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Meet our
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Our conference has 9 full members and 3 auxiliary members. The SVP conference meet together once a fortnight for an hour on a Monday at 7:00pm following the weekday mass at St Christopher’s or at St Thomas' to pray together, discuss those who are in need of our help and support, and to plan events.
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲, 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗙𝟬𝟮𝟭𝟰𝟬𝟮@𝘀𝘃𝗽.𝗼𝗿𝗴.𝘂𝗸 |
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Each month we are meeting a member of the SVP in Codsall & Tettenhall.
This month, we are meeting ...
This month, we are meeting ...
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𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳
I am married to Brian and have lived in Tettenhall nearly 5 years. I lived most of my life in Ireland before moving to South Africa with my first husband Bill (RIP). We worked with 4 different Churches, helping in Townships. We returned to the UK in 2009 when we lived in Wales. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣? In Dublin I was an active member of St Vincent de Paul for over 25 years 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣? Because I truly believe in the work they do. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹? First lockdown people needed help so I decided to join the local society to help others and try to make a difference. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣? Since March 2020, I do shopping for needy families, sort groceries and bagging them up for individual families. I also make phone calls to say hello, how are you, knowing that the voice on the other end would be so pleased to hear a friendly voice. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵? Please join and see what you can do, knowing that you will be making a difference to someone else’s life. We need help and you could be just the person needed! You will be genuinely pleased that you did. Helping others is a very rewarding and uplifting experience. |
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𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳
I am married to Ian and have 2 sons, a daughter and 5 grandchildren. I have lived in Codsall for 45 years. Fr Ben Cox warmly welcomed me at my first mass. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣? I cannot remember a time when I wasn't aware of the SVP. When I joined the parish the SVP was very active. Pat Lennon, President, was a quiet unassuming but visible exponent of the Society. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣? I joined in 2003 following a lectern appeal by Pat during Awareness Month. As I had recently reduced my working week to 4 days, I had time on my hands! The number of active members had reduced to 3 and labourers were in very short supply. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣? At the time I was also a chaplaincy volunteer at Compton hospice and thought I had experience that would help when visiting the elderly and housebound. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣? Before the pandemic I visited the elderly in their home, residential and nursing homes and on occasions in hospital. Providing practical support with lifts to medical appointments, for shopping and to mass. Since the pandemic I have mainly given support by telephone and distributing the weekly bulletin. A doorstep conversation is greatly appreciated by the recipients. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵? During this current lockdown being able to give support to those shielding is so appreciated. A phone call can make all the difference. |
Is this something you could do?
To paraphrase the gospel " the labourers are few & the need is great". So, please, if you are able to give up even just 1 hour of your time a week, you can make a difference to someone. |
𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳
I am retired now after a lifetime working as a consultant quantity surveyor in the construction industry both in UK & abroad. My wife & I were married in St Christopher's RC Church in Codsall in 1968 & we have 2 sons & 1 grandson. My wife is a Licensed Reader in the Church of England Parish Church in Brewood & I have been a member of St Christopher's Parish since 1955. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣? I first became aware of the SVP in Codsall after my return to UK to work in the Midlands Area. Pat Lennon was Conference President then and at his instigation I helped with the various activities and attended the SVP meetings irregularly as work and time allowed. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣? Through Pat Lennon, I was urged to join the SVP as an associate member. Subsequently in about 1998 when Fr. Philip Gay was Parish Priest and also RC Chaplain at HMP Brinsford Young Offenders Institution I started to visit the Prison and with other volunteers assisted at the Weekly RC Mass which I have continued to do until stopped by the pandemic in March this year. About 3 years ago I was asked by Jo Stewart, the Conference President at that time, to join as a full member which I did. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣? It was the outreach activity at Brinsford prison & the needs of the Conference to increase SVP Membership to help with the growing need for support from the sick and elderly, and the housebound in the parishes locally that prompted me to become a full member (which I attribute to the working of the Holy Spirit.) 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣? In this year of the Covid 19 pandemic the work of the Conference has had to be adapted to respond to the needs of the people particularly the elderly, the sick and housebound & families whose circumstances have changed due to lock-down and other restrictions to causing loss of jobs with resulting financial problems. the needs of these people & families for support has grown significantly. A large proportion of Conference Members are in the "Vulnerable" category and face a higher risk from the virus. Consequently, such members, of which I am one, support the community by making regular well-being phone calls to those isolated to keep them in touch and provide a source of contact for provision of any help they need or just a chat. In the absence of meetings Members keep in touch with each other by WhatsApp messaging which transmits news of individual needs of people locally and in the wider area community (such as furniture etc.) From my kitchen garden and small orchard, I have been able to provide fresh produce such as beans, tomatoes, courgettes and apples to supplement the food parcels which are derived from donations of foodstuffs and money by parishioners & packed and delivered by SVP members. To this is added the continuous prayers of Conference members for suffering peoples and each other. The Conference Members will continue these support activities until the pandemic restrictions cease and normal SVP activities can resume. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵? In this pandemic period the need for support through friendship, and loving care for our neighbour, and the comfort provided by simple acts of charity like a phone call for a few moments chat, has become more acute than at normal times due to isolation leading to loneliness. Just the knowledge that someone is there for them is a great comfort when loved ones are unable to visit. |
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𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟
Hi, I am Eliz Hopkins & I have lived in Wolverhampton for about three years. I work for a homeless charity in Birmingham. I enjoy crafting, crochet & music. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐕𝐏? My dad was a member of the SVP conference in his parish in Bristol. He served as a member for over 50 years. He was also on the District & Central Councils. His dedication & care have been a real inspiration.𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐕𝐏? I was first a member in St Albans five years ago, then joined the conference in Codsall/Tettenhall three years ago. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐕𝐏? I see the work of the SVP as a practical & tangible way of providing help & support for those who need it most in my local area. It’s really important to me that the church is outward looking & not self-serving. I feel that, through the work of the SVP, I can play a part in making a real difference in a person’s life. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐕𝐏? As conference secretary, I take minutes at meetings and promote our work. During the past six months I have been delivering church newsletters to parishioners who do not have access to it via the internet. Delivering newsletters is a small thing but it makes a huge difference for people to feel connected to the community when they cannot physically be there. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐕𝐏 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡? Being able to make a practical difference is so rewarding. I enjoy having meaningful connections with people. I have also valued getting to know more people in the local area & parish. It has given me a sense of community too. |
