Attending A St Vinnies meeting

I attended a St Vinnies meeting at St Mary's Hall last night. St Vinnies is what Australia calls St Vincent de Paul. I had to cover the meeting cos the regional president wanted to help revive the local group which has not been active for about 18 months.

While sharing his experiences of working with single mothers, older folks and drug addicts among many others, he said something that struck me. He told those who attended that usually when people approach St Vinnies for help, it may seem that their needs are material but he says that as long as they keep talking, you'll find out what their real need is, whether it'll be help that a single mother needed or an old folk that wants some company. He said sometimes all they want is somebody to talk to.

He mentioned one particular lady who gets a bus ride to the grocery store every thursday from her home and was quite a talkative lady. But he said she was so talkative because she only gets to meet other people once a week when she is ferried to the supermarket but for the rest of the week, she is alone at home and don't have anyone else to talk to. This reminded me to be sensitive and patient even if someone seems overly talkative.

Suddenly I remember one particular church member who seems to talk on endlessly and I find it difficult most of the time to end the conversation. Maybe she doesn't have someone to talk to because even though she is a young married lady, she does not work and is alone at home when her husband is working. I will remember to try and spend more time listening to her.