good or harm was done to the Poor, He said He would consider done to himself.

Since God loves the Poor, He also loves the lovers of the Poor: when someone loves another, he loves too those who love or serve that other. So we too hope that God will love us on account of the Poor. We visit them then, we strive to concern ourselves with the weak and the needy, we so share their sufferings

Continued on page 3

We should not judge the Poor by their clothes and their out-ward appearance, nor by their mental capacity, since they are often ignorant and uncouth. On the contrary, if you consider the Poor in the light of faith, then you will see that they take the place of God the Son, who chose to be poor.

Indeed, in His passion, having lost even the appearance of man, foolishness to the Gentiles and a scandal to the Jews, he showed He was to preach to

the Gospel to the Poor in these words --- “He has sent me to preach the good news to the Poor.” Therefore we should be of the same mind and should imitate what Christ did , caring for the Poor, consoling them, help-ing them and guiding them.

Christ chose to be born in poverty and took poor men as His disciples; He himself became the servant of the Poor and so shared their condition that whatever

It is with sadness, but also with thankful hearts for a life well lived, that we record that passing of our Brother Patrick, after a short illness, on 6 July 2012 at the Hillcrest Hospital near Durban.

Anointed by Fr Scott Davidson, the Parish Priest at Howick a few days before, and surrounded by family he retained his sense of humour to the end.

Brother Patrick was an active member of SVDP for 60 years. Of these 55 were as a member of the St Mary’s Conference in Pietermaritzburg and the remainder at St Joseph’s Conference Howick, where he and his wife Joicelyn lived for five years, at the Amber Valley Retirement Village.

Over the years Patrick served a number of times as President, Secretary and Treasurer for St Mary’s Conference and was the Secretary/Treasurer for the Howick Conference.

A man of faith, humility, integrity and compassion he had a heart for the poor and needy being ever mindful that: “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” He respected the faith and courage of many of the poor and the lessons they taught him.

In his latter years, together with his wife Joice-lyn, much time was taken up with the purchas-ing of food parcels for delivery to townships in the Howick and Mooi River areas by confer-ence members, while they personally visited and delivered food parcels to a rural Hilton community.

Always a family man and a father of six chil-dren – four sons and two daughters – he was delighted and humbled when his eldest son, Peter, was ordained to the Priesthood in Port-land, Oregon in the USA in 2001.

An active member of the legal profession for 50 years, he was managing partner of J. Leslie Smith Inc. for 23 years and, after retirement remained on as a consultant. He also sat on the Marriage Tribunal of the Archdiocese of

An extract from St Vincent de Paul

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

From St Vin-

cnet de Paul

1

Patrick Leslie

Smith

1

Vincentian

Visiting

2

Polokong drop

in centre

3

Tribute to a

Vincentian

4

Oceans 11

donation

4

Polokong ma-

tric results

5

Vincentian

Papal Award

6

Declaration of

War: poem

7

More than

simple soup

8

Mission and

Contact details

8

Obituary: Patrick Leslie Smith 1929 – 2012

SVP Newsletter S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 1

P A G E 2

“Love is your first

gift to the poor”

Blessed Rosalie

Rendu

Thoughts on Vincentian visiting Remember that just as God is not interested in how much you have given to the Poor, but rather why you gave it, so too with visiting. Sure it is a duty in that you are responding to Christ’s command, but love must always supersede duty. Visiting the Poor must always be seen as a humble demonstration of love.

When visiting:

Try to develop a warm, natural relationship. Be a friendly person.

Chat about ordinary, everyday topics (weather, children, the price of eggs, recipes, etc.). Avoid the controversial and the de-pressing.

If the client is obviously illiterate or nearly so, gently offer to write dictated letters to their families whom they might not have seen in ages. Maybe read from a newspaper if that would be appreciated.

When dealing with old folk, perhaps offer to do their shopping for them (and maybe slip in a thing or two), or take them to visit an old friend, or on an outing of some sort.

