VOLUNTEERING WHILST AT UNIVERSITY 2016
Earlier today, Vinnies held the first meeting of the year for our tertiary students. They welcomed new faces and also familiar ones.
The meeting was based on introducing and reconnecting everyone to the collective, society and to each other. Tertiary Vinnies have big plans for the year and we all look forward to the work of service they have prepared.
ST PAUL’S COLLEGE HOMESLESSNESS RETREAT 2016
Keep watch with me.
As we journey through the Holy Week, St Paul’s College Vinnies came together on Holy Thursday and spent the night at their college grounds experiencing the things people go through everyday such as having no food or shelter. These young men stayed up through the night and prayed just like Jesus did. The overnight retreat enhanced the Faith and Brotherhood of these men through their passion to serve.
Early morning, they walked through the city together in silence carrying the cross to St Patrick’s Cathedral where their retreat came to an end with a special blessing from Monsignor Bernard Kiely.
AUCKLAND CITY’S STATIONS OF THE CROSS 2016
This morning the Auckland Catholic Tertiary Chaplaincy team hosted the annual Stations of the Cross for Auckland city. It was a powerful, moving experience where over 2000 people attended. The different parishes, youth teams and people that came together on this Good Friday to remember and to honor our Gospel Story.
‘SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGH EASTER’
As it gets closer to the Easter weekend, the Kingsland Vinnies volunteers were able to put together bulks of food parcels for our friends at NZPC (NZ PROSTITUTES COLLECTIVE) as they continue help some of those vulnerable men and women who work the streets to feed their desperate families. The SVdP Kingsland Centre have a growing connection with NZPC and those they seek to serve. The Society wish to thank all the faithful donors from the local parishes for the ongoing donations that allow us to do this work. A special thank you to St Patrick’s Cathedral and St Benedict’s Parish.
Auckland City Mission Drop-in Crew Volunteers
The ‘Drop In Crew’ consisting of young volunteers consisting of Vinnies volunteers as well as youth from other Catholic Parishes have begun their inductions this year to volunteer at the Auckland City Mission .
Early in April the first trainee team of volunteers for 2016 came gathered at Auckland City Mission for a Volunteer training led by Helen Robinson City MissionTeam Leader.
The idea is that these volunteers alongside another 30 will be rostered on in pairs in three hour rosters to serve food and drink and run activities every weekend at the Auckland City Mission Drop in.
Each week around over one hundred rough sleepers and those seeking assistance frequent this drop in centre. For everything for a hot cuppa, a meal, clothing and blankets or simply to watch a bit of TV and hang out with friends.
The hope of these young adult volunteers is to genuinely try to connect and love through service. Helen Robinson also reiterated that working with the population of people who frequent the Drop In is rather difficult however it is an honour to have access to them as they keep you connected and teach you so much.
