Vincentian Community News
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"Come now, let us engage ourselves with renewed love to serve the poor, and let us even seek out the poorest and most abandoned of all."
-St. Vincent de Paul
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2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sunday, January 17, 2021
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Gospel Reading: (John 1:35-42)
John was standing with two of his disciples and as he watched Jesus walk by, John said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?”
They said to him, “Rabbi”-which means Teacher-“where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.
Vincentian Reflection:
We cannot truly be disciples of Christ unless we, too, wait to hear God’s call and respond by transforming our lives, evidenced in the simple willingness to be obedient to God’s will. This means more than keeping the commandments, it means that our whole lives are directed to waiting and listening for God’s self-revelation. Sometimes this revelation comes through others—perhaps in their cry for help. Sometimes the revelation comes through prayer in which we take some time to listen to God. However, when the revelation or call comes, if we respond, we will be transformed. And Jesus will turn and ask us, “What are you looking for?”
(Living Liturgy, p.42)
Vincentian Meditation:
Our Identity Statement tells us: As a reflection of the whole family of God, Members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group, and economic level. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule.
“What were you looking for” when you joined the Society?
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Mass of Thanksgiving for the Gift of Human Life
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
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Great things are happening at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.
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The dressing rooms were taken out to provide additional space to showcase more merchandise.
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A new Ladies Boutique section was added that features fashionable ladies clothing, like dresses, skirts, blouses, gowns, and more.
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The shoe department was expanded and the toy section was revamped to give it a new look.
Special thanks to our volunteers who work hard every week to ensure our guests have the best experience when they shop at the Thrift Store. The store is open
Thursday - Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. You are invited to come and shop for great items at great prices. You never know what treasures you will find as you explore the store.
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.
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Become a Thrift Store Volunteer!
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You can make a difference in the community by volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. The Thrift Store is in need of volunteers to assist with many tasks including: sorters, organizers, and pricers. To keep everyone safe and healthy, volunteers are required to wear masks and practice social distancing.
It easy to sign up! Just click on the link below.
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Interested in volunteering?
You can sign up by clicking on this link.
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COVID-19 cases are spiking across the U.S. and Central Texas. Health officials have moved Austin-Travis County into stage 5. 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.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: A member volunteering at our food pantry recently said that we could not talk politics although volunteers discuss many topics. This only happens when there are no visitors at the food shelf. In my opinion, this is suppression of free speech. Is there a rule that says discussing politics or any other during Conference work forbidden?
A: There is nothing in the Rule against free speech. We can discuss issues, but not candidates. Nonprofits can campaign for or against legislation. We must keep in mind that any discussion related to candidates for political office must be outside any SVdP activity. Otherwise, it may be determined that such discussion by Vincentians is in the name of the Society, which is improper. It is a long-standing tradition going back to our founders that we are not to discuss politics within the Society except as how we may advocate for those we serve.
As Blessed Frédéric Ozanam’s said at his last address to the General Assembly of the Society in December 1848, just after a very contentious French election, “As we enter our Conferences, we leave political passions at the door: we are assembled, not to fight each other, not to tear each other apart, but to get along, to see each other’s good side. … When every morning twenty newspapers are busy stirring up our anger, it is good that at least once a week we can calm it down by talking about the poor.”
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Un miembro que trabajaba como voluntario en nuestra despensa de alimentos dijo recientemente que no podíamos hablar de política, aunque los voluntarios platican de muchos temas. Esto solo sucede cuando no hay visitantes en el estante de alimentos. En mi opinión, esto es la supresión de la libertad de expresión. ¿Existe una regla que diga que está prohibido discutir sobre política o cualquier otro durante el trabajo de la Conferencia?
R:: No hay nada en la Regla contra la libertad de expresión. Podemos discutir temas, pero no candidatos. Las organizaciones sin fines de lucro pueden hacer campaña a favor o en contra de la legislación. Debemos tener en cuenta que cualquier discusión relacionada con candidatos a cargos políticos debe ser ajena a cualquier actividad de la SVdP. De lo contrario, se puede determinar que tal discusión por parte de los Vicentinos está en nombre de la Sociedad, lo cual es inapropiado. Es una tradición de larga data que se remonta a nuestros fundadores que no debemos discutir sobre política dentro de la Sociedad, excepto en cómo podemos defender a aquellos a quienes servimos.
Como dijo el Beato Frédéric Ozanam en su último discurso ante la Asamblea General de la Sociedad en diciembre de 1848, justo después de una elección francesa muy polémica: “Al entrar en nuestras Conferencias, dejamos las pasiones políticas en la puerta: estamos reunidos, no para luchar el uno al otro, no para destrozarse, sino para llevarse bien, para ver el lado bueno del otro… Cuando cada mañana veinte periódicos están ocupados avivando nuestro enojo, es bueno que al menos una vez a la semana podamos calmarlo hablando de los pobres.”
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Call 1.888.317.SVDP
visit www.ssvdp.org
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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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