Anyone for Lent Lunch?
The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) at St Mary’s Parish, Tovey Road,
Swindon put on their annual Lent lunch for the Parish on Saturday.
It was a lovely sunny spring day which made everyone, both helpers and guests feel they wanted to get out and “do things”. We had made transport arrangements for quite a number of the people who attended, many of whom are housebound.
We decided to have one long table, rather than separate ones, and it was made to look cheery and spring-like, with a bright white cloth, yellow serviettes and vases of orange carnations and yellow tulips. We also had a little seasonal touch, dishes of mini chocolate eggs – no, not everyone gives up chocolate for Lent!
Two large containers of soup were gurgling on the stove for quite a while before people started to arrive. The smell was too much for some of the helpers, and they had to have a “tasting” before lunch, just to make sure it was okay of course!
Once the guests started arriving, 31 in all, the hall was buzzing with chatter and good cheer, and there was a feeling that this Lunch was going to be a success. Some people hadn’t met up since the last Lunch and it was so good to watch them greet one another and catch up on all the news. For us SVP members this is what it’s all about – giving people the chance to get out and feel they are part of the Parish community.
We, the helpers, felt that it had gone really well and, although we were left to do the dishes, on this occasion we didn’t mind.
Margaret Anscombe
It was a lovely sunny spring day which made everyone, both helpers and guests feel they wanted to get out and “do things”. We had made transport arrangements for quite a number of the people who attended, many of whom are housebound.
We decided to have one long table, rather than separate ones, and it was made to look cheery and spring-like, with a bright white cloth, yellow serviettes and vases of orange carnations and yellow tulips. We also had a little seasonal touch, dishes of mini chocolate eggs – no, not everyone gives up chocolate for Lent!
Two large containers of soup were gurgling on the stove for quite a while before people started to arrive. The smell was too much for some of the helpers, and they had to have a “tasting” before lunch, just to make sure it was okay of course!
Once the guests started arriving, 31 in all, the hall was buzzing with chatter and good cheer, and there was a feeling that this Lunch was going to be a success. Some people hadn’t met up since the last Lunch and it was so good to watch them greet one another and catch up on all the news. For us SVP members this is what it’s all about – giving people the chance to get out and feel they are part of the Parish community.
We, the helpers, felt that it had gone really well and, although we were left to do the dishes, on this occasion we didn’t mind.
Margaret Anscombe
Images
© Clifton Diocese 2010 | Disclaimer
