Vincentian Community News |
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“Last night I dreamed that I stood at the judgment seat of God. God received me with great severity and was about to pronounce my sentence when, suddenly, I was surrounded by an immense crowd of people carrying old boots, shoes, and hats. They presented all these things to God saying: ‘She was the one who gave us all these things.’ Then Jesus looked at me and said, ‘Because you gave all these old clothes in my Name, I open heaven to you. Enter, for all eternity.”
(Words of Blessed Rosalie Rendu, DC )
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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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Welcome UT Nursing Students |
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We are pleased to announce a collaborative agreement with the University of Texas Nursing Students. Tuesdays and Thursdays, nursing students have the option of assisting in Client Services at the Vincentian Family Center. Here they assist in the intake process of clients, Help sort/restock of pantry items and other duties as needed
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In Fréderic Ozanam’s original vision for the Society, he expressed a desire that Vincentians use their meetings as an opportunity to serve neighbors in need and personal spiritual growth. When Vincentians gather together at traditional meetings and innovative webinars, they can share their talents and resources in service of our neighbors in need.
Please check out these great opportunities for the Fred Talks - great 4 - 5 minute videos that can be used for reflection at your Conference meetings!
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Spiritual Advisor Formation and Training |
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A Spiritual Advisor Formation and Training Webinar will be held next month for Spiritual Advisors, Associate Spiritual Advisors, or those thinking of becoming Spiritual Advisors. This three-part training and formation program will be held February 22, 23, and 24 at 7:00pm Central. Whether you are new or experienced, if you have never previously attended, please register and attend this program led by Tim Williams, National Formation Director, and James Davis, South Central Region Spiritual Advisor.
Over three evenings, you will learn about Vincentian Formation, the role of the Spiritual Advisor, tools, resources, and reflections you can use, and Vincentian Discernment and Consensus.
We also encourage attendance by Conference and Council Presidents, who have “a special responsibility for promoting Vincentian spirituality.”
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Registration for SVdP Midyear Meeting is now open!
Join us the for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's 2022 Midyear Business Meeting, March 16 - 19, 2022 at the Hilton at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Missouri! The agenda is packed with Education, Spirituality, and informative information about the Society and helping those in need. Highlights include: Spiritual Retreat, Committee Meetings, Regional Meetings, and our Midyear Business Meeting. We look forward to seeing you in St. Louis!
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The next Ozanam Orientation is scheduled for Saturday, February 26 from 9:00am - 2:30pm at St. Jerome Catholic Church. It's located at 9820 Chapel Road, Waco, TX.
Ozanam Orientations are designed to set up our new Vincentians for success and re-energize those Vincentians who have already served. All new Vincentians are asked to attend an Ozanam Orientation within their first year in ministry; current Vincentians should attend an Ozanam refresher every 3-5 years.
To register, click on this link.
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store |
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store was closed Thursday and Friday due to inclement weather. The Thrift Store will reopen Saturday at 10:00am.
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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6th Sunday of Ordinary Time
February 13, 2022
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Gospel: (Luke 6:17,20-26)
Jesus raising his eyes toward his disciples said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”
Reflection:
The blessing is Jesus who stands on level ground with the poor, hungry, weeping outcasts. Jesus is an epiphany of God’s presence among all those who had been excluded. The gospel also indicates the decisiveness of choice: blessing or woe. There are two paths in life one can follow, and either one is with Jesus or against Jesus. The lure is to be consoled now, have our fill now, laugh now, be respected now. Jesus is showing another way: our condition now doesn’t matter so long as we trust and hope in the Lord now. Blessedness isn’t a matter of social status, satisfaction, possessions, respect, etc; it is a matter of keeping our own eyes glued on Jesus. (Living Liturgy, p.58)
Vincentian Meditation:
The heart of Jesus’ preaching is the Beatitudes. They speak of basic attitudes of being and dispositions in life. Vincentians are Beatitude people; they opt for the Beatitudes that confront them with decisive choices concerning earthly goods. The Beatitudes purify their hearts in order to teach them to love God above all things. Vincentians understand Pope John Paul II’s words: “The Beatitudes are a call to action.” (US Manual of the SSVDP, p.20)
Which Beatitude speaks most to your heart?
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: The philosophy of the Conference to which I belong is to help people get over an emergency situation, not to offer continual ongoing support. Is this a correct position for a Conference to take in dealing with people who come to us with needs? Our philosophy is not related to our not having sufficient funds to help.
A: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul does NOT help “in emergencies only” or “only once each year.” It is the philosophy of the Society to “treat each case on its own merit.” It has nothing to do with how often a person or family comes to us for help. It has everything to do with whether or not the need is real, and if we have resources to help. It has everything to do with compassion toward those in need and sharing God’s love with those seeking help. It has everything to do with finding Jesus in the face of the poor. If your Conference has any limitations in your guidelines which prevent you from helping people, consider removing them. Our guidelines should be emphasizing how we can help people – not turn them away.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: La filosofía de la Conferencia a la que pertenezco es ayudar a las personas a superar una situación de emergencia, no ofrecer un apoyo continuo de largo plazo. ¿Es correcta para una Conferencia al tratar con personas que vienen a nosotros con necesidades? Nuestra filosofía no está relacionada con que no tengamos fondos suficientes para ayudar.
R: La Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl NO ayuda “solo en emergencias” o “solo una vez al año”. La filosofía de la Sociedad es “tratar cada caso según sus propios méritos.” No tiene nada que ver con la frecuencia con la que una persona o familia viene a nosotros para buscar ayuda. Tiene mucho que ver con si la necesidad es real o no, y si tenemos recursos para ayudar. Tiene todo que ver con la compasión hacia los que tienen necesidades y compartir el amor de Dios con los que buscan ayuda. Tiene todo que ver con encontrar a Jesús en el rostro de los pobres. Si su conferencia tiene limitaciones en sus pautas que le impiden ayudar a las personas, considere eliminarlas. Nuestras pautas deben enfatizar cómo podemos ayudar a las personas, no rechazarlas.
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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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Ozanam Orientation
February 26, 2022
St. Jerome Catholic Church
Waco, TX
9:00am - 2:30pm
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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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