Diocesan Council Newsletter

November 12, 2021

Vincentian Community News

"You should bring to the sick two kinds of food: corporal food and spiritual food; that is to say, some little word from your meditation, were it only five or six words, to help them to acquit themselves of their duty as Christians or to bear their sufferings patiently. God has called you to this.”

–St. Vincent de Paul

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. We encourage you to spread the word to your family, friends and network. Please spread the word to your family, friends, and network!

New SVDP Online Thrift Store!

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.

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is now open Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. We are preparing for our huge Black Friday sale! Get ready for amazing deals throughout the store.

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.

COVID-19 Stage 3 Risk Guidelines

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.

For more information visit austintexas.gov/COVID19.

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

November 14, 2021

Gospel Reading: (Mark 13: 24-32)

Jesus said: “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you will know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates…Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Vincentian Reflection:

Conformity with Jesus’ words means that we hear the teachings of Jesus and live them out. We have to live now to create a future for ourselves that we want and that God wants for us. When we live in conformity to the Word, hearing Jesus’ words and living them out, the future holds no fear for us. Rather than fear, we anticipate our future with joyful expectation. On this second-to- last Sunday of the liturgical year, we realize that we have been faced with a choice throughout our journey during this past liturgical year: to be rooted in this world or in the words of Jesus. Our choices do make a difference.

(Living Liturgy, p.246)

Vincentian Meditation:

“On the journey of life, we must make choices. Our instincts, our selfishness, our pride will often suggest to us to follow them. It is an easier road. But Christ, His Church and our consciences suggest another way. To follow that road, we must say no to our natural instincts. It may be difficult and demand much effort, but that effort will bring with it a peace and contentment that money will not buy. Do we take the easy, downhill road in every choice we make? Sometimes we need to apply the brakes to downhill movements in our lives and try to change direction and to change gears. We do that by allowing Jesus to have a greater say in our lives, in our decisions, and in our thoughts.”

(McCullen, Deep Down Things, p. 589-90)

Where do we need to allow Jesus to have a greater say in our lives, in our decisions, in our thoughts, and in our choices?

Prayer Requests

Do you have a prayer request? Send us your prayers at prayerrequest@ssvdp.org.

We will offer them up in prayer weekly.

National Gazette Questions and Answers

Q: Are two members of the same family allowed to serve as officers in a Conference?

A: In the Rule, Part III, Statute 12, the last sentence reads: “To safeguard the good reputation of the Conference or Council, and therefore that of the Society itself, appointees should not be relatives of the person empowered to make the appointments.” However, if they are not related to the President, a couple may serve as officers (i.e. Vice President and Secretary) in the same Conference or Council.

Preguntas y Respuestas de la

Oficina Nacional

P: ¿Se permite que dos miembros de la misma familia sirvan como oficiales en una Conferencia?

R: En la Regla, Parte III, Estatuto 12, la última oración dice: “Para guardar la buena reputación de la Conferencia o Consejo y por lo tanto la de la misma Sociedad, las personas designadas no deben ser familiares de la persona que tiene el poder de hacer los nombramientos.” Sin embargo, si no están relacionados con el presidente, una pareja puede servir como oficiales (es decir, vicepresidente y secretario) en la misma Conferencia o Consejo.

Volunteer Opportunities

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!

Connect with us:

Is your car gobbling up your wallet with costly repairs? Let it go and donate it to the Society of St. Vincent de Pau. 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!

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.