The Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John's University Center has deep roots in the Catholic Church, and supports the community at large with a number of service and educational programs. It is the site of many academic and cultural events, and the home of the Vincentian Chair of Social Justice, the Institute on Poverty Studies, and the Religion and Science Dialogue. The Center also conducts and disseminates research on topics related to poverty and social justice, and acts as a clearinghouse for gathering, developing and exchanging Vincentian-related information. While many of the Center’s activities link the University to local communities and the Church of Metropolitan New York, its reach extends to numerous national and international projects. For more information, please click here.

Activities
Specifically, the Center’s mission is to:

• Develop Vincentian expertise
• Promote experiences and develop materials that underscore the University’s Vincentian vision and spirit
• House the Vincentian Chair of Social Justice
• Support the Institute for Poverty Studies
• Sponsor the Religion and Science Dialogue
• Develop academic and cultural programs for the University and the outlying community
• Develop curriculum and offer educational programs for Church personnel in areas like management, evangelization, marketing and advocacy
• Encourage and facilitate interdisciplinary research and reflection on Catholic Social Teaching, social justice, poverty, advocacy, and the relationship between science and religion
• Provide facilitation and consulting services to Church organizations

Goals
The Vincentian Center for Church and Society serves as a link between St. John's University, the Church, service organizations and the community at large. The goal is to:

• Encourage rigorous social and theological reflection on issues of mutual concern to the Church and the University
• Facilitate the study of the causes of and the alleviation of poverty
• Promote interdisciplinary research and programs
• Develop curricula and other educational programs in management, evangelization and other subjects to enhance the role of Church personnel and Church organizations
• Organize and sponsor academic and cultural events focused on human values, human rights, and the relationship between science and religion
• Initiate forums, think-tanks, roundtables and conferences to educate and encourage Church, academic and community leaders, and service providers
• Sponsor events directed at public policy analysis and service advocacy; maintain and publish information on University service to the greater community, and facilitate the Service Opportunities Council
• Maintain current inventories of University resource specialists in areas related to poverty, social justice, religion and science, community service advocacy, and other disciplines
• Stimulate interest in and enthusiasm for the Vincentian spirit and tradition within the University
• Produce and distribute materials on Vincentianism, social justice and poverty

The Vincentian Center for Church and Society
Copyright 2000. All Rights Reserved

Please send questions or comments to John Freund, C.M.