Vincentian Community News
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"The Lord works wonders with those who are lowly, with those who do not believe that they are great but who give ample space to God in their life. He extends His mercy to those who trust in Him, and raises up the humble."
- Pope Francis
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COVID-19 Stage 5 Risk Guidelines
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Austin-Travis County is in Stage 5 of the risk-based guidelines. According to Austin health officials, COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions have increased. Vaccinated and unvaccinated people should take precaution at private indoor gatherings and outdoor gatherings. You are urged to wear a mask and social distance.
Due to the surge in cases, all staff and volunteers at the Vincentian Family Center are required to wear masks at all times. Persons (customers) who cannot or will not wear a mask will not be allowed to enter the building for any reason. This also includes anyone in the client service area whether or not they are staff, volunteers or someone requesting assistance. The proper way to wear a mask is to cover both the mouth and nose with the mask. More information is below.
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The Mass of Remembrance will be held Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 10:30am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. All Vincentians are invited to come together to remember Vincentians and family members of Vincentians who died in 2021. Father Tom Reitmeyer, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul, will be the celebrant.
Please use this registration link to register to attend this Mass and to identify those you specifically want remembered at the Mass.
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is open Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. Come, explore, and shop for unique items throughout the thrift store.
We are taking every precaution to ensure your safety and to stop the spread of COVID-19. Everyone is required to wear a face mask and practice social distancing in the Thrift Store. Hand sanitizer is also available when you enter the store.
The Thrift Store is in need of volunteers to serve as greeters, cashiers, donation sorters, taggers, and to assist customers in various departments. Are you interested in volunteering? You can sign up by clicking on this link.
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2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
January 16, 2022
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Gospel Reading: (John 2:1-11)
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”…When the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from, said to the bridegroom, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good win until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.
Vincentian Reflection:
We identify with Mary’s sensitivity in noticing that the wine was running short and Jesus’ sensitivity in keeping the miracle quiet. The purpose of the miracle, then, wasn’t to save the wedding couple’s day or to draw attention to Jesus. The purpose runs deeper: the sign revealed Jesus’ glory. The wedding feast as an opportunity for epiphany and belief. The epiphany (manifestations and revelations) of Jesus’ glory is a sign of the persistence of God’s overtures of love to us—God reveals glory to us in many ways to make sure we catch it—and the depths of God’s love, so much so that we are espoused to God. Belief entails a Who rather than a what. Our own encounters with Jesus in prayer, through others, in struggling with daily living, are truly epiphanies of God’s glory which also invites us to respond to divine Presence with belief. (Living Liturgy, p.42)
Vincentian Meditation:
Epiphany signs might come in many ways—through others in a cry for help, in a lonely person’s plea for companionship, in the spontaneous laughter of delight, in the beauty of nature, in the love of family and friends. The challenge to us is to see these as revelations of God’s glory, as epiphanies of God’s love for us, and an opportunity to respond in belief. Yes, these common, ordinary signs of God’s love are all around us. By responding to other persons, recognizing them as revelations of God to us, we ourselves also become signs of God’s in-breaking, epiphanies for others.
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: If you have a pantry in your Conference, are you allowed to change the shopping list? For example, in the past a family of 6+ could receive 10 canned goods and then it was reduced to eight; plus, other items were also reduced on the sheet?
A: This is a local issue to be addressed by local leaders. However, the reality is that when you are providing food to individuals, you want the meals to be nutritious and well-balanced; and it doesn’t hurt to customize the manner in which food is given to families in need. Otherwise, it is a matter of resources, budgets and fairness.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Si tiene una despensa en su Conferencia, ¿puede cambiar la lista de compras? Por ejemplo, en el pasado una familia de 6+ podía recibir 10 productos enlatados y ahora solo recibe ocho; además, las cantidades de otros artículos también se redujeron en la lista.
R: Este es un problema local que deben abordar los líderes locales. Sin embargo, la realidad es que cuando su Conferencia proporciona alimentos a las personas, desea que las comidas sean nutritivas y bien balanceadas; y es bueno personalizar la forma en que se entregan los alimentos a las familias necesitadas. De lo contrario, es una cuestión de recursos, presupuestos y equidad.
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You can make a difference by sharing your time and talents. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin has new volunteer opportunities available in the Thrift Store, Client Services, and Council Office. We now have a new and easy way for you to sign up. Visit the volunteer page on ssvdp.org/volunteer, complete the form, and submit it. You will be contacted by a Council staff member.
Ready to volunteer? Click on this link to sign up!
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Donate your vehicle to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. We make donating your car, truck, motorcycle, or boat easy. Call 1-800-317-SVDP (7837) or visit www.ssvdp.org/vehicle-donation. The process is free and easy!
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Partner Programs
An easy and free way to support the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is to join our partner programs. Sign up for one or both of the programs, and our partner agencies will donate a portion of their proceeds from your purchases to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. You can find more information by clicking this link.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 17, 2022
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January 18, 2022
7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Quarterly Meeting
January 29, 2022
Virtual Meeting
9:00am - 11:00am
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Mid-Year Meeting
March 16-19, 2022
St. Louis
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Council Office:
Monday - Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Client Services:
Tuesday - Friday
9:00am - 12:00pm
Food Pantry:
Saturday
9:00am - 12:00pm
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
Wednesday - Saturday
10:00am - 5:00pm
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Contact Us:
Rick Bologna, Stores Director, rick.bologna@ssvdp.org
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*Deadline submission for the eNews is Wednesday at noon.
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