Vincentian Community News |
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“God wishes you to attend to your patients’ spiritual necessities as well as their physical needs.”
-St. Vincent de Paul
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3nd Sunday of Lent
March 7, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (John 2:13-25)
Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as money changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area saying, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”…He was speaking of the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Vincentian Reflection:
The simple call of the gospel is to see the signs of God in our midst. This story gives us a glimpse of the human struggle of often failing to see and believe the signs of God. Jesus showed us the signs so clearly; he was crucified and then raised up. Like Jesus, the zeal that ought to consume us, too, is a single-mindedness about suffering and dying to ourselves so that we, too, can live. Just as God raised Jesus from the dead, so will we be raised up. (Living Liturgy, p.84)
Vincentian Meditation:
St. Vincent tells us: “It is our vocation…to set people’s hearts ablaze, to do what the Son of God did, who came to light a fire on the earth in order to set it aflame with his love. It is not enough for me to love God if my neighbor does not love him. I must love my neighbor as the image of God and the object of his love…I must act in such a way that people love their Creator and each other in mutual charity for the love of God who loved them so much that he delivered up his own Son to death for them.” (US Manual of the SVDP, p.54)
Does zeal consume us, so that we can set people’s hearts ablaze with God’s love?
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Food, Water, Diaper Distribution Event |
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin hosted an Emergency Food, Water, and Diaper Distribution on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at the Vincentian Family Center. We served over 400 people in the community. Thank you 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. We were especially grateful to all the volunteers who assisted us in distributing food to our neighbors. We also want to thank the members of the Travis County Constable's Office for helping with traffic control. |
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Volunteers and staff helping to setup the tables for the event. |
Food boxes, milk, eggs, canned goods, and more ready for distribution. |
Vincentians helping our neighbors carry the food to their vehicles. |
Travis County Constables and Roz Gutierrez, Executive Director |
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Neighbors waiting in line outside the Vincentian Family center. |
Vincentians helping our neighbors carry the food to their vehicles. |
Neighbors receiving their food boxes during the distribution event. |
Neighbors receiving their food boxes during the distribution event. |
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The event was in response to the winter storm that hit Central Texas that left thousands of people without power and water. This caused an increase in food insecurity in the community. Neighbors we spoke with were grateful to the Society for providing food, water, and diapers. They expressed that they needed those necessities, especially after the winter storm. Several people also explained that they were struggling because they were still without water. |
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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.
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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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: We recently received a company-matching gift from a member's spouse who is a non-member. Under what category do we record this contribution?
A: Company matching gifts should be reported under other income, whether the company’s employee is a Conference member or not.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Recientemente recibimos un regalo de contrapartida de empresa del cónyuge de un miembro que no es miembro. ¿En qué categoría registramos esta contribución?
R: Las donaciones de contrapartida de empresa deben declararse en otros ingresos, ya sea que el empleado de la empresa sea miembro de la Conferencia o no.
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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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