Vincentian Community News |
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"I beg of you to show the poor great affection."
–St. Louise de Marillac
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An in-person Ozanam Orientation will take place tomorrow, June 19, 2021 at the Vincentian Family Center. To ensure the safety of the participants and presenters, we are limiting the number of people to 25 to allow for social distancing.
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.
The Ozanam Orientation is from 9:00am - 2:30pm. Check-in starts at 8:30am. Participants are limited to 25 to enable social distancing due to the COVID-19 CDC guidelines. To register click this link.
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Spiritual Advisers Training and Retreat |
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Diocesan Council Spiritual Advisor Deacon Robert Martinez, Associate Spiritual Advisor Kevin Sheehan, and Regional Spiritual Advisor James Davis will host a virtual Spiritual Advisers training and retreat on Saturday, June 26, 2021. The event is from 9:00am - 3:00pm. This will be a day of reflection, fellowship, and learning for all Spiritual Advisors. Click this link to register.
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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. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store |
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is open 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.
Per the CDC guidelines, masks are optional for fully vaccinated people. However, we still encourage guests, volunteers, and staff to practice social distancing. Hand sanitizer will still be 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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Registration is now open for the 2021 National Assembly! The event will be held August 25-28 in Houston, Texas. 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
For more information about the Assembly and to register, click here.
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12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 20, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (Mark 4: 35-41)
One day as evening drew on Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us cross over to the farther shore.” Leaving the crowd, they took him away in the boat in which he was sitting, while the other boats accompanied him. It happened that a bad squall blew up. The waves were breaking over the boat and it began to ship water badly. Jesus was in the stern through it all, sound asleep on a cushion. They finally woke him and said to him, “Teacher, doesn’t it matter to you that we are going to drown?” He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea: “Quiet, Be still!” The wind fell off and everything grew calm. Then he said to them: “Why are you so terrified? Why are you lacking in faith?” A great awe overcame them at this. They kept saying to one another, “Who can this be that the wind and the sea obey him?
Vincentian Reflection:
Jesus asks the question, “Why are you terrified?” It would seem rather obvious—a violent squall came up and the waves were breaking over the boat. These men were fishermen; they knew the perils of the sea. What they hadn’t learned fully yet was who Jesus is—the One whose presence, in the midst of peril, we recognize and trust. The faith to which Jesus calls the disciples is that Jesus does care. He responds to their terror and delivers them. Jesus’ care is ever with us because he is always present to us. The challenge during our Christian journey is to believe in his presence and to trust in his care.
(Living Liturgy, p. 158)
Vincentian Meditation:
“Quiet, Be Still!” If we could absorb the spirituality of that single line of the gospel, there would be much more peace in our lives. We spend so much time fretting about the future because we have not learned to “be still”…to wait on the Lord. “Why are you so terrified? Why are you lacking in faith?” During the storms of our lives we must learn to patiently wait for the Lord. St. Vincent’s insistence on the wisdom of making decisions slowly and of not anticipating the Providence of God was the fruit of knowing how to wait on the Lord…how to listen, how to be “quiet and still.” The grace of waiting on the Lord, and acting only when we have clear signs of the direction that He wants us to take, can bring much peace and serenity to our souls. (McCullen, Deep Down Things, p. 182)
How have you learned to be “quite and still” and wait on the Lord?
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We will offer them up in prayer weekly.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing. However, people are required to follow federal, state, local rules and regulations, including local businesses and workplace guidance. If you have not been vaccinated, you are encouraged to do so.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: Can a Vincentian be an active member of the two Conferences? If so, what additional information should the Conferences be made aware of? What resource references this?
A: Yes, a Vincentian can hold membership at two Conferences. No additional info needed for either Conference to be made aware of. As a courtesy, the member should disclose this information to both. There is nothing written; we must therefore go by the Rule and how it defines an active member. Although allowed, it is not often that one person is a member of more than one Conference so duplication of membership numbers is not significant.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Puede un Vicentino ser miembro activo de las dos Conferencias? En caso afirmativo, ¿qué información adicional deben conocer las Conferencias? ¿Qué recurso hace referencia a esto?
R: Sí, un Vicentino puede ser miembro de dos conferencias. Las Conferencias no necesitan información adicional, pero como cortesía, el miembro debe revelar esta información a ambos. No hay nada escrito; por lo tanto, debemos seguir la Regla y cómo define a un miembro activo. Aunque está permitido, no es frecuente que una persona sea miembro de más de una Conferencia, por lo que la duplicación de números de miembros no es significativa.
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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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"When you shop for Father's Day gifts at smile.amazon.com/ch/74-2763690, AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchases to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Diocesan Council of Austin at no cost to you!"
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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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