Vincentian Community News |
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"Charity is the cement that unites communities to God and individuals to each other, so that he who contributes to the union of hearts in a community binds it indissolubly to God.”
–St. Vincent de Paul
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You are invited to join us for our Serving in Hope Virtual Benefit on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 6pm. This is our largest fundraiser of the year! 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 your family, friends, and network. Register now at www.ssvdp.org/serving-in-hope.
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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. To sign up, click on this link.
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Free COVID 19 Vaccination Clinic at the VFC |
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The Society of St Vincent de Paul will host two vaccine clinics at the Vincentian Family Center, 901 W. Braker Lane, 78758, for anyone who wants to receive their COVID 19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine will be distributed free to anyone ages 12 and up.
The initial dose will be given on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 from 10:30am – 12:00pm. The second dose will be administered on Tuesday October 12, 2021 from 10:30am-12:00pm. You will be required to stay for a 15 minute observation period after vaccination.
Since we will be outside, please consider bringing a hat and water.
Vaccines and their distribution are provided by The University of Texas at Austin.
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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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New SVDP Online Thrift Store! |
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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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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
Now Open on Wednesdays!
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is now open Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. You 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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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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25th Sunday of Ordinary Time
September 19, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (Mark 9: 30-37)
“Jesus and his disciples came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, Jesus began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” They remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
Vincentian Reflection:
Jesus uses the model of a little child to illustrate his point. Children are innocent and without pretensions. They embody what “least of all” means. This also illustrates to what extent the disciple is to become the “servant of all” by receiving even the “least of all.” The total self- emptying that enables one to receive the “least of all” describes the disciple. This is how we receive Jesus—by receiving the least. No one is insignificant.
(Living Liturgy, p.212)
Vincentian Meditation:
Are we really able to hear the cries of the poor, of the most oppressed: the women and children, who are often the poorest members of society; those discriminated against because of race, color, nationality, religion; the AIDS victims, who are often shunned by their families and by the physically healthy, those on the “edges of life,” the helpless infants and the helpless aged, who are unable to speak up themselves? Are we alert, “listening,” to the “signs of the times”: the increasing gap between the rich and the poor and the repeated call for justice made by the Church?
(Maloney, He Hears the Cry of the Poor, p. 25-26)
In what ways are you challenged to be a “servant of all” by receiving the “least of all”…whose cries are the hardest to hear?
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: Can a Conference accept a donation conditioned upon using the funds to help a particular needy family? Can the Conference agree to pass the donation on to that family and use other Conference funds to help with the rest of the bills?
A: The answer is "no." It is NOT proper for a Conference to accept an unsolicited donation from a donor who wants the funds to go specifically to an individual/family for a purpose they designate. We should not accept these types of donations. This is more than a restricted donation; it could be attempted to make a gift tax-deductible. Restricted donations are specified for some general category of assistance, not for a particular person or family. The only time this is acceptable is when the Conference has predetermined a need and is specifically soliciting donations for a particular family.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Puede una Conferencia aceptar una donación condicionada en el uso solo por ayudar a una familia necesitada en particular? ¿Puede la Conferencia aceptar pasar la donación a esa familia y usar otros fondos de la Conferencia para ayudar con el resto de las facturas?
R: La respuesta es "no." NO es apropiado que una Conferencia acepte una donación no solicitada de un donante que desea que los fondos se destinen específicamente a un individuo/familia para un propósito que ellos designen. No debemos aceptar este tipo de donaciones. Esto es más que una donación restringida; se podría intentar hacer deducible de impuestos la donación. Las donaciones restringidas se especifican para alguna categoría general de asistencia, no para una persona o familia en particular. El único momento en que esto es aceptable es cuando la Conferencia ha predeterminado una necesidad y está solicitando específicamente donaciones para una familia en particular.
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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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