Vincentian Community News
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"To be involved in the service of Jesus is a sacred trust to which we have been invited."
-St. Vincent de Paul
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COVID-19 RISE Funding Program
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's RISE Funding Program is underway! The funds are to provide immediate services to Austin/Travis County residents impacted by COVID-19.
Individuals are required to call the phone number that corresponds with the first letter of their last name. So far, we have received over 600 calls and our four case managers and volunteers are working hard to assist each neighbor through the intake process.
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Awakening to God’s Providence
By: James Davis
Diocesan Council Spiritual Advisor
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The trials and tribulations of our Thrift Store transition from a trendy spot on South Congress to the Braker Lane location at the Vincentian Family Center (VFC), are well known to the Vincentians of Central Texas. Co-location with the VFC has been a real challenge to the business model that worked so well in SOCO, and the Diocesan Council has been working with a variety of Vincentians throughout the Diocese to reimagine a successful model for this special work. As the Spiritual Advisor for the Diocesan Council, my focus is to support a Vincentian spirituality of discernment and leadership within the group in the context of pressure and conflict among well-meaning and good-hearted Vincentians. I think I took my eyes off the prize. Read
more
.....
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Thrift Store Volunteers Needed!
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The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is in need of volunteers to assist with many tasks including: sorters, organizers, and pricers. More details are below!
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Interested in volunteering?
You can sign up by clicking on this
link
.
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Restoring Justice with F. DeKarlos Blackmon
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This week, F. DeKarlos Blackmon, director of Life, Charity, and Justice for the Diocese of Austin, joins K
atie Prejean McGrady
for Ave Explores: Faith in Action, explaining why people of faith should be concerned with advocating for justice, especially in prison systems and in the ongoing fight against racial inequality. Blackmon also serves as a member of the SSVDP Diocesan Council of Austin Board of Directors. The podcast is available to today. Click on this
link
for more details.
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On behalf of the Diocesan Council of Austin, we hope you have a safe and happy 4th of July. The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store will not be open tomorrow. The Food Pantry will open at its regular time on Saturday from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
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Vincentian Formation Seminar
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All of us who consider ourselves members of the Vincentian Family know the basic stories of St. Vincent and St. Louise and their adventure of loving service in 17
th
Century France. If you are interested in going a bit deeper into the journey of this amazing charism, consider attending a seminar for the purpose of studying, praying and reflecting on the deeper meaning of the Vincentian Charism, and to explore how we can respond more effectively to its challenges in the future.
Presenters are: Father Gregory Gay, CM, Father Patrick Griffin, CM, Father Thomas McKenna, CM, and Sister Marie Poole, DC.
For more details click
here
.
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Unity Prayer for Independence Day
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A Prayer for Unity in Our City on a Hill
Heavenly Father, God of Mercy, and God of Love, I give You thanks and trust in Your Providence. Guide my actions and speech to bring healing. Guide my ears towards the cries of oppressed and disenfranchised. Guide my ways to reflect the diversity of Your creation, so that my example of acceptance and understanding may become a sign of the times.
Give me the grace of courage to speak for, stand with, and walk with those whose skin color, culture, and race are different. As I face racism, empower me to be: an advocate for those suffering; a voice of truth and leadership; one who promotes human dignity for all; and a boundless sign of hope in offering charity and seeking justice.
Lord, as a Vincentian, I answered Your call to do Your will. Set my heart on fire with Your love to serve those suffering racial injustices. Thank You for granting me the grace of love to journey as a passionate, faithful friend with neighbors who “hunger and thirst after justice….”(Matthew 5:6). With Your grace, may my heart and all Vincentians hearts be transformed, beating in unison with all our brothers and sisters, with the fullness of the compassion of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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Feast of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassasti
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Gospel: (Matthew 11:25-30)
Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. …Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.
Vincentian Reflection:
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati was born in 1901 in Italy, and his mother taught him verses from the Gospels. Pier Giorgio was deeply moved by them, and developed an exceptional relationship with God. Indeed God reveals his love to “little ones.” From the time he was twelve until his death at twenty-four Pier Giorgio received Holy Communion daily.
At 17, he joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and committed himself to serving the poor. Pier Giorgio said: “Jesus visits me every morning in Holy Communion. I repay him with my poor means, visiting the poor.” When asked how he could stand the bad odors and dirt of the poor, he answered: “Don’t forget that even if the house you visit is very dirty, there you may find Jesus.” The last months of his life were filled with suffering, he contracted poliomyelitis and became paralyzed. When he died hundreds came to view his body and there was a line of unknown faces who loved this good and generous young man that always had a good smile for everyone.
Pier Giorgio was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 20, 1990.
(Manual for the Society, p.192)
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Cloth Face Coverings: Do's and Don'ts
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Wearing a cloth face covering CORRECTLY can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others. When you go out on essential trips, follow these “do’s”.
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National Gazette Questions and Answers
Q:
Can you give me some examples of how “The Rule” was changed several years ago in regards to more emphasis on spirituality?
A:
In the old Rule and Manual, there were essentially less than a handful of mentions of spirituality. The second chapter in Part I addressed spirituality. The Rule also indicated briefly the need for a Spiritual Advisor. The Conference meeting agenda also included a spiritual reading and discussion. The Manual also had occasional mentions of spirituality.
In the new Rule, Part I has several Articles (2.1 through 2.6) specifically related to spirituality. Part I continues with additional articles spread throughout referencing our relationship to the Church and the Church's social teachings. Part III addresses spirituality in the first four statutes and then liberally throughout the rest of Part III. The Manual devotes essentially the entire second half of the book to spirituality.
Preguntas y Respuestas de la
Oficina Nacional
P:
¿Puede darme algunos ejemplos de cómo se cambió la Regla hace varios años con respecto a un mayor énfasis en la espiritualidad?
R:
En la versión anterior de la Regla y Manual, había pocas menciones de espiritualidad. El segundo capítulo de la Parte I abordó la espiritualidad. La Regla también indicó brevemente la necesidad de un Consejero Espiritual. La agenda de la reunión de la Conferencia también incluyó una lectura espiritual y discusión. El Manual también tenía menciones ocasionales de espiritualidad.
En la nueva Regla, la Parte I tiene varios Artículos (2.1 a 2.6) específicamente relacionados con la espiritualidad. La Parte I continúa con artículos adicionales difundidos a través de referencias a nuestra relación con la Iglesia y las enseñanzas sociales de la Iglesia. La Parte III aborda la espiritualidad en los primeros cuatro estatutos y luego liberalmente en el resto de la Parte III. El Manual dedica la segunda mitad del libro a la espiritualidad.
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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 - 3:00pm
Client Services:
Tuesday - Friday
9:00am - 12:00pm
Food Pantry:
Saturday
9:00am - 12:00pm
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