When the visit draws to a close, make certain that you have accomplished the purpose of the visit. Review the person’s situation so that he/she can see how you have under-stood the situation and invite any corrections or additional information.

Present the client with the immediate op-tions available to him/her, explaining the re-sults of each choice. Include the option of doing nothing about his/her problem.

Make it clear that the Conference will discuss the situation in strict confidence and will au-thorise whatever assistance is thereafter deemed appropriate.

Think about praying with those you are trying to help. Start with just an Our Father if you are not used to the idea, and then go on to spontaneous prayers requesting God’s loving intervention in the client’s life and affairs.

After the visit, discuss impressions with your visiting partner preparatory to making a full

report to the Conference.

Become aware of the facilities, rules, forms and benefits that are available from the likes of the Departments of Social Ser-vices, Home Affairs (good luck in your deal-ings with them), your local Town Council, Legal Aid, the Black Sash, as well as the work opportunities that are on offer through the Departments of Labour and Environmental Affairs and, once again, the local Town Council.

Although you are probably better equipped to deal with these bodies, don’t do everything on behalf of the client. We are there to help those who help them-selves.

Sometimes it is necessary to go with the client to a work opportunity, or to the hos-pital. At other times it will make the client feel better if he/she goes there on their own. Your help may simply consist in giv-ing him/her careful directions on how to get there (with perhaps the necessary taxi fare).

People need to have a part in any decision affecting their lives. They are more likely to cooperate in a plan of action if they are involved in determining what that plan will be. Each situation has to be handled indi-vidually. Some people need a great deal of help and guidance, but only in relatively rare situations is a client totally unable to function.

The true helper enables: he does not push or dictate to people. You will have to de-cide whether to withhold suggestions, or to give minimal advice, or whether to be-come more direct and encourage a certain course of action. Often it is a combination of these two approaches which is re-quired. This is what makes your job diffi-cult, but challenging and interesting.

S V P N E W S L E T T E R N A T I O N A L C O U N C I L O F S O U T H A F R I C A

“Love the poor by

the work of your

hand and the

sweat of your

brow”

St Vincent de Paul

The service of the Poor is to be preferred to all else

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 1

(continued from page 1) that with the apostle we feel we have all things to all men. Therefore we must strive to be deeply involved in the cares and sorrows of our neighbour and pray to God to inspire us with compassion and pity, filling our hearts and keeping them full.

The service 0of the Poor is to be preferred to all else, and to be performed without delay. If at a time set aside for prayer, medicine or help has to be brought to some poor man, go and do what has to be done with an easy mind, offering it up to God as a prayer. Do not be put out by uneasiness or a sense of sin because of prayers interrupted by the service of the Poor; for God is not neglected if prayers are put aside, if God’s work is interrupted, in order that another such work may be completed.

Therefore when you leave prayer to help some poor man, remember this --- that the work has been done for God. Charity takes precedence over any rules, everything aught to tend to it above all; since it is itself a great lady, what it orders should be carried out. Let us show our service to the Poor, then, with renewed ardour in our hearts, seeking out above all any abandoned people, since they are given to us as lords and patrons.

N A T I O N A L C O U N C I L O F S O U T H A F R I C A S V P N E W S L E T T E R

Tribute to Patrick Leslie Smith continued from page 1

Durban for eight years.

Other notable aspects of his life include serving as a Major in the Natal Field Artillery and Citizen Force Reserve from 1947 to 1962; being a Springbok clay pigeon shottist and a passionate ornithologist and as a private pilot flying in the State Presidents Air Race several times.

The Requiem Mass at St Mary’s Pietermaritzburg was concelebrated by Cardinal Napier, Fr. Eric Boulle, Fr. Cyril Malinga, Fr. Peter Leslie Smith. Fr. Chris Richmond and Fr. Zaba mbanjwa. Fr. Peter gave the homily.

