St. John's News

A team of seven members of St. John’s University’s Vincentian Mission Certificate (VMC) program recently traveled to New Orleans to aid in the ongoing efforts to rebuild the city.  Through New Orleans’ Habitat for Humanity, the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) and Hope for Stanley Foundation, the group volunteered their services to build new homes and restore damaged recreational facilities in the local community. They also toured the Lower Ninth Ward, the area most affected by the catastrophic flooding following Hurricane Katrina. 

The volunteer group included: Mary Pat Beirne (Athletics); Christine Felicetti (Office of the Executive Vice President); Vice President Andre McKenzie, Ed.D. (Academic Support Services); Kathy Meehan (Athletics); Patricia O’Keefe, Lucy Pesce (Leadership/Special Events), and Joan Vivian (Human Resources). Associate Vice President Nancy S. Kaplan, Ed.D. (Academic Support Services), NCAS Northeast Region Chair and member of the VMC, organized the team from St. John’s.

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Richard Lapchick, Ph.D. (’67 C, ’01 HON), St. John’s alumnus and son of famed St. John’s basketball coach Joe Lapchick, spearheaded the service project through his leadership of NCAS and his commitment to the Hope for Stanley Foundation. 

“This was my fifteenth week of service in New Orleans since December 2006,” Dr. Lapchick notes. “None made me more proud than to work shoulder-to-shoulder with such a strong team from St. John’s. It increased my pride as an alumnus to see the Vincentian commitment to service in action.”

NCAS describes itself as “a national organization of colleges, universities, and administrators whose mission is to create a better society by focusing on educational attainment and using the power and appeal of sport to positively affect social change.” Its Hope for Stanley Foundation was created in honor of Stanley Stewart, an inspiring and faith-filled New Orleans resident whose family survived the hurricane despite the near destruction of their home. Dr. Lapchick and Mr. Stewart met in December 2006, and have developed a mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s commitment to rebuilding New Orleans. The Foundation serves to create opportunities for people in sports to help rebuild and revive the city.

Nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina’s devastating landfall, an incredible need still exists for volunteers to help revitalize the city. At the reflection sharing that occurred at the end of each day of service, the volunteers often spoke of the sadness and frustration that they felt, witnessing first-hand how much of New Orleans had been “forgotten” by the mainstream media.  Although Bourbon Street and the French Quarter appear alive and flourishing again, much of the Lower Ninth Ward remains untouched since the storm hit – and the levees broke – on August 29, 2005. However, the theme of hope and inspiration was also clearly evident in these reflections, as the volunteers experienced the energy, passion and resilience of the residents of “The Big Easy,” a city known for its celebrations and ability to survive hardship.

Mary Pat Beirne, Assistant Director of Athletic Development, reflected that “the trip truly awakened my spirit. I think our group accomplished a great deal, and it was fun to see the rugged side of our colleagues!” Christine Felicetti shared, “I am humbled, honored, and blessed to have served by your sides and shared our very special experience in New Orleans this week. It was a wonderful trip in so many ways.”

Patricia Finnegan, a Springfield, NJ volunteer who served with the group in New Orleans, commented on her impressions of the team. “It seems to me that the University has done a great job in instilling a higher purpose in all of your lives. I am very impressed by the amount of service work you have all done and the tremendous amount of Faith you all have. If the University has succeeded in doing this for its employees, I can only imagine what a great experience it is for its students.”

The volunteers are among approximately 90 St. John’s faculty, staff and administrators  participating in the VMC. This program provides them with professional and personal development that enriches their lives and prepares them to be role models on campus and in the surrounding community. It also helps to empower them to live out and reflect upon the Vincentian mission and prepares participants to emerge as mission leaders who carry on St. Vincent’s legacy by inspiring others into action.

Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M., Executive Vice President for Mission and Branch Campuses at St. John's, noted: "The VMC program offers another sign that the mission at St. John's is not limited to the gates of our campus, or the borders of our city, or the young men and women who come here to study. It is meant to be embraced by all in the campus community and the learning takes place in the streets as well as in the classrooms. Those who participate in programs like this in New Orleans bring the mission forth with them and come back more deeply committed. They are a blessing for us."

In order to be considered for the program, one must have participated in a Vincentian Mission Orientation or the Vincentian Leadership Program, have a minimum of one year, full-time, active employment with the University, and satisfactory work performance.

For more information on the VMC, the NCAS Hope for Stanley Foundation, or additional opportunities to help rebuild New Orleans, please contact:

Vincentian Mission Certificate Program
Sue Scacalossi
(718) 990-3004

NCAS Hope for Stanley Foundation
Dr. Nancy S. Kaplan
(718) 990-1893

Service Projects in New Orleans
Campus Ministry, Queens Campus
(718) 990-6255

Campus Ministry, Staten Island Campus
(718) 390-4475

Campus Ministry, Manhattan Campus
(212) 277-5129

Mary Pelkowski, Director of Leadership Development
(718) 990-1420