STORY - "Indian pilgrims hosted by Vinnies"

While most weary-eyed pilgrims made our way back to warm beds waiting at home, two young Vincentians from India embarked on their own post-WYD Days in the Diocese in Maitland-Newcastle.

For six days following the Papal Mass the St Vincent de Paul Society had the pleasure of welcoming Kiran Meregu from the Central Indian State of Andhra Pradesh and Dileep Varghese, Area Council youth representative and President of his conference under Ernakulam Central Council of Society of St Vincent de Paul, India. These two councils form part of our ‘twinned’ partnership. Each conference of St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia is ‘twinned’ with and contributes to supporting an overseas parish in many countries throughout the world.

Unsettled weather did not hamper their activities which included a visit to Mt Arthur coal mine in Muswellbrook and the Society’s Special Works such as Vinnies Centres and Matthew Talbot Centre, Wickham. Our Centres were a treasure chest for our visitors as they do not have second-hand stores in India. With a chuckle Kiran purchased a fancy coat from our Maitland Centre for his State President then both donned blue Vinnies aprons and went to work behind the counter. Both expressed a desire to take the Centre concept back to India.

As they shared with us their own good works in their country we began to see how similar our roles as Vincentians are across the globe. As part of our ethos we must strive to build friendships with those we care for and empower them to take control of their own destiny.

Kiran told us of the works of the Ernakulam Central Council. Each conference has “adopt-a-family” in which two Vincentian members are teamed with a family in need in their area whom they visit weekly. They support this family in many ways by sharing meals, their feelings and the true warmth that is so central to our Vincentian spirituality. In these acts and in our volunteers we see Christ just as our National St Vincent de Paul Society logo represents: we are the hand of love that offers friendship and compassion to the suffering hand of those we serve in our community. This is then blessed by Christ’s own hands.

Our young volunteers who are university students just like the founder of the Society Frederick Ozanam, reach out their hands and spirit of friendship to other young people of our diocese through our Buddies Day and Kids Camp activities.

Through these activities new friendships are formed between the primary school children we take and our young volunteers. The self-esteem and teamwork abilities of all who participate are also enhanced.

In Kiran and Dileep our diocesan volunteers and staff of St Vincent de Paul Society found that compassion is still alive. We thank them for sharing their wonderful spirit with us and look forward to continued friendship with our twinned nations.

Michelle Kot
Youth and Young Adults Co-ordinator
St Vincent de Paul Society

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