Supporting our community in the Algarve and beyond through dedicated giving and active partnership.
St. Vincent’s Chaplaincy attempts to support those who are in need; whether in our host country or further afield. We seek to bless others, as we ourselves have been blessed by God. We believe that in so doing we are reaching out, not with our own hands, but as the arms of the Body of Jesus Christ, His Church.
St Luke’s congregation usually donate ‘Sweets and Treats’ for the local, less privileged children. Below we see Alan Hodson and Elspeth Flood with the contributions prior to being loaded up for delivery, and on the right the deliveries being made.
A record number of backpacks and gym bags have been distributed among the Algarve’s neediest schoolchildren following the ninth annual backpack drive. It was organised by Silves based charity, Castelo de Sonhos who gave special thanks to the congregations of St. Luke’s at Gorjöes and Praia da Luz, for their efforts in collecting “a huge sum to purchase backpacks and gym bags”.
Vale Silves Community Centre is a most worthy charity, giving tremendous support to a huge cross section of the local community.
The photo shows a few members from the Pereiras congregation attending the Christmas meal followed by a concert of singing, dancing and plays, performed by the young and not so young!
We have a close connection with this most worthy cause. The Lar is a residential home for approximately 36 people, many of whom are mentally or physically disabled. Visits to the Lar always leave an impression of a dedicated and committed team who go about their daily work with a cheery smile. The capabilities of the patients vary widely and for those who are able to attend, courses are held in various handicrafts. However, special consideration is given for those patients who are confined to a wheelchair or to bed.Our donations are used in many and various ways, but there is always a need for funds for building maintenance. Equally, everyday things such as sheets, towels and toiletries are in heavy demand.
The “Food Bank” – St. Luke’s regularly supplies produce of all kinds to the Banco Alimentar in Faro.
This is a thoroughly well run organisation that distributes to the needy across the Algarve
For many years the Chaplaincy has provided scholarships to selected nursing students at the University of the Algarve in Faro leading to a degree in nursing. The practical nursing is carried out at Faro and other hospitals as well as clinics and Centros de Saude.
The scholarship provides full tuition fees for the 4 years of the degree course and students are chosen who have the ability to succeed but whose family circumstances are such that the money for this training cannot be found, thus leaving the child destined to never achieving their full potential and ambition. All our students have graduated – none have failed or dropped out of training – and all have found employment in nursing following graduation.
There is a strong connection with the Portugal Branch of the Royal British Legion and each year on Remembrance Sunday, St. Luke’s Church hosts the official Service of Remembrance for the Algarve. Here we see HM Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic Mrs Kirsty Hayes and Gordon “Sandy”Sanders, Royal Hospital, Chelsea in 2015.
At this service we join with the British community throughout the world in remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice; we pray for those who continue to suffer as a result of their service, including many living in the Algarve, and we pray for peace.
Our Harvest Festival has grown from small beginnings in 1990 to something of an event in the Eastern Algarve, thanks to the generosity of our congregation and outside support. Last year we gave to 22 families, a total of 78 people, and the boxes were very gratefully received.
The picture shows our team just about to ‘box up’ the food prior to distribution
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Bring non-perishable food items, toiletries, and gently used clothing to designated drop-off points.
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