Brother Patrick was a fine husband, a loved father and friend and respected by his colleagues. We will miss him. May he rest in peace.

Objectives of the Polokong Drop in Centre: To provide nutritional meals to 300 children from the local

community. To provide afternoon study classes to a 100 children from the

local community. To provide life skills groups to a 100 children from the local

community. To provide counselling service to 30 children from the local

community that are affected / infected by HIV/AIDS. To establish an HIV/AIDS support group for 20 adults from

the local community that are affected / infected by HIV/AIDS. To implement HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programs

in our local community. To network with other stakeholders in regard to HIV/AIDS

awareness, prevention and support to our beneficiaries. To provide support to 10 people with disabilities. To develop and motivate staff to better work performance

and work together in the best interest of the children. Currently, we feed more than 300 children on a daily basis.

P A G E 4

Tribute to stalwart Vincentian

S V P N E W S L E T T E R N A T I O N A L C O U N C I L O F S O U T H A F R I C A

Support from Oceans 11 Football Club in Pietermaritzburg

Warm greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please refer tot the attached photo to be published in our next S.V.P. news letter. Giving gener-ously a cheque of R1 500. 00 to St. Anthony's Conference (Pietermaritzburg) from former members of the Oceans 11 Football Club. Oceans 11 Football Club has for many years made generous donations to our conference. May the Lord richly bless them for opening their hearts to our poor and needy families. Recieving the the cheque from Peter Stevens (Left) is the President of St. Anthony's Conference (Pietermaritzburg), Nathan Moodley (Right); looking on from L-R is Edmond Woodroffe, Gerald Camp, Jay Stevens and Archie Andrews.

Just who do you think you are?

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 1

Matric results from Polokong Children’s Home

N A T I O N A L C O U N C I L O F S O U T H A F R I C A S V P N E W S L E T T E R

Five matrics living at Polokong showed what the saying, If life hands you lemons, make lemonade! really means.

Despite growing up in a Children’s Home, they were determined to make a success of their lives, no matter what their previous circumstances were. We are SO proud to call each of them OUR children! Well done guys, well done.

Samu got two distinctions (91% and 83%) and 77% for another two subjects and has been accepted to study a BSC at Wits University this year. Itumeleng will study business management at Damelin, while twins Pule and Pulenyana will both study Auxiliary Social Work at Khanya College.

Helping these desering young people to reach for the stars will put big pressure on the Home, which runs on minimal funding. If you would like to assist with sponsoring any of these students with their studies please make a donation on our website or contact Louise Coxen at Polokong@telkomsa.net.

She is a mother who has been abandoned by the father of her children; she has no work, nor any prospect of finding work --- the list of her problems can go on and on as you will know from your experience. You arrive on the scene as a Vincentian. From her perspective, are you: An angel sent from heaven by God with a food parcel? Someone who shrugs in sympathy because nothing can be done for

her, and drifts off? A font of suggestions and helpful directions by way of Government

Grant resources? A distraction in her day leaving behind only disappointment? A listening ear and a shoulder to cry on in a world that couldn’t care

less? Her sole rock of continuing support until she finds her feet and can

resolve her problems?

