TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME August 28, 2016
Gospel: (Luke 14:1,7-14)
Jesus said to them, "When you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Then he said to the host who had invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters, or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
Reflection:
Humility is recognizing that by God's choosing us we are raised up to share in divine riches and bestowed with the great dignity of sharing in God's life. If this is how God relates to us, then this is how the disciple relates to others. As God has bestowed dignity on us, so do we shower others with dignity. If we wish God to invite us to the divine banquet, then we also extend ourselves to all others regardless of social, economic, religious, or cultural status. Before disciples can be hosts to the poor and disadvantaged they must humbly recognize themselves as those who have received a place of honor at God's banquet table. Humility is recognizing that we are gifted, enriched, and nourished by God so that we can then reach out to others in the same way. (Living Liturgy, p.200)
Vincentian Meditation:
"St. Vincent asks his followers to be humble, loving servants of the poor. We know that he gave great importance to humility in all that we do for the poor. He did so because that was his conviction and the fruit of his own meditation on the manner of life lived by Jesus. St. Vincent was also convinced that it was all-important that the poor would feel at ease in our presence. What we do for the poor must come, not only from a loving but also from a humble heart. In a very striking sentence at the end of one of his conferences, St. Vincent shares the conviction that however charitable we may be, if we are not humble, we do not have real charity." (McCullen, Deep Down Things, p. 560)
Discussion: (Share your thoughts after a moment of silence)
How do we live our core value of humility in the spirit of St. Vincent?
Closing Prayer:
O God, through Christ, the merciful Servant, -give us a loving and humble heart. O God, through Christ, the humble Servant, -give us a loving and humble heart. O God, through Christ, the loving Servant, -give us a loving and humble heart. Amen.
Second Annual Back- to- School Event in South San Community!
St. Joseph Honey Creek
The St. Joseph Honey Creek's back to school event was held on Thursday and Friday of this week. They also received funds from through the Harvey Najim Family Foundation and assisted 191 children with supplies! Vincentians were also gifted with shoes (pictured in the white bags) from an additional donor. The community also chipped in with generous clothing donations.
Vinny's on Broady Way
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Notre Dame Kerrville
Vinny's on Broadway Thrift Store, Society of St Vincent de Paul Notre Dame Kerrville Conference celebrated our 15th anniversary Monday, August 15, 2016. The day started with rain and the new roof leaking. Then the fun began! One day only, all clothing in the store was 25¢. We sold about 3000 items. And the store was still full of clothes!
We are a 100% volunteer thrift store. Over the last 15 years, our volunteers have donated over 200,000 hours of their time. During that period, our store proceeds have contributed over $2 million in financial assistance distributed by the Society of St Vincent de Paul Notre Dame Kerrville to our brother and sisters in need. And this was all done one quarter at a time!
We had some interesting customers on the 15th. Six formal gowns went to a high school producing a play. One customer bought 240 items to send to multiple family members in nursing homes. An employee of another thrift store came in 3 times that day collecting clothing to send to her family in Asia. A parent and four children started the day for back to school shopping by coming to us. $40 later, they left supplied!
Two new volunteers were inspired to spend hours with us and many people shopped with us for the first time. The thrift store has provided many blessings to the community.
BASILICA OF THE LITTLE FLOWER
FREE HEALTH FAIR!
1715 N ZARZAMORA, 78201
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2016
8AM-12NOON
All services are provided at no charge- wonderful opportunity for many to get their health taken care of!
Pray for Mrs. Cecilia Ortiz of our Lady of Good Counsel Conference. Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz have been long time donors to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. She has been diagnosed with a terrible illness and has requested our prayers.
Please pray for Arnold and Maria Trevinio, our Vincentians from Prince of Peace, who are both suffering from illnesses at this time.
Please continue prayers for Council Treasurer, Langston Rodge, during his difficult illness.
Please continue praying for Yolanda and Ramiro Ramirez, Angela Angel and Gloria de Luna, all from St. Ann's Conference who are experiencing health issues.
Does your Conference have any news, events, or any other information that you would like to share in the Friday Five? **Please note, that events can be advertised if they ONLY support the SVDP Conference. Any events that are put on by a parish can no longer be advertised.**
If so, please email Rachel Esposito at rachel.esposito@svdpsa.org to be include in the next edition of the Friday Five! All information must be submitted by 3:00 pm on Wednesday. Thank you.
