Week 1
Saturday
Every year, with have the honor of recognizing and commissioning our Auckland Youth Leaders and giving them recognition of the work they are about to embark on. Not only do we acknowledge our young leaders from the different catholic schools but also the young adults who run programmes such as the Mother of Divine Mercy, Tertiary Vinnies and also our Auckland City Mission crew. A small mass was held to appreciate the work that would be happening throughout the year led by Bishop Owen Dolan, the Spiritual Director for the Society of St Vincent de Paul in New Zealand. It was a quaint celebration for those who will be leading the younger and future leaders of the society.
Week 3
Saturday & Sunday
Homelessness is a growing situation within New Zealand, especially around the Central Business District in Auckland. A way for the Vinnies to raise awareness and gain a better understanding of homelessness is by immersing themselves into that reality. The boys from St Peter’s College over the weekend endured the challenges and hardships that homelessness can have. In the cold and rain, they were able to stand in solidarity and front up against this reality, in hope that people become more aware of the hardships homelessness can have on people.
Week 4
Building Vinnies Trans-Tasman Connections
In the final week of May, three Kiwis working within the Society had the honor of going to the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Australia National Youth AGM (Annual General Meeting). It was to strengthen and enforce the Trans-Tasman connection and to also discuss plans for a proposed Vinnies Youth Leaders Oceania gathering in the near future. One of the Attendees, Delphina Soti, had this to say about her experience:
The experience was invaluable as a lot was learnt and shared. “We can learn a lot from the Australia Vinnies National Youth team which comprises of both State Managers for the Youth Programmes and also Youth Representative who are Vincentian volunteers. New Zealand has yet to develop this part of its programme and also develop a programme to prepare young leaders for transitioning into Governance roles in the future.
