Photos and News

Recent Events

  • September 29, 2012 - 11th Annual University Service Day
  • September 28, 2012 - Lunch & Learn Series: Living the Vincentian Mission
  • September 27, 2012 - Founder's Week Mass: Feast of St. Vincent de Paul. Special Blessing of VMC Cohort 6
  • September 14, 2012 - VMC Opening Session and Welcome Dinner

 

All Events

Wednesday, May 8, 2013:  VMC 6 members participated in a day long heritage trip to Germantown, PA. The trip included visits to four local organizations that serve the poor, disenfranchised and marginalized in Germantown (Face to Face, Inn Dwelling, My Place Germantown and DePaul House). Representatives from each of the local outreach programs shared insights into their programs and their connection to the Vincentian Mission. Additionally, the group toured the  the Miraculous Medal Shrine, a Catholic landmark and place of pilgrimage visited by thousands of people every year.  Before returning to Queens, the VMC participants shared reflection over dinner on the Staten Island campus.  

Monday, April 29, 2013:   VMC 6 members Cait McElroy, Jim Swike, Fran Goldberg, Cathy Dewick, Rose Costales, Sawanee Khongsawatwaja and Steve Neier from the Registrar Office prepared and served a home cooked Italian dinner at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park, NY, a “home away from home” for families of children receiving care at the Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center.  

 Tuesday, April 16, 2013:    VMC 6 members Nicole Bertram-Secor and Jack Flynn coordinated “Game Night” for the residents and staff at Bethany House in Roosevelt, NY. Sharing prizes…and lots of laughter…in this safe, supportive, emergency housing site for women and their dependent children, the VMC members brought out their competitive spirit and Bingo skills for a fun social event.

April 11 and 17, 2013:   Led by Fr. John Kettelberger, C.M., VMC 6 members expanded their knowledge of the Vincentian family as they shared in the stories of Blesseds Rosalie Rendu and Frederic Ozanam. The lasting influence of the strong connection between these two individuals was discussed as modern applications of service and scholarship at St. John’s were highlighted.

 Wednesday, March 27, 2013: VMC 6 members Bob Eschenauