Photo:Gilroy Catholic College student volunteers preparing for Vinnies Vans Service in Merrylands.

Across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, the mission of the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is lived as a deeply spiritual journey. As a lay Catholic organisation, the Society NSW is led by its members and sustained by volunteers, especially those from parish communities, whose faith, prayer, and generosity give life to the Society’s work. What is achieved together flows first from who our members are: people formed by Vincentian spirituality and responding daily to the call to serve Christ in those experiencing hardship. 

Vincentian members and parish-based volunteers remain the spiritual heart of the mission. Grounded in the Rule and nourished by prayer, reflection, and encounter, they lead through presence rather than prominence. Their spirituality is expressed quietly in listening deeply, accompanying patiently, and responding with humility and compassion. This lived faith anchors the Society’s work with schools, parishes, and communities, ensuring service is relational shaped by dignity and love. 

This spirituality shines across our school communities, with many wonderful examples emerging from schools in Western Sydney. Through Youth Week initiatives, Busking for Vinnies, service learning, community and winter sleepouts, students are invited into encounters modelled by members and parish volunteers. A recent example is students from Gilroy Catholic College, who volunteered alongside Vincentian members on the new Vinnies Van service operating from Merrylands, offering presence and hospitality to the local community. Such experiences help young people see faith lived through service. 

As Roydon Ng, part of the Membership, Youth, and Community Engagement team, reflects, “What we see taking shape with students and youth communities is really the faithfulness of members made visible, through quiet leadership, steady accompaniment, and service grounded in prayer and relationship.” Through these relationships, young people learn service is about being with others. 

School communities have also shown remarkable generosity through the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. This generosity is especially significant given Western Sydney includes some of the lowest socio-economic communities in NSW, and many families face rising cost-of-living pressures themselves. Yet schools, often supported by Members and parish volunteers, continue to give generously, choosing solidarity so others may experience dignity and hope. 

Beyond schools, parish youth across Western Sydney are responding to the spiritual witness of Vincentian members. In particular, parish youth in the Western Deanery within the Diocese of Parramatta are preparing to begin a new Vinnies Vans team, choosing service that is relational, grounded, and rooted in presence. 

As we look ahead toward Easter and Youth Week 2026, the Vincentian mission continues to grow through faith, service, generosity, and shared prayer—together.