Although St. Vincent de Paul is probably best known for his work
in helping the poor, he had another mission in life — as “light of
the clergy,” committed to improving the education of priests and
religious. As a Vincentian institution, St. John’s participates in
Vincent’s work of forming the clergy through sponsorship of a Grant
Program for International Sisters and Priests.
Through the program, sisters and priests from around the world
are able to come to St. John’s to undertake master’s-level study in
either education or theology. This initiative is the result of an
intense desire on the part of University President Rev. Donald J.
Harrington, C.M., to offer religious communities an opportunity to
send their members to St. John’s and benefit from all we have to
offer.
The program is co-directed by Joseph V. Daly, C.M., and Tony
Bonaparte, Ph.D. both of whom currently serve as Special Assistants
to the President. Applicants often come from impoverished countries
or those lacking educational resources such as Kenya, Nigeria,
Tanzania, Ghana and Sri Lanka. “This is the only way for
individuals serving in these countries to receive a quality
education,” Fr. Daly explained, adding that since its inception,
the program has become very well known. Currently there are
approximately 70 priests and sisters enrolled through the Grant
Program.
St. John’s offers 50% tuition remission to enrollees who often
require additional funding due to financial circumstances. A number
of those students then receive full grants. Fr. Daly noted that
students must find their own housing and most live in parishes in
either the Brooklyn, New York or Rockville Centre Dioceses where,
in addition to their studies, many teach or serve as chaplains and
assistants in parishes.
Sr. Kim and Sr. St. Theresa of the Lovers of the Holy Cross came
to St. John’s from Vietnam six years ago. Their Order has enjoyed a
special relationship with the Vincentian community for over 30
years. Many of the sisters fled the Communist regime in 1975 with
nothing but the clothes on their backs. Despite being trained as
teachers and nurses, the sisters were forced to take whatever work
was available to help make the order financially viable in the
United States.
Fr. Daly explained that many of their sisters worked at
Vincentian houses throughout the country as kitchen staff. “We sort
of adopted their community and we’re very grateful to them for the
work they did for us.”
The sisters live in Bayside, NY, with the Daughters of Charity
and serve there in Blessed Sacrament Parish where they sing in the
choir, visit the sick and elderly and serve as Extraordinary
Ministers.
“(St. John’s) has given us a great opportunity to come here and
study,” Sr. Kim said. “It’s overwhelming to have this opportunity
and be in such a beautiful, spiritual setting with such a diverse
body of students. We’ve learned so much.” Both sisters plan on
working with children in various educational programs when they
return to Vietnam, as well as helping their fellow sisters learn
English.
Feeling a strong vocation for the priesthood since the age of
12, Fr. Patrick Okafor, a doctoral student from Nigeria has been
studing at St. John’s for the last six years. As an altar server in
his home parish he was inspired by the work of his pastor. After
studies at the minor and major seminaries he was ordained a priest
and his first assignment was managing his bishop’s house.
Recognizing Fr. Patrick’s gifts, his bishop sent Fr. Patrick to
study Educational Administration at St. John’s. He has since
completed his master’s degree and is now working toward his
doctorate while teaching as an Adjunct Instructor in the Department
of Theology. He is grateful for the opportunities afforded him by
St. John’s and feels as though teaching is one way of giving back.
“As you teach, you keep widening your horizons,” he added. “It’s
important that you love what you do,” Fr. Patrick stressed. “It’s a
life to lead, not a job to do.”
While Fr. Patrick found the transition to life in this country
challenging, he was able to establish his place rather quickly. In
addition to teaching at St. John’s, he serves as a chaplain at St.
Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson and celebrates Mass at a
neighboring parish.
“The enlightenment and empowerment I get from St. John’s is
something to write home about,” Fr. Patrick observed. “I am who I
am today because St. John’s has empowered me.” He considers both
Fr. Daly and Dr. Bonaparte mentors and great friends. “I came to
them as a stranger and they welcomed me with open arms.”
“They are very committed to what they are doing and I’m proud of
them.” Fr. Patrick added that when he returns to Nigeria he hopes
that he can be the “conduit” for a relationship between St. John’s
and the Church there. “When I return home, I want to bring the
spirit of St. John’s with me.”
In whatever capacity Fr. Patrick serves, he stressed, “St.
John’s will be there.”
“St. John’s is a Catholic university to its core,” he noted.
“St. John’s welcomes every other religion and that is good for
dialogue. It’s like a garden with many shrubs. St. John’s gives a
lot of people an opportunity to learn, not just those like myself
from other countries, but right here in this country.”
Fr. Daly said his involvement with the program continues to
inspire him. “When I hear about the conditions in students’ home
countries, their difficulties in adjusting and the sacrifices they
have made, it’s obvious how much education means to them. Their
communities have asked them to come to a foreign country. Most
don’t know English. I can’t help but have great respect for them. I
see that they so desperately want to better themselves, their
community and their country. They have energized me.”