Vincentian Community News |
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"Since Christ willed to be born poor, he made himself the servant of the poor and shared their poverty. He went so far as to say that he would consider every deed this either helps or harms the poor as done for or against Himself."
–St. Vincent de Paul
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2021 Virtual Serving in Hope |
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Join us for the 2021 Serving in Hope fundraising event on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 6pm. This will be a virtual event. 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 family and friends. Register at www.ssvdp.org/serving-in-hope.
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The next Ozanam Orientation is scheduled for Saturday, August 21, 2021 from 9:00am - 2:30pm. This will be a virtual event. The Orientation was scheduled to take place at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Dripping Springs. However, due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, the decision was made to conduct the Orientation virtually.
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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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. For more information contact Janie Alonzo at janie@ssvdp.org.
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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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Register now for the 2021 National Assembly! The event will be held August 25-28 in Houston, Texas. The keynote speakers are Dr. Jaime Waters, Bishop Donald Hying, and Father Dennis Holtschneider. Early registration ended Thursday, July 15. The registration fee is now $425. For more information about the Assembly and to register, click here.
Here's a glance of the schedule:
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Tuesday, August 24 – 3:00 p.m. Registration Opens for Early Arrivals & Exhibitor Set-up
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Wednesday, August 25 – Disaster Preparedness Workshop, National Stores & Executive Director Meetings, Exhibitor Showcase Open, and Welcome Reception
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Thursday, August 26 – Workshops, Exhibits Open, National Committee Meetings, Presidential Welcome & Keynote Address, and Host City Event
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Friday, August 27 – Spiritual Retreat, Workshops, Regional Meetings, Exhibits Open Until 3:00 p.m.
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Saturday, August 28 – General Session Presentation, National Business Meeting, Workshops, Vigil Mass, and Closing Dinner Banquet
Message from the National Office regarding COVID-19 concerns:
The National Council strives to keep all our Vincentians, Staff, and Volunteers safe during all our events. The 2021 National Assembly will still take place live. We encourage any and all that wish to attend to register. We will carefully follow the city and Marriott's safety guidelines, and will communicate with all participants on Friday, August 20 with updated info. We will also have masks on hand if current requirements change on site.
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Council and National Assembly Update |
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Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, the Council staff will not be attending the National Assembly in Houston, Texas. We are cancelling the Austin Council Dinner that was scheduled for Friday, August 27, 2021.
If you are planning to attend the National Assembly, please be safe by wearing your masks and practicing social distancing.
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21st Sunday of Ordinary Time
August 22, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (John 6: 60-69)
Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?”… Jesus said, “It is the Spirit that gives life…the words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy one of God.”
Vincentian Reflection:
Believing in Jesus and his teaching requires letting go of what we think we know of God and allowing God to act in a whole new way. Israel’s expectations of who the Messiah would be blocked the way for some to see God acting in a new way and offering a whole new way of relating to us. Never before had Israel heard of a God who becomes incarnate and dwells among the people. Believe or leave is a pretty clear choice. Many of us make the choice to stay with Jesus but live the new, self-giving life only halfheartedly. Liturgy invites us to constantly assess the depth of our belief-commitment. We judge our belief not on what we say or think but on what we do. Self-giving always leads to new life and this is why we are able to make the choice to stay with the Master, for we have come to know and believe that he has the words of eternal life. (Living Liturgy, p.196)
Vincentian Meditation:
In prayer, the emphasis must always be on the presence of the personal God, to whose word we must listen attentively, as he speaks to us the good news of his love for us and for others. In an era when there is much noise, where the media, if we so choose, speak to us all day long, we must ask ourselves: Are we able to distinguish the voice of God among the many voices that are speaking? Is God’s word able to say “new things” to us? Are we still capable of wonder? The word “wonder” has a kinship with the word wound. Is the word of God able to wound us, to penetrate the membrane that seals us off, that encloses us within ourselves? Can it break into our consciousness and change us? (Maloney, Go! On the Missionary Spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul, p.24)
How is the Holy Spirit calling us to change- to become “new”?
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: What process does the Society take to endorse any legislative efforts? Does the Board vote; is an executive decision made, or any other formal process?
A: The National Voice of the Poor Committee’s position is that the Society can endorse legislation but not candidates. The local VOP committee may identify legislation that members should support or not through consensus. National/federal legislation is considered by the National VOP committee and the National President. Such positions are then communicated to our membership, often with VoterVoice sample support messages for everyone’s use.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Qué proceso toma la Sociedad para respaldar cualquier esfuerzo legislativo? ¿Vota la Junta? ¿Se toma una decisión ejecutiva o cualquier otro proceso formal?
R: La posición del Comité Nacional Voz de los Pobres es que la Sociedad puede respaldar la legislación, pero no los candidatos. El comité de VOP local puede identificar la legislación que los miembros deben apoyar o no mediante el consenso. La legislación nacional/federal es considerada por el Comité Nacional VOP y el Presidente Nacional. Luego, dichos puestos se comunican a nuestros miembros, a menudo con mensajes de apoyo de muestra de VoterVoice para el uso de todos.
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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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