Vincentian Community News
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“What God asks of us in particular is to have great care to serve the poor, who are our Lords. Oh yes! They are our Masters.”
–St. Vincent de Paul
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin is excited to participate in #iGiveCatholic on #GivingTuesday, November 30, 2021. #iGiveCatholic is a Giving Day for the faithful to come together and raise as many charitable dollars as possible for Catholic ministries, parishes, and schools. Advanced giving runs from November 15, 2021 through November 29. We invite you to visit our profile page by clicking on the link or using the QR code. You can also visit our #GivingTuesday profile at I Live Here I Give Here.
Spread the word to your family, friends and network!
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is having a huge Black Friday sale this weekend. The sale is so big, the hours have been extended just to give you extra time to shop. Items throughout the store will be up to 75% off. The Thrift Store will be open on Black Friday and Saturday from 9:00am - 5:00pm.
In preparation for the huge Black Friday sale, the Thrift Store will be closed on Wednesday, November 24 and on Thanksgiving Day!
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.
SVDP Online Thrift Store!
The St. Vincent de Paul Online Thrift Store is always open. The new website offers 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 must be picked up at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.
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Benefit Day at Ten Thousand Villages
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Save the Date! Ten Thousand Villages will hold a Benefit Shopping Day for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 from 11:00am - 7:00pm. Come explore and shop for unique handmade items by artisans in villages in developing communities around the world. 15% of sales from the day will go to the Society to support our programs and services for those in need.
You can help by volunteering to monitor the table at the store and by spreading the word to family and friends. For more information, contact Kanobia Blackmon at kanobia@ssvdp.org.
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Ozanam Orientation Announcement!
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The next Ozanam Orientation is scheduled for Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 9:00am - 2:30pm. This will be a virtual event.
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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COVID-19 Stage 3 Risk Guidelines
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Austin-Travis County is in Stage 3 of the risk-based guidelines. According to Austin health officials, COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions have decreased. Vaccinated and unvaccinated people should take precaution at private indoor gatherings and outdoor gatherings. You are still urged to wear a mask and social distance.
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First Sunday of Advent
November 28, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36)
Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon and the stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish, distraught at the roaring of the sea and the waves. Men will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the earth. The powers in the heavens will be shaken. After that, men will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with great power and glory. When these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, for your ransom is near at hand. Be on guard… The great day will suddenly close in on you like a trap. The day I speak of will come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth, so be on the watch. Pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before the Son of Man.”
Vincentian Reflection:
This time of year is filled with anticipation and waiting! The important questions for us are, “What do we anticipate?” and “How do we await?” Stores are filled with Christmas things. Lights and decorations have sprung up. Christmas music on the radio is another harbinger of the day for which we wait. Our work of preparation is busied with card- sending, party-planning and attending, and gift-shopping. The First Sunday of Advent, the Church’s New Year, ushers in a different way of waiting, of heightened anticipation. We Christians don’t wait for a what, but for a Whom. And that changes the character of our waiting! If the followers of Christ are vigilant and have lives “blameless in holiness,” then when Christ comes they can “stand erect” without fear but with joyful anticipation of their redemption. This is the Whom and what of our waiting! (Living Liturgy, p. 2)
Vincentian Meditation:
Waiting in joyful anticipation…if we are to rejoice in the grace of God, we must have eyes that see and ears that hear. That in turn demands a reflecting heart, the sort of heart which Our Lady had and with which, she “pondered all things in her heart.” Our Lady has a marvelous capacity for wonder. There can be no wonder in our lives without silence. We are called to the service of the poor, but our service must come from a heart which resembles that of Our Lady who knew how to be silent, who knew how to wonder, who knew who to marvel at the grace of God, without which we can do nothing.
(McCullen, Deep Down Things, p. 56)
How will you “await” in joyful anticipation, silence and wonder for Christmas this Advent?
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: How do we report the number of people helped with cash i.e. rent, electric etc.? There is a reporting section for in-kind activity but not cash.
A: The number of people helped with cash is not captured on the annual report separately, but is reflected in our Visits and Services to People which includes in-kind services. As described in the Annual Report instructions, expenses gathered under the treasurer’s report reflect all funds expended for goods and services provided to those we served, including cash, checks, certificates, bus tickets, and gift cards. The principal method for payment of aid will be check, paid directly to the provider of those goods or services. This also includes the cost of food purchased to stock your food pantry. For those Conferences that operate stores and other Special Works, this includes dollars spent for direct aid to those in need.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Cómo informamos la cantidad de personas que recibieron ayuda con dinero en efectivo, es decir, alquiler, luz, etc.? Hay una sección de informes para las actividades en especie, pero no en efectivo.
R: La cantidad de personas a las que se ayudó con efectivo no se registra en el informe anual por separado, sino que se refleja en nuestras Visitas y Servicios a las Personas, que incluyen servicios en especie. Como se describe en las instrucciones del informe anual, los gastos recopilados en el informe del tesorero reflejan todos los fondos gastados en bienes y servicios proporcionados a aquellos a quienes servimos, incluido efectivo, cheques, certificados, boletos de autobús y tarjetas de regalo. El método principal de pago de la ayuda será el cheque, pagado directamente al proveedor de esos bienes o servicios. Esto también incluye el costo de los alimentos comprados para abastecer su despensa de alimentos. Para aquellas Conferencias que operan tiendas y otros Trabajos Especiales, esto incluye dólares gastados para ayuda directa a los necesitados.
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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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Donate your vehicle to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. We make donating your car, truck, motorcycle, or boat easy. Call 1-800-317-SVDP (7837) or visit www.ssvdp.org/vehicle-donation. The process is free and easy!
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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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Black Friday
November 26, 2021
SVdP Thrift Store Open
9:00am - 5:00pm
Council Office Closed
Client Services Center Closed
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Saturday
November 27, 2021
SVdP Thrift Store Open
9:00am - 5:00pm
SVdP Food Pantry Open
9:00am - 12:00pm
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Black Friday
November 26, 2021
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#iGiveCatholic - Giving Tuesday
November 30, 2021
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Benefit Shopping Day at Ten Thousand Villages
December 8, 2021
11:00am - 7:00pm
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VIEWS Committee Meeting
December 11, 2021
10:00am - 11:00am
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Ozanam Orientation
December 11, 2021
9:00am - 2:30pm
Location: TBA
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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
Wednesday - 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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