With one of the largest workforces, of over 8,00,000 enthusiastic members, who hail from 153 countries – these people wanted to celebrate the feast day of their patron saint; this team had its humble beginning in 1853 A D. Their motto: Christian growth through service of the poor. These members knocked at the doors of Milagres in the first week of January 1926. On the 29th of September the Milagres SVP members along with their beneficiaries remembered their patron saint St. Vincent de Paul.
The celebration commenced with Mass followed by breakfast and a get- together presided over by our Vicar, Rev. Fr. Jossy Lobo.
The president Mrs. Philomena Menezes, welcomed the gathering consisting of our beneficiaries and their families, a few donors, SVP members, vice president, Mrs. Cecilia Pereira, secretary, Mr. Deepak D’Souza, and of course, our parish clergy. The MC of the day was Mrs. Hilda Rodrigues who compered the function and readout the report highlighting the activities of our SVP, providing food, housing, medical aid, educational aid, as well as the total revenue and expenditure for the year 2018-19.
This was followed by our Spiritual Director, Rev. Fr. Jossy Lobo’s encouraging words, praising the present activities of the society and congratulating an octogenarian member, Mr. James D’Silva, who has completed glorious 25 years in the SVP Society.
A poem composed for the occasion by Mr. Daniel Menezes was read by Mrs. Philomena Menezes.
Mr. Stany A. D’Souza spoke on behalf of Mr. James D’Silva focussing on his contribution as past president, his generous help – donating kuswar at Christmas and vegetables at the time of Nativity from the year 2008 for 50 needy families.
Our donors were thanked and those present were felicitated together with the guests with flowers. As a token of our love our beneficiaries were presented with a gift. Mr. Ivan DSouza conducted the party games and housie. Mrs. Avina D’Souza who had trained the little girls for dance performances left the audience spell bound. Two brothers entertained everyone with an English number.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Winston D’Souza and the programme concluded with a sumptuous meal sponsored by Mr. James D’Silva.
Kudos to our President Mrs. Philomena Menezes, all our benefactors and all the members of the SVP for their support in our activities and in lending a helping hand and bringing a smile on the faces of our less-fortunate brothers.