Vincentian Community News
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Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 12, 2021
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Our Lady sent St. Juan Diego with miraculous flowers in his cloak to tell the bishop to build a church where people could receive her Son and her loving, tender care.
“The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Patroness of the Americas, Star of the New Evangelization, and the Protector of the Unborn – is a presence of hope, a light in the darkness, calling us to build a civilization of love and freedom here in the America.”
— Archbishop José Gómez
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Ten Thousand Villages hosted the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for a Benefit Shopping Day on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. Special thank you to Ten Thousand Villages for hosting us, the volunteers who helped at our table and answered questions about the Society, and to those who came out to support the event buy shopping in the store.
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The St. John Neumann Conference held their annual Christmas Giving Program to help make Christmas special for those in need. With the help of parishioners at St. John Neumann, the Conference collected enough gifts to distribute to 130 families. In addition to the gifts, the families will also receive HEB cards to enable them to have a special Christmas dinner. The gifts will be delivered to the families during the next week.
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Ozanam Orientation Update!
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The Ozanam Orientation scheduled for Saturday, December 11, 2021 has been postponed to a later date. Once a new date is set, we will publish it in the eNewsletter and on the Diocesan Council calendar on the website.
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
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Get ready for Christmas at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store! All Christmas decor and merchandise are 25% this weekend. We're open 10am - 5pm.
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.
SVDP Online Thrift Store!
The St. Vincent de Paul Online Thrift Store is always open. The new website offers 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 must be picked up at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.
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COVID-19 Stage 3 Risk Guidelines
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Austin-Travis County is in Stage 3 of the risk-based guidelines. According to Austin health officials, COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions have decreased. Vaccinated and unvaccinated people should take precaution at private indoor gatherings and outdoor gatherings. You are still urged to wear a mask and social distance.
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3rd Sunday of Advent
December 12, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (Luke 3:10-18)
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He answered, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”… Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached the good news to the people.
Vincentian Reflection:
The “good news” is a message of a topsy-turvy world. John baptizes and preaches to the crowds, the “common folk”, and in answer to the question “What should we do?” he answers to the effect, “more than you would wish to do or that can be expected of you”— share what you have with those who have not. John’s good news is that of a totally different way of seeing life. The question, “What should we do?” is asked three times in today’s gospel, and the answer is invariable: reach out to the marginalized with whatever you have and they need. This is the good news of John, and it is identical to the good news Jesus preached. John directs our attention to Jesus and the inauguration of his ministry to the poor and those in need. And so we ask, “What should we do?”
(Living Liturgy, p. 14)
Vincentian Meditation:
Sr. Rosalie said: “One night I dreamed that I stood at the judgment seat of God. He received me with great severity and was about to pronounce my sentence to perdition, when suddenly I was surrounded by an immense throng of persons carrying old shoes, hats, and clothing which they showed to God and said, ‘She gave us all these things!’ Then God looked at me and said, ‘Because you gave all these old clothes in My Name, I open heaven to you. Enter, for all eternity!” (White Wings and Barricades, p.161)
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: Some of our Conferences receive donations in the form of gift cards to supermarkets and places like Target which they then distribute to friends in need during Christmas. These gift cards have cash value. Should the Conference treat them as such and report them on line 5E: Other-Misc. Receipts?
A: The gifts cards received as donations would be treated as in-kind. When they are distributed, they have a specific value for the purpose for which you give them (food, clothing, etc.). They are not cash so they would not be treated as 5E. They cannot be deposited to your account and show up in the balancing of your accounts.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Algunas de nuestras Conferencias reciben donaciones en forma de tarjetas de regalo para supermercados y lugares como Target, que luego distribuyen a amigos con necesidades durante la Navidad. Estas tarjetas de regalo tienen valor en efectivo. ¿Debería la Conferencia tratarlos como efectivo e informarlos en la línea 5E: Otro-Misc. Ingresos?
R: Las tarjetas de regalo recibidas como donaciones se tratarán como en especie. Cuando se distribuyen, tienen un valor específico por el propósito para el que se les da (comida, ropa, etc.). No son dinero en efectivo, por lo que no serían tratados como 5E. No se pueden depositar en su cuenta y aparecer en el saldo de sus cuentas.
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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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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!
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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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Christmas Eve
December 24, 2021
SVdP Thrift Store Closed
Council Office Closed
Client Services Center Closed
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Christmas
December 25, 2021
SVdP Thrift Store Closed
SVdP Food Pantry Open
9:00am - 12:00pm
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Christmas Break
December 24, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Council Office Closed
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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
Wednesday - 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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