Society of St Vincent de Paul in New Zealand

10/10/2026

Discover the power of giving back with Vinnies! 💙

Every donation, purchase and volunteered time goes directly towards supporting our community. From providing essential goods to offering a helping hand, together we’re making a real difference.

🔗 https://www.svdp.org.nz/

08/10/2026

Some behind the scenes of the wonderful Vinnies Tāmaki Makaurau providing individuals and whānau facing hardship access to nutritious kai through Food Hub and Vinnies Kitchen. 💙

05/10/2026

Vincentian Foundation for the Elderly 💙🤝

Inadequate hearing can have a marked impact on an elderly persons well-being. It can lead to them being marginalised as a result of experiencing poor communication, isolation, depression and other health problems.

We have a grant available to seniors throughout New Zealand age 65+ who meet the requirements.

For further information and to apply, contact Denis Bourke at [email protected]

🔗 https://www.vinnies-wellington.org.nz/vincentian-foundation

03/10/2026

Happy 1st birthday 🎈💙

29/09/2026

Three days ago on the 27.09, the Feast of St Vincent de Paul was celebrated 💛

Here in Canterbury, the mission of SVDP is lived out in very practical ways, providing food and essential items, supporting families through difficult times, offering budgeting assistance, listening without judgement, and simply being present when someone needs to know they are not alone.

Charity is love. It is not solely about giving things.

Come and put your faith into action with St Vincent de Paul Canterbury 💙

Find out more about becoming a member or volunteer at 👇
🔗www.svdpcanterbury.nz

26/09/2026

We may be loosing an hour of sleep tonight - but we are gaining months of lighter evenings to look forward to! 👏

And longer evenings are VERY welcome 💙

24/09/2026

Congrats to Cass Sutton of Te Awamutu 👏

Newly elected president for the SVDP Hamilton area. From all of us at SVDPNZ we wish you all the best for your future role!

And we’d also like to extend our appreciation to Jim Nolan for his service and work of excellence over the last 6 years 🙏

20/09/2026

Vinnies Tāmaki Makaurau extends their thanks for all the support for MAORI LANGUAGE WEEK 👏👏

19/09/2026

Spiritual Reflection - September 2026 🕊️
"THE HUMBLE SERVANT"

….And he got up from the table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it around his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing (Jn 13:4-5).

To be an effective worker for both the material and spiritually poor, one needs the quality of humility. The humble work, not for their own glory or gain, but simply to let peace reign in the lives of the vulnerable - those who, for whatever reason, need the presence of someone who inspires. This offering is far more important than any material relief we might be able to offer.

The humble know how to stand in their own truth and beliefs. They are people filled with a sense of gratitude and know that all is gift. Therefore, the things some might see as a curse, the humble will see as blessing.

The humble have the ability of being in touch with the truth about themselves and their purpose in life. They see with great clarity the weakness of the human condition and the degrading misery humanity inflicts upon itself. The more acutely this is seen, the greater will love and compassion be displayed.

All of the above explains why we need to observe the earthly life of Jesus. Jesus knew his truth: he was on earth to serve us at the request of the Father. In Luke’s gospel he goes one day into a synagogue and reads from the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor (Luke 4:16-27). His mission is our mission too.

When Jesus met the woman at the well and said: If you only knew what God is offering and who it is saying to you give me a drink (Jn 4:10), he is referring to God’s greatest gift to humanity, a gift that effects radical change. The woman’s brief encounter with Jesus sent her away with courage, bringing the gift of hope.

The questions then we need to consider are ‘what are we offering?’ ‘Why are we here, doing what we do?’

To read more visit:🔗 www.svdp.org.nz/blog/post/159026/spiritual-reflection--september-2026/

15/09/2026

Celebrating a beautiful word: 💙
‘Manaakitanga’ is about extending love, compassion, hospitality and care to others — recognising the dignity of every person and treating them with generosity and respect. For us, it is more than a word; it is one of the values we want to live out in every encounter.

Let us all go forth with more of these important values this week and beyond.

Let us explain this word to our children and whanau and how they can share in it.

And let us take comfort knowing that when we are shining our light on those who need it most in the community, we really are making a noticeable difference 💙

This Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we’re celebrating a word that speaks deeply to who we are at St Vincent de Paul Canterbury: Manaakitanga.

Manaakitanga is about extending love, compassion, hospitality and care to others — recognising the dignity of every person and treating them with generosity and respect. For us, it is more than a word; it is one of the values we want to live out in every encounter.

Whether we are visiting someone in their home, sharing food, providing clothing or furniture, listening over a cup of coffee, or simply being present to someone who needs to know they are not alone, manaakitanga reminds us that how we care for people matters just as much as what we give.

This is at the heart of our Vincentian vocation: seeing Christ in the person before us and responding with love.

Ake ake ake — a forever language.
Kia kaha te reo Māori. 💙💛