Vincentian Community News |
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"If God is the center of your life, no words will be needed. Your mere presence will touch their hearts."
-St. Vincent de Paul
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Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe |
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Tomorrow is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!
Our Lady sent St. Juan Diego with miraculous flowers in his cloak to tell the bishop to build a church where people could receive her Son and her loving, tender care. When St. Juan Diego opened the cloak before the bishop, an image of Our Lady was revealed that remains to this day.
The chapel was quickly built, millions embraced Christianity, and the Church increased its protection of the indigenous peoples.
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Gospel Reading: (John 1:6-8)
"A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him…“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord.”
Vincentian Reflection:
John knew how to die. He knew how to speak the truth even when it cost dearly. He knew how to engage in an active public ministry to which crowds flocked, but also how to withdraw into the desert for prayer and penance. John the Baptist makes it very clear that we will live genuinely for Christ only if we are willing to die for him. Only the person who is practiced in the art of daily dying will be able to hand himself over to God in an act of final resignation, as John did. Daily dying consists in pouring out one’s energies in the service of the poor, in listening attentively, in praying faithfully, in living harmoniously with others, in seeking reconciliation, in doing penance, in renouncing anything that is an obstacle to the following of Christ. John the Baptist calls us to prepare the way of the Lord by eliminating from our lives whatever impedes his coming.
(Maloney, Seasons in Spirituality, p.48)
Vincentian Meditation:
“Let me suggest that today, for us members of the Vincentian Family, an asceticism like that of John the Baptist might take these forms especially: rising early to praise God and strengthen our brothers and sisters in daily prayer; employing moderation and a critical sense in using television and other media; withholding divisive words and negative criticism; being disciplined and balanced in what we eat and drink; working hard, as servants do, for our “lords and masters,” the poor.”
(Maloney, Seasons in Spirituality, p.48)
What form of John the Baptist’s asceticism do you feel called to practice this Advent?
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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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You now get an extra hour to shop at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store! The Thrift Store is open three days a week; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. 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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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: During COVID19, can email communications be counted as holding Conference meetings?
A: Meetings can be held in-person indoors with proper social distancing, on Zoom (Google Meet, etc.), in-person outside with proper social distancing, by telephone conference call, but not by email. Email can be used for communication but not for meetings.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Durante COVID19, ¿se pueden considerar las comunicaciones por correo electrónico como la celebración de reuniones de conferencia?
R: Las reuniones se pueden llevar a cabo en persona en interiores con el distanciamiento social adecuado, en Zoom (Google Meet, etc.), en persona en el exterior con el distanciamiento social adecuado, por conferencia telefónica, pero no por correo electrónico. El correo electrónico se puede utilizar para la comunicación, pero no para las reuniones.
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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
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