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The New Year is now ticking along, as all the others have, and so much so that next weekend is the first weekend of February! This means that the SVP’s shop, Gifted, will be open before and after each weekend mass. Being open just once a month, and with an early Easter (Easter Sunday is March 31), you’ll find that we have stocked up on some Easter items and also on some St Patrick’s Day items too. Add to that, our usual selection of prayer cards, Rosary beads, candles, etc., etc., we hope you find what you are looking for.

It is always encouraging to know that this news item is read each week. And it is even more heartening when someone responds!

Last week, we received two lovely enquiries from people who would like to know a bit more about the SVP and are seeking to join the team. The more hands we have, the lighter the load for everyone and the more help we can be to those in need. If you would also like to become a member then why not get in touch? ‘Tis never too late to start that New Year’s Resolution!!

We had our first monthly meeting of 2024 on Monday evening and, as usual, it was another bumper edition! Our various work streams are now getting back in to ‘Business as Usual’ mode, so please feel free to reach out and ask the team if you have any queries about or interest in any of the activities.

You might know by now that the motto of the SVP is ‘Turning Concern into Action.’ This applies to all of us, really, if we remember the second great commandment that Jesus taught us: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. In this cold spell of weather, why not turn your concern into action and just keep an eye out for any elderly or vulnerable people living near you. Human to Human contact can make all the difference if you are stuck indoors all day long.

The SVP Team would like to start 2024 by saying a huge thank you for all the support you showed for the Reverse Advent Calendar initiative and for your amazing support of our Gifted shop in the run-up to Christmas! It is really heartening to know that you are there for us!

The new year is shaping up to be another busy one for the SVP as we try to keep our various workstreams moving forward. ‘Many hands make light work’, so if you’d like to join then just reach out to any member of the team. Check out our website for more details of the actual workstreams, and the ones we need particular help with are volunteering to help run Gifted, visit the lonely at home or in care homes, mentoring the B-Attitudes and volunteering at the food bank.

Being the final SVP News of 2023, the team would like to wish all of you a very holy and peaceful Christmas and the very best of wishes for the New Year!

It has been another challenging year for the team, during which your support has given us the energy to keep going! You know by now that the strapline of the SVP is ‘Turning Concern into Action.’ Generating action requires energy though, both physical and mental. So, we thank you for all your material help, but also for all your prayers. Please continue to pray for us, and for those we try and help, as this will give us the energy to journey in to 2024 with hope and joy.