Hundreds of young people from Catholic primary schools across the Diocese of Leeds gathered in Leeds Cathedral on 18 September, to remember the September Feast Days of SVP Founder, Blessed Frederick Ozanam (8 September) and Saint Vincent de Paul (27 September).
The ‘Mini-Vinnies’, the youngest members of the SVP, came with their teachers and members of the Vicariate for Education to be ‘re-commissioned’ in the service of the Church and their Diocese.
Bishop Marcus celebrated the Mass at which the children renewed their promises to strengthen their relationship with Jesus: using their gifts and talents; reaching out to others with respect; being a friend to those in need or trouble; caring for and enjoying God’s world; and treating others as they would wish to be treated themselves.
In his homily, the Bishop spoke of the courageous choices and decisions which need to be made in order to build a world where God’s love and mercy is at the centre of all we do.
The motto of the Mini-Vinnies is ‘See, Think, Do’ – and the Bishop explained that many people ‘see’ or notice who needs help, and some of them may well ‘think’, speak or write about this need – but not as many people actually ‘do’ something!
This, said Bishop Marcus, is our ‘common mission’ as Christians: not just to speak or write about faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ – but to live that faith, showing Him to others through our words and, crucially, our actions…!
The Mass was livestreamed and is available to view via our Leeds Cathedral Live YouTube Channel.
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