Vincentian Community News
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"It is not the most learned who bear the most fruit, but those who are replenished with the most grace from God. Now who receives more grace than those who are united to his goodness as you are doing, bearing lovingly the duty which he has entrusted to you?"
–St. Vincent de Paul
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You are invited to join us for our Serving in Hope Virtual Benefit on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 6pm. This is our largest fundraiser of the year! Serving in Hope is an opportunity for people in the community to learn more about the works of the Society and to raise funds to support our mission. Please share with your family, friends, and network. Register now at www.ssvdp.org/serving-in-hope.
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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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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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Huge SVDP Thrift Store News!
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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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New St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store Hours!
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We are excited to announce that starting September 1st, the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store will be open Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. You will soon have 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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New Volunteer Opportunities
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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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22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
August 29, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (Mark 7: 1-8)
Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. From within people, from their hearts come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder; adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”
Vincentian Reflection:
It’s easier to clean the pots and pans than to clean one’s heart! It’s also easy to dismiss this gospel because our tradition has never emphasized this kind of ritual impurity. Yet, the gospel hits home closer than we may think. What traditions do we blindly cling to? Perhaps it is enough for us just to go to Mass on Sunday; after all, this is what most of us grew up doing. Or perhaps we cling to rote prayers that we learned as a child rather than stretch our relationship with God to find new prayer expressions. Perhaps we relegate God in our lives to an hour on Sunday. Do we keep the letter of the law and miss entirely the spirit of the law? Interior righteousness means a heart turned to God. We need to look at the way we live, and this will tell us whether we have hearts truly turned toward God, all of the time. Purity of heart is expressed in righteous living: self-giving for the sake of others. This is how we have life. (Living Liturgy, p.200)
Vincentian Meditation:
For St. Vincent, simplicity consisted in referring things to God alone, or purity of intention. In this sense simplicity is doing everything for love of God and for no other end. It entails avoiding “human respect” or doing things merely to look good in the eyes of others. Simplicity is speaking the truth. It is saying things as they are, without concealing or hiding anything. The heart must not think one thing while the mouth says another. Vincentians must avoid all duplicity, dissimulation, cunning, and double meaning.
(Maloney, He Hears the Cry of the Poor, p.144-145)
How do we live our core value of Simplicity in the spirit of St. Vincent?
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Prayer to Begin a School Year
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Blessed are you, Lord God,
Creator of body and mind and heart;
you have sent the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge
to guide your people in all their ways.
At the beginning of this new school year (or semester/term)
we implore your mercy:
bless the students, teachers, and staff of N.,
that together we may grow in faith, hope, and love
as we learn from you and each other how to follow your Son Jesus.
Expand the horizons of our minds,
that we may grow in wisdom,
understanding, and knowledge;
deepen our commitment to seek the truth of your ways;
and enliven our faith to reach out to those in need.
Glory and praise to you, Lord God,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever.
R/. Amen.
Copyright © 2021, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC.
All rights reserved.
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: Are St. Vincent Thrift Store employees voting members at the local Conference?
A: Thrift store employees can vote at Conference meetings only if the store employee is also an active Conference member. The Nationally Approved Bylaws for Conferences say that each Active Member of a Conference has one vote and that vote must be cast in person. Store employees should abstain from voting on issues that relate to their employment. Employees are not allowed to be Society officers at any level but they may be members.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Los empleados de Tiendas de Segunda Mano de San Vincent son miembros votantes en la Conferencia local?
R: Los empleados de la tienda de segunda mano pueden votar en las reuniones de la Conferencia sólo si el empleado de la tienda también es un miembro activo de la Conferencia. Los Estatutos aprobados a nivel nacional para las Conferencias dicen que cada Miembro Activo de una Conferencia tiene un voto y ese voto debe emitirse en persona. Los empleados de la tienda deben abstenerse de votar sobre cuestiones relacionadas con su empleo. Los empleados no pueden ser funcionarios de la Sociedad en ningún nivel, pero pueden ser miembros.
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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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