Vincentian Community News
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"Knowledge of the poor and needy is not gained by pouring over books or in discussions with politicians, but by visiting the slums where they live, sitting by the bedside of the dying, feeling the cold they feel and learning from their lips the causes of their woes."
-Blessed Frederic Ozanam
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FEAST OF OUR LADY OF
THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
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Gospel Reading: (Luke 1:26-38)
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary. The angel said to her: “Hail full of grace! The Lord is with you…. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus… The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” Mary said: “ I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Vincentian Reflection:
On November 27, 1830, Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity, in Paris The Blessed Mother was standing on a globe with streams of light coming from her hands. Around her were the words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” Sister Catherine was told that a medal was to be made of this picture. Soon, because of all the wonderful graces obtained by those who wore the medal, it was called the “Miraculous Medal.” The Vincentian Family has always been rooted in a special devotion to Mary, and the Miraculous Medal is one of our treasured gifts.
Vincentian Meditation:
“I do not know how to find words for what I experienced and perceived, or for the beauty and the splendor of those magnificent rays (coming from the hands of the Blessed Virgin). Mary told me, “They are the symbol of the graces which I shed on those who ask me for them. Have a medal struck according to this model; all those who wear it, especially if they wear it around the neck, will receive great graces, and these graces will be abundant for those who wear it with confidence.”
(From St. Catherine Laboure’s account of the apparitions, November 27,1830)
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The annual Word on Fire Advent Reflections will soon be available on the SVdP website.
During Advent, new content from Bishop Robert Barron will be updated daily. The reflections will be located in the Daily Readings section under the Resources tab.
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin is excited to announce that we are participating in #IGiveCatholic on Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2020. #IGiveCatholic is a global day of giving. Your support will help us continue our mission to help people with financial and food assistance, bus passes, clothing vouchers, and other essential needs. Advance giving is going on now. Support our campaign by clicking here. Please share with family and friends.
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Save the Date!!! Ten Thousand Villages is hosting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for a Benefit Day on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 from 11:00am – 7:30pm. Come explore and shop for unique handmade items by artisans in villages in developing communities around the world. Curbside pickup will be available. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Society. Please share with family and friends.
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Systemic Change Begins with Education
By: John Freund, CM
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I have never forgotten the words of Bishop “Joe” Sullivan.
Some 50 years ago when I was ministering at St. John’s University I invited Bishop Sullivan, then head of Brooklyn Catholic Charities, to explore with some faculty members how “town and gown”, the university and the diocese might collaborate in addressing the needs of people living in poverty in the Brooklyn diocese.
In effect, he said the best thing we could do is … “Educate! Educate all your students to the needs right around them. Educate them to the social teaching of the church. Educate them to vote. As a bishop, I may have some influence on drafting necessary legislation. But I need educated voters to support such legislation. It’s the only way change will happen.”
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RENT 2.0 Community Outreach
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The City of Austin's Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Program is available for eligible tenants in the city of Austin. Neighbors must apply for the program online at AustinTexas.gov/RENT.
Neighbors who wish to apply are welcome to use the computer lab at the Vincentian Family Center during Client Services hours Tuesday - Friday from 9:00am - 12:00pm. During this time, help will be available for those who need assistance with the application process.
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store invites you to shop with us on Black Friday and Saturday. Everything in the store, except mattresses, will be 50% off! You’ll find great affordable Christmas gifts and the revenue will help our neighbors in need in Central Texas.
This sale is so huge that we are extending our hours. The Black Friday sale is November 27th and November 28th from 10:00am – 5:30pm. Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram @vinnysatxthrift.
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is open three days a week; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00am - 4:00pm. With new donations coming in weekly, you never know what treasures you will find.
For the health and safety of everyone in the store, shoppers are required to wear a face covering that covers the mouth and nose. Our staff and volunteers are also required to wear face coverings. Shoppers are also asked to practice social distancing while enjoying their shopping experience.
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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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Townhall for People with Disabilities
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The City of Austin Equity Office, in partnership with the Office of Police Oversight and Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, are hosting a townhall that will amplify the voices of People with Disabilities to share their experience with public safety in Austin. The event will be held virtually December 2, 2020 from 6:00 – 8:30pm.
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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 4. You are reminded to continue wearing your masks and practice social distancing to slow the spread of the virus.
For the Thanksgiving holidays, 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: Because of current circumstances, attendance at meetings (conducted on Zoom, by email, or outside) has been reduced to about half of our active members. Can Conference hold proxy or email voting?
A: Meetings with quorum can be held in-person indoors with proper social distancing, on Zoom (Google Meet, etc.), in-person outside with proper social distancing, and by telephone conference call, but not by email. Email can be used for communication but not for meetings. Voting by proxy is not allowed in Conferences. Voting by email is not allowed unless for a specific case with approval decided at a prior meeting by the members. If email voting has been approved for a particular case, email votes should be sent only to the secretary for proper recording.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Debido a las circunstancias actuales, la asistencia a las reuniones (realizadas en Zoom, por correo electrónico o en el aire libre) se ha reducido a aproximadamente la mitad de nuestros miembros activos. ¿La conferencia puede tener voto por poder o por correo electrónico?
R: Las reuniones con quórum se pueden llevar a cabo en persona en el interior con el distanciamiento social adecuado, en Zoom (Google Meet, etc.), en persona al aire libre con el distanciamiento social adecuado y por conferencia telefónica, pero no por correo electrónico. El correo electrónico se puede utilizar para la comunicación, pero no para las reuniones. No se permite votar por poder en las Conferencias. No se permite votar por correo electrónico a menos que se trate de un caso específico con la aprobación decidida en una reunión previa por los miembros. Si se ha aprobado la votación por correo electrónico para un caso en particular, los votos por correo electrónico deben enviarse solo al Secretario para su registro correcto.
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You can make an impact while you shop for Black Friday deals. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/74-2763690 and AmazonSmile will donate to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Diocesan Council of Austin, at no cost to you.
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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
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