Moira McCrae awarded Archdiocesan Medal

Congratulations to Moira McCrae who received the Archdiocesan Medal from Archbishop Cushley yesterday (Tuesday 13 February).

She was presented with the award for her outstanding service to the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) and its Fife Furniture Project.

Archbishop Cushley visited Dunfermline and was joined by Fr Syriac Palakudiyil of St Margaret's Parish and Haydn Carr, Archdiocesan President of the SSVP, along with husband Ian, family and friends to celebrate!

Moira, of Kingseat, leads the Fife Furniture Project with David Hunter, who also received the Archdiocesan Medal recently. She said she was "surprised and delighted" to receive recognition.
Left, Moira and fellow medal recipient David Hunter get ready to cut the cake and, right, holding her certificate with Archbishop Cushley.

Archbishop Cushley said: "So many of us in the Archdiocese are aware of the work of Moira and David in leading the brilliant work of the SSVP's Fife Furniture Project.

"They have helped a staggering number of people in need over the years, providing furniture and white goods, items which for years she crammed into her garage in Kingseat ahead of distribution by David and fellow volunteers. Contgratulations to them both."

There's a great cameraderie in working together to help others...it can really move mountains.

Canon Brian Gowans, who nominated them, said: "David and Moira have helped so many families and I have called upon them often to help families in need.

"I nominated them in my capacity as Archdiocesan Vicar Episcopal for Caritas, Justice and Peace but also in my role as the Archdiocesan Spiritual Director for the SSVP. I know how humbled they are in receiving this award and I'm delighted that my nominations were accepted as they both richly deserve the Archdiocesan Medal."

"Moira added: "We need more young people to rally and come forward to help with the Fife Furniture Project. There's a great cameraderie in working together to help others...it can really move mountains."

The Fife Furniture Project supports people who have been homeless or are in need. Volunteers collect and deliver furniture and white goods to homes across Fife at no cost.

The Archdiocesan Medal for Outstanding Service to the Church was established in 1975 by Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray, Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh. Only 100 or so medals have been awarded for “outstanding voluntary service” to the Church at a local level.

David Hunter awarded Archdiocesan medal

Congratulations to David Hunter who received a special honour at Ss John & Columba in Rosyth at the weekend.

He was presented with the Archdiocesan Medal (St Andrews & Edinburgh) from Archbishop Cushley on Saturday morning for his outstanding service to the Society of St Vincent de Paul's Fife Furniture Project.

Archbishop Cushley presents the Archdiocesan Medal to David Hunter during Mass at Ss John & Columba in Rosyth.

Archbishop Cushley said: "Congratulations to David. We thank him and all who volunteer for the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) and charities in the Archdiocese who help the those in need."

David leads the Fife Furniture Project with Moira McCrae, who will receive the Archdiocesan Medal shortly.

They were both nominated for the award by Canon Brian Gowans, the Vicar Episcopal for Caritas, Justice & Peace, and Archdiocesan Spiritual Director for the SSVP.

He said: "David and Moira have helped so many families and I have called upon them to help families in need pver the years.

"David genuinely loves his work and seeing how people can move on with their lives after receiving furniture or white goods.

"I am delighted that my nominations were accepted as David and Moira richly deserved the Archdiocesan Medal."

Fr Andrew Kingham, parish priest, said: "David is a humble and modest man who devotes so much of his time to the Church. Today we recognise his work for the SSVP of which he has been a stalwart for so many years.

Haydn Carr, President of the SSVP for the Archdiocese, said: "This is a richly deserved award for such a humble and hard-working man. David epitomises everything that is good about the SSVP."

The Fife Furniture Project supports people who have been homeless or are in need. Volunteers collect and deliver furniture and white goods to those in need across Fife at no cost.

The Archdiocesan Medal for Outstanding Service to the Church was established in 1975 by Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray, Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh. Only 100 or so medals have been awarded for “outstanding voluntary service” to the Church at a local level.