May 19, 2009
St.
John’s is one step closer to fulfilling its strategic goal of more
visibly embedding its Catholic and Vincentian mission in all
segments of University life.
This month twenty-seven employees became the second cohort to earn
their Vincentian Mission Certificates (VMC), joining the first
cohort of 57 employees who graduated in 2008. The graduates
represented 19 different areas of the University.
The employees received their certificates on May 11 at a VMC
Graduation Luncheon in Bent Hall on the Queens campus. A third
cohort comprising 14 Staten Island and 25 Queens campus employees
began the program during Founders Week in January.
Perpetuating the Vincentian
Legacy
St. John’s launched the 16-month certificate program in 2007 to
engage employees in direct service to the poor and disadvantaged.
“We wanted to provide a tangible way for them to live out the
mission, enabling them to bring it back to their offices and
families as lay Vincentian leaders.” explained Program Coordinator
Sue Scacalossi.
It combines an educational component, focusing on Catholic social
teachings; a service component involving a minimum of 50 hours of
service, two-thirds of which is direct service; and a reflection
component.
Gifting Face-to-Face
Continuing a precedent set last year by the first class of VMC
graduates, participants again raised funds to help defray expenses
for Face-to-Face, a Germantown, Philadelphia community outreach
organization.
Professor Stephen Rzonca, Institute of Core Studies, presented a
check for $3, 350 to the organization for a Washeteria. The
money will go toward purchasing a washing machine and dryer so
homeless men can take showers and launder their clothes.
Employee-Centered
Program
According to Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M., Executive Vice President
for Mission and Branch Campuses, “the mission doesn’t belong
to any one place or person, it permeates the whole
University.
“VMC graduates are leaven for the University,” he added. “Now, they
begin to live out their deeper appreciation of the mission. They
will influence those they come in contact with and will spread the
word about Vincentian values.”
Bearing Witness
The ceremony began with an opening prayer by Fr. Griffin, who
subsequently handed the certificates to the graduates. In addition
to James P. Pellow, Ed.D., Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, and Julia A. Upton, RSM, Ph.D, members
of the program’s first graduating class also
attended.
“The ceremony was really beautiful,” said Professor Rzonca.
“We were all asked to invite a member of the University to witness
our graduation.” In addition to certificates, graduates also
received St. Vincent de Paul Medals.
Among the many benefits of this learning experience, said Professor
Rzonca, is “being able to gain credence with my students when I
talk to them about doing service for the poor.”
Gaining Authenticity
Lucy Pesce, Associate Director for Leadership, Academic Support
Services, a keynote speaker, concurred. “I applied to the Program
so I could be more authentic in talking to our students about
Vincentian service. These 16 months have put me smack dab in the
middle of truly experiencing the Vincentian mission.” she
said.
“But, what I didn’t expect, was the full range of emotions that
came with performing service for the poor,” she confided. “And I
didn’t expect the warm, nostalgic feelings that came while swapping
childhood stories with guests at the Queensboro SDA Men’s
Shelter.”
“I didn’t expect to feel so connected to employees I had never met
before, with whom I found myself sharing my passion for service,”
she added
Doing What’s in Front of You
Christine Felicetti, Executive Assistant to Dr. Pellow elaborated
on the transformative power of doing direct service. “I’ve seen
that personal growth means realizing the importance of doing what’s
in front of you by meeting needs of the disadvantaged ranging from
the small to the large. This can include a little conversation, a
smile, a laugh or two with a homeless person or tutoring or giving
medical care.”
Christine particularly “cherished” the community-bonding retreat
she and other Program participants took part in at the Vincent and
Louise House in Philadelphia. “We lived and ate together. Some of
us helped build houses, others visited nursing homes and we shared
reflections on our service every evening.”
What’s Next?
“Graduation marked the beginning and not the end of the kinds of
service we will go on to do,” said Professor Rzonca. “I have
decided to become more involved in the Ozanam Scholars Program by
becoming a faculty mentor.”
“We all look forward to future opportunities to serve together as
well as on our own,” said Christine. “This is a unique relationship
that we now have with each other. I am so grateful for my new
friends and would be sad if we didn’t continue to develop this bond
as lay Vincentians.”
Certificate Recipients
Paul Agnello, Alumni
Mary Pat Beirne, Athletic Department
Natalie Bongiorno, University Library
Lori Brandston, Office of the Provost
Camille Cellese, Office of Admissions
Stephen DeBlasio, University Ministry
Anna Donnelly, Special Programs —HEOP
Christine Felicetti, Office of the Executive Vice President
Sr. Annelle Fitzpatrick, CSJ, Bartilucci Center
Sue Ford, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
Diane Hergenrother, Office of the Provost
Fr. Evaristus Igwe, C.M., Vincentian Fathers
Jennifer Lebowitz, Division of Academic Support Services
Ruth Lovelace, St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences
Carmela Napoli, Division of Academic Support Services
Nerissa Palad-Palermo, St. John’s College
Lucy Pesce, Division of Academic Support Services
Barbara Pinnola, St. John’s College
George Richardson, Law School
Eric Rienecker, Division of Academic Support Services
Stephen Rzonca, Institute of Core Studies
Louis Saavedra, Academic Service Learning
Francis Stathis, Reading and Writing Center
Vicky Vagenas, University Library
Risa Yen, Division of Student Affairs
Joan Zanni, Office of the President
Joanne Zissel, Division of Academic Support Services