New Vinnies Centre for Noarlunga
Local
The official opening of the new Noarlunga Vinnies Centre, located just outside of the Colonnades Shopping Centre was cause for celebration on June 27.
A blessing conducted by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan attracted a devoted troupe of St Vincent de Paul Society staff and volunteers as well as special guests including Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were AM, Vinnies SA CEO Evelyn O’Loughlin, Fleurieu Regional president Kevin Liston and State president Bradley Hocking.
“From his childhood, Vincent de Paul saw the material and spiritual poverty of people who are poor,” Archbishop O’Regan said.
“His encounter with a family in extreme need prompted him to do something about it, very much like our own Mary McKillop.”
Vinnies State president Bradley Hocking, Archbishop Patrick O’Regan and Moira Were, Mayor of City of Onkaparinga, cut the cake at the opening of the new Noarlunga Vinnies Centre. Picture: Rachel Jennings
Archbishop O’Regan went on to talk about identifying a need and trying to do something about it.
“Make connections and make sure it’s not a transaction, but an encounter,” he said. “Vincent gathered a group of people, mainly ladies at that time; people who needed that encounter in their lives as well. His aim, of course, was to organise material aid, but also spiritual accompaniment.
“I’m delighted to be here today and well done on this extraordinary space. Inspired by St Vincent de Paul, the Vincentian family he gathered around him, and by the guiding light of the hymn to love in First Corinthians, may the work and mission of the Noarlunga Vinnies Centre be fruitful and life giving.”
Mayor Were also addressed the gathering.
“Most people think about Vinnies as people coming into the shop,” she said.
“I like to think about the ones who are doing the giving. Part of the sacramental experience is giving the gift, not just receiving or taking something from the shelves.
“That relationship is what the volunteer movement of Vinnies is all about and it’s built into your own spiritual practices.
“For us here in the city of Onkaparinga, we too are part of that conversation as a council, but also as people. The people who volunteer here and shop here are part of that story, too.
“I really hope this becomes a conversation between place, people, the spirit of place, and the culture we want to change here in this community.”
Mr Hocking thanked the hardworking staff who made the centre happen.
“This year marks 140 years for us in South Australia as an organisation,” he said.
“Vinnies was founded in 1884 and here in Noarlunga we’ve been serving our companions for more than 60 years and it’s the first conference that existed here in the Fleurieu region.”
He described the new centre, which also includes a conference and workshop space, as more than a place.
“It is a community,” he said.
“That spiritual accompaniment Moira mentioned is key to what we try to achieve in this place. It’s more than just a retail centre. It is a place where we can truly encounter people, and truly live out our spirituality and companionship that we’ve been talking about now as an organisation for about a year.”
Noarlunga Vinnies Centre is located at Colonnades Shopping Centre Beach Road, Noarlunga.
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