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2020 Friends of the Poor Walk/Run
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The Council Office has put together suggestions and ideas for you to make this the best Friends of the Poor Walk yet! Any Conference can hold a Walk or tap into an existing Walk by contacting the site's coordinator. When you click on the link below you'll find:
- Ways to enhance your Conference's event
- Bulletin announcements and graphics
- Flyer
- Social Media Suggestions
Additionally, SVdP National has an entire website dedicated to promotion and setup of your FOP Walk. If you'd like to promote your Conference's Walk on SVdP St. Louis's social media, please reach out to Elizabeth Helm at
[email protected]
.
This year's Walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2020. Remember to keep safe social distancing practices in mind when planning your walk.
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July - September 2020 Bulletin Toolkit
The Council Office has expanded on bulletin announcement suggestions for July - September with a complete Bulletin Toolkit.
In it, you’ll find SVdP National Bulletin Announcement Suggestions, Bulletin Announcement Suggestions catered to SVdP St. Louis, Bulletin Graphic Suggestions, Social Media Suggestions, and pictures for social media suggestions.
None of these are a requirement and can always be altered to fit your Conference’s needs. To download a picture or document, simply double click on it and then click the arrow in the top right corner to download to your computer.
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COVID-Related Program Updates
- Ameren will return to regular policies regarding disconnections for nonpayment and assessing late fees on August 3.
- Spire suspended disconnections until July.
- The St. Louis City Sheriff’s Office announced they will resume serving eviction notices on July 7.
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Upcoming Events
Ozanam Orientations
Saturday, July 11, 2020
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Virtual Orientation over Zoom
CLASS FULL!
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Virtual Orientation over Zoom
NEW DATE: Saturday, October 24, 2020,
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sacred Heart Crystal City, 555 Bailey Rd.,
Crystal City, MO 63109
Saturday, January 20, 2021
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Immaculate Conception-Dardenne Prairie,
7701 Highway N,
Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368
For more information about any of these events or to register, please visit our events page
password: Vincent
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Thank You From a Neighbor in Need
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Read the thank you letter below written from a Neighbor in Need who was helped by the Most Sacred Heart Conference in Eureka:
I am writing to you today to tell you how much I appreciate your hand in helping my family with a safe and reliable car. lt means so much more than you could imagine.
I did not become a single mom the traditional way that you would expect. When my sister passed away, she left behind a baby boy who stole my heart. I had absolutely no clue how to be a mom but I jumped
in anyway, with no going back. I made a promise to make sure my son
will forever have a safe, consistent, and stable home.
ln the past, I have always had the help of my mom with the bigger problems in life, such as getting a car. Which is why this time, when my car broke down, I was not aware of how hard it is for people with lower income. I made a lot of phone calls and walked into multiple dealerships with high hopes of walking out with a car. Finally, I realized that there was nothing that I could do and I was officially out of options.
My son (who is 8 now) told me to ask God for help. My first thought was that I couldn't ask God for money because that is selfish. I did anyway because I was desperate. The very next day is when I got the phone call saying that there are people who would like to help. People who didn't even know me. People who didn't just help me get a car.
You made it possible for me to do things I need to do in order to keep the promises that I made 8 years ago. For that, I am very grateful.
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Grow Your SVdP Conference!
We are planning a Council-wide campaign to help invite new members to share the joy of being a Vincentian.
Watch for details coming soon.
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Tidbits from Elizabeth Barbieri
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"The eyes are the window to the soul”. It is a quote we have all heard, from the Bible to William Shakespeare.
I saw a friend at the grocery store the other day and we knew each other instantly even though our faces were covered.
Our eyes.
There is a lot of upset in our world, please nod or say hello to those in your path throughout the day - Vincentian Friendship extends to strangers as well as each other.
Elizabeth M. Barbieri
Board President
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From the Voice of the Poor Committee
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Medicaid Expansion-Our Catholic Responsibility Webinar July 14th 2020 at 6:30pm
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Amendment 2 is on the ballot August 4
th
2020. The amendment would expand Medicaid eligibility in Missouri. Please join the St. Louis Archdiocese Peace and Justice Commission for a panel discussion that will offer the Catholic perspective on the amendment and discuss why both Archbishop Carlson and the Missouri Catholic Conference have endorsed it.
