Vincentian Community News |
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“Each of our days is marked with the protection of Mary, who is exceedingly anxious to be our mother, when we desire to be her children.”
– St. Vincent de Paul
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Systemic Change and Voice of the Poor |
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The Systemic Change Committee and the Voice of the Poor Committee are joining together to launch VIEWS, a Vincentian Initiative to Empower our Work through Systemic Change. This is a joint initiative to align our Systemic Change and Voice of the Poor efforts.
You are invited to the inaugural meeting on April 17, 2021 at 10:00am. We will explore ways to support the work of our Conferences to produce longer-term solutions for the individuals, families, and communities we serve.
The meeting will be virtual, but you must register to attend. To register click here.
If you cannot attend this meeting, the committee will hold another meeting on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. You can register for this event by clicking here.
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City of Austin RENT Assistance Program |
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is partnering with the City of Austin and the Housing Authority to assist eligible Austin residents, impacted by COVID-19, with applying for rental assistance through the Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program. The RENT Application Portal is now open and will remain open through December 2021 or until funds are spent.
Applicants are welcome to use our computer lab at the Vincentian Family Center
Tuesday - Friday from 9:00am - 12:00pm. Mondays are by appointment only. Email info@ssvdp.org. We will assist applicants with creating an account, completing the online application, and uploading the required documents.
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The St. John Neumann Conference hosted a Stuff the Truck event last weekend. They filled two trucks with donated items and had extra donations outside the trucks. Thank you to Joe Gagen, who coordinates the Vincentian Stuff the Truck initiative at St. John Neumann Church. We also want to thank the SJN parishioners for their generosity to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. |
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store |
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is open every Thursday - Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. You are invited to come, explore, and shop for great items at affordable prices. We receive new donations weekly, so you never know what treasures you will find.
We are taking every precaution to ensure your safety. Everyone is required to wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Hand sanitizer is also available when you enter the store. The Thrift Store is sprayed with disinfected spray weekly.
The Thrift Store is in need of volunteers to assist with many tasks including: sorting, organizing, and pricing. Are you interested in volunteering? You can sign up by clicking on this link.
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3nd Sunday of Easter
April 18, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (Luke 24: 35-48)
Jesus stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”…Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
Vincentian Reflection:
Jesus “was made known” in repentance and forgiveness. Forgiveness is an encounter with the risen Christ. When we offer and receive forgiveness our hearts ought to burn because of the encounter with the risen Christ within us. This is resurrected life: “You are forgiven.” This is our witness to the resurrection: “I forgive you.” We must walk and act like a forgiven people. Forgiveness is the virtue that enables us not to allow past hurts to determine our decisions and actions in the here and now. Forgiveness opens up the space for creating together with the one forgiven a new future where we can live in peace. This is how Jesus is known. (Living Liturgy, p.120)
Vincentian Meditation:
The Manual of the Society states: The Conference meeting is the heart from which SVDP activity radiates and the sanctuary where its work is organized. The meeting provides a privileged occasion wherein the love of Christ is manifested member to member, where members are open, one to another, embracing each other as brother and sister, where the healing presence of Christ can be experienced and can grow to overflowing dimensions that can be shared with others. (US Manual, P.95)
Are our Conference meetings truly a place of forgiveness and peace?
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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Health officials have moved Austin-Travis County back into stage 3. You are reminded to continue wearing your masks and practice social distancing to slow the spread of the virus. |
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: Where is it stated that an active member MUST attend regular Conference meetings. Article 5 of our Bylaws is not specific with details.
A: Article 5 is a replication of the Rule, Part III, Statute 3. Briefly, an Active Member is Catholic, attends meetings regularly, and participates in Conference works and activities. A true Active Member will make an effort to attend all meetings. He/she will want to be with fellow Vincentians as often as possible. With that in mind, the answer is not based on a percentage. An Active (Full) Member will attend the far majority of all meetings.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Dónde dice que un miembro activo DEBE asistir a las reuniones regulares de la Conferencia? El artículo 5 de nuestros Estatutos no es específico con detalles.
R: El Artículo 5 es una réplica de la Regla, Parte III, Estatuto 3. Brevemente, un Miembro Activo es católico, asiste a las reuniones con regularidad, y participa en los trabajos y actividades de la Conferencia. Un verdadero Miembro Activo se esforzará por asistir a todas las reuniones. Querrá estar con compañeros Vicentinos tan a menudo como sea posible. Con eso en mente, la respuesta no se basa en un porcentaje. Un Miembro Activo (Pleno) asistirá a la gran mayoría de todas las reuniones.
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Call 1.888.317.SVDP
visit www.ssvdp.org
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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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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
Thursday - Saturday
10:00am - 5:00pm
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Contact Us:
Rick Bologna, Stores Director, rick.bologna@ssvdp.org
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