Early in 1978 the St. Vincent de Paul Society was established in Bermuda through the   initiative of  the Sisters of Charity and a lay woman who approached Bishop Brian Hennessy about this possibility.  Bishop Hennessy readily agreed as the Society was close to his heart as he had been a member in Canada since he was ten years old.  The first meeting took place on March 16, 1978.  The first group was a microcosm of the Church in Bermuda as it was composed of men and women, black, white and Portuguese.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international voluntary Catholic Christian organization. The purpose of the society world wide is to provide direct aid to those who suffer, and to help individuals reduce and even eliminate the causes of their suffering, themselves. Society members are encouraged not only to meet the immediate needs of those who approach them but to also where possible give them the valuable gift of their presence. The society was founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam, a twenty year old student at the Sorbonne in Paris.  He and a group of fellow students started to seek out and visit the poor in Paris.  They took as their patron the great French priest, St. Vincent de Paul , who alerted the world to social problems.  On August 23, 1997, Frederic Ozanam was declared "Blessed" by Pope John Paul II.

 

                                Officers                                                                                 

                 President: Mrs. Joanne Judd

                Secretary:  Mrs. Joanne Smith

                Treasurer: Mr. John Pacheco

                Contact #: 1-441-232-5211

 

 On his death bed, St. Vincent de Paul stated: "It is only because of your love, because of your love alone, that the poor will forgive you the bread you give them. "

Loaves and Fishes Update 

If you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon.
Isaiah 58:10

What is the mission of Loaves & Fishes?

Loaves and Fishes Project is a programme sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society and is a  Christian ministry that provides a place for free meals, hospitality and companionship for those in need, regardless of their faith, beliefs, or circumstances.  It is our response to God’s generosity to us as we strive to recognize the value and worth of each individual.  We share friendships in a loving environment, and serve a free balanced meal with dignity and respect to whomever wishes to participate each Sunday evening between 5:30-6:00pm in St. Theresa’s Hall located on Laffan Street. 

This free meal program has grown over the past couple years.  The Loaves & Fishes project has received widespread Diocesan support in the form of donations consisting of food, finances and volunteers. We are now serving between 65 and 70 meals each Sunday and have approximately 60 volunteers participating in an eight-week cycle who organize, prepare and serve the meals.  All supplies are provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  

The St. Vincent de Paul Society strives to give our Catholic Faith Community the opportunity to become involved with their own Diocesan Charity and provide them with a ‘hands-on’ experience in being involved with their less fortunate brothers and sisters in Christ. Please ask yourself if you are being called to serve in the way. If so, please phone Joanne Judd at 232-5211 or by email at orcc@northrock.bm and she will be pleased to discuss the project with you.  May God continue to bless you.