P A G E 6

Papal Award for long serving Vincentian

S V P N A T I O N A L C O U N C I L O F S O U T H A F R I C A

ST MARY’S, PIETERMARITZBURG celebrated the presentation of a Papal Award and Cita-tion by Cardinal Wilfrid Napier - to Timothy Patrick McNally - on the 13th May 2012. The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, Fr Allan Moss and Fr John Patterson. Tim McNally said he was inspired by the verse; “I was hungry and you gave me to eat - thirsty and you gave me to drink...”. He said he could not imagine meeting Jesus at the gates of Heaven and being asked why did he not give food to the hungry and water to the thirsty - and clothes to the poor - when this is what Jesus expects from us. Tim McNally joined the Saint Vincent de Paul Society as a young man of 17 years and still recalls his first Christmas as a young Vincentian painting wooden toys for the less privi-leged children under the guidance of Tony York who was president of the Westville confer-ence at the time. Today 56 years later, he is still one of the most active Vincentian. He cur-rently serves as Treasurer of the St Mary's Conference after serving as Chairman for many years. Tim McNally currently also serves as treasurer at our Central Council and is Legal Advisor to the National Council. He has served as National Chairman of SVdP for 6 years. He has worn many hats within SVdP in the past 56 years but he admits the greatest reward is serving and assisting others. During his Legal career, he held the office of Attorney General in Natal, as well as State & Senior State Advocate in various Cities in South Africa. He also served as Chairman of NICRO in Pietermaritzburg, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein - he was quoted as saying that NICRO (National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders) serves to address the negative spin-offs of crime , where families of the convicted persons are also assisted. He was presented a Paul Harris award by Rotary International for the way he served as Attorney General of Natal with independence and integrity. He retired from this office in 1998. Throughout his illustrious career he found time for the poor and regularly attended meeting going out into far rural areas to assist and comfort the poor. Many Vin-centians have personally been touched by Br. McNally’s assistance whether in cash or kind or spiritual guidance. He also serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Allocations Committee of the Pietermaritzburg Community Chest. Organisations such as SANCA, CHILD WELFARE, NICRO, HOSPICE & many others benefit from his dedication and efforts in serving the people of Pietermaritz-burg. He is the current Chairman of Marian Villa Home for the Aged, as well as a Trustee for other Pietermaritzburg Welfare Organisations. He is always willing to assist anyone needing his input. His kind -hearted advice and compassion for the less fortunate is a part of his personality and one witnesses a composure and dignity in dealing with all peo-ple. From lending a pair of his own formal shoes to a man needing shoes for a funeral to taking a poor family to have their dog seen to at the SPCA, nothing is too much trouble. His Thursday morning walk with the Amblers Club and Saturday Tennis keeps him fit, while his dedication keeps him focussed The Papal Award and Blessing is an acknowledgement of his selfless and ongoing dedica-tion to the poor. Pietermaritzburg is very fortunate to have a man of his calibre, actively involved in serving the destitute and poor people in the community in his quiet and unob-trusive manner. As a staunch Catholic and Volunteer in the service of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, he is a true example of selfless dedication to the needs of others and readily describes himself as “A Servant of the Poor “ and always challenges his fellow Vincentians to see Jesus in all the poor we serve even the con artists.

A Declaration of War for an Endangered Species

P A G E 7 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 1

N A T I O N A L C O U N C I L O F S O U T H A F R I C A S V P N E W S L E T T E R

G.K. Chesterton wrote an article once in the earlier 20th Century opposing a proposed law that the hair of fe-male children of poor people should be obligatorily cut at school. His article really champions the poor but also the dignity of the human person and the justice due them. His images and rhetoric are quite rousing. If I re-member correctly, it was the sight of a little poor ginger haired girl walking by him that inspired him. In 1999 I put his article into verse form and it is printed here for the first time. National Spiritual Advisor, Reverend Father Ron Houreld OMI We must this instant begin again, Start afresh at the other end! For the sake of an adamantine tenderness, A touchstone of every age and race. For the sake of a little street she-urchin Come toddling down past my gate. We will arm ourselves; we will go to war, We will pull down kingdoms, thrust down thrones, For the sake of a lock of a child’s gold-red hair. For the sake of a lock of discarded hair. For little girls’ hair should dearly be long. And little girls’ hair should clearly be clean. And little girls’ homes to be clean should be theirs’. So little girls’ mothers be leisured and free, Be delivered of landlords’ usury. Redistribution of property! Cry Revolution! Cry! Fill the air! She shall not be lopped and lanced. No! She shall not be altered to fit anywhere. Her teeth, her nose, her nails, be broken, Be cut, be plucked so as not t’ interfere With some old gentleman couched in his chair. No! Her gold-red locks shall not like a convict’s Be chopped! Rather we will hack all earth, We will rack, we will mutilate, to suit her, She the human, the sacred image. She, around whom the world must erect, Around whom the social fabric be split, Must topple or sway, so long as she plays. The pillars of order, all, we may shake, The roof of ages bring crashing down, So long as not one of her hairs be harmed. For the minister of health has lordly declared The hair shall be short; the hair shall be pared,

Of cabman’s and worker’s and collier’s daugh-ters… Oh! Cannot he see it’s the lice we should slaughter. When tyranny crushes men to the dirt, As laborious, long, is beheading of tyrants, The course we must take is scientifically clear, We’d rather lop off the slave-worker’s hair. But it’s only by institutions like hair Passing institutions like empires are tested. A house that is built is built awry Whose doorway to knock a man’s head off will vie. And if slums are so built as to foster lice. ‘Tis not the house-daughters who are not built nice. War! We’ll make war on the right! On the left! For I horribly suspect those supposed Foes, those rich, are equally opposed To the poor man’s castle – his goodly home. Plutocrat Gudge wants anarchic industry. Socialist Hudge puts anarchy to song. Gudge wants women to work (for a song). Hudge calls it freedom, to do her own thing. Gudge wants the workmen steady, obedient. Hudge says, No drink! – to workers not Gudge. The family’s freedom – this above all – The home and its joys, Gudge wants to de-stroy. Hudge ever the prophet lifts hands to the sun: Freedom, most glorious! – the family out-grown! Come join for mankind with God in the fight, In the battle that rages for a little street-child, In her honourable plight that He fights long alone. O come! Before she’s maimed and gone.

The Braamfontein conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul is attached to Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein, adjoining the University of the Witwatersrand. Our mission is primarily to tend to the needs of people who are homeless in Braamfontein, though we have needy people coming from all around Johannesburg seeking our help. We have several regular members, but are assisted by many volunteers, mostly students from our parish. Our funding comes largely from the donations of parish members, but we also receive some generous donations from other sources.

Monday night soup kitchen with clinic We serve soup and bread to about 200 homeless people at the church every Monday night. Other soup kitchens in the area serve the homeless on other nights of the week. The majority of the work we do is centered around this Monday evening soup kitchen.

Clothes, shoes and e-pap We offer e-pap, a nutritionally enriched substance that aids recovery from illness and helps avoid malnutrition. Donations of clothes and takkies, mainly for men, are distributed among the homeless on appointed weekdays. We do occasionally have requests for baby and children’s clothes. We also distribute blankets in winter.

Food parcels We have a food parcel scheme for pensioners, destitute families and various other needy people. The parishion-ers of Holy Trinity Church often donate the food parcels, which are made up according to set lists of ingredients. We sort them and distribute them to the people on our list once a month. We are currently supporting 21 indi-gent families, pensioners and other needy individuals with these.

National Council of South Africa

Registered Public Benefit Organisation

003-193 NPO

www.stvincentdepaul.co.za

news@stvincentdepaul.co.za

SVP Mission: To deepen the faith of its members – to go out into our nation to heighten the awareness of Jesus Christ. We do this by sharing ourselves (who we are and what we have) with the poor on a person-to-person basis. We seek to co-operate in shaping a more just and compas-sionate South African community, Our preferred option in this mission of service is to work with the poor in develop-ment, by respecting their dignity, sharing our hope, and encouraging them to take control of their destiny. SVP Vocation: The vocation of the Society’s members, who are called Vincentians is; to follow Christ through service to those in need and so bear witness to His compassionate and liberating love. Members show their commitment through person to person contact.

Society of

St Vincent de Paul

N A T I O N A L C O U N C I L O F S O U T H A F R I C A S V P N E W S L E T T E R

More than simply soup...