Vincentian Community News
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Let us take some time to pray for all those discerning their vocations as holy priests, deacons and consecrated men and women.
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32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
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Gospel Reading: (Matthew 25:1-13)
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five of them were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps…. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”… The foolish ones said to the wise, ’Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. ’But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him… Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Vincentian Reflection:
Our readiness for the Bridegroom is something for which we prepare during our entire lives. The gospel suggests that our waiting and watching must also include seeking. We must go out to meet Christ. Waiting and keeping vigil without seeking for the Bridegroom might be metaphors for living our daily lives without paying attention to the times when God breaks in upon us. It might be closing our eyes to the need of another. It might be keeping ourselves so frenetic with activity that we never take time to look seriously at ourselves, the priorities of our lives, and how we are (or are not) growing spiritually. Seeking while waiting for the Bridegroom prepares us for his coming by helping us to see all the little decisions in our everyday lives as directly related to our being ready, the door being open, and our going into the feast.
(Living Liturgy, p.272)
Vincentian Mediation:
For Vincent, true holiness meant that all of his decisions, plans, struggles, and actions had to revolve around the person of Jesus Christ. His own relationship with Jesus Christ developed in three stages. During his boyhood, his parents passed on their convictions about Jesus. Vincent believed, but not enough to move mountains. The second stage occurred in his twenties. A string of personal defeats and some sound spiritual direction caused Vincent to look deeply into himself. In what was known only to Vincent and God, Vincent’s encounter with Jesus moved him to rearrange the map of his life. Finally, as he became more involved in ministering to the poor, Vincent discovered Jesus Christ in the faces of these humble souls. Vincent’s life then revolved around the person of Jesus, whom he encountered in the poor, sick and homeless people.
(McKenna, Praying with Vincent, p.41-42)
How have you been seeking Jesus in your life’s journey?
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Introduction for a New Member
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The Introduction for New Member meeting will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the present need to isolate and social distance, it is not possible to hold our regular Ozanam Orientation sessions.
The National Office has provided us with a presentation that can be used for new members until we can all meet together again in Ozanam Orientation. This is an alternative (not a replacement for) Ozanam Orientation.
New Members are still expected to attend Ozanam Orientation whenever in-person meetings resume. Until then, this will satisfy the need for new Conference members to attend Ozanam Orientation before going on home visits.
Please use this link to register in advance of this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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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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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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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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During this COVID-19 pandemic, health, state, and local officials are urging people to take the necessary steps to stay safe. To slow the spread of the virus, wear your face covering and practice social distancing.
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November 14, 2020
Introduction for a New Member
9:00am - 11:00pm
#IGiveCatholic
December 1, 2020
Save the Date!
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q: There are a few Conferences and some Councils that run Special Works. Most, but not all, are stores. There seems to be a lack of understanding concerning the proper roles and responsibilities between those Special Works and the Conference or Council that owns or operates them. For example, sometimes a store committee believes it has complete autonomy to make every decision without input from or oversight by the Conference or Council. Can you clarify how this relationship should work?
A: A Special Work is a SVdP service, program, or thrift store owned and governed by a Council or Conference and operated by members and/or paid staff. It is not self-governed, and any decision must be made with oversight and approval by its owner, either a Conference or Council. A Special Work is devoted to a special location and people resources all year around; otherwise, it is considered a project. The relationship between a Council/Conference and its Special Works should exist with the understanding that any Special Work of the Society must ultimately be under the governance of a Council or a Conference.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P: Hay algunas Conferencias y algunos Consejos que hacen Obras Especiales. La mayoría, pero no todas, son tiendas. Parece haber una falta de comprensión con respecto a las funciones y responsabilidades adecuadas entre esas Obras Especiales y la Conferencia o Consejo que las posee u opera. Por ejemplo, a veces un comité de tienda cree que tiene autonomía total para tomar todas las decisiones sin la participación o la supervisión de la Conferencia o el Consejo. ¿Puede aclarar cómo debería funcionar esta relación?
R: Una Obra Especial es un servicio, programa o tienda de segunda mano de SVdP que pertenece y es gobernado por un Consejo o Conferencia y es operado por miembros y/o empleados remunerados. No se autogobierna y cualquier decisión debe tomarse con la supervisión y aprobación de su propietario, ya sea una Conferencia o un Consejo. Una Obra Especial se dedica a una ubicación especial y recursos humanos durante todo el año, o se considera un proyecto. La relación entre un Consejo o Conferencia y sus Obras Especiales debe existir en el entendimiento de que cualquier Obra Especial de la Sociedad debe estar, en última instancia, bajo el gobierno de un Consejo o Conferencia.
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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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