Vincentian Community News |
|
“We must redouble our efforts and our ordinary duties on certain occasions when the service of God requires it; then, God will not fail to increase also our strength and our courage.”
- St. Vincent de Paul
|
|
Mark you calendars! Serving in Hope will be held Wednesday, May 11 at noon at St. William Catholic Church. This is our largest fundraiser of the year! Participants will enjoy a complimentary meal while learning about the mission and work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
You can help make this a success by becoming a table captain, volunteer, and by inviting your network. The deadline to RSVP is April 27, 2022. For more information, contact the Director of Development and Marketing, Kanobia Russell-Blackmon at kanobia@ssvdp.org.
|
|
National Systemic Change Webinar |
|
Mark your calendars! Matt Pogor, Predatory Loan Conversion Program Loan Administrator, will be one of the speakers for the National Systemic Change Practitioner Webinar on April 7. The event starts at 2:00pm.
|
|
Weekly Lenten Reflection Series |
|
Join the National Formation Director and the Voice of the Poor for a series of Lenten reflections on Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm. We will explore how we are collaborating with other organizations to serve the whole person as well as unmet needs.
-
April 6: Reflection: The Good Samaritan: Who Was the Neighbor?
|
|
The 2022 General Assembly will be held on Saturday, May 21 at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Austin from 9:00am - 2:00pm. The cost is $8.00 which covers your breakfast tacos and box lunch. National Vincentian Formation Director Tim Williams will be our guest speaker. Registration is open now. Just click here.
|
|
Nearly 200 Vincentians gathered last week for the Midyear Meeting in St. Louis. The National Board of Directors, National Council Members, Executive Directors, and other Vincentian leaders came together to share ideas after a three-year hiatus.
In order to give those not in attendance the chance to see the various presentations, the National Office staff has created a playlist of the video recordings from the meeting. You can access them here.
|
|
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!
|
|
Andy Vasquez, a member of the SVdP Board of Directors, has provided information about organizations and the type of assistance they provide to help those in Ukraine. These are primarily Ukraine organizations and are experienced at getting assistance to people in the country and under difficult circumstances.
One of the biggest needs Ukrainians have now is for medical supplies. As you consider ways you can contribute to help people in Ukraine and the millions who have fled, e.g. Red Cross, please consider these organizations, too.
Here is a list of the organizations:
|
|
The City of Austin and Travis County have lifted all COVID-19 emergency rules and orders, however, Austin-Travis County still remains at Stage 2. Masking in most City facilities are now optional. Orders regarding masking on public school campuses and signage requirements for businesses are no longer in effect. Health officials encourage those who are high risk or care for someone who is high risk to wear a mask indoors.
The policy in the SVdP Thrift Store and the Council Offices is now "Wearing a mask is optional."
|
|
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift 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.
|
|
5th Sunday of Lent
April 3, 2022
|
|
Gospel: (John 8:1-11)
The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” In response, they went away one by one…So he was left alone with the woman before him. Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
Reflection:
A story that begins with deathly accusation ends with divine mercy. Where the community’s condemnation would have led the adulterous woman to death, Jesus’ mercy leads her to new life. A story that begins with exposing the sin of an individual ends with exposing the sinfulness of all. Where the community begins with awareness of the woman’s sinfulness, they are transformed through encountering Jesus into awareness of their own sinfulness. A story that begins with human testing of the divine ends with divine invitation to repent. Jesus reveals a new order in which all are called to repentance and the experience of divine mercy. Jesus’ desire for us is not death but new life.
(Living Liturgy, p.90)
Vincentian Meditation:
God’s loving presence is cleansing, as baptism and penance remind us. God’s love labors to break down the resistance that it finds within us. It is a creative love that works toward change, transformation, new beginnings. God wants to make a home within us. The recurring Lenten season nudges us each year toward self-denial. The real point of ascetical practices is not merely to “give up” objects, but to reconstruct one’s deepest self so that God might take fuller possession of our home. Jesus asks that the same energy we might have used in accumulating riches, consolidating power, or pursuing personal pleasure be channeled toward the building up of a “new person” as a dwelling place for God. (Maloney, Go! On the Missionary Spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul, p. 99-100)
Do you hold unjust prejudices and judgments of the poor?
|
|
We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
|
|
National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: Some Conferences use computers for everything. If all records are kept electronically, which ones MUST be stored as hard copies also? For example, meeting minutes? Case records? Is it necessary for the Secretary to sign the meeting minutes (print, sign, scan, store)?
A: All records identified for permanent storage in the Manual should be maintained in hardcopy (as well as electronic, if possible). All other files are considered temporary (limited by time) and may be electronic.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Qué es el proceso de la Sociedad – votación de la Junta, decisión ejecutiva, etc. – para respaldar cualquier esfuerzo legislativo?
R: El Comité Nacional de la Voz de los Pobres (VOP) identifica la legislación que afecta a la Sociedad ya las personas a las que servimos. El Comité también tiene en cuenta las posiciones de otras organizaciones católicas: USCCB, Caridades Católicas, etc. El Comité VOP hace recomendaciones al Presidente Nacional sobre qué legislación apoyar o no. Solo el Presidente Nacional puede hablar por la Sociedad en los Estados Unidos. Las preocupaciones legislativas locales siguen el mismo proceso con el presidente diocesano local.
|
|
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.
|
|
Serving in Hope Luncheon
May 11, 2022
St. William Parish
Noon
***
May 21, 2022
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
9:00am - 2:00pm
***
South Central Region Meeting
June 8 - June 11
Oklahoma City, OK
***
National Assembly
August 30 - September 3
Baltimore, Maryland
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
