High expenditure, insufficient funding, scarce human resources and a drop in home visitation were the key issues discussed at the Society of St Vincent de Paul’s (SVP) annual general meeting last Sunday.

But Archbishop Edward Gilbert told those gathered at St Mary’s College auditorium that in the midst of these challenges the SVP must not forget its reason for being – helping the poor.

“You’re not just a social service, but a social service in the name of the Lord,” he said to members from the various conferences (parishes) across the archdiocese.

The archbishop said there was a deficit of “faith, hope and love” in the world and the Christian mandate was to build “a civilisation of love” to counter the civilisation of pain, war and hatred. He urged members to ensure that love was present at “every level of social relationship” with the underprivileged.

Chair of the Finance Committee, Kenneth Augier, said earlier in the meeting that the SVP recorded a deficit of $420,253 for the year ending December 31, 2005. The previous year, the deficit was $146,653.

Referring to the financial problems and the efforts being made to overcome them, the archbishop suggested that the SVP’S Finance Committee meet with the Archdiocesan Finance Council for advice.

He also suggested that the SVP introduce a stewardship programme to raise funds, as such programmes have proven fruitful in many parishes. “You have to look at a new paradigm for fundraising,” he advised. The archbishop later closed the AGM by celebrating Mass.

Clive Belgrave, in presenting the national council report 2005-2006, said the Society had demonstrated resilience in the face of financial and human resource challenges.

On the issue of human resources, the honorary national secretary invited members to volunteer their time at the Secretariat until suitable replacements could be found to fill key positions there, in particular the position left vacant by SVP administrative assistant, Maurice Ragoonath.

Ragoonath, considered a Jack-of-all-trades, unexpectedly passed away in August. There was a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for him.

Belgrave gave an update on operations and special projects (see below) and challenged members not to renege on their “basic responsibilities to the poor”, despite “the difficult and perilous times in which we live”.

Belgrave was hinting at how the crime situation had affected members’ ability to make home visitations. President Anthony Wong Doo spoke in greater detail on this issue in his address, which preceded the archbishop’s.

Wong Doo said “the frightening disorder that seemingly engulfs our society has caused many conferences to recoil to the sanctuary of their conference room from where they now attempt to service the poor.” He said the poor were now being encouraged to visit the conference.

Wong Doo said while he was not “discounting a spirit of discernment for your safety”, he stressed that visiting the poor in their “homes, streets and alleys” was sacred to the Vincentian vocation and “defines our service as members…”. He urged members to come up with ways to overcome this obstacle, yet be faithful to “your call and to your charges”.

Wong Doo noted that the Society would celebrate its 150th anniversary next year and that celebrations would take place at a national and local level.

He said the overall aims would be to increase visibility, attract funding, recruit new members and motivate the general membership.

The AGM began with a spiritual reading by SVP founder Frederic Ozanam, followed by a reflection and discussion. The youth coordinating team organised an “icebreaker” to encourage members from the different conferences to meet and greet each other.

President of SVP Grenada, Matthias Joseph, who was present for the meeting, was given the opportunity to address fellow Vincentians after the Mass. He thanked the National Council and the wider membership for their prayers and support in helping Grenada “get back on its feet” following two hurricanes.

He invited Wong Doo and other members of the Council to attend an October 15 Mass for deceased national secretary Steve Solomon, to be celebrated by Bishop Sydney Charles in Grenada. – RS

HIGHLIGHTS
• Discussions are being held with the Ministry of Health to house elderly citizens at Finbar Ryan Home. A government subsidy will be paid.
• The Cyril Ross Nursery will receive for the first time since its establishment in 1994 an annual grant of $210,000 from the National AIDS Coordinating Committee. It will be paid on a quarterly basis. Meanwhile, work on the new Cyril Ross facility is progressing slowly.
• The new Home for the Aged in San Fernando has run into legal and financial difficulties. But Republic Bank, after making an original donation of $2 million, has come to the rescue with further funding of $1.5 million. The bank is also willing to loan the outstanding funds.
• Discussions continue with the Ministry of Social Development concerning the future of the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons.
• Discussions continue with the Housing Development Corporation concerning the future of the Nazareth House, Duncan Street, SVP Secretariat and other facilities. The facilities fall into the area designated for redevelopment in East Port of Spain