Vincentian Community News |
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“The fullness of life and of joy is found by giving oneself for the Gospel and for our brothers and sisters, with openness, welcoming and goodness.”
– Pope Francis
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Systemic Change and Voice of the Poor |
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The Systemic Change Committee and the Voice of the Poor Committee are joining together to launch VIEWS, a Vincentian Initiative to Empower our Work through Systemic Change. This is a joint initiative to align our Systemic Change and Voice of the Poor efforts.
If you missed the inaugural last Saturday, the committee will hold another meeting on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. We will explore ways to support the work of our Conferences to produce longer-term solutions for the individuals, families, and communities we serve. You can register for this event by clicking here.
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Travis County COTA Vaccines |
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The Central Texas Counties Vaccine Collaborative announced it will hold a drive-thru clinic at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) this weekend. Anyone age 16 and above will qualify to get their free first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. No appointment is necessary.
Here are the hours of operations:
Saturday, April 24, 2021 - 10:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday, April 25, 2021 - 10:00am - 3:00pm.
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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. John Neumann Conference |
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Special shoutout to the St. John Neumann Conference. Seven members volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store on Tuesday. The group spent time in the warehouse cleaning, sorting, and organizing items. Thank you for your time and service. |
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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.
The Thrift Store is in need of volunteers to assist with many tasks including: sorting, organizing, and pricing. Are you interested in volunteering? You can sign up by clicking on this link.
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4th Sunday of Easter
April 25, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (John 10: 11-18)
Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd, I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
Vincentian Reflection:
The good shepherd is concerned about, cares for, and protects the sheep even to the point of laying down his life for the sheep. The good shepherd fulfills the obligation of relationship. The relationship between shepherd and sheep (“I know mine and mine know me”) is likened to the relationship between the Father and the Son. This relationship requires of us disciples the same mission—to lay down our lives, too. Shepherding is serious business. It means that we cannot run away, but we must lay down our lives for the sake of others. It calls us to commit ourselves to good deeds, such as caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, forgiving those who wrong us, loving others as God has loved us. These good deeds are the very “stuff” of our everyday living and loving, in our families and in our service to the poor.
Vincentian Meditation:
The Manual of the Society states: To those served, Vincentians are expected to give the same deep and serious thought that they give to their own blood family. Sharing does not consist merely in the distribution of material goods; it also implies that our personal resources and potential of mind and heart, of time and influence, are placed at the service of others. Sharing means taking part in the joys and sorrows, in the worries and the hopes of others. It equally involves a readiness, on the part of the members and the Society, to accept help, suggestions, advice, encouragement and collaboration. Sharing means being willing to be disturbed. It is a sign of the true spirit of charity to be ready to share ideas and to accept giving in on some of our own. We are all poor in one way or another. That is perhaps what draws us all closer to one another and to Him who consented to share our humanity. (US Manual, P.49)
How are we “Good Shepherds” to each other and to the poor?
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend |
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Are you prepared for the next natural disaster? Emergency supplies are sales tax free in Texas this weekend. The sales tax holiday starts at 12:01 am Saturday, April 24, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 26. This is the opportunity to purchase emergency supplies like flashlights, batteries, generators, and first aid kits, so you will be ready for emergencies that can cause physical damage like hurricanes, flash floods, and wildfires.
To read more information and for a list of qualifying items, click here.
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Health officials have moved Austin-Travis County back into stage 3. You are reminded to continue wearing your masks and practice social distancing to slow the spread of the virus. |
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: Should a contributing, registered parishioner receive preferential treatment from his/her parish SVdP Conference? What are the rules for the distribution of monies? Does every parish Conference set their own rules? Is this a gray area?
A: The decision of whom to help or not and to what degree is the choice of the individual St. Vincent de Paul Conference. There is no stated recommendation one way or another toward parishioners. This is something that must be worked out on a local basis.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Debe un feligrés inscrito que contribuya recibir un trato preferencial de parte de la Conferencia SVdP de su parroquia? ¿Cuáles son las reglas para la distribución de dinero? ¿Cada Conferencia parroquial establece sus propias reglas? ¿Es esta un área sin reglamentos definidos?
R: : La decisión de a quién ayudar o no y en qué medida es la decisión de cada Conferencia de San Vicente de Paúl. No hay ninguna recomendación declarada de una forma u otra hacia los feligreses. Esto es algo que debe resolverse a nivel local.
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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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