WINTER APPEAL PROCESS 2022:
For details, please refer to email sent 17 February, 2022.
By 2 March, Regional Presidents/ VSC Coordinators to let John Ferguson know of orders for: envelopes, letters, posters, Information Kits.
To order Albert Terminals, contact: Caroline.Casse@vinnies.org.au by end March.
Orders will be delivered the week of 18 April.
Winter Appeal launched 2 May
Schools team will be in contact with schools.
Please let Janice Stokes know if you’d like a fundraising page setup for your conference.
Please contact Janice Stokes or John Ferguson if any queries.
Schools team will be in contact with schools or contact Mary.Musolino@vinnies.org.au
Safeguarding (Child Safe) training needs to be renewed every two years. You can do it by logging into your account on the MAVS website. Alternatively, Metro Member staff can also arrange training in groups delivered either face-to-face or via Zoom.
For further information or to arrange a training session please email the Metro Member team metromembers@vinnies.org.au
The Conversations Conference
Q1. What is Conversations Conference? Conversations Conference is a free service of St Vincent de Paul Society that aims to break down the language barriers in our community through conversations in a friendly environment. We encourage non-English speaking immigrants or people of any religion, age, gender or race to participate and gain confidence in conversational English to integrate in the Australian community.
Q2. What do you enjoy the most about the Conference? We enjoy the nature of conversations as we discuss different topics each week and learn from each other. We talk about travels, music, experiences, favourite food, different cultures to name a few. Everyone is encouraged and supported to speak as much or as little as they felt comfortable to do. There was a distinct lack of judgement of peoples’ stories, experiences or language ability, altogether it is a very positive, friendly and supportive environment.
Q3. How do the actions of your group or ministry speak about the love of Jesus? Through the kindness and show of empathy to one another. The mentors are there to provide a supportive environment for participants to be able to build more confidence in speaking in a social environment. Also as a mentor we learn from our participants as they share their culture and experiences.
Q4. What are you passionate about? We are passionate about helping others to improve their communication skills and integrate in the Australian society. Being involved in Conversations Conference is a great opportunity to help people improve their confidence in conversational English while being able to learn about their interesting backgrounds and experiences which helps in learning our view of the world.
Q5. If you could ask Jesus to change one issue in the world today, which would it be? We pray for the people in the world to shake off poverty and find comfort wherever they are, free from diseases and for the wars to stop and create harmony in the world so that everyone can live a peaceful life and enjoy pure bliss.
Q6. How has being part of this ministry effected you? Being part of this ministry has made a difference in my life and the lives of others because of the friendship and care that we offer, we are able to help non-English speaking people to integrate in the Australian society. We are able to break the language barrier in a small scale and we see the growing confidence of our participants each and every week. It’s quite a satisfying experience. We aim to grow this community and have the model adopted across NSW where many of the refugees or migrants could potentially benefit.
Q7. How can parishioners get involved? If you know friends or family members who may benefit from meeting new friends who are keen to learn conversational English or if you would like to participate as a mentor, please contact Christian Salandanan to register on: (02) 9568 0288 or via email at: christian.salandanan@vinnies.org.au . Conference meeting is held every Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8pm. Meetings are currently held online via zoom. We will announce once health risks due to Covid-19 is much lower to meet face to face. It’s usually held at the Chatswood Parish meeting rooms corner of Kirk and Archer street just opposite Our Lady of Dolours Parish Catholic Church.
The development of a new Conference at the Matthew Talbot has been in conversation for several years.
Tony Cranney, Central Council President, has been in discussions with Leo Tucker, Executive Director, Mission and Spirituality, and Joy Bowen, of the Mission Team based at the Matthew Talbot.
Conversations have led to action, and the Matt Talbot Conference has started!!
The initial role of a Conference at the Matthew Talbot Hostel, Woolloomooloo will be a spiritual/pastoral role, which is encouraged in our Vincentian Rule in that “Promoting a life of prayer and reflection, both at the individual and community level, and sharing with their fellow members.”
The Conference is firmly based in the Talbot Hostel where space is allocated for that distinct purpose, so that the men at the Talbot are the primary recipients of care. Joy Bowen will be responsible for the enhancement of pastoral skills and supervisory support to each individual and group. She can also fill the space of spiritual advisor until one is nominated. Further ministries of Conference members could include intentional friendship, practical assistance in providing household needs when men are housed, involving men in games, activities, eventually across the Woolloomooloo site, including the Ozanam Learning Centre.
If you have questions, contact MetroMembers@vinnies.org.au
If you are looking for opportunities to further engage with the Community, here is a summary of what various Conferences across Metropolitan Sydney are doing, in addition to their home visitation.
Current Opportunities for Community Engagement 230106
For further details, or assistance in progressing with any of these ideas, contact metromembers@vinnies.org.au
Broken Bay WE CARE Framework Monitoring Feedback – 20200225
Wollongong Central Council
From Macarthur and the Illawarra to the Shoalhaven and the Southern Highlands.
Armidale Central Council
Bathurst Central Council
