St Andrew’s SVDP organises blood donation drive

The Muar parish St Vincent De Paul Conference of St Andrew marked its 33rd anniversary with a blood donation campaign on August 3.

Aug 14, 2014

By Percy D’Cruz
The Muar parish St Vincent De Paul Conference of St Andrew marked its 33rd anniversary with a blood donation campaign on August 3.

According to conference spokesperson Bro. Paul Raju, 33 parishioners turned up to fulfill their obligation in the midst of the Hari Raya holidays. 43 pints of blood were collected during the four-hour campaign.

Founded in mid August 1981 under the spiritual advisorship of Fr Joseph Hung, now a priest in residence at Melaka’s St Theresa’s parish, the St Andrew’s SVDP conference has grown by leaps and bounds.

The SVDP is involved in numerous corporal works of mercy: regular home and hospital visitations to the sick and aged, recycling projects and raising funds, all by a small band of faithful members under the helm of President Josephine Tang.

It was the then parish priest Fr Hung’s brainchild for a conference to be initiated at St Andrew’s. The infancy years were tough going but soon, the conference found a firm footing and gained momentum and is today a very active ministry under the wings of the Church.

Edward Alaguru, the first president of the conference who also served a second term in 1999, noted that credit should be rendered to well wishers, donors, local parishioners, benefactors, the state and national SVDP councils for their advice and contributions, untiring efforts and devotion to duty for taking the Muar conference to greater heights.

The Muar SVDP members currently also take care of fifteen ‘Friends In Need’ or previously known as ‘adopted families’ as well as one individual with the provision of household rations and cash relief.

The conference is also looking into the possibility of starting a daycare centre and a tuition class for needy and poor students, both within the parish and outside, noted Bro. Paul.

As Bishop Paul Tan, in his message for the conference’s silver jubilee celebration souvenier publication said, twenty five years ago, a group of committed St Andrew’s parishioners desiring to dedicate time, effort and energy in preference for the poor and the unfortunate, established a SVDP society.

“Today, by your determination to continue the recognized lay apostolate of the Church founded by Blessed Ozanam clearly reflects the command of Christ ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Matt 22:38), whereby the evangelical counsel is to ensure that we do God’s work in His Name and not in our name,” added Bishop Paul Tan.

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