Scottish Catholic Observer

In the run up to Christmas, Scottish Catholic Observer columnist Cath Doherty appealed to Catholics, as individuals and groups, to prioritise the elderly and elder care.

She called for the model of independent monitors, as is allowed in care homes, to be extended to geriatric hospital wards—‘places where the human spirit could be snuffed out’—and suggested that such, and all visitors, could act as a ‘braking system’ where there is the risk of poor standards of care.

“For those who were elderly and quite alone, who had no visitors, it was particularly hard,” she said.

Highlighting that we have a generation crying out for a kind word or a moment’s grace, she poignantly added her own experience when visiting friends in hospital: “For those who were elderly and quite alone, who had no visitors, it was particularly hard. To linger at the end of visiting time and to ‘tuck them in’ and simply say ‘goodnight, sleep tight’ became a habit with one or two visitors to other patients.  Once, there was a bit of a stir on the ward at the end of visiting time, and the little ‘tucking in’ ritual was overlooked. There were calls of reminder from several beds…”

She praised the efforts of lay Catholic groups who work tirelessly for the needy and the elderly, highlighting them as an inspiration.

This week representatives for the Legion of Mary and the St Vincent de Paul Society explain the ethos of each organisation and, in doing so provide more detail about the work they do—including visiting the elderly and the needy—and how readers can become involved.

By John C Sweeney

PSSVP Recruitment Officer

St Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese

The Society of St Vincent De Paul is, arguably, one of the best-known, lay Catholic charitable organisation in Scotland. The generosity of the vast number of parishioners placing their donations into the SSVP collection boxes at the end of Sunday Mass has become a ‘tradition’ in most parishes. Every conference in Scotland is thankful for this ‘tradition:’ Conferences are eternally grateful. These donations go to helping the needy.

It is well documented that the SSVP helps the needy, be they poor, sick, vulnerable, elderly or a combination of these factor. Some say: “The needy suffer because of poverty and that poverty is lack of money.” However, there are all different kinds of poverty. Poverty is not necessarily about lack of money. Lack of employment is poverty: lack of education is poverty: lack of spirituality is poverty: lack of friendship is poverty and loneliness is poverty. Poverty has many faces. The material rich still suffer from poverty.

WHY SSVP?

I find there are several reasons why I am a Vincentian. The first thing about the SSVP is it is a lay society, organised and administered by the laity, very much in keeping with the Lay Apostolate as taught by the Second Vatican Council. The priest or religious are spiritual advisors they do not take part in the administering of the society. The structure of the society is a support for members. Conferences give aid to anyone irrespective of their country, class or creed.  As is often said, becoming a member of the SSVP is a vocation, a calling to serve Christ in the service of the needy. It is not the sacramental calling of the priest but it is a calling. I find it interesting that Pope John Paul II was a member of the SSVP while a student in Poland. My reason for joining the Society of St Vincent De Paul is quite simple. I was and always have been, like everyone else, influenced by the parable of the Good Samaritan. The punch line always worried me: “Go and do likewise.” Mind you, it still worries me at times.

A second reason and an important one is that the SSVP is a, ‘spiritual’ organisation. The work of the SSVP comes from the members Faith. It is a practical way of following the Gospel message. The conference meetings start and end with prayers and there is a spiritual reading that is discussed. It is from the prayers we learn to, ‘never claim that our works spring from ourselves alone.’ There are special Masses throughout the year. There is a Mass in September for the Canonisation of the founder, Blessed Frederick Ozanam. During these Masses, the sick are blessed. Some members regularly attend weekly Mass as ‘the Eucharist is the source of our Apostolate.’ There are also days of reflection.

VISITING HOMES

Equally important is the work of the society. The work of the SSVP consists of visiting the needy in their homes, hospitals, hospices and care homes. Conference members transport parishioners to Mass; organise caravan holidays for people who would otherwise not have a holiday and distribute gifts and cards at Easter and Christmas. Some conferences organise summer outings and others have furniture projects. The SSVP is not an extension of the social services. It is non-political. The SSVP is an international organisation with its headquarters in Paris. Membership is voluntary. Person to person contact is a very important part of the SSVP. Therefore, seeking out the needy becomes an essential part of the conference’s work.

Any member of the SSVP will describe some story of how their involvement with those in need, made the member of the SSVP feel more appreciative of the person in need, rather than the other way about.

In one case, a mother for six years successfully recovering from drug addiction, in order to prove to the social work that she loves her children and genuinely wants to care for them; is supported by giving groceries, children’s clothes and a caravan holiday. Members cannot but admire the gritty determination of the mother. Such determination makes them wish they had the same determination, like the mother.

Visits to care homes are essential. There are residents who have no visitors. It is not that the family have forgotten it is because the residents have no family. If it were not for the SSVP some of these residents would go year after year without any outside visitors. There is a care home where there are a good number of residents in need of visits but, due to the lack of members, there have been no visits yet. Care homes encourage the SSVP to visit and it is very satisfying; especially when a carer from a home, says: “Can’t you come in every day? When you visit, the residents enjoy it.” The impact of the visit should not be underestimated. A change of face and a conversation can do wonders for the residents.

Bringing hope, friendship and encouragement to the needy in the community, builds up the fellowship of the community, along with the faith and spirituality of all those helping in the work and all those helped. Yes, the SSVP is a worthwhile calling.

MEMBERSHIP

The SSVP does face a serious problem. The SSVP faces the same dilemma as all other organisations— lack of members. The SSVP is also short of youth. This is quite ironic as Frederick Ozanam was only 20 years old when he founded the scoiety. Maybe we need to promote the life of Frederick in a modern slant. The needy are certainly not going to go away. What is going to happen to them? Who is going to distribute the aid? If there is no St Vincent De Paul, which other organisation is going to be pressurised into dealing with what should be the work of the SSVP? Who is going to be responsible for the care of the needy and marginalised? It provokes relevant questions.

Questions are important and strangely enough, the SSVP came into existence as an answer to a question. This brings me to my final reason, ‘why I am a Vincentian?’ the manner in how the SSVP originated.

Frederick Ozanam had to face a challenging question in a debate in 1833. An atheistic group asked Frederick: “What are you doing today to show us the works, which proves the worth of your faith?” This question challenged Frederick because to answer truthfully, something would need to change. On reflection, Frederick realised that faith is really about action, not academic debates. Frederick, on an impulse, said: “The blessing of the poor is the blessing of God. We must go to the poor.”

With these words, the SSVP was born; the question answered and the challenge accepted. The first conference came to realise that the best way to challenge anti religious views was by enthusiastically doing practical works of charity, motivated by faith. Frederick Ozanam founded the SSVP in 1833 when a 20-year-old university student. His actions manifested Christ’s Love in the service of the poor. The members of the SSVP identify with, and are influenced by, the spirit of Blessed Frederick.

The question: “What are you doing today to show us the works which prove the worth of your faith?” challenged Frederick. Frederick was an individual; we are all individuals. Sometimes, as individuals, we think, ‘we cannot do what Frederick did, we are not like that!’ That challenging question, which is very much relevant today, provoked Frederick Ozanam into using his skills and talents, motivated by his Christian faith. Like Frederick, all anyone can offer are their own skills and talents; skills and talents motivated by their Christian faith.

By Terry Gavin

President, The Legion of Our Lady                               of Good Counsel, Stirling

The Legion of Mary, at St Mary’s in Stirling and throughout it bases, aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus. Legionary service is based on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ so that in their fellow members and in those they serve, legionaries seek to have the person of our Lord once again seen and served by Mary, His Mother.

Evangelisation, especially the seeking of conversions to the Church, is a priority for the legion, through the visitation of homes and by other means. The legion must, as a first principle, set out to establish a contact of some sort with every soul everywhere. Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalised is another vital part of the legionary Apostolate. While not engaging in the giving of material relief legionaries will often find opportunities to do works for the needy.

The Legion of Mary of Our Lady of Good Counsel, St Mary’s, Stirling, seeks to achieve these objectives in the Stirling area by various works.

One of the methods used is by visiting two nursing homes in Stirling on a regular basis, spending time with many of the residents and talking to them individually. We pray the Rosary as a group and try as often as we can to have Mass said in the homes. We are asked by families to visit their dying relatives and have the privilege of being with the families for as long and as often as they wish us to be there.  The staff in the homes are very supportive and we are always given a warm welcome.

Visiting the housebound is a priority and we have found over the past year requests for visits have increased greatly. We have recently recruited two new members and thankfully can increase our visits and other works. Carrying out home visits is so rewarding.

We visit schools in the area talking to the children, teaching them the importance of the Rosary and explaining the Immaculate Medal. The children are so receptive and it is a joy to be with them. We distribute Holy Communion cards, Rosaries and medals to every child in the area receiving their First Communion.

There are six members who carry out this work and if we could recruit more people imagine how much more we could do.