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Sacred Heart SVP Meets on Tuesdays at 8.00 p.m. in the Link Room. President : Tony Falcon  Yearly
Report 2002 - 2003
We welcomed our new Spiritual Advisor, Father Chris and his assistant Lad into our midst. Lad does his best to round up his new flock, however it is still business as usual, in what has been a good year. You could say the highlight of our year was our visit to the SVP National Conference last September in Northampton, from which we returned filled with enthusiasm and spiritual renewal. Visits in the Parish Following the example of our founder Blessed Frederic Ozanam we have made 1,503 visits to the sick and needy during the past year at home, or in hospital. 161 of which were special visits and 21 to hospitals. Visits are usually not just for a friendly chat with someone who never sees anyone from one week to the next. They can entail giving a helping hand in many ways, from re-erecting a fallen fence, taking furniture or a television set which has been donated or perhaps a recycled cooker. These friends need not be our own parishioners, but may be of any persuasion, their only qualification being need. 33 Christmas parcels were delivered, together with boxes of chocolates given by Father Chris. We also again provided help towards fuel bills for many friends in the parish. Some of these we visit also needed financial help. Fortunately we have been generously supported by the wonderful collection made each year at Sacred Heart. We are also grateful for the support of "Wireless and Television for the bedridden". Volunteers still required
- younger people to broaden the help we give, e.g. we might put up blinds and
curtains, tidy up a garden for someone who can no longer look after it because
of illness, or to offer younger ideas and energy. Our President would be
pleased to talk to you about how you may like to help. His telephone
number is 01582 371383 and on the internet at falcon_tony@btopenworld.com,
or maybe you know a member you can ask (see below). Did you know about twinning? One of the suggestions made each year by the Holy Father, to aid Third World Countries, was the supply of clean water to the needy. The SVP conferences of Northampton Diocese adopted Grenada, largely a Catholic country. Carriacou, the second island of Grenada, has no water supply during the six month dry season. For some time now the SVP has been providing water storage facilities on the island. However there is still more to be done to complete the work. The SVP also helps in other ways to foster self development. One example called Jubiloan, is a scheme marking the Millennium by setting up a fund to provide small low interest loans. Many poor people would like to start earning some income, but cannot get a start-up loan. Donations would help these deserving people to stand on their own two feet. A donation was also sent last year to the SVP in Pietermariszburg, South Africa to provide some hungry little mouths with baby milk. We could have helped but we didn't know! Perhaps you know someone who is housebound, feeling lonely or isolated? Someone who would welcome a friendly visit or just a little chat, without any strings or obligation and certainly not trying to sell you anything. By getting close to those who suffer, help is not seen as a humiliating handout, but as a sharing between brothers and sisters. The St Vincent de Paul Society offers anyone just that, Friendship in your own home, hospital or nursing home. If you or anyone you know of would like a reassuring, no obligation preliminary enquiry, talk to Fr. Chris on 01582 372321, or anyone of the members listed below, in strictest confidence, of course. Now to "sum up" ...
SVP Sacred Heart Conference members in alphabetical order: George Colson, Elsie Dean, Tony Falcon, Phyl Lyons, Ron Makinen, Tom O'Brien, Ray Ruddy, Shirley Smith, Patricia Wiseman Follow this link for the national SVP website Extract from "Contact" magazine of December 1999 by Tony Falcon When I joined the SVP over 20 years ago, there were several members, who included Bill Madigan, (Honorary Secretary), Vic Paveley, Mary & Bert Earl and Jim & Bridget Kelly. The sheer industry of this small group in visiting people who were lonely or in need was inspiring, but they were quite self- deprecating, believing they were fulfilling "clothe the naked, feed the hungry.” (St Matthew's gospel).
Bill was presented with the SVP's Silver Medal by the Diocesan President at a special celebration in the Parish House. He was truly moved by this and in private correspondence to me was extremely grateful - his only sadness being that his beloved wife, Margaret, was not able to share it with him.
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Bill's
long experience in, and love of, the SVP (he joined as a young man and continued
through the war years even whilst serving overseas in the forces), and the way
he gave guidance and help to new members, was always welcomed. When the
Conference asked me to become President in 1980, 1 felt totally inadequate to
the task - Bill persuaded me to accept the post and he sustained me in the role
over many years. His kindness and support made being a member of the SVP a
privilege. In spite of his age, he was tireless in his help for people in need -
and extremely modest in his achievements.