The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is an international voluntary organization in the Catholic Church, founded in 1833 for the sanctification of its members by personal service of the poor, the migrant, the refugee, the lonely and the vulnerable.
This wonderful organisation of prayer, empowerment and solidarity is revamping itself in the Maidenhead area and will be known as ‘SVP Maidenhead’.
SVP is chaired by Jean Marc Hall and meets once a month, alternating between St Edmund Campion and St Joseph’s. See the newsletter for updates.
Message from Jean Marc Hall June 2023:
I am President of the Maidenhead St. Vincent de Paul Society, and a Care4Calais Humanitarian volunteer, working with people seeking asylum at the Holiday Inn Maidenhead.
Roughly 5 months ago I had an idea of producing a magazine that included personal stories, poems and views written by refugees and people seeking asylum. The first edition was released two weeks ago and it is now being circulated nationally, mainly by electronic attachment. It is called EXODUS.
Pope Francis writes: “Every migrant has a name, a face and a story.”
Exodus is a voice for people who need to be heard. It is a voice that calls out to communities in this country. Communities that are often concealed from the truth and the hard facts that often describe these people. They become invisible once they have reached our shores. It is a magazine for anyone wishing to find out how and why they have arrived here.
Many share their personal stories and express their views on their experiences. The written contributions give FIRST HAND knowledge to the reader, instead of third party articles written and circulated by the national press. Asylum seekers also receive valuable information from the magazine. And that will hopefully help them become less isolated.
It was the idea of the residents at the Holiday Inn to circulate Exodus into the community. They want you to read their stories. Please take time to look at the Care4Calais website and please help yourself to a copy of Exodus. The magazine is free, but donations are welcome. Alternatively, download a copy electronically (see below). Do email [email protected] if you have any queries.
You are encouraged to download/copy/print/send and most importantly, distribute.
