Diocesan Council Newsletter (Correction)

June 17, 2022

Vincentian Community News

Canonization - June 16, 1737

“The blessing of God rests more on humble beginnings

than on those that are blazoned with glory.”

-St. Vincent de Paul

Happy Father's Day

On behalf of the Diocesan Council Staff, we hope you have a

Happy and Blessed Father's Day!

South Central Regional Meeting

Dear Vincentian Brothers and Sisters,

A few of us Vincentians from the Austin Diocesan Council traveled to Oklahoma City last week for the SSVDP South Central Regional Meeting. Conferences represented included Santa Rosa, St. Margaret Mary, Holy Cross, St. William, St. John/St. Paul (Marble Falls), St. Austin and St. Christopher (St. Vincent de Paul Church). While there were many great learning sessions, the highlight for me was listening to Tim Williams and our own James Davis speak on “Keeping our Conferences Vibrant” and “Home Visits: The Heart of Our Vocation.”

Our Society has been though a most difficult two years. The pandemic hit us hard. It disrupted our Conference meetings where we gather for spiritual growth and get reenergized by the love and support of our Vincentian brothers and sisters. If that was not enough, the pandemic hit us right where it hurt the most, the home visits, the heart of the Society and our core work from the beginning. While we give thanks for technology, we cannot shy away from the repercussions that the pandemic has had on our Vincentian life.

Respecting where our Vincentians are in regard to entering homes and returning to the home visits, we are slowly making our way back the best way we can. James and Tim encouraged us to revitalize our conferences by re-visiting Serving in Hope Module VII- the Home Visit. It can be done during a one-day retreat or slowly presented in parts at each meeting. They asked that we remind ourselves of the virtues that we as Vincentians hold dear to our heart…. simplicity, humility, gentleness, selflessness, and zeal. We were blessed to have these two presenters passionately inspire us to remember that living as a Vincentian is living a vocation.

As we move forward together, thoughtfully caring for our Neighbors in Need, for each other and ourselves, let us prayerfully reflect on our Vincentian vocation “…to follow Christ through service to those in need and so bear witness to His compassionate and liberation love.” (Page 6, Rule)

Take care of yourselves.

Blessings,

Janie Alonzo

Diocesan Council President

Ozanam Orientation

The next Ozanam Orientation is scheduled for Saturday, June 25 from 9:00am - 2:30pm at Christ the King in Belton. Register by clicking on this link: Ozanam Orientation.

Registration is also now open for the upcoming Ozanam Orientations:

August 27 - St. Anthony, Kyle

October 22 - St. Paul, Smithville

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.

2022 National Assembly

Registration will is now open for the 2022 National Assembly! It will be held in Baltimore, Maryland at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront from August 30 – September 3. You are invited to gather with other Vincentian family and friends and participate in this wonderful event. Click here for more information and to register.

COVID-19 Community Level: Low

The COVID-19 community level for Austin-Travis County is currently low. The risk-based guidelines includes three community levels of risk: low, medium and high.

The policy in the SVdP Thrift Store and the Council Offices is now "Wearing a mask is optional."

SVdP Diversity Membership

Recruitment & Services Grant

Request for Proposals: SVdP Diversity Membership Recruitment & Services Grant

Available Funding: $125,000

Grants Awards: Up to $5,000 per Conference

Applications due: Today, June 17, 2022

To help stimulate recruitment efforts and services of Conferences with predominately diverse members, the National Council launches a SVdP Diversity Membership Recruitment & Services Grant aimed to increase diversity in Conference membership and services.

The grant program’s priorities are:

· Recruitment of new and returning diverse members with ethnic background

· Provide financial resources for services and assistance to neighbors served

Click here for RFP & Grant Application

National Webinars

In Fréderic Ozanam’s original vision for the Society, he expressed a desire that Vincentians use their meetings as an opportunity to serve neighbors in need and personal spiritual growth. When Vincentians gather together at traditional meetings and innovative webinars, they can share their talents and resources in service of our neighbors in need.

Please check out these great opportunities for the Fred Talks - great 4 - 5 minute videos that can be used for reflection at your Conference meetings!

SVDP National Fred Talks

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

Customers can now purchase SVdP Gift Cards from the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. The gift cards can be purchased during store hours Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. Also, make sure you ask about the Loyalty Rewards Program!

Are you seeking a volunteer opportunity for a few hours each week with a true purpose? The SVdP Thrift Store can use your skills. If you have a heart that wants to touch others and help people, the SVdP Thrift Store is for you. Your experience and skills can be utilized as greeter, a cashier, a product sorter in the processing area or even a jewelry salesperson. You can sign up by clicking on the link .

The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Gospel reading and reflection

June 19, 2022

Gospel: (Luke 9:11-17)

The Twelve approached Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place.” He said to them, “Give them some food yourselves.” They replied, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” They numbered about five thousand. Then Jesus said, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty.” They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets. Read more...

Prayer Requests

Do you have a prayer request? Send us your prayers at prayerrequest@ssvdp.org.

We will offer them up in prayer weekly.

National Gazette Questions and Answers

Q: Our newly elected president has resigned. I was the former president. Since I was elected to the diocesan president position before I completed my term, can I assume the position again? We do not have anyone interested in being president at this time. Our vice president is willing to take over until we find another person to be president. Can I take over as president or do we have to have a formal election?

A: The vice president assumes the office until a formal election for president of the Conference is held. You can be a candidate only if you are eligible to be elected again, depending on how long since you last served. If you have already served two terms as Conference president, you will have to wait until you’ve been out of office for three years; otherwise, you can be elected again. Serious consideration should also be given about holding two president positions at the same time. It is better for voting matters and to develop others as leaders if they are held by different members.

Preguntas y Respuestas de la

Oficina Nacional

P: Nuestro nuevo presidente electo ha renunciado. Yo era el presidente anterior. Dado que fui elegido para el cargo de presidente diocesano antes de completar mi mandato, ¿puedo asumir el cargo nuevamente? No tenemos a nadie interesado en ser presidente en este momento. Nuestro vicepresidente está dispuesto a hacerse cargo hasta que encontremos a otra persona para ser presidente. ¿Puedo asumir el cargo de presidente o debemos tener una elección formal?

R: El vicepresidente asume el cargo hasta que se lleve a cabo una elección formal para presidente de la Conferencia. Puede ser candidato solo si es elegible para ser elegido nuevamente, dependiendo de cuánto tiempo haya pasado desde la última vez que sirvió. Si ya ha servido 2 términos como presidente de la Conferencia, tendrá que esperar hasta que haya estado fuera del cargo por 3 años; si no ha servido los 2 términos, puede ser elegido nuevamente. También se debe considerar seriamente la posibilidad de ocupar dos cargos de presidente al mismo tiempo. Es mejor para cuestiones de votación y para desarrollar a otros como líderes si están en manos de diferentes miembros.

Volunteer Opportunities

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!

Connect with us:

Donate your vehicle to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. We make donating your car, truck, motorcycle, or boat easy. Call 1-800-317-SVDP (7837) or visit www.ssvdp.org/vehicle-donation. The process is free and easy!

Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners

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.