There is a new addition to the streetscape of the Main Street of Tipperary Town, with the opening on Thursday August 8 of the St. Vincent de Paul shop, at the corner of Main Street and Bridge Street. The Store Manager, Chris Butler, was on hand to welcome guests and was joined by staff and volunteers of the charity from Tipperary and from different parts of the country. Piper Seamus Purcell and his Mum Eimear, entertained the attendance and Archdeacon Eugene Everard, P.P., Tipperary Town and Fr. Luke McNamara, Benedictine Monk and Priest at Glenstal Abbey, read the prayers of blessing. The clergy were joined by members of the local conference who assisted with offering prayers of blessing. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) was founded in Ireland in 1844. It is the largest voluntary charitable organisation in Ireland. During its history, SVP has helped people in need through Famine, a Civil War, a War of Independence, two World Wars, a Pandemic and several economic recessions. The charity shops are a very important aspect of the service SVP provides. Not only do they provide people with new and lightly worn items at affordable prices, they also provide an income source for the Society, which is recycled directly back into the community. A view to the Main Street from the St. Vincent de Paul shop in Tipp town. Dermot McGilloway, who is the National Development Manager for St. Vincent de Paul, explained that the shop in Tipp town is part of a national and international network. "We have over 1,600 stores globally and we are really trying to promote Vincentian values in the work that we do. Here in Ireland we are the biggest charity retailer in the country, with over 230 shop, and in every county in Ireland. "We are a fundraiser but it is not our primary objective. We are here as a service provider. The core work of St. Vincent de Paul is home visitation, so it is calling into people in their homes, trying to understand what their needs are. "It might be bills to be paid but it could also be support
PICTURES: St Vincent de Paul opens doors of its new shop in Tipperary
