulnerable young people, the De La Salle Vinnies spent a good part of their Tuesday afternoon running activities for the resident children of Montecelia Emergency Housing. The management of this local emergency housing are really grateful for this programme as it brings alot of joy, fun and positive interaction and role modelling for the young ones.
Every Tuesday afternoon around 4 to 6 Vinnies from the local Catholic Colleges are rostered on to volunteer in this programme. This initiative began in 2014 after a conversation between Vinnies and the management of Montececelia where it was recognized that there was need for an after-school programmes for young people in their care. Similarly their was also a need for young people in the secondary schools to get out in the community and share their time and skills. There has been alot of positive feedback from the families and also from the volunteers who go in each week.
WHERE DOES THE FOOD GO?
” At school, we would collect a lot of cans to donate to the food bank, but we never really saw where it went… Today I got see where it went… I learnt about the families that come in asking for help……., it’s really cool….”
-Ceejay Student St Peter College
Everyday families and individuals find themselves in situations where they cant afford food. Through your generous help, thousands of foodparcels are given out each year to support these people.
LAUGHTER GOD’S GIFT TO US ALL
This afternoon wonderful crew of over 100 St Dominics met with us to begin to plan their work for the year. The first part of the session was filled with screeches of laughter as the students battled it out in a hilarious totally revamped activity paper scissors rock! During the more serious part of the session the students reflected and shared about themselves and what mattered to them.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF JOY
These delightful Marist students wasted no time when they arrived at the shop today. It was so busy, they rolled up their sleeves and got straight to work. Their enthusiasm and joy rubbed off on everyone else.It was fun today and there were some hilarious times when one of the customers broke out into an outrageously funny dance!
THROUGH LOVE WE HEAL
Today a group of students from St Paul’s College visited the Mother of Divine Mercy Refuge, where they connected with the families under their care. There was a deep sense of aroha and respect present in this meeting of youth – from the sharing of testimony by those once under the strife of family crisis to the gift of prayer and thanksgiving – all became one. We thank the people of Mother of Divine Mercy Refuge for allowing the students to come and have the opportunity to connect!
ASSISTING OUR FELLOW BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Over the last week, Rosmini students took to the streets to assist the Red Cross Foundation – one of many organisations in New Zealand that have heeded the call to assist our fellow brothers and sisters in Vanuatu. Well done gentleman!
BUILDING UPON THE FOUNDATION
Just as one lays the foundation of a house before a build, it is important to revisit on our foundations before setting out for the year. Today the Carmel College Vinnies group reflected on their values. They reflected on what they believed was important and in doing so got some clarity around how and what they wanted to do this year in service.
THANK YOU ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL AND ST BENEDICT’S PARISH.
Every week without fail the parishioners from these wonderful parishioners donate non perishable goods and household goods to the Vinnies centre in Kingsland. We are very grateful for these donations as they go a long way in supporting the numerous families that come through seeking assistance. A special thank you to the leaders and staff of these parishes for all the work they put into putting the request out and also ensuring that these donations are collected and ready for us to pick up at the beginning of each week. May God bless you.
MARIST COLLEGE SERVING IN HOPE
These students came in today to help stock the foodbank, work in the shop as well as help out with administration. The Society is very grateful for all the volunteers who generously give of their time.We would be able to do the work we seek to do without your help.
REFLECTING ON THE JOURNEY SO FAR
As the week drew to an end over 50 youth gathered at Liston Hall. These Auckland Vinnies Secondary Schools leaders and the Ignite Team connected in to reflect on the journey so far as leaders this term. Though not without it’s varying degrees of happiness and challenge, each leader recognized that all they have done, they have done so with their values at the forefront. We affirm these young men and women for all they achieved within their respective communities
“REFLECTION ALLOWS FOR OUR GIFTS TO BE LIVED OUT…”
Today the students of Rosmini College came together to learn the importance of examining and acknowledging ‘What Matter’s’ to them most. Values enlivened are the motivating power behind a purposeful life and a fulfilling, faithful and connected service ministry.
HE TANGATA – IT IS PEOPLE
As part of their Vinnies immersion programme, the students of St Mary’s College spent a good part of this evening serving up meals, spending time with the residents and cleaning up at a local emergency housing centre. Being their first visit, the students reflected on how their understanding of homelessness has now changed:
“…they are people… Real people who are relatable and friendly. We never thought this before the visit…”
TERTIARY VINNIES ARE BACK
The Vinnies Tertiary conference held there first meeting for the year. The year are close to 50 members in this group. The main focus of their work in 2014 was on homelessness, the prisons and the Christmas Appeal. This year they hope to further develop these initiatives and also extend some of their work into the local Vinnies centres.
If you would to more information on this group and its meeting times please contact pelasio@stvinnies.co.nz
