Vincentian Community News |
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“I am asking Our Lord that He Himself lead you by the hand.”
– 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.
If you missed the inaugural last Saturday, the committee will hold another meeting on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. We will explore ways to support the work of our Conferences to produce longer-term solutions for the individuals, families, and communities we serve. You can register for this event by clicking here.
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Pastoral Letter to the Faithful
of the Diocese of Austin
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Effective May 23, 2021, Pentecost Sunday, the temporary protocols for the celebration of the sacraments initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic will be rescinded and the temporary dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, which I granted because of the pandemic, will be lifted. I joyfully invite all Catholics back to in-person participation in the sacraments and the life of the parish. Read more 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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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store |
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is open 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.
Here's what's new at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. There is a now an Arts and Crafts section located next to the Children's Department. Make sure you check it out on your next visit!
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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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Attention Music Ministers! |
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All music ministers are invited to this virtual presentation hosted by The NPM Austin Chapter with guest speaker Diana Macalintal on May 10 at 7PM. This presentation is open to members and non-members of the chapter!
This talk will allow us to explore the unique voice that women bring to the song of the People of God.
Registration is free for chapter members and $10 for non-members by May 6 at www.npmaustin.org. We hope everyone will join us.
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5th Sunday of Easter
May 2, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (John 15: 1-8)
Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
Vincentian Reflection:
What do we look like when we are pruned? Some pruning creates a new shape for fruitfulness—anything is taken away that does not lead us to Christ. We may end up a little misshapen—we don’t act like others because we choose to be friendly and helpful to all without discrimination. We are allowing God’s words to remain in us. The fruit we bear blossoms from the intimate relationship we have with the Risen One. Fruitfulness is never for our own sake, but always for that of others. This kind of fruitfulness is what glorifies God—bringing others into closer relationship with God. Self-giving love motivated by the sheer joy of the resurrection opens us to fruitful pruning. Part of our pruning is dying to our prejudices toward others and allowing them to grow in their relationship with the risen Christ. Their growth is also our growth, a deeper share in the resurrected life.
(Living Liturgy, p.128)
Vincentian Meditation:
In the Manual we read: For Frederic, Vincentians transcended racial and national prejudices. They judged women and men strictly on their need, not on their color, nationality, education, morality. Vincentians are non-judgmental. A non-judgmental attitude excludes assigning guilt or innocence, or judging a person’s degree of responsibility for their needs or problems. St. Vincent appealed: “Deal with neighbors in a gentle, humble and loving manner, even with the most hardened of sinners, and never employ a vehement accusation or reproaches or harsh language toward anyone whomsoever.”
(US Manual, P.24-25)
Do we need pruning to become more non-judgmental, to let go of some prejudices?
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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Your best protection from #COVID19 is a combination of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and washing your hands often. No one tool alone is going to stop the pandemic. Learn about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination: cdc.gov/coronavirus
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: Why are memorial donations to be categorized as “Fundraising” as opposed to being listed as “Other Income” on the Annual Report?
A: Memorial donations could fit into either “Fundraising” or “Other.” The difference depends on solicitation. If you specifically solicit the memorial donations, then it is fundraising. If you receive them as a by-product of someone else's solicitation or no solicitation, then it is simply other income.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Por qué debemos clasificar las donaciones conmemorativas como Recaudación de Fondos en lugar de aparecer como Otros Ingresos en el Informe Anual?
R: Las donaciones conmemorativas podrían encajar en Recaudación de Fondos u Otro. La diferencia depende de la solicitud. Si solicita específicamente las donaciones conmemorativas, entonces se trata de recaudación de fondos. Si los recibe como un subproducto de la solicitud de otra persona o sin solicitarlos, entonces son simplemente otros ingresos.
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Call 1.888.317.SVDP or visit 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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Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you?
Simply follow the instructions below to select "The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They'll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features
3. Select "The Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Diocesan Council of Austin" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
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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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