Vincentians from four SSVP Conferences of St Peter, St Michael, Our Lady of Lourdes and Sacred Heart came together to organise a lunch to celebrate Christmas at Yan Palace Chinese Restaurant in Chinatown.

For many of our Friends In Need (FINs), this was a real treat as it was their first meal at a restaurant since the COVID pandemic started.

Our FINs arrived in buses and wheelchair vans and some even drove their motorised wheelchairs or walked in the pouring rain.

Despite the heavy downpour, over 154 FINs were hosted by Vincentians and volunteers as well as some very special guests.

The Christmas luncheon srtared with a prayer in English by SSVP Spiritual Advisor Rev Fr Eugene Vaz and dialect catechist Andrew Goh continued with a prayer in Hokkien.

While enjoying a scrumptious lunch, our FINs were well entertained and enjoyed a harmonica and ukelele performance from the five-member band “Joyful from SPP”. Filled with festive spirit, we sang along to the Christmas songs and even Chinese pop songs with the help of lyrics projected on the screens.

FINS also had fun playing table games like “Treasure Hunt” of items (dollar coin, medicated oil, handkerchief, spectacle, shirt, belt, ball pen) which served well as ice-breakers.

Event MCs Katherine (Vincentian from Sacred Heart church) and Frankie (parishioner from Church of Sts Peter and Paul) worked up much excitement in announcing Lucky Draw prizes to the 42 winners, with separate draws for FINs from each of the four Conferences.

Our FINs have been socially, financially and even psychologically impacted by COVID. The elderly in particular have become more reclusive, and many hardly venture out of their comfort zones within the neighbourhood since the pandemic began. As Vincentians, we are so grateful to share the blessings of Christmas with our FINs, celebrating together and bringing some joy to their lives.