The San Antonio
VINCENTIAN VOICE
A monthly newsletter for all members of the
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocesan Council of San Antonio
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A Message from Your Servant Leader ...
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Dear Fellow Vincentians,
One of our central cultural values expressed by all National Council Members, yours truly included, is that we are a “One Society.” This value has many characteristics. One of which is that every Vincentian and our other partners have a stake in fulfilling our Mission “A network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships and service to people in need.” This is why we need to be known as the “Society of St Vincent de Paul in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.”
Often times we get caught up in the needs of the Conferences in the San Antonio metropolitan area and forget about our brother and sister Vincentians who serve in the many communities in the other areas of the Archdiocese. In many cases, they serve the entire communities social serve needs. We must always include them in our decisions and address their needs. In many cases, these Conferences give much needed support to our struggling Conference in San Antonio and contribute to the financial needs of our Central Council. So let us give a big “Shout Out” and thanksgiving prayer to them in Floresville, Selma, Schertz, Helotes, Del Rio, Boerne, Fredericksburg, Bandera, Kerrville, Castroville, Converse, Hondo, Macdona, El Carmen, Leon Springs, Natalia, and Dilley. In the near future we hope to extend our Society to many other communities in the 19 counties of the Archdiocese. Your prayers time, and talent will be need in this effort.
In the last issue of Vincentian Voice Newsletter – Issue 5: October 2019, I let you know that Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Thomas Flanagan was nearing the end of his life. He died on October 9, 2019. He was a dear friend of mine and to countless others. He was truly a “people’s priest.” I will miss him and his great counsel in my life.
He was a stalwart leader for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul both in spiritual formation and during many struggles of the past. For over fifty years he was one of the major faces of the Society. In fact, he helped raise funds to complete our construction upgrade for the kitchen at Haven for Hope.
Many Blessings,
Frank Kiolbassa
President
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Conferences United In Hope ...
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WE REMEMBER
AUXILIARY BISHOP EMERITUS THOMAS J. FLANAGAN, DD
October 23. 1930 – October 9. 2019
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Motto: FOR CHRIST WE ARE ALL AMBASSADORS
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Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Thomas J. Flanagan was born on October 23, 1930, in Rathmore, Carbury, County Kildare, Ireland. He was the oldest of eight children of Patrick & Mary McNamara Flanagan.
At the age of twenty-six, Thomas J. Flanagan was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1956, at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Thurles, County Tipperary. He then answered the call from Archbishop Robert E. Lucey to minister in Texas. After Father Flanagan arrival in San Antonio in September 1956, he served as associate pastor at St. Michaels in Weimar, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ganado, and St. Peter Prince of the Apostles in San Antonio. In 1969, he was appointed administrator at St. Agnes, in Edna. In 1972, he became pastor of St. Vincent De Paul Church in San Antonio. He served there until 1985. Next, he was appointed pastor at St. Brigid in San Antonio. And served there for 13 years. In 1979, Father Flanagan graduated from Oblate School of Theology, receiving a Master of Divinity Degree for clergy. On November 29, 1989. he was named Monsignor by Pope John Paul II.
In addition to his parish duties, Father Flanagan was:
- the Spiritual Advisor of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of San Antonio for many years
- a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as Chaplain of local and state units
- liaison to the charismatic prayer groups and director of the Catholic Center for Charismatic Renewal
- served as President of the San Antonio Community of Churches
Within the Archdiocese of San Antonio, he was
- a member of the College of Consultors and an Archdiocesan Consultor
- on the Synod Commission
- director of Priests Eucharistic Movement
- a member and chairman of the Archdiocesan Personnel Board
- director of the Archdiocesan Cemeteries
- on the Board of Assumption Seminary
On January 5, 1998, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio by Pope John Paul II. He was consecrated as Bishop on February 16, 1998 by Archbishop Patrick F. Flores. Bishop Flanagan served as Auxiliary Bishop until he reached the age of 75, the mandatory age of retirement for Bishops. He retired on December 15, 2005, when his resignation was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI.
Bishop Flanagan remained active in ministry. In 2008, Father Flanagan was honored as a distinguished alumnus. Then, on September 11, 2009, he was invested as an Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate during a Mass at Oblate’s Immaculate Conception Chapel.
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Thomas J. Flanagan, DD died at 5:30 AM Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at the age of 89 years after a long illness. He was much loved and cherished by so many and will be truly missed by the members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
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Memories from Mary (Peggy) Armstrong
Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Past Executive Director 1988-2004
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I first met Fr. Flanagan in 1972, when he became Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church. He was a wonderful Pastor. He was kindhearted, good-humored, and very spiritual.
Fr. Tom comforted my family when our five-year-old son contracted leukemia in 1974. In September of 1975, when our son knew he was dying and he wanted to make his First Holy Communion, Fr. Flanagan agreed that he should. At the Consecration he had our son come up to the altar so he could see what was happening. Then when it came time, Gregory made his First Communion. Gregory died a month later. Fr. Flanagan was there to preside over the Rite of Christian Burial. Again, Fr. Tom was there a little later when our newborn son Jason was Baptized.
In 1976, Fr. Tom encouraged me to go speak with JoAnn Bemrich, the then Executive Director of the SVDP Archdiocesan Council. I became a member of the Conference at St. Vincent de Paul Parish and formed a new Conference as the first Young Vincentian Conference in the United States. Fr. Tom enthusiastically encouraged us in our puppet, clown, acting and mime ministry and allowed our ministry to be integrated into liturgical celebrations on Palm Sunday and Good Friday.
When I became the Executive Director in 1988, Fr. Tom was always available to support me and give good advice on how to best serve the SVDP Board of Directors, our needy brothers and sisters and to help find common ground when the SVDP Board members could not agree on actions that needed to be taken.
In his role as the Spiritual Advisor, he also made spiritual presentations at training classes for the membership of the SVDP. He gave great and inspiring presentations filled with anecdotes of his work with the SVDP Conference at St. Peter Prince Parish. He talked about getting calls from members in the middle of the night and going with the member(s) to go see people who needed help. He even went to the jail with a member to get the individual out. I know of no one in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, who knew more about St. Vincent de Paul, Blessed Frederic Ozanam and the history of the Society.
Auxiliary Bishop Flanagan was kind, compassionate, understanding, wise, humble, very spiritual and respected by so many. He was my good and faithful friend.
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Memories from Sara Lozano
Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Past Assistant Executive Director
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When I think of the priesthood, I think of a man that brings so much honor to the vocation. That man and priest who is honorable and good. My image of that goodness is Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Thomas Joseph Flanagan. I first met him when he was Father Tom at St. Vincent de Paul Church. I will tell you that this was the priest that kept me Catholic. When I met Farther Tom, I was having a terrible time struggling with a personal life-threatening decision. Father Tom listened to me and brought so much comfort to me. He helped me understand that God loved me as His child, that He only expected us as humans to live our lives the best way we can.
Over the years, anytime I struggle with difficult decisions, I remember the love of God that Father Tom showed me. It is this love and faith, that has brought me through the many life-threatening health issues in my life.
I truly feel that if God had not placed Father Tom in St. Vincent de Paul Church on that day many years ago when I was seeking counseling, I would not be here today.
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Help Alerts (Networking): How Do They Work?
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Networking/help alerts are used when a conference cannot pay the full amount of an individual's financial need so they reach out to other conferences to help them cover the cost of a non-recurring situation to our brother and sisters.
STEPS/Procedure:
- Send an email to your District President with the following details: (1) Description the crisis and of family unit (use initials or case # for confidentiality purposes), (2) amount of money needed, (3) direct contact information of the conference officer handling the case
- District president emails the help alert to other conferences in the district (please confirm with your district president)
- Conferences in that district respond "Reply All" to the email with their pledge amount (the pledges will be sent to your conference if that is what you want, other conferences have asked the Council office to take care of the request and pay CPS for example)
- If additional assistance is needed, the requesting Conference or District President can contact Rosie Abreu to request a help alert to ALL conferences.
Thanks to all the conferences who have helped families in need and have participated in these help alerts!
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- click here to learn more!
For questions please contact Rosie Abreu at (210) 220-2447 or Rosario.Abreu@svdpsa.org
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“U.S. Navy Chaplain’s Mass Kit” Donated to Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
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Dear Vincentian Brothers and Sisters,
I write this on Veterans Day having just returned home from a trip to San Diego, California where it was my privilege to present, on behalf of all of us in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocesan Council of San Antonio, a Vietnam Era “U.S. Navy Chaplain’s Mass Kit” to the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park. This mass kit was issued to Father Walter Ebarb, a U.S. Navy Chaplain, who served with the Marines at Da Nang, Republic of South Vietnam, in 1968-1969. Father Ebarb’s navy career spanned 20 years, entering the service from the Diocese of Shreveport, Louisiana, returning there, and ultimately retiring in San Antonio where he was Pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish and later a substitute priest at the Sunday masses in many of our parishes. When he passed away in 2017 many of the furnishings of his home, including this mass kit, were donated to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
It was very appropriate to donate this mass kit to the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park. The museum is housed in the former U.S. Navy chapel which served the U.S. Navy hospital in San Diego. Its exhibits are wide-ranging and almost entirely dedicated to the Vietnam Era. Navy and Marine Corps memorabilia are featured throughout. The mass kit contains all of the items necessary for a Catholic chaplain to say mass in the field including, for us “old-timers”, a prayer card with the priest’s prayers and server’s responses printed in Latin. The kit also included prayers for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, and I can only imagine Chaplain Ebarb comforting wounded Marines with this sacrament in the Da Nang field hospital.
Veterans Day is also a good time for us to be reminded of the veterans and their families who are served by our Society here in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Far too many of them come to our pantries and we also meet them when serving in the bistro at Haven for Hope. Let’s make a special effort to remember them in our prayers this month. Also, a big “Thank You” to the veterans who are members of our Vincentian Family. Your service continues…
Blessings,
Ed Huth, Treasurer
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Generous Handmade Gifts Given to St Matthews!
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Last month, friends from the Mitzvah Menches Senior Group at the Jewish Community Center created handmade baby blankets and caps & donated them to St. Matthews SVdP!
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Celebrates
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Conference held their President Election on Monday Sept. 16, 2019 during their normal monthly meeting. A secret ballot vote was taken and the results were all eleven votes counted voted for Mr. Juan D. Garza to continue as President for the conference.
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The following members were elected or approved effective Oct. 1st 2019 for a three year term:
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PRESIDENT: Juan D. Garza
- cell: 210-837-6517
- home: 210-621-0156
- email: jdgarza1939@att.net
VICE PRESIDENT: Lupita Hunt
2ND VICE PRESIDENT: Leo Molina
SECRETARY: Gloria Molina
TREASURER: Elda M. Garza
- cell: 210-837-6518
- email: garzaelda@att.net
SPIRITUAL ADVISOR: None has been selected but the members agreed that each one will take turns in the duties of the Spiritual Advisor at each meeting.
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Society News and Community Notes ...
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Reminder! Due Date! Change of Email!
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Newsletter article submissions are due on the
5th
of every Month
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submissions should be received at
newsletter@svdpsa.org
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Christ the King Church Annual Christmas Bazaar
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Saturday December 7th 9am-3pm
Location:
2610 Perez St. 78207 in the church hall
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Christ the King is looking for vendors to sell Holiday Arts & Crafts, jewelry, Avon, Tupperware, Tamales, and more!
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Only $25 per vendor space (tax included)
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Come and get a head-start on your Holiday shopping!
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Contact the office 210-433-6301 or Christina Gomez 210-300-6505 to sign up
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BE AWARE! FRAUD IS EVERYWHERE!
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November Fraud Tips, One, Two, Three.
1.) Do Not Give a Check to a Brother or Sister in Need
2.) Keep Checks Locked Up and Limit Access
3.) Reconcile Both Your Bank Account and Your Checking Account Monthly
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Giving Tuesday,
December 3rd, 2019
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
shopping - music - art
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Loca
tion:
6547 San Pedro Ave San Antonio, Texas 78216
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Get a head start on Christmas gift shopping on
December 3
rd
! Gramercy Gift Gallery has pledged to donate a part of its proceeds made on
December 3
rd
(Giving Tuesday) to the Society of St Vincent de Paul!
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Let’s talk about what’s free and satisfying about fall… We get to see all the leaves change... we can try warm and tasty samples at the grocery store… And the Society of St Vincent de Paul can bring you the sounds of a free pick-up of a car you don’t use anymore. Fall into the spirit of giving by donating your car to the Society of St Vincent de Paul!
or Call 800-322-8284
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SVdP Partners with Amazon Smile
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If you're looking for a simple, automatic way to continue supporting your the Society of St. Vincent de Paul San Antonio during the Christmas season, you should start your Amazon shopping
smile.amazon.com
. You shop as you normally would on the site, at no extra cost to you, and you don't need to make a separate account.
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By joining Amazon Smile, you help support the following programs:
- St Vinnys Bistro
- Family and Community Assistance
- Vincentian Development and Support Program
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Once you log into your Amazon account, go to “Your Amazon AmazonSmile” & click on the “change charity” button to start helping SVdP!
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Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Honored Recipient of the
San Antonio Change The Way we Give Campaign
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Did you know that you can use your IRA to fund charitable giving to the Society of St Vincent de Paul? Individuals age 70 1/2 or older are authorized to make tax-free distributions from their IRAs to qualified charities like The Society of St Vincent de Paul. While these Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are not tax deductible, they are also not included in the donor's taxable income. These distributions can also count toward the donor's Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for 2019. For more information, contact your IRA administrator or tax adviser.
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Introducing New SAWS Assistance Programs
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Our Brothers and Sisters can apply for SAWS Uplift – Affordability Programs, which includes Project Agua (payment assistance) at
saws.org/uplift
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Those we serve no longer have to go to Willie Velasquez Community Center for payment assistance, plumbers to people, and laterals to people.
This is a soft launch of SAWS initiative (now – December). The process is 14 days to process, but it is shorter than that. It is typically processed within 24 hours or less. In 2020 (February or so), the process will go from 30 days to less than 5 minutes.
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San Antonio College Empowerment Center (SACEC) offering
2
FREE
GED classes.
SACEC offers one class in the Fall (August) and one class in the Spring (January).
Their classes are Monday through Thursday 8am to 2pm for 16 weeks.They are currently assessing students for their Spring GED class.
1st step: participants must attend a GED Information Session; only 1 more session available!
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For more information call: 210-486-0455
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For Conference Support
please contact us at:
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Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder,
Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
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