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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Bremerton, WA
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Our Lady Star of the Sea Conference
SVDP CONFERENCE OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA
REFLECTION – OCTOBTER 2020
“May we always try to listen not only with our ears, but with our hearts.”
-Jocelyn Soriano-
Last month’s reflection centered on the Vincentian model of Servant Leadership, noting that two characteristics of Vincentian leadership are Listening and Empathy. What exactly are the skills encompassed in these characteristics?
Empathy is the ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes. You try to view the world from that person’s perspective and understand their motivations and feelings. The Vincentian servant leader stives to understand others, accepting and recognizing their special and unique spirits and gifts. We strive for keen judgement to balance the needs of each individual with the needs of our organization and those we exist to serve. We ask for courage to lead with wise empathy, mirroring God’s compassion.
Closely tied to empathy is the art of active listening. Collectively and individually, we strive to cultivate a deep commitment to listening intently to others. It requires us to be more present, attentive, engaged, open and flexible. Listening with the intent to not just hear, but understand. As Vincentians, we ask for the Spirit to shape our thoughts and to speak words from the Spirit.
There is a more personal and spiritual question related to being a good listener:
Am I listening? God is calling me…..Am I listening? Do I have the courage to respond?
There are times in our lives when we are overwhelmed and busy. When we do not take enough time to be with God in prayer and solitude to listen to the call. There are other times when we are afraid to accept God’s calling. We are afraid of taking that risk or we have people who doubt us, and we may even doubt ourselves. And yet God keeps calling us. We pray for the openness, the humility, and the courage to answer the call of God in spite of these fears and doubts, to let God’s glory work through us especially during these turbulent times of pandemic, racial strife and an election season.
God is calling me….Am I listening? Do I have the courage to respond?
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Teach me to listen, O God. To those nearest me, My family, my friends, my co-workers, Help me to be aware that no matter what words I hear, The message is “Accept the person I am. Listen to me.” Teach me to listen, my caring God, to those far from me – The whisper of the hopeless, the plea of the forgotten, the cry of the anguished. Teach me to listen, O God, to myself. Help me to be less afraid To trust the voice inside – In the deepest part of me. Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit, For your voice – In busyness and in boredom, In certainty and in doubt, In noise and in silence. Teach me, Lord, to listen. Amen
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Lin Krell
President, Conference of Our Lady Star of the Sea
In the month of September we were ever so thankful for God’s provision. We have a new truck for our Assistance Office! See Richard below; he is all smiles as he checks out his new vehicle. We are continuously amazed at the miracles and blessings that meet us when we accept God’s calling. We are men and women of action here at St. Vincent de Paul and I am humbled each and every day as St. Vincent de Paul’s Executive Director to be working beside staff and volunteers with such big hearts.
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(Richard excited about the new rig!)
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(New service cooler for our Food Bank)
We also have new refrigerators and freezers to help enhance our food distribution workflows. They have also increased our capacity to serve. It is said that there is no form of charity that is foreign to St. Vincent de Paul. From experience, I can also attest that there is no limit to God’s capacity to serve through us when we step out in faith within the protection of His calling.
We were honored to have the League of Women Voters in our Assistance Office in September, helping our community get registered to vote!
(Voter registration booth)
We are still providing masks to everyone who enters our doors and we have been distributing 2 more masks to each person from low income households through the Kitsap County Housing and Homelessness Division.
We are especially thankful for our volunteers that give so graciously of their time to serve those who are in need here in our community. I want to give a shout out to the U.S. Navy volunteers as I have been noticing more and more volunteers coming to help us from our local units such as the Naval Shipyard, Naval Hospital, and Bangor; we appreciate you!
Come shop with us! We always have amazing sales and come check out our new everyday low prices. Our seasonal and holiday area is fully stocked with your next Halloween costume, special Thanksgiving & Christmas dishes, and other beautiful holiday decorations! Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stvincentdepaulbremerton/.
Joseph Crain
Executive Director
St. Vincent de Paul, Bremerton
DONATIONS NEEDED
Although St. Vincent's in Bremerton has needed to modify it's operations to comply with safe hygiene practices during the Corona Virus outbreak, we still have the ability to provide assistance through our Conference Office and Women's Shelter. Many in our community are seeking assistance for their basic needs and are hopeful that St. Vincent's will be able to help them during this very difficult time. Please consider donating through this website and with your prayers we will be able to continue our mission of serving those in (great) need.
Please pray for our volunteers and employees who are continuing the work to provide for those we serve in our community. And of course, pray for those who are in need. May this be a time of spiritual discernment when people turn to the Lord and give their lives to Him.
Starting in February 2020
All Active Duty or Retired Military will receive a 20% discount at our
Thrift Store & Furniture Annex
Monday through Saturday as a Special Thank You for your Service.
Must show ID.
This offer will resume when the Thrift Store Re-opens
SVdP Thrift Store - See Us on FACEBOOK
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO EAST BREMERTON ROTARY CLUB FOR THEIR FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE BIRKENFELD STELLA-MARIS WOMEN'S SHELTER
A Short Video on the Work of St. Vincent's
CLICK HERE for more information from the SVdP National Website
Find Us Here
Cash donations can be made here. Thank you.
If you prefer, you may specify where you would like your donation to go when filling out the dontation form. please specify in the note area: Conference General Fund, Assistance Office, Women's Shelter, Thrift Store or for specific needs (rental, utility, funeral expenses, etc.) Thank You!
Thrift Store
Stella Maris Shelter
Friends of Stella Maris
Birkenfeld - Stella Maris Women's Shelter
Current Needs
The Birkenfeld-Stella Maris needs diapers sizes 4, 5 & 6. If you would like to donate, please bring diapers to the Assistance Office at 1137 N. Callow Ave.
For general information about The Birkenfeld-Stella Maris Shelter, please email Felicia@svdpaul.org
Contact the Housing Solutions Center at (360) 473-2035 for more information about bed availability.
Thrift Store Donations Click here to see Current Donation Information
Thrift Store
Current Needs
The Thrift Store needs volunteers! Click here to see our monthly calendar and available Volunteer positions, or call the Thrift Store and talk to Melinda or Debra at (360) 377-2929, extension #3. Volunteering is a great way to “Help Us Help Others”.
Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Website
Holy Trinity Parish Website
