Vincentian Community News |
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"Let us love God, but let it be with the work of our hands and the sweat of our brows."
–St. Vincent de Paul
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The next Ozanam Orientation is scheduled for Saturday, August 21, 2021 from 9:00am - 2:30pm. This will be a virtual event. The Orientation was scheduled to take place at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Dripping Springs. However, due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, the decision was made to conduct the Orientation virtually.
Ozanam Orientations are designed to set up our new Vincentians for success and re-energize those Vincentians who have already served. All new Vincentians are asked to attend an Ozanam Orientation within their first year in ministry; current Vincentians should attend an Ozanam refresher every 3-5 years.
To register, click on this link.
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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. For more information contact Janie Alonzo at janie@ssvdp.org.
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2021 Virtual Serving in Hope |
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We are excited to announce that the 2021 Serving in Hope fundraising event will take place on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 6pm. This will be a virtual event. 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. Stay tuned for more details!! |
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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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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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Huge SVDP Thrift Store News! |
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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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More St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store News! |
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We have more exciting news to share! Starting September 1st, the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store will be open Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. You will soon have 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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New Volunteer Opportunities |
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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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Register now for the 2021 National Assembly! The event will be held August 25-28 in Houston, Texas. The keynote speakers are Dr. Jaime Waters, Bishop Donald Hying, and Father Dennis Holtschneider. Early registration ended Thursday, July 15. The registration fee is now $425. For more information about the Assembly and to register, click here.
Here's a glance of the schedule:
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Tuesday, August 24 – 3:00 p.m. Registration Opens for Early Arrivals & Exhibitor Set-up
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Wednesday, August 25 – Disaster Preparedness Workshop, National Stores & Executive Director Meetings, Exhibitor Showcase Open, and Welcome Reception
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Thursday, August 26 – Workshops, Exhibits Open, National Committee Meetings, Presidential Welcome & Keynote Address, and Host City Event
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Friday, August 27 – Spiritual Retreat, Workshops, Regional Meetings, Exhibits Open Until 3:00 p.m.
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Saturday, August 28 – General Session Presentation, National Business Meeting, Workshops, Vigil Mass, and Closing Dinner Banquet
Message from the National Office regarding COVID-19 concerns:
The National Council strives to keep all our Vincentians, Staff, and Volunteers safe during all our events. The 2021 National Assembly will still take place live. We encourage any and all that wish to attend to register. We will carefully follow the city and Marriott's safety guidelines, and will communicate with all participants on Friday, August 20 with updated info. We will also have masks on hand if current requirements change on site.
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Council Dinner at the National Assembly |
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Are you attending the SSVDP National Assembly in Houston?
During the Assembly, we will have time for dinner together as a Council on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 7:00 pm. All Conference members and their guests are welcome to attend! Please be sure to register so we know how large a room we will need to accommodate our party. Each person will be responsible to pay for their meal and beverages.
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Solemnity of the
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 15, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (Luke 1: 39-56)
Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Vincentian Reflection:
Mary’s “yes” unleashed a unique relationship with Jesus. This is why all generations will call her blessed: without knowing how and why, she believed that God would raise her up to be the Mother of God. For nine months she would nurture in her womb the Life that would bring life to all. For nine months she would give her body so that the Bread of Life might be born. Mary is blessed because she believed in God’s word. Mary is blessed because her body gave life to the Word incarnate. This is why we believe that her body is assumed into heaven: hers was a blessed body. Body and soul, she was assumed into heaven to enjoy eternal life with the divine Word, her Son. And, this because she believed and trusted in God! (Living Liturgy, p.190)
Vincentian Meditation:
Mary is the ideal disciple, the model listener. She hears God’s word and acts on it. Mary, as the Listening Disciple, lies at the core of New Testament spirituality: all disciples, like Mary, are called to listen to the word of God attentively and act on it. There is almost nothing more important that Mary can teach us than to learn to listen. At root, being a disciple means being a hearer of the word. The whole of Christian life can be summed up in the phrase: “She listened to the word of God and acted on it.”
(Maloney, Go! On the Missionary Spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul, p.110-111)
How can we better live our Vincentian devotion to Mary?
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: Can a Youth serve as secretary of an adult Conference?
A: There are no age restrictions as far as the officers are concerned. Obviously, you would want an adult as Treasurer. Everything depends on how comfortable the members are with a youth as Secretary. However, keep in mind that the youth must be an Active Member of the Conference to be eligible to be an officer.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Puede un joven servir como secretario de una Conferencia de adultos?
R: No hay restricciones de edad en lo que respecta a los oficiales. Obviamente, querrás un adulto como tesorero. Todo depende de lo cómodos que se sientan los miembros con un joven como secretario. Sin embargo, tenga en cuenta que el joven debe ser un Miembro Activo de la Conferencia para ser elegible para ser un oficial.
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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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