Vincentian Community News |
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"By love, Our Lord won over those he wanted to believe in him. No matter how much we exert ourselves, people will never have faith in us unless we show charity and compassion to those whom we wish to believe in us."
–St. Vincent de Paul
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SVdP Luling Conference Events |
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The St. Vincent de Paul Luling Conference will host two events at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church next month.
The Conference will hold a Personal Hygiene Pack Day on August 7, 2021 for junior high and high school students. Conference members also plan to distribute a limited number of diapers for infants as well.
On August 14, 2020, the Luling Conference will host a New Pair of Shoes Distribution Day for Luling ISD students. There will be a limited amount of shoes, so students will have to register with the Conference. For more information, email Armando Perales at armandoperales1@yahoo.com.
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Save the Date! Friends of the Poor Walk |
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We have an update on the 2021 Friends of the Poor Walk! The Diocesan Council and the St. Albert the Great Conference are hosting the Friends of the Poor Walk on Saturday, September 25 at 11am at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church. This is a change from the previous announcement.
This annual event raises awareness of the challenges faced by our neighbors in need. The walk is a unique opportunity to engage the youth, fellow parishioners, families, and groups. More information about how your Conference can get involved and raise money is coming soon!
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VIEWS Meeting Announcement |
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Join us for our next work Zoom meeting to continue planning our VIEWS, a Vincentian Initiative to Empower our Work through Systemic Change. The meeting will be held Saturday, July 17, 2021 from 10am - 11am.
This is a joint initiative to align our Systemic Change and Voice of the Poor efforts where we will develop practical actions and tools for our conferences and councils. We have excellent resources such as prayer, the teachings of our founders, Catholic social teaching, and the many Systemic Change and Voice of the Poor resources from our National Council, so let’s put them to good use! We need many heads, hearts and hands to accomplish this mission!
To register for this meeting, click on the July 2021 VIEWS registration link. After you register, you will be sent the zoom credentials for our meeting. This will come as a separate email. We look forward to seeing everyone!
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Growth and Revitalization Series |
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The next session in the Growth and Revitalization series will take place Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 6:00pm. The title of this session is "Getting Young People Involved Thru Do Gud Day" presented by Kat Brissette. To register for this event, click here.
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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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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.
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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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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Mark your calendar! A special edition of Our Faith in Action: Today's Society of St. Vincent de Paul, will air on EWTN on August 6, 2021 at 4:30 Central. You'll see how Vincentians in Florida, New Mexico, and Texas adapted their operations to support our neighbors in need through new and creative methods. Watch the trailer for a sneak peek!
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16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 18, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (Mark 6: 30-34)
The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
Vincentian Reflection:
Last Sunday Jesus sent his apostles on mission; this Sunday they face the harsh reality that the mission will wear them out. The exhaustion can come from the good work and the “great numbers” of people who need help. The needs are great, and it can be exhausting to try to meet them. Whatever the cause of being worn out, Jesus is there to listen, support, and invite us to rest a bit. If we let Jesus gather us in, he will take care of us. We all need to go off to a “deserted place” occasionally to “rest awhile.” Whether this means taking some time alone each day to pray and rest in God, making Sunday truly a day of rest, or setting aside a few days a year to make a retreat, all of us need time to regain our strength so we can take up our own shepherding tasks. If the mission overwhelms us we will be unable to persevere. Living faithful to the mission Jesus has given us requires that we balance action and contemplation. (Living Liturgy, p.174)
Vincentian Meditation:
Vincent de Paul, a great man of action was also a contemplative, caught up in God and consumed by his love. His contemplation of God’s love overflowed into practical love for the poor. He encourages his followers: “Let us all give ourselves completely to the practice of prayer, since it is by it that all good things come to us. If we persevere, it is thanks to prayer. If we succeed in our employments, it is thanks to prayer. If we do not fall into sin, it is thanks to prayer. If we remain in charity and if we are saved, all that happens is thanks to God and thanks to prayer. Just as God refuses nothing to prayer, so also He grants almost nothing without prayer.” (Maloney, He Hears the Cry of the Poor, p. 98)
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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: We have a well-stocked pantry, thanks to our generous parish. The pantry manager insists upon and throws out everything one week before the ‘use buy date’ shown on all food items. Is this acceptable practice?
A: The pantry is a special works of the Conference. Conference members are the pantry decision makers and should establish operation guidelines. However, we must abide by local health regulations. This includes regulations on any use/distribution of food in relation to its Sell by/Use by dates.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Tenemos una despensa bien surtida, gracias a nuestra parroquia generosa. El gerente de la despensa insiste en tirar todo una semana antes de la "fecha de uso" que se muestra en todos los alimentos. ¿Es esta práctica aceptable?
R: La despensa es una obra especial de la Conferencia. Los miembros de la conferencia son los que toman las decisiones en la despensa y deben establecer pautas de operación. Sin embargo, debemos cumplir con las regulaciones de salud locales. Esto incluye regulaciones sobre cualquier uso o distribución de alimentos en relación con sus fechas de vencimiento/uso.
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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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