Vincentian Community News |
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"Even a smile that we can share with the poor is a source of love. An outstretched hand can always be enriched by the smile of those who quietly and unassumingly offer to help, inspired only by the joy of living as one of Christ's disciples."
Pope Francis
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THE SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST THE KING
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Gospel Reading: (Matthew 25:31-46)
Jesus said to his disciples:… “the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ and the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Vincentian Reflection:
Christ exercises his sovereignty, his kingship, in the right to judge. The basis for his judgment of us is whether we care for the least of our brothers and sisters. Growth in discipleship and living the paschal mystery is measured by the extent to which we look upon the other as Christ, loving that person as Christ, doing for that person as Christ. This is how we come to joy. This is how we “share in the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world.” Think about it: from the first moment of creation, God planned for us to share in God’s everlasting life and joy.
(Living Liturgy, p. 280)
Vincentian Meditation:
Frederic wrote to Father Pendola of Tuscany, who had just started a Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, desiring that the young be introduced to the living reality of Christ in the world: “You have amongst your children many who are rich, Reverend Father-oh! What a salutary lesson, how strengthening for those soft young hearts, to show them the poor, to show them Jesus Christ, not in pictures painted by great masters or on altars resplendent with gold and light, but to show them Jesus Christ and His wounds in the person of the poor!”
(Ramson, Praying with Frederic, p.96)
How can we better “strengthen soft young hearts by showing them the poor and showing them Jesus Christ and His wounds in the person of the poor”-so that they will also hear the words “whatever you did to the least of mine, you did for me”?
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Happy 175th Anniversary
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
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Today marks the 175th Anniversary of the founding of the first Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the United States. The first meeting was held November 20, 1845 in the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Today, we have over 4,000 Conferences and over 90,000 members. Let's keep all Vincentians around the world and in the United States and our neighbors in need in our prayers. |
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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 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.
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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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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. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Society. |
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On behalf of the Diocesan Council staff, we want to wish you a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. We are thankful for all our Vincentians and the work they are doing to help our neighbors in need. We are especially thankful to our donors who make it possible for us to continue our mission.
Thanksgiving Holiday Closure:
The Diocesan office will be closed on Thursday and Friday.
The Thrift Store will be closed Thursday, but will reopen with extended hours on Black Friday and Saturday, from 10:00am - 5:30pm.
The Food Pantry will be open on Saturday from 9:00am - 12:00pm.
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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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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: Do I get a vote as president? A member said that according to Robert's Rules of Order I cannot vote. I have searched the By-laws and all the various handbooks I can find no reference.
A: The president is a voting member of the Conference. Traditionally, the president withholds his/her vote unless there is a tie. This is a tradition and not an enforceable rule. Please remember that the Society whenever possible uses a consensus model and not Robert’s Rules for governing our meetings.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: ¿Puedo votar como presidente? Un miembro dijo que de acuerdo con las Reglas de Orden de Robert no puedo votar. He buscado en los estatutos y en todos los manuales y no encuentro ninguna referencia.
R: El presidente es un miembro con derecho a voto de la Conferencia. Tradicionalmente, el presidente retiene su voto a menos que haya un empate. Esta es una tradición y no una regla que se pueda hacer cumplir. Recuerde que la Sociedad siempre que sea posible utiliza un modelo de consenso y no las Reglas de Robert para gobernar nuestras reuniones.
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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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