The Feast Day of St Vincent de Paul was celebrated with a Mass and Ceili in North Belfast and Long Service Award ceremonies in West Belfast and Coalisland on the night of Monday 27th September 2004.

	North Belfast Area Council celebrated the Feast of St Vincent de Paul this year with a Mass in the Sacred Heart Church on the Oldpark Road followed with a Ceili dance for members, family and friends in the local Parochial Hall. A great night was had by all and the music was provided by the 'Trasna Ceili Band' who played a selection of Irish and Scottish dance tunes. Such a success was the evening that its is hoped to make this an annual event in the North Belfast area.
Top: Selection of dancers at Ceili Middle: Trasna Ceili Band Bottom: Fr Hugh Kennedy PP of Sacred Heart with some North Belfast Vincentians click on any image to enlarge
Over in West Belfast six long serving members of St Oliver Plunkett conference were presented with Vincentian Medals and certificates in recognition of their selfless work on behalf of the needy in the district. The surprise presentation took place at a specially arranged Mass followed by a sumptuous buffet.		Back Row: Bob McLaughlin and Seamus Catney - Front: Jim Murphy, Fr Beagon & Frank McCorry (not in photo - Peggy Murray & Billy McGowan) Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge Pictured above are Oliver McGuinness and Michael O'Neill (holding certificates) which were presented by Fr Woods of the Vincentian Fathers	Meanwhile in Coalisland, Co Tyrone a similar long service award was held on the same evening for two members who have served in the conference of the Holy Family since it's formation 25 years ago in 1979.

Saint Vincent de Paul, (1581-1660), was a French Priest and founder of the Congregation of the Mission called the Vincentians or the Order of the Lazarists. He was born near Pouy (now St Vincent de Paul), in Gascony on April 24th 1581.

He established the Congregation of the Mission of Priests and the Sisters of Charity. The Society of St Vincent de Paul, founded in 1833 by Frédéric Ozanam, continues his work to this day.

His great charity for the poor, the downtrodden, the young, the elderly, the refugees, the slaves was astonishing to others. He searched for abandoned children and organised groups to help those in need. He built homes for the poor, the sick, the abandoned children, and provided care for the elderly.

The Congregation of the Mission organised several seminaries for the training of priests as a result of the work done by St Vincent de Paul with young men about to be ordained. He was also concerned with relief work during the religious wars in France.

St Vincent died at the Lazarus institution in Saint Denis, France on 27th September 1660 and was buried in the choir of the church.