Founder's Week Celebrates Faith in Action

The theme of this year's annual Founder's Week celebration explored how St. John's University's core values - love, respect, truth, opportunity and excellence, are enlivened by our faith and how that faith spurs us to search for social justice. Founder's Week was established to coincide with the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25) and it was on this date in 1617 that St. Vincent de Paul gave the first mission at Folleville, France, and conceived of organizing priests to serve the spiritual needs of the poor. In 1625, Vincent formally established the Congregation of the Mission, the sponsors of St. John's University.

All the campuses of St. John's joined in this celebration that included a number of panel discussions, seminars, guest speakers and service opportunities. One of the week's highlights was the annual Vincentian Convocation held January 29. Sr. Evelyne Franc, Superior General of the Daughters of Charity delivered the annual Vincentian Chair of Social Justice Lecture entitled, "Toward a Civilization of Love and Justice."

Each year during the Convocation several men and women who have made significant contributions to their communities are honored. This year's honorees included the Conferral of the Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters upon Sr. Franc and Robert R. Vignola, C.M., the Vincentian Mission Award to David Masur, Head Coach of Men's Soccer, the Caritas Medal to Mother Mary Suzanne Sapa, O. Carm., Carmelite Sisters of the Sick and Infirm, Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home, the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal to Mary Beth O'Brien, President, Ladies of Charity, the St. Vincent de Paul Medal to Eugene B. Smith, National President, Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Presentation of the President's Medal to Pamela Shea-Byrnes, '86SVC, '90G, Associate Vice President, University Ministry and University Events, St. John's University.

When discussing the honorees Sister Margaret John Kelly, D.C., Executive Director of the Vincentian Center, told St. John's Monthly that they all exemplified the week's theme. "All of them have been in the trenches like Vincent was. They walk the talk." She added this year's honorees often wear more than one hat and give important witness to social justice causes as writers, educators and caregivers.

More information about Founder's Week.