Vincentian Community News
|
|
"Lent is precisely the season of hope when we turn our gaze back to the God who is patient. Saint Paul passionately urges us to place our hope in reconciliation: “Be reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:20)."
-Pope Francis
|
|
1st Sunday of Lent
February 21, 2021
|
|
Gospel Reading: (Mark 1:12-15)
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Vincentian Reflection:
Jesus went out into the desert to be alone. He is on the brink of inaugurating his public ministry. Something new and important is about to happen. He does the natural thing: goes off alone to think things through and confront the demons that would dissuade him from his mission. Then he goes to Galilee to proclaim the gospel of God. This defines in a nutshell what Lent is all about: we, too, spend extra time by ourselves during Lent so that we can come to the Easter celebration better able to proclaim the gospel.
(Living Liturgy, p.74)
Vincentian Meditation:
The Manual of the Society states: Vincentians are called to holiness by striving to conform ourselves to Jesus, doing God’s will, and devoting ourselves to the service of God’s suffering and poor. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is composed of women and men who seek personal holiness by works of charity. In this essential way, the Society differs from charitable associations or agencies whose principal objective is not the spiritual advancement of their members but the doing of good for others.
(US Manual of the SVDP, p.53)
How can we better take the time to pray both alone and at our Conference meetings so that we can truly proclaim the gospel of God?
|
|
Prayers after the Winter Storm
|
|
This has been a challenging week for the people of Central Texas. The winter storm left thousands without power, water, food, and other supplies for several days. Electricity and water has been restored to many people, but others are still dealing with limited resources. Some are also dealing with water damage including over a dozen of our local parishes. Let us keep each other in prayer and help each other get through this together.
|
|
The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at the Vincentian Family Center will delay opening tomorrow due to the impact of the winter storm in Central Texas. The Pantry will open from 2:00pm - 5:00pm on Saturday to allows us time to restock the pantry and prepare for distribution.
We will continue to follow CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of the staff, volunteers, and our neighbors who need assistance. Everyone is required to wear a face mask and practice social distancing.
|
|
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
|
|
The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store will resume normal business hours tomorrow, Saturday, February 20. Volunteers and staff will be on hand to welcome you back.
We are taking every precaution to ensure your safety. Everyone is required to wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Hand sanitizer is also available when you enter the store. The Thrift Store is sprayed with disinfected spray weekly.
|
|
The National Council Office has announced that the 2021 Midyear Business Meeting will be held virtually March 3 - 6, 2021. This is out of an abundance of caution for everyone's health.
This year’s agenda will include a Spiritual Retreat, Workshops, Board of Directors and Business Meetings, Disaster Services Training, as well as a special event presentation and Virtual Vendor Showcase.
The annual Midyear Meeting is a Governance and training event designed for National Council Members (the Presidents of the Diocesan Council or “top” District Council per Diocese), Executive Directors and other current or prospective Council leaders. However the Midyear, especially a virtual one, is open to all interested Vincentians!
|
|
Save the Date! The New Member Orientation meeting will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the present need to isolate and social distance, it is not possible to hold our regular Ozanam Orientation sessions.
The National Office has provided us with a presentation that can be used for new members until we can all meet together again in Ozanam Orientation. This is an alternative (not a replacement for) Ozanam Orientation. New Members are still expected to attend Ozanam Orientation whenever in-person meetings resume. Until then, this will satisfy the need for new Conference members to attend Ozanam Orientation before going on home visits.
Register in advance by clicking this link.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
|
|
Save the Date: Amplify Austin
|
|
Health officials have moved Austin-Travis County back into stage 4. You are reminded to continue wearing your masks and practice social distancing to slow the spread of the virus.
Health officials are asking everyone to avoid high-risk activities and to be cautious with all medium-risk activities to help prevent the spread of virus. You can read the COVID-19 Holiday Safety Guidance here.
|
|
National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: We just recently voted on a new set of bylaws. When exactly do those bylaws go into effect?
A: Unless there is some specification defined in the vote, the bylaws go into effect immediately. The national expectation is that a new set of bylaws is adopted each time the nationally approved bylaws are revised. At Midyear 2018 National Council bylaws were revised, and at Midyear 2019 Conference, District and Diocesan Council model bylaws were revised. To see the current applicable bylaws, click here and scroll down to the bylaws tab: https://www.svdpusa.org/members/Documents/Governance-in-A-Box.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Recientemente votamos sobre los estatutos nuevos. ¿Cuándo entran en vigor exactamente esos estatutos?
R: A menos que haya alguna especificación definida en la votación, los estatutos entran en vigor de inmediato. La expectativa nacional es que se adopte estatutos nuevos cada vez que se revisen los estatutos aprobados a nivel nacional. En la Reunión del Medio Año de 2018, se revisaron los estatutos del Consejo Nacional y, en la Reunión del Medio Año de 2019, se revisaron los estatutos modelo del Consejo Diocesano y del Distrito. Para ver los estatutos vigentes, haga clic aquí y desplácese hacia abajo hasta la pestaña de estatutos: https://www.svdpusa.org/members/Documents/Governance-in-A-Box.
|
|
Call 1.888.317.SVDP
visit www.ssvdp.org
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
Contact Us:
Rick Bologna, Stores Director, rick.bologna@ssvdp.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|