Vincentian Community News |
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"It is our vocation.. to set people's hearts ablaze, to do what the Son of God did, who came to light a fire on earth in order to set it aflame with his love."
-St. Vincent de Paul
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Gospel Reading: (Luke 2:1-14)
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled… And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child and she gave birth to her firstborn Son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of great joy…for a savior has been born for you who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”…When the angels went away from them, the shepherds said to one another, “let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Vincentian Reflection:
The angel told the shepherds that the Savior was born and where to find him. How and when are we told? If we wait for the heavens to open and angels to speak to us, we will be waiting a lifetime. We are told in less spectacular ways of God’s presence and saving activity on our behalf, but no less powerful or revealing. God does speak. God reveals divine presence in the smile of another, in someone’s generous offer, in a plea for help, in the cry of the poor and the oppressed, in the child needing reassurance, in the aged needing a listening ear, in the sick needing a consoling hand. This is how we “make known the message”: to reach out to another with God’s compassion, mercy, forgiveness, healing, love. The mystery of Christmas in that God is incarnate. Today we see not a Baby in the manger, but a saving God working through and among us.
(Living Liturgy, p.24)
How have we seen our saving God working through and among us this Christmas?
In what ways has “Love been inventive, even to infinity?”
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On behalf of the Diocesan Council staff, we hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Please remember to stay safe by wearing your mask, practicing social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings.
The Diocesan Council office is closed December 24, 2020 - January 4, 2021. The office will resume its regular hours on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
Client Services will be open December 29th and 30th from 9:00am - 12:00pm.
The Food Pantry will be open December 26th and January 2nd from 9:00am - 12:00pm.
We look forward to seeing you in the new year!
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store |
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift is closed from December 24, 2020 - January 1, 2021. During that time, staff and volunteers we will be cleaning the store, sorting, tagging, and restocking.
Donations can be dropped off between December 28th - December 30th.
The Thrift Store will reopen on Saturday, January 2, 2021 from 10:00am - 5:00pm.
We look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year!
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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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St. John the Evangelist Conference (Luling) |
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St. John the Evangelist Conference in Luling has been busy this holiday season assisting our neighbors in need with food and financial assistance.
For Thanksgiving, Vincentians distributed 101 turkey baskets to families in the community.
As part of their Christmas celebration, the St. John Conference distributed 100 turkey baskets to families and 30 Walmart gift cards, valued at $50, to children.
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Thanksgiving Celebration
(November 21, 2020)
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Christmas Celebration
(December 19, 2020)
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Christmas Celebration
(December 19, 2020)
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Christmas Celebration
(December 22, 2020)
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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: Our Conference purchases basic dental hygiene products to provide to our local free dental clinic for patients. Is this against the Rule?
A: A Conference may, if it so chooses, purchase basic dental hygiene products and give to the local free dental clinic to be handed out to patients. This is only valid if the clinic gives the items to those in need at no cost. A consensus of the members must be in agreement.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Nuestra Conferencia compra productos básicos de higiene dental para proporcionarlos a nuestra clínica dental local gratuita para los pacientes. ¿Esto va en contra de la regla?
R: Una Conferencia puede, si así lo desea, comprar productos básicos de higiene dental y donarlos a la clínica dental local gratuita para que los entreguen a los pacientes. Esto solo es válido si la clínica entrega los artículos a quienes los necesitan sin costo alguno. Un consenso de los miembros debe estar de acuerdo.
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You can make an impact while you shop for friends and loved ones. 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
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
Thursday - Saturday
10:00am - 5:00pm
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