{"id":10213,"date":"2019-12-06T14:40:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-09T12:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svp.matrix-test.com\/article\/the-future-depends-on-what-we-do-in-the-present\/"},"modified":"2024-05-22T10:29:10","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T09:29:10","slug":"the-future-depends-on-what-we-do-in-the-present","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.svp.ie\/blog\/the-future-depends-on-what-we-do-in-the-present\/","title":{"rendered":"The future depends on what we do in the present."},"content":{"rendered":"
How often have we heard, or even muttered to ourselves, \u201cthose given help are living beyond their means and spend more than they can afford at Christmas, putting themselves under enormous financial pressure\u201d<\/em>. What is that magic cut-off point beyond which all else becomes an unacceptable waste of money? For many, spending an extra \u20ac50 puts them under pressure. Should they not attempt to bring a smile to their children\u2019s faces or have a special family meal together like everyone else?<\/p>\n The Society has been helping the most vulnerable for 175 years. That\u2019s 63,875 days where SVP volunteers have spoken out for those who have not yet found their voice, showing them that, yes, they do count and are equal, no matter what their background. I am sure if I were to ask all our members if they will continue to help next year, and the year after, and so on, the answer would be a resounding \u201cYes\u201d.<\/p>\n As Mahatma Gandhi once said,<\/p>\n \u201cThe future depends on what we do in the present.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n As a cohort of seeming strangers, we came together and formed new friendships, not just within the huge family of the Society of St Vincent de Paul but with those we help; with outstretched hands we embrace our forgotten brothers and sisters into this \u201cworld family\u201d of caring, where no one is a stranger.<\/p>\n \n\"When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God\" (Leviticus 19: 33-34).<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\nIt\u2019s hard to believe that another year has nearly come to an end. However, as servants to the most vulnerable in society, we now face into the busiest period of our work. Christmas, a time which should be a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, of love, generosity and enjoyment, and as the famous Andy Williams song says \u201cthe most wonderful time of the year\u201d<\/em>, can also be the most worrying time of the year for many, as you will see highlighted on the cover of this edition.<\/p>\n