Tawau SSVP begins apostolate of mercy with 20 members

TAWAU – St Vincent de Paul Society (SSVP) of Holy Trinity Church here began its apostolate in March 2014 with some 20 active members, making it the first SSVP in Sabah.

Here it is called the Conference of Holy Trinity Tawau with Mgsr Nicholas Ong as its director. The society works in collaboration with the parish integral human development committee to achieve its mission.

St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in Paris in 1833 by Frédéric Ozanam and the society took the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Vincent de Paul as its patrons. It is an international Catholic voluntary organisation based on the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, dedicated to the sanctification of its members through serving the abandoned poor and the disadvantaged. As of today, the society has 800,000 members in some 140 countries worldwide, whose members operate through “conferences”.

The Conference of Holy Trinity Church carries out many corporal works of mercy  such as visits to the poor families and provides for their basic needs; operating a thrift store at the parish old canteen building since 21 Aug 2016 selling used clothings, books, magazines, bags, toys and kichen utensils; conducting Fatima Education Programme (FEP), a 90-minute English class for 40 poor children at Jalan Sin Onn Tiku; and having formation sessions for children aged 11-14 (Young Vincentians).

In 2015, the society brought Christmas cheer to some poor children living in an estate. – Roland Henry/Cristine Tan