Happy New Year!

January 1, 2021

Serving Central Texas

Vincentian Community News

"The blessing and praise that the Lord loves the most is love of neighbor. We praise him for this, because we believe and we know that all the good that is accomplished day after day on earth, in the end, comes from him."

-Pope Francis

SOLEMNITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

Gospel Reading: (Luke 2:16-21)

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Vincentian Reflection:

Often New Year’s resolutions are about such things as losing weight, trying to stop smoking, cleaning up our language, etc. The readings for this festival honoring Mary might challenge us and our resolution-making in another direction. Perhaps this year we might resolve to take time each day to see and hear what God is revealing to us in the ordinary things of our lives: in the grateful smile of a child, in the gift of a compliment, in the unexpected call or visit of a friend. Also, we might resolve to spend more time, as Mary did, pondering and reflecting in our hearts God’s mystery of salvation. We might set aside a special time each day to pray and then stick to it.

(Living Liturgy, p.30)

Vincentian Meditation:

Mary is the ideal disciple, the model listener. She hears God’s word and acts on it. In Luke’s first two chapters Mary is evangelized by Gabriel, by Elizabeth, by the shepherds, by Simeon, by Anna, and by Jesus himself. All of them proclaim the good news of God’s presence and sing in praise of God’s goodness. Luke tells us that Mary kept all these things in her heart, turning them over and over again. Mary is indeed the “Listening Disciple”, and this is the core of New Testament spirituality: all disciples, like Mary, are called to listen to the word of God attentively and act on it. Let us ask from Mary the grace to be a listener, “to listen to the word of God and act on it.

(Maloney, Go! On the Missionary Spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul, p. 110-111)

What New Year’s resolution do you want to make this year?

Happy New Year!

On behalf of the Diocesan Council staff, have a Happy and Blessed New Year!

The Diocesan Council office is closed through January 4, 2021. The office will resume its regular hours on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.

The Food Pantry will be open tomorrow, Saturday, January 2nd from 9:00am - 12:00pm.

We look forward to seeing you in the new year!

Angel Tree Distribution

The St. Anthony Conference in Kyle held their St. Vincent de Paul Angel Project in December and helped dozens of families have a Merry Christmas. The Conference distributed $75 gift cards to 46 families, $50 gift cards to 15 seniors, and $25 gift cards to 170 children.

The Angel Tree distribution took place in the parking lot at St. Anthony parish. Santa Claus distributed the gift cards, along with a bag of food, to the families, while the Vincentians sang Christmas carols.

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store will resume its normal hours tomorrow, Saturday, January 2 from 10:00am - 5:00pm. Over the holiday break, the staff and volunteers cleaned the store, sorted, tagged, and restocked items. All of our Christmas items will be 75% off.

Next week, we will resume our regular business hours, Thursday - Saturday from

10:00am - 5:00pm.

We look forward to welcoming you back!

Become a Thrift Store Volunteer!

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.

Interested in volunteering?

You can sign up by clicking on this link.

Connect with us:

COVID-19 Pandemic

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.

National Gazette Questions and Answers

Q: How long can a person hold the office of interim president? I have searched "The Rule" and cannot find this topic mentioned.

A: When a president resigns or is no longer able to fulfill his/her presidency, the vice president assumes the role as 'interim president' until an election is held. The election should be held as soon as possible as prescribed in the bylaws under Extraordinary Circumstances.

Preguntas y Respuestas de la

Oficina Nacional

P: ¿Cuánto tiempo puede una persona ocupar el cargo de Presidente Interino? He buscado en "La Regla" y no puedo encontrar este tema mencionado.

R: Cuando un presidente renuncia o ya no puede cumplir con su presidencia, el vicepresidente asume el papel de 'presidente interino' hasta que se celebre una elección. La elección debe realizarse lo antes posible según lo prescrito en los estatutos bajo Circunstancias Extraordinarias.

Call 1.888.317.SVDP

visit www.ssvdp.org

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.