Vincentian Community News
|
|
Bishop Vasquez Advent Message
|
|
Blessings to you and your loved ones during this holy season.
-Bishop Joe Vasquez, Diocese of Austin
|
|
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin is grateful to everyone who participated in our #iGiveCatholic on #GivingTuesday campaign. Thank you for your generosity, prayers, and for spreading the word to your family, friends, and network.
We are blessed to have people like you who care about those in need in Central Texas. Funds raised will go towards our programs to provide financial and food assistance, clothes, transportation, diapers, and other basic needs.
|
|
Benefit Day at Ten Thousand Villages
|
|
Save the Date! Ten Thousand Villages will hold a Benefit Shopping Day for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 from 11:00am - 7:00pm. Come explore and shop for unique handmade items by artisans in villages in developing communities around the world. 15% of sales from the day will go to the Society to support our programs and services for those in need.
You can help by volunteering to monitor the table at the store and by spreading the word to family and friends. For more information, contact Kanobia Blackmon at kanobia@ssvdp.org.
|
|
Ozanam Orientation Update!
|
|
The Ozanam Orientation scheduled for Saturday, December 11, 2021 has been postponed to a later date. Once a new date is set, we will publish it in the eNewsletter and on the Diocesan Council calendar on the website.
|
|
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
|
|
The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is extending its Black Friday sale on furniture and children's clothing. It's still 50% off this weekend. We're open 10am - 5pm.
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.
SVDP Online Thrift Store!
The St. Vincent de Paul Online Thrift Store is always open. The new website offers one of kind treasures that will only be available online! Visit svdptreasures.org and check out the unique treasures that are available now! Purchases made online must be picked up at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.
|
|
COVID-19 Stage 3 Risk Guidelines
|
|
Austin-Travis County is in Stage 3 of the risk-based guidelines. According to Austin health officials, COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions have decreased. Vaccinated and unvaccinated people should take precaution at private indoor gatherings and outdoor gatherings. You are still urged to wear a mask and social distance.
|
|
2nd Sunday of Advent
December 5, 2021
|
|
Gospel Reading: (Luke 3:1-6)
The word of God was spoken to John in the desert. He went about the entire region of the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of repentance which led to the forgiveness of sins, as is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: âA heraldâs voice in the desert, crying, âMake ready the way of the Lord, clear him a straight path. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be leveled. The windings shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.â
Vincentian Reflection:
John the Baptist urges us to âPrepare the way of the Lord.â Our culture tells us to prepare for the birth of a Baby, an event that evokes wonderful feelings of warmth and happiness. But Johnâs message of ârepentance for the forgiveness of sinsâ suggests that we must examine our lives in light of the salvation we seek. It is difficult to orient our lives, anticipation, and preparation with balance and vision toward a glorious Christ who is yet to come. It is far easier to prepare for a Jesus who is a sweet, innocent Baby. The gospel challenges us to take the real events of our everyday livesâall the suffering and pain, all the anxiety and hopelessness, all the joy and peaceâand see them as means to recognize the presence of Christ to us. This is what Advent is all aboutârecognizing the presence of Christ in our lives as salvation already come. (Living Liturgy, p. 10)
Vincentian Meditation:
God speaks to us in all sorts of ways: through Scriptures, through his Church, but also through all the events, great and small, that happen to us. Since most of our lives are made up of very ordinary tasks which we must do each day, it is in these especially that the voice of the Lord is to be heard. We make the mistake so often of expecting God to speak to us through some great event or happening when, in fact, all the time He is speaking to us in all the small events of each day. Sometimes in life we donât know what to do. God lead us even when our path changes radically, ends abruptly or is surrounded in darkness. By sitting patiently and trustingly in prayer, we gradually see or feel his presence and guidance. It is also true that God often uses the people and the happenings in our daily life to teach us and lead us on the way we should go. Advent tells us to be attentive, to listen in patience and peace.
How has Advent been a time of recognizing and finding the presence of Christ in your life?
|
|
ï»żWe will offer them up in prayer weekly.
|
|
National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: If we collect funds in excess of our needs, can we combine the excess funds into our general account, or must we maintain them in a âspecial worksâ category in our accounting?
A: Funds can be used as the membership body determines. Excess funds collected for seasonal assistance (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc.) do not have to be escrowed into a special works account for annual use. Our friends are in need daily, and all resources should be available to serve those in need.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
ï»ż
P: Si recaudamos fondos que exceden nuestras necesidades, Âżpodemos combinar los fondos excedentes en nuestra cuenta general, o debemos mantenerlos en una categorĂa de "trabajos especiales" en nuestra contabilidad?
R: Los fondos se pueden usar segĂșn lo determine el organismo de membresĂa. El exceso de fondos recaudados para la asistencia estacional (AcciĂłn de Gracias, Navidad, Pascua, etc.) no tiene que ser depositado en una cuenta de obras especiales para uso anual. Nuestros amigos estĂĄn en necesidad diariamente, y todos los recursos deben estar disponibles para servir a los necesitados.
|
|
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!
|
|
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2021
SVdP Thrift Store Closed
Council Office Closed
Client Services Center Closed
ï»ż***
Christmas
December 25, 2021
ï»żSVdP Thrift Store Closed
ï»ż
SVdP Food Pantry Open
9:00am - 12:00pm
ï»ż***
Christmas Break
December 24, 2021 - January 1, 2021
ï»żCouncil Office Closed
|
|
Benefit Shopping Day at Ten Thousand Villages
December 8, 2021
11:00am - 7:00pm
***
VIEWS Committee Meeting
December 11, 2021
10:00am - 11:00am
|
|
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
|
|
Contact Us:
Rick Bologna, Stores Director, rick.bologna@ssvdp.org
|
|
*Deadline submission for the eNews is Wednesday at noon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|