On Friday 24 July, 175 enthusiastic students and teachers from 22 schools from across the Greater Sydney region attended the Mini Vinnies Formation Day at Australian Catholic University Strathfield. The day centred on the theme “Hearts and Hands for Others” and invited students to consider how their hearts and hands can work together to help others and create positive change in their community. 

The day began with time to reflect on the lessons students can learn from the Society’s founders and patrons, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, Blessed Rosalie Rendu and St Vincent de Paul. Participants were encouraged to focus on how small actions of love can make a lasting impact and that it’s important to inspire the heart before we can use our hands to make a difference. 

Students then participated in workshops centred on forming and nurturing their understanding of the work of the Society, specifically in the areas of cost-of-living support, tackling homelessness and promoting stewardship, and determine how they can be ambassadors of this work in their own school community. Students were also able to discuss real examples of how the Society has impacted people’s lives and share how they are putting their faith into action within their school community. 

These workshops were more than just about learning what the Society does but were a way to remind students and their teachers that compassion, service and upholding dignity are fundamental for living the Gospel message in the world today. 

The Formation Day was a wonderful opportunity to equip school communities in what is means to be Vincentian; to be people of love and respect for others. The day was not about completing acts of service - schools have and will continue to do this with great passion – but rather about forming them in the ‘why’ of their service. We know students left at the conclusion of the day full of ideas to bring back to their Mini Vinnies groups. 

Student's call-to-action statements on their commitment hearts