Vincentian Community News |
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Feast of St. Vincent de Paul
September 27, 2021
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"I wish you a new heart and an entirely new love for Him who loves us unceasingly and as tenderly as if He were just beginning to love us: all the delights of God are ever new and full of sweetness because He never changes.”
–St. Vincent de Paul
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Thank you for participating in our Serving in Hope Virtual Benefit. We are grateful to the presenters, the neighbors who shared their stories of hope, and those who worked behind the scenes to make this event happen.
The presentation is available on www.ssvdp.org and www.facebook.com/svdp. Please share with family and friends. Thank you for your support and prayers!
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The Diocesan Council and the St. Albert the Great Conference are hosting the 2021 Friends of the Poor Walk on Saturday, September 25 at 11am at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church. This annual event raises awareness of the challenges faced by our neighbors in need. It is also a fundraising opportunity for Conferences to raise funds to further their mission to provide financial assistance, food assistance, and other basic essentials to those in underserved communities.
Conferences are encouraged to participate and create a team to walk on September 25 in person or virtually. When walkers register to walk, they can designate their funds to the Conference of their choice. To register click on this link.
Volunteer opportunities are available for the Friends of the Poor Walk. To sign up, click on this link.
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SVdP Hosted Free Vaccine Clinic |
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The Society of St Vincent de Paul hosted a vaccine clinic at the Vincentian Family Center on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. The Pfizer vaccine was distributed to anyone age 12 and up. The second dose will be administered on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 from 10:30am - 12:00pm. Patients will be required to stay for a 15 minute observation period after vaccination. |
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Vaccines and their distribution are provided by The University of Texas at Austin. |
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Luling Conference Host Vaccine Clinic |
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The SVdP Luling Conference hosted vaccine a clinic last month at St. John Catholic Church. The above picture is from the medical team Spartan, and members of the group Vaccine Action Cooperative (VAC). This is their third time hosting a vaccine clinic. So, far 125 people have been vaccinated thanks to this clinic. The Luling Conference plans to host a vaccine clinic once a month. |
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Shoe Distribution in Luling |
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The SVdP Luling Conference hosted its Going Back to School Shoe Drive last month at St. John Catholic Church. The Conference presented 40 $50 gift cards from Under Armor to Luling ISD students, so they could each purchase a brand new pair of shoes. New pairs of socks, diapers, and hygiene packs were also distributed during the event. The Conference is grateful to the SVdP Conferences that helped raise the funds to make this event possible. |
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COVID-19 Stage 5 Risk Guidelines |
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New COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Central Texas. Austin-Travis County entered Stage 5 of the risk-based guidelines. Austin Public Health officials are making the following recommendations:
Fully vaccinated individuals should:
- Wear a mask.
- Avoid large gatherings where masks are not required if you are high-risk with underlying conditions.
- Help us get the rest of the population vaccinated by talking with your loved ones.
Partially or unvaccinated individuals should:
- Get fully vaccinated.
- Stay home and avoid gatherings or travel. Choose curbside and delivery options.
- Wear a mask when conducting essential activities if you must go out.
- Choose establishments that are protecting their customers and staff with mask wearing, social distancing and measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
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The next Ozanam Orientation is scheduled for Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 9:00am - 2:30pm. This will be a virtual event.
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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New SVDP Online Thrift Store! |
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store has launched its new Online store. The new website will offer one of kind treasures that will only be available online! Visit svdptreasures.org and check out the unique treasures that are available now! Purchases made online will be picked up at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
Now Open on Wednesdays!
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is now open Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. You have an extra day to explore and shop for great items at affordable prices.
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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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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Feast of St. Vincent de Paul
September 27, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (Matthew 5: 1-9)
When Jesus saw the crowds he went up on the mountainside…his disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them: “How blest are the poor in spirit: the reign of God is theirs. Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled. Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land. Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill. Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs. Blest are the single-hearted, for they shall see God. Blest too the peacemakers; they shall be called children of God…”
Vincentian Reflection:
For Vincent, love is always very concrete, very practical. It is love in practice. “Let us love God, my brothers and sisters,” he urges, “let us love God, but let it be with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brows.” We are called to follow Christ as servants of the poor. Servants get their hands dirty. They labor long and hard. They engage in difficult tasks, visiting the sick and elderly in their homes, feeding street-people, serving the hungry, helping the widow and orphan. They are on the front lines ministering to the poor. As St. Vincent says, we must first do and then teach.
Vincentian Meditation:
St. Vincent tells us that “Love is inventive to the point of infinity.” I encourage you today to be very inventive. Because you are on the front line in laboring for the poor, you will be among the first to know their real needs. It will not be psychologists or economists, who study the needs of the poor by examining the data they receive. You will know ahead of them because the poor will tell you directly. Be inventive in meeting those needs. (Maloney, Go! On the Missionary Spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul, p.133-4)
In what ways can you become “inventive to infinity” in serving the needs of the poor that come to you?
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: I was just elected President of my Conference. Is there any training available?
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Acabo de ser elegido presidente de mi Conferencia. ¿Hay entrenamiento disponible?
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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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*Deadline submission for the eNews is Wednesday at noon. |
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