Vincentian Community News
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“One thing is wanting – works of charity. The blessing of the poor is the blessing of God. Let us go to the poor.”
-Blessed Frederic Ozanam
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2nd Sunday of Lent
February 28, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (Mark 9:2-10)
Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white… Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Vincentian Reflection:
We can find the rhythm of the dying and rising of the paschal mystery everywhere. In the gospel we see the transfigured glory then allusion to Jesus’ dying. In our daily lives we see the “dying and rising” between our work and leisure, between times with loved ones and times away, between success and failure, between doing something we would enjoy and doing something someone else would enjoy more. In our daily lives as we see the paschal mystery unfolding, the distance between the religious and secular spheres of our lives becomes less and less. Instead of putting religion in a neat box it becomes truly the very way we live. (Living Liturgy, p.78)
Vincentian Meditation:
“Pope John Paul II says to the laity: “There cannot be two parallel lives in your existence as lay men and women: on the one hand, the so-called ‘spiritual life’, with its values and demands; on the other, the so-called ‘secular life,’ that is life in a family, at work, social relationships, in the responsibilities of public life and in culture…. Every activity, every situation, every precise responsibility are the occasions ordained by Providence for a ‘continuous exercise of faith, hope and charity.” (US Manual of the SVDP, p.59)
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Food, Water, Diaper Distribution Event
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin is hosting an Emergency Food, Water, and Diaper Distribution this Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 9:00am - 12:00pm. Special thanks to our community partners the Austin Diaper Bank, Central Texas Food Bank, the American Red Cross, the Fire Fighters Union and the office of Council Member Leslie Pool.
This event is in response to the winter storm that hit Central Texas last week and left thousands of people without power and water. This caused an increase in food insecurity in the community. The Society is grateful to be a part of this effort.
If you would like to volunteer, email info@ssvdp.org.
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The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at the Vincentian Family Center distributed over 260 emergency food boxes Saturday, February 21, 2021. The Society received over 800 emergency food boxes thanks to the collaboration between Bishop Joe Vasquez and DeKarlos Blackmon of the Diocese of Austin and the leadership of the Central Texas Food Bank.
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Joe St. Clair, Diocesan Council Vice President; Roz Gutierrez, Executive Director; Michael Tullius, Client Services Coordinator; Kanobia Russell-Blackmon Director of Development and Marketing; and DeKarlos Blackmon, Secretariat Director of Life, Charity, and Justice of Diocese of Austin.
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Staff and volunteers were on hand to help unload the trucks and prepare the food pantry to distribute to our neighbors. Those who received the emergency food boxes were very grateful and appreciative.
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Our neighbors in need are facing financial hardships, especially in the aftermath of the winter storm and due to COVID-19. Your donations will go into our programs that assist people with rent, utilities, food, transportation, medical, and other essential needs. Amplify Austin Day is March 4 -5, 2021, but you can donate now by visiting our Amplify Austin campaign. Funds will be matched by the Shield-Ayers Foundation and the I Live Here I Give Here Amplify: Disaster Relief Fund. Please share with family and friends.
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is open every 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.
We are taking every precaution to ensure your safety. Everyone is required to wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Hand sanitizer is also available when you enter the store. The Thrift Store is sprayed with disinfected spray weekly.
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The National Council Office has announced that the 2021 Midyear Business Meeting will be held virtually March 3 - 6, 2021. This is out of an abundance of caution for everyone's health.
This year’s agenda will include a Spiritual Retreat, Workshops, Board of Directors and Business Meetings, Disaster Services Training, as well as a special event presentation and Virtual Vendor Showcase.
The annual Midyear Meeting is a Governance and training event designed for National Council Members (the Presidents of the Diocesan Council or “top” District Council per Diocese), Executive Directors and other current or prospective Council leaders. However the Midyear, especially a virtual one, is open to all interested Vincentians!
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The New Member Orientation meeting will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 9:00am - 11:30am. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the present need to isolate and social distance, it is not possible to hold our regular Ozanam Orientation sessions.
The National Office has provided us with a presentation that can be used for new members until we can all meet together again in Ozanam Orientation. This is an alternative (not a replacement for) Ozanam Orientation. New Members are still expected to attend Ozanam Orientation whenever in-person meetings resume. Until then, this will satisfy the need for new Conference members to attend Ozanam Orientation before going on home visits.
Register in advance by clicking this link.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Health officials have moved Austin-Travis County back into stage 4. You are reminded to continue wearing your masks and practice social distancing to slow the spread of the virus.
Health officials are asking everyone to avoid high-risk activities and to be cautious with all medium-risk activities to help prevent the spread of virus. You can read the COVID-19 Holiday Safety Guidance here.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: In Part I of the Rule, it indicates that non-Catholics can serve as officers (Secretary or Treasurer) and in Part III, it says that only Catholics can be officers. Is there a conflict in the Rule?
A: There is no conflict. Part I is the International Rule. Part III of the Rule is associated with the Society in the United States. In accordance with Part 1, our National Council consulted with our nation’s Bishops. The Bishops asked that we adopt the current policy of not having non-Catholic officers to assure that our faith and its values would not be lost among collaborative efforts while performing our work with people of other faiths, without concerns of becoming a secular organization.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: En la Parte I de la Regla, indica que los no católicos pueden servir como oficiales (secretario o tesorero) y en la Parte III, dice que solo los católicos pueden ser oficiales. ¿Existe algún conflicto en la Regla?
R: No hay conflicto. La Parte I es la Regla Internacional. La Parte III de la Regla está asociada con la Sociedad en los Estados Unidos. De acuerdo con la Parte 1, nuestro Consejo Nacional consultó con los obispos de nuestro país. Los obispos pidieron que adoptemos la política actual de no tener oficiales no católicos para asegurar que nuestra fe y sus valores no se pierdan entre los esfuerzos de colaboración mientras realizamos nuestro trabajo con personas de otras religiones, sin preocupaciones de convertirnos en una organización secular.
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Call 1.888.317.SVDP
visit www.ssvdp.org
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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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