St.  Vincent de Paul – St. Stanislaus Conference

 

Who We Are

For more than a century, the St Stanislaus Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul has quietly served those in need around Belvedere College in Dublin 1. While largely operating behind the scenes, the group reflects one of the College’s most enduring values — the Belvederian motto, “Men for Others.”

While a St Vincent de Paul conference has always existed within the College itself, the St Stanislaus Conference was established to ensure that the spirit of service would continue long after students left the classroom. It provides past pupils and members of the wider Belvederian community with an opportunity to stay connected through helping others in the area surrounding the College.Over the decades, most members have been past pupils of Belvedere College SJ, joined by sisters, spouses and friends who share the same desire to give something back. Importantly, the Conference is supported entirely through contributions from within the past pupils’ community — a powerful example of Belvederians continuing to live the ethos they learned at school.Responding to Changing Needs

The work of the Conference has evolved as the needs of the community have changed.

In earlier decades, when poverty in the area was more visible and immediate, members regularly delivered coal, food parcels and basic supplies to families nearby. Weekly visits provided not only practical help but also companionship and reassurance for those who might otherwise have felt forgotten.

Today, while the challenges may look different, the need for support remains.

A significant focus now is education, with the Conference helping a number of local young people to complete third-level courses. Members also assist families with essential expenses such as utility bills, electricity top-ups and replacing key household items like beds, fridges and cookers. At times they also help with emergency costs, including funeral expenses.

Each Christmas the Conference provides food voucher hampers for families and toy vouchers for children and teenagers in the area.

But the most important thing members offer is often the simplest — their time. A conversation, a friendly visit and a willingness to listen can make a real difference in people’s lives.

A New Member’s Perspective

Past pupil Fionán O’Connell joined the Conference last year and quickly discovered how meaningful even a small commitment can be.

“Almost a year ago I received an email from the College Union with a message from the St Stanislaus Conference. I hadn’t done much in the line of Men for Others in a while, and I was struck by the easy, unpressured tone of the message. I replied and attended my first meeting a week later.

“What surprised me first was the size of the group — just five others in the room — and the age profile. At 64 I was nearly the youngest member. But the meeting itself was very straightforward. We discussed the requests for help, prepared envelopes with supermarket vouchers, and after a short reflection we went out in pairs to deliver them to nearby flats.

“The whole evening took less than a couple of hours. What struck me most was the dedication of the longer-serving members, some of whom have given fifty years of service. They know the people they help and quietly support them throughout the week.

“I’m still struck by the small things people sometimes need help with — topping up an electricity meter, paying a school contribution or receiving a €40 food voucher. The gratitude for even small support is remarkable.

“Even though some of the situations can be difficult, the meetings themselves are positive and full of good humour. There’s plenty of camaraderie and nobody escapes a bit of slagging.

For me, it has also deepened my appreciation of the Men for Others ethos that Belvedere instils in its students. You see it in the boys every day — helping someone cross the road, assisting someone to find their bus, or simply offering a friendly greeting. I believe many of them will one day become the backbone of the St Vincent de Paul themselves.”

An Invitation to Get Involved

The St Stanislaus Conference has been a quiet but important part of the Belvederian family for over 100 years. To ensure that tradition continues, new members are always welcome.

The commitment is modest — around three hours every fortnight, meeting on Tuesday evenings — but the impact can be significant for the families and individuals who receive support.

If you feel you might like to help, or would simply like to learn more about the work of the Conference, the group would be delighted to hear from you.

Because the spirit of “Men for Others” does not end at the school gates — it continues in the actions of the Belvederian community.

Please feel free to reach out to Richard Collis, Brendan Heneghan and other members of the group at belvederesvp@gmail.com to get further details on how to become involved.