SVP: Praying as a Parish Community
From the New Year onwards, the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) at St Charles will begin a simple but deeply meaningful practice. On every second Friday of the month, SVP members will gather to say their prayers publicly at 11.45am, shortly before the 12 noon Mass.
This invitation is offered not only as an act of devotion, but as a quiet witness to the heart of the SVP: prayer rooted in compassion, service, and community.
Prayer at the Heart of the SVP
The St Vincent de Paul Society is best known for its practical care — visiting those who are lonely, supporting people in financial difficulty, offering kindness where it is most needed. Yet at the heart of all this work is prayer. Without prayer, service risks becoming mere activity; with prayer, it becomes an expression of love.
By praying publicly, the SVP is gently reminding us that charity begins not with action alone, but with listening — listening to God, to the Gospel, and to the needs of our neighbours.
A Visible Sign of Faith and Service
Public prayer is not about drawing attention to ourselves. It is about making visible what already sustains the work of the Society behind the scenes. Many parishioners may not realise that every visit made, every food parcel delivered, and every quiet act of support is first placed before God in prayer.
Gathering at 11.45am, just before Mass, naturally connects the SVP’s work to the Eucharist — the source and summit of Christian life. It reminds us that love of neighbour flows from love of God.
An Open Invitation
All parishioners are warmly welcome to be present for these prayers. You do not need to be an SVP member. You may wish simply to sit quietly, to join in the prayers, or to hold in mind those who are struggling in our community.
This moment of shared prayer offers a chance to pause, reflect, and place the concerns of our parish and our wider world into God’s care — especially the poor, the isolated, and those facing hardship.
Strengthening Parish Life
Small, faithful practices often have a powerful effect on parish life. Praying together in this way strengthens bonds between parishioners, deepens awareness of the SVP’s mission, and reminds us that caring for others is not the task of a few, but the calling of the whole Church.
As the New Year begins, this regular gathering invites us all to start afresh — grounding our lives, our worries, and our hopes in prayer.
Please feel free to arrive a little early on the second Friday of each month, join the SVP members at 11.45am, and then remain for the 12 noon Mass. Together, we continue the quiet, faithful work of building a parish rooted in prayer and love.