Vincentian Community News |
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"Allow yourself to be led by His fatherly love, for He does love us and is far from rejecting a righteous man; He will not even abandon a wicked man who hopes in His mercy"
–St. Vincent de Paul
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Twinning is designed so Conferences can share resources to help our neighbors in need. Here's a story shared by the St. John Neumann Conference.
Peter and his wife are the parents of four young children, including a set of five month old twins. One of the twins needed a pediatric helmet due to weak neck muscles, but it was not covered by insurance. The SVDP Conferences of Sacred Heart, Holy Cross, and St. John Neumann made a financial contribution to pay for the infant helmet therapy. Peter and his wife were delighted and grateful for the support from St. Vincent de Paul.
Thanks to the St. John Neumann Conference for sharing this story. If your Conference would like to share a story, send it to Kanobia Blackmon, the Director of Development and Marketing, at kanobia@ssvdp.org.
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We are excited to announced that the next Ozanam Orientation will take place in-person on June 19, 2021 at the Vincentian Family Center. To ensure the safety of the participants and presenters, we are limiting the number of people to 25 to allow for social distancing.
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.
The Ozanam Orientation is from 9:00am - 2:30pm. Check-in starts at 8:30am. Participants are limited to 25 to enable social distancing due to the COVID-19 CDC guidelines. To register click this link.
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City of Austin RENT Assistance Program |
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is partnering with the City of Austin and the Housing Authority to assist eligible Austin residents, impacted by COVID-19, with applying for rental assistance through the Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program. The RENT Application Portal is now open and will remain open through December 2021 or until funds are spent.
Applicants are welcome to use our computer lab at the Vincentian Family Center
Tuesday - Friday from 9:00am - 12:00pm. Mondays are by appointment only. Email info@ssvdp.org. We will assist applicants with creating an account, completing the online application, and uploading the required documents.
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store |
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is open Thursday - Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. You are invited to come, explore, and shop for great items at affordable prices. We receive new donations weekly, so you never know what treasures you will find.
Everyone is still required to wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Hand sanitizer will also be 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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Registration is now open for the 2021 National Assembly! The event will be held August 25-28 in Houston, Texas. 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
For more information about the Assembly and to register, click here.
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11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 13, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (Mark 4: 26-34)
Jesus said to the crowd: This is how it is with the reign of God. A man scatters seed on the ground. He goes to bed and gets up day after day. Through it all the seed sprouts and grows without his knowing how it happens. The soil produces of itself first the blade, then the ear. When the crop is ready he ‘wields the sickle, for the time is ripe for harvest.”
Vincentian Reflection:
Have you ever noticed how many parables of Our Lord center on the image of the growth of small seeds? These parables underline for us the need of patience. These parables of growth underline for us the point that we should not look for immediate results and that harvests do not ripen quickly. In this age of instant results, it is difficult for us to be patient with the slow growth of our work. We must live with the conviction that it is one person who sows and another who reaps. Be content to think of yourself as a person who sows. If we, by the grace of God, gladly do some careful sowing now, God will give the increase in his good time. (McCullen, Deep Down Things, p. 70-71)
Vincentian Meditation:
St. Vincent de Paul was a great inspiration to Frederic Ozanam in his life, work and writings. For Vincent, however, and for Frederic, it was the charity of Christ which pressed them on to do what they did for the poor of their time. It is a mystery how God could love mankind, disfigured by sin and infidelity. Likewise, it is a mystery of God that you, as members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, are able to love people who are often so unattractive in their poverty. As you work for and visit the poor, take heart from the thought that you are reflecting into this dark world the light and love of God. St. Vincent told us: “I should not consider a poor peasant or a poor woman according to their exterior, nor according to what seems to be the extent of their intelligence; for often they do not seem to have either the face or the mind of reasonable persons, so gross and earthly are they. But turn the medal and you will see by the light of faith that the Son of God, who wished to be poor, is represented to us by these poor…” (McCullen, Deep Down Things, p. 68-69)
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing. However, people are required to follow federal, state, local rules and regulations, including local businesses and workplace guidance.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin will still require staff and volunteers to wear a face mask at the Vincentian Family Center. This policy will be evaluated weekly to determine if adjustments need to be made.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: Is it okay for a Conference to help a family on a monthly basis with rent?
A: There is no problem with helping the same family each month with rent, unless there is some ulterior motive - such the family being related to a Conference member. If all members are in agreement to do so, it is not against policy or the Rule.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Está bien que una Conferencia ayude a una familia mensualmente con el alquiler?
R: No hay ningún problema en ayudar a la misma familia cada mes con el alquiler, a menos que no haya algún motivo oculto, como que la familia sea parienta de un miembro de la Conferencia. Si todos los miembros están de acuerdo en hacerlo, no es contra de la política o la Regla.
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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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"When you shop for Father's Day gifts at smile.amazon.com/ch/74-2763690, AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchases to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Diocesan Council of Austin at no cost to you!"
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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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