Mid West St Vincent de Paul appeal launched in Roscrea

The Archbishhop of Cashel and Emly, Dr Kieran O’Reilly, launched the St Vincent de Paul Mid West region’s annual appeal in Roscrea last week.

The National Vice President of St Vincent de Paul, Kieran Stafford, also spoke and said that SVP and the church are in partnership in battling poverty.  The SVP Vice President said that nationally SVP members will visit 140,000 people between now and Christmas, to whom they will bring assistance and relief.
Mr Stafford said that while statistically we may be experiencing as a nation economic recovery, the poor are getting poorer. He said that over recent years the Government’s community welfare payments have dropped from €80 million to €32million while the SVP payment to those in emergency need, at €40 million, now outstrips the Government spend in that regard, thanks to the public who have, he said, said “yes” to SVP appeals, and who continue to say “yes”.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Regional Vice President Pat Carroll who stated that the Mid West Region, covering all the counties of Offaly, Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, had over 100 visitation conferences, two hostels, a number of units of social housing, 15 shops, and special needs and education conferences. The Mid West Region has over 1,000 volunteers who are supported by a regional office in Limerick.
The Spiritual Director of the Regional Council Fr Tom Corbett spoke about the quality of mercy, compassion and the faith based humanity which inspires the members of the St Vincent de Paul.
The Regional President for the Mid Wet Region John Lupton also welcomed Canon Jane Galbraith and Adrian Hewson from the Church of Ireland and said that their support for SVP, and the support and involvement of the Church of Ireland community, has enriched SVP in the carrying out of its Christian Ethos.
Mr Lupton also welcomed Lorraine Corcoran of the Irish Credit Union movement, who was announcing a Credit Union pilot scheme which hoped to tackle the scourge of exorbitant high interest rate moneylender loans.  Unfortunately, this is at present only a pilot scheme. 
The Chairman of Roscrea Credit Union, Sean Hogan, represented the local Roscrea Credit Union and Mr Brian King, Credit Union Manager, and Secretary of Roscrea Chamber of Commerce, residents groups, Roscrea Men’s Shed, Women’s Shed and Roscrea community groups, including Roscrea Stands Up were also present. Mr Lupton welcomed former members Phil and Dina O’Meara, who between them gave over 100 years service as volunteer members of St Vincent de Paul.  He also welcomed former North Tipperary SVP President, Seamus Deeley, who gave almost 40 years service to SVDP.
Mr Lupton finally thanked the support staff at Regional office through the Regional Co-ordinator Eileen Hoffler, who was present, for their commitment and support to the volunteer led SVP Society in the Mid West Region. 
The Regional Vice President for fundraising Barry Tobin outlined the various types of fundraising of members and supported by the Regional office staff and Regional officers through the Area Presidents.
Mr Lupton also acknowledged the assistance of St Cronan’s Conference in assisting the event.  In particular he acknowledged the personal input of Conference President Tom Maher, Area President Patricia Gleeson and Social Justice Officer on Regional Council Roisín Sharpe and that of all his fellow conference members in Roscrea together with all his colleagues on Regional Council.