Speakers include Fr William Dotson, Tamara Kenny, Dr Michael Meehan, Dr Jade Jones M.D. and Dr Thomas Harrison M.D.
The webinar will take place over Zoom.
Click the flyer for more information and instructions on how to attend.
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Webinar Replay: The Seven Duties of a Conference President
If you were unable to attend last week’s webinar, you can now watch the recording! Please be sure to download the recommended handouts, as they are all referenced in the presentation.
This session, presented by the Leadership Task Force, is designed for all Conference Presidents, new or experienced, as well as Members who may be considering becoming Conference Presidents.
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Fr. Ron Ramson Pens New Book on Blessed Frederic Ozanam
In lively prose that weaves together Frederic’s actual words from his many letters, Fr. Ron delivers a single narrative in our founder’s “voice.”
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New Formation Resource: Intro to the Society
While social distancing rules still prevent us from having in-person Ozanam Orientations, it is still important to introduce new members to the heritage, traditions, and spirituality of the Society.
The Formation Committee has published a 90-minute “
Introduction to the Society
” that local Formators may present online as a temporary alternative for new members, who will still need to attend Ozanam Orientation once it resumes.
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You Are Who You Hang Out With!
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You are who you hang out with.
Maybe you heard that as a teenager. You knew instinctively that it was true but – darn! The “other crowd” seemed so cool!
As an adult in our world and Church today and as a Vincentian, you’ve discovered the power of this sage piece of advice – and not just for you but for those you hang with. I’m sure you sought out people in your parish who believed as you did – and when they welcomed you in, you became life-long friends. You sought out families who would tell your kids the same things you told them – and you became a faith community within which your family could grow. You sought out people who shared your dream of a lived faith, not unlike the early Church, within which
“the community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.”
(Acts 4:32).
And that led you to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – spiritual companions and friends living the Faith like the early Apostles taught it should be lived. “You are who you hang out with” has never been so cool! And from all of that, so much visible joy!
What’s your responsibility to share that joy with others? Who have you asked to become a part of the “cool crowd?" Don’t we have a responsibility to provide others with the opportunity to share our mission of service to the Poor?” Don’t we want to give others the opportunity to grow in faith, friendship, and joy?
Interestingly enough, the Manual states that
“actively inviting others to join [the Society] is as important as the service rendered to the needy
." [Rule 2.1] In other words, it’s not about bodies. It’s about souls.
John Heithaus
Director of Member Services
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175th Anniversary
As we're nearing closer to our official anniversary date in November, we're going to take a look back at how we've celebrated milestone anniversaries in the past! The Society made a booklet for our 100th Anniversary in 1945 detailing the history of the first meeting and the people who were there.
Click on the picture below to see the booklet.
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St. Nicholas’ St. Vincent de Paul food pantry distributes fans, food and more
Our Cool Breeze Program was featured in the St. Louis Review!
Thanks to all the Vincentians who picked up fans for their Neighbors in Need during hot summer months. And special thank you to Steve Rupp to who organizes the program every year and his grandchildren who volunteer!
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Cool Valley Ribbon Cutting
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On June 23, a limited number of Vincentians, Board members and staff cut the ribbon on the opening of the new SVdP Thrift Outlet in Cool Valley, MO.
Executive Director John Foppe and Assistant Director of Stores Mike Goering gave speeches and Fr. Jim Cormack performed a blessing.
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Updated Store Hours
Store Hours:
Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 8 pm
Dellwood Store Hours:
Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 6 pm
Closed Sundays throughout July
Donation Hours:
Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm
Ballwin Donation Hours:
Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 2 pm
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REQUIESCAT IN PACE
Rest in Peace
Judy Schaffer
Holy Name of Jesus
May the angels lead them into paradise, may the martyrs receive them at their coming and lead them into Jerusalem, the holy city. May the choirs of angels welcome them and, with Lazarus, who was also poor, may they have everlasting peace.
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Please pray for De Jokerst from Ste. Genevieve du Bois.
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
St. Louis | [svdpstlouis.org]
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