Vincentian Community News
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"I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord whoever eats this bread will live forever."
-John 6:51
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COVID-19 RISE Funding Program
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul launched its RISE Funding Program on Monday, June 1, 2020. The funds are to provide immediate services to Austin/Travis County residents impacted by COVID-19. Individuals will be required to call the phone number that is associated with the first letter of their last name.
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin, stands firmly against all forms of racism. We respect the dignity of all people and stand firmly against all forms of injustice. We are committed to building a more just world through personal relationships.
The support of the Society of all lives is deeply rooted in our Catholic identity and the foundation of the church’s social teachings that “all human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision of society.”
We are led by the light of our faith to serve and advocate for those in need regardless of race, color, religion, or orientation. We stand united with all who seek to provide a more just world for all people.
The core of our daily work is to see the face of God in all we meet and serve. We will continue to uphold the dignity of all people leaving no one behind.
We grieve with all of our brothers and sisters who mourn the unjust loss of life or liberty. We unite our prayers, hearts, love, work and support with all people of goodwill. We vow to continue to serve all who come to us for help and prayers. We mourn the death of George Floyd and of all who have been taken from us too soon. In their honor and in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we continue the work of building a world of love, peace and justice.
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Contemplation: In times of civil unrest,
what would Frederic do?
From the Frederic's E-Gazette
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The death of George Floyd in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department shocked the conscience of the nation; the outrage and mourning have been nearly universal. It has also inflamed passions, and has motivated many of our fellow Americans to publicly demonstrate, and others to counter-demonstrate, sometimes amidst violence.
We don’t really have to wonder how Frederic might have viewed the conflict. In his own time, he also saw great social upheavals; upheavals that more than once became armed revolution. In these, he did not see an opportunity to choose a side. Rather, he said that “We must cast ourselves between these two enemy armies, if not to prevent, at least to deaden the shock.”
He understood that by making enemies of those we wish to persuade, we will only harden their opposition, and deepen the divisions that caused the upheavals in the first place. He saw that conflicts continued when people refused to listen to each other.
“There is no intermediary more powerful than religion,” Frederic wrote, and nothing that could better draw people together, “reminding each of its duties to the other, and especially of the obligations of justice.”
We are called as Christians and as Vincentians to love our neighbor – all our neighbors – as ourselves, for the love of God. Our Rule’s reminder to “understand their problems as we would a brother or sister” is not only for home visits, but for the whole of our lives.
In our time, as in Frederic’s, there is truly only one side: God’s side.
How can I better keep my ears, eyes, and heart open to my neighbors?
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St. David's Foundation Grant
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We are excited to announce that the St. David's Foundation has selected us as a grant recipient of the St. David's Foundation COVID-19 Recovery Fund. The funds will be used to support client services, the food pantry, and the financial assistance program. We are grateful to the St. David's Foundation for supporting the work and mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
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SVdP Thrift Store Service Day
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Thanks to dedicated volunteers, we are very close to reopening the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store! However, there is still more work to do. This Saturday, June 13, 2020, we will have another SVdP Thrift Store Service Day from 10:00am - 4:00pm. You are welcome to join us for a day of fun, fellowship, and service.
Volunteers are asked to wear their face coverings and gloves. We will have some available for those who need them. This will be a "brown bag lunch" service day. The 2N1 Salad Bar and Grill will be open and available as well.
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Thrift Store Volunteers Needed!
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is in need of volunteers to assist with many tasks including: sorters, organizers, and pricers. More details are below!
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Interested in volunteering?
You can sign up by clicking on this
link
.
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Training for Conference Presidents
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The National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul is offering a free training for Conference presidents called The Seven Duties of a Conference President. The webinar will take place Thursday, June 18, 2020 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm Central.
This session, presented by the Leadership Task Force, is designed for all Conference Presidents, new or experienced, as well as Members who may be considering becoming Conference Presidents.
With references to guidelines and publications, such as the Conference President Handbook, this presentation will help you prepare to be a more effective Servant Leader, focusing on the Seven Duties of a Conference President:
- Commitment
- Comprehension
- Communication
- Cultivation
- Collaboration
- Chairperson
- Contributions/Compliance
You’ll have opportunities to interact and ask questions during this live session!
To register, click on this
link.
For more information,contact Tim Williams, National Formation Director, at 314-576-3993 ext. 207 or
twilliams@svdpusa.org
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THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
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Gospel: (John 6: 51-58)
Jesus said to them, “Amen, Amen I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man
and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the on the last day. For my flesh is true
food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in
me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came
down from heaven.
Vincentian Reflection:
In the mystery of the Eucharist self-giving and community are inseparable. Life is the most precious possession any one of us has. To share one’s life, then, is to share with another our deepest being. Community is the commingling of life through mutual self-giving. Jesus’ gift of life to us through our participation in his Body and Blood is not simply for our own sakes, but for the sake of others. To receive this gift of life is to be compelled to give this gift to others. Eucharist nourishes us and gives us the strength to choose self-giving as a way of living and this is the only way to achieve eternal life. No wonder we call ourselves a Eucharistic people!
(Living Liturgy, p.160)
In what ways can we become “Eucharistic people?”
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Practice social distancing by putting space between yourself and others. Continue to practice healthy habits to help slow the spread of #COVID19.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
- Clean and then disinfect frequently used surfaces
- Stay home if you’re sick
- Avoid touching your face
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q:
When the executive committee meets and a question of utmost importance is considered, can the committee agree with a consensus, or does a motion need to be made, seconded, discussion and vote? I'm confused what a consensus means.
A:
The Rule, Part I, Article 3.10 calls for decisions to be made by consensus: "All decisions are made by consensus after the necessary prayer, reflection and consultation. The democratic spirit is fundamental at all levels of the Society and, when appropriate, matters are put to a vote." Consensus means that, if it is clear that everyone is in agreement (no matter if the decision is "yes" or "no"), then no formal vote is necessary. However, that does not mean that an important decision is not to be recorded in the minutes. This also means that, if it is clear that not everyone is in agreement, then a vote should take place. In either case, the motion and resulting decision must be recorded.
Another consideration is the executive committee. Executive committees typically have limited authority to make decisions, since decisions within a Conference or a Council are to be made by the members. The Council/Conference Bylaws and charter for an executive committee usually defines the type of decisions they are allowed to make.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Cuando el comité ejecutivo se reúne y se considera una cuestión de suma importancia, ¿puede el comité estar de acuerdo con un consenso, o es necesario hacer una moción, segundarla, debatirla y votarla? Estoy confundido sobre lo que significa un consenso.
R: La Regla, Parte I, Artículo 3.10 exige que las decisiones se tomen por consenso: "Todas las decisiones son hechas en consenso, después de las necesarias oraciones, reflexión y consultación. El espíritu democrático es fundamental en todos los niveles de la Sociedad, y cuando sea apropiado, los asuntos son sometidos a voto.” El consenso significa que, si está claro que todos están de acuerdo (no importa si la decisión es "sí" o "no"), entonces no es necesario un voto formal. Sin embargo, eso no significa que una decisión importante no se registre en las actas. Esto también significa que, si está claro que no todos están de acuerdo, entonces debería llevarse a cabo una votación. En cualquier caso, la moción y la decisión resultante deben registrarse.
Otra consideración es el comité ejecutivo. Los comités ejecutivos generalmente tienen autoridad limitada para tomar decisiones, ya que las decisiones dentro de una Conferencia o un Consejo deben ser tomadas por los miembros. Los estatutos del Consejo/Conferencia y el estatuto de un comité ejecutivo generalmente definen el tipo de decisiones que se les permite tomar.
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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 - 3:00pm
Client Services:
Tuesday - Friday
9:00am - 12:00pm
Food Pantry:
Saturday
9:00am - 12:00pm
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