Vincentian Community News |
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"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."
-St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
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23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time |
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Gospel Reading: (Matthew 18:15-20)
Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector…. Amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Vincentian Reflection:
Giving and receiving corrections is one of the hardest things we can do. Some strong motivation usually has to be present in order for corrections to be given or received and true reconciliation take place. There may be many motivations: to save face personally, to pleases another, to get another to change behavior that simply annoys us, etc. The last line of the gospel gives us a clue as to what underlying motivation is really the strongest: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” Our strongest motivation urging us to charitable correction is the fact that we share a common identity of being the body of Christ. We ourselves aren’t the reconcilers; it is the power of Christ action through his body.
(Living Liturgy, p. 232)
Vincentian Meditation:
People had often reproved Vincent for his harsh, almost driven streak, and commented about his steep mood swings. Defensive, Vincent would argue that he was the way he was and could not change. But during one intense period of prayer, Vincent threw himself on God’s mercy, recognizing at last that only God’s power could calm his harshness and ease his sharp mood swings. Many years later, Vincent recounted this crucial moment: “I turned to God and earnestly begged him to convert this irritable and forbidding trait of mine. I also asked for a kind and amiable spirit. And with the grace of Our Lord, by giving a little attention to checking the hot-blooded impulses of my personality, I have been at least partly cured of my gloomy disposition.”
(McKenna, Praying with Vincent, p.68-69.)
Do we need to confront some unchristian behaviors in our Conference?
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COVID-19 RISE Funding Program |
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's RISE Funding Program is underway! The funds are to provide immediate services to Austin/Travis County residents impacted by COVID-19.
Individuals are required to call the phone number that corresponds with the first letter of their last name. Our case managers and volunteers are working hard to assist each neighbor through the intake process.
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In observance of Labor Day, the Vincentian Family Center will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2020. We will reopen Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
On behalf of the Council staff, we hope you have a happy and safe Labor Day!
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2020 Vincentian Annual Gathering |
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Annual Vincentian Family Gathering will take place Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 6pm at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. Not only are we celebrating the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul, but we are also celebrating 175 years of the Society in the United States.
The principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass will be Bishop Joe Vasquez. Following the Mass, we will install Janie Alonzo as the new president of the Diocesan Council Board of Directors. In addition, we will have our annual Commitment Ceremony.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only board members, their spouses and the Council staff are allowed to attend. However, the Mass will be livestream from the Cathedral.
We hope you will make plans to join us for this special event.
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store |
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is now open three days a week; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00am - 4:00pm. With new donations coming in weekly, you never know what treasures you will find.
For the health and safety of everyone in the store, shoppers are required to wear a face covering that covers the mouth and nose. Our staff and volunteers are also required to wear face coverings. Shoppers are also asked to practice social distancing while enjoying their shopping experience.
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Become a Thrift Store Volunteer! |
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You can make a difference in the community by volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. The Thrift Store is in need of volunteers to assist with many tasks including: sorters, organizers, and pricers. To keep everyone safe and healthy, volunteers are required to wear masks and practice social distancing.
It easy to sign up! Just click on the link below.
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Interested in volunteering?
You can sign up by clicking on this link.
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During this COVID-19 pandemic, health, state, and local officials are urging people to take the necessary steps to stay safe. To slow the spread of the virus, wear your face covering and practice social distancing. |
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: In the rare circumstance that the President is unavailable to run a meeting, is the Conference lay-Spiritual Advisor permitted to run the meeting?
A: The bylaws read that, if the President is unable to attend or preside at any meeting of the Conference, this privilege and duty may be delegated to the Vice President or any officer. The Spiritual Advisor provides the necessary guidance to the Conference and its members on spiritual matters. Although appointed by the President, the Spiritual Advisor is not an officer and therefore should not be permitted to run a meeting.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: En la circunstancia no muy común de que el Presidente no esté disponible para organizar una reunión, ¿se le permite al consejero laico espiritual de la Conferencia dirigir la reunión?
R: Los estatutos dicen que, si el Presidente no puede asistir o presidir una reunión de la Conferencia, este privilegio y deber pueden delegarse en el Vicepresidente o cualquier Oficial. El consejero espiritual proporciona la orientación necesaria a la Conferencia y sus miembros sobre asuntos espirituales. Aunque designado por el Presidente, el consejero espiritual no es un oficial y, por lo tanto, no se le debe permitir organizar una reunión.
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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
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