Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP)
Conference of Holy Family
The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) is a global lay Catholic volunteer organisation dedicated to offering person-to-person help to those in need, serving in hope. Introduced in Singapore in 1883, SSVP is now present in 29 parishes, befriending and assisting over 3,000 Friends-in-Need (FINs) from all religions and backgrounds.
As Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the founder, reminded us: "Our true aim is to preserve in ourselves the Catholic Faith in all its purity and to communicate it to others through the channels of charity."
Left Image: Mosaic of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington (U.S.)
Our Mission in Action
The SSVP Conference of Holy Family aspires to live the twin vocation of building a community of faith and friendship, and growing in holiness through loving and serving the poor and needy.
Through person-to-person contact, we befriend and journey with our Friends-in-Need (FINs) residing within the parish boundaries, offering them supplementary material assistance, social and spiritual support, and encouraging them to take charge of their own destiny.
Journeying with FINs
Putting our faith into action, we reflect Christ’s love to the ones we serve and are humbled to encounter the suffering Christ in them.
Regular Contact: We work together in teams to journey and gradually build bonds of friendship with our FINs through regular home visits and personalised accompaniment.
Social & Spiritual Support: This includes celebrating festivals and birthdays, visiting them in the hospital, accompanying them for medical appointments and Mass for the Sick, and sponsoring and walking with them in the Catholic faith. As a conference, we also organise annual excursions and parties during Easter and Christmas, bringing smiles and community to the FIN families.
Partnering for Dignity: We work and partner with various ministries, parishioners, and social agencies to live the social mission of the Church with the poor and needy in dignity.
Providing Tangible Support
<Example> On the 1st Sunday of the month, we catch up with the FINs in the church grounds to share a hot meal and disburse cash and vouchers to supplement their daily necessities. For FINs who are confined to their homes, we visit them to make deliveries.
We also provide other material assistance, for example:
Monthly Milk and Diapers to needy families with children below the age of three.
Weekly tuition and mentoring for FINs' children.
Education grants for FINs' children studying in ITE, Polytechnic, Pre-University, and University.
Donated dry rations, care-packs, and household appliances.
Aspiring to Build a Community of Faith and Friendship
As Vincentians, we are committed not only to service but also to our own spiritual growth and community bonding.
SSVP Meetings
Purpose: To reflect on Scripture, keep updated on our FINs and activities at the parish and national level.
Meeting Schedule:[INSERT YOUR SCHEDULE HERE, e.g., 1st Sunday of the month @ 10:30am and 3rd Tuesday @ 8pm]
Through various activities, we bond and grow in friendship, supporting each other in our shared vocation of service.
Contact Us
If you feel called and are interested to find out more about the SSVP in the Church of the Holy Family, or wish to refer someone in need to us, please reach out.
Enquiry/Referral Link:[INSERT LINK TO YOUR ENQUIRY/REFERRAL FORM HERE]
Email: ssvp.hfc@gmail.com
To know more about the SSVP National Council Singapore, including their history and publications, visit them online at https://ssvpsingapore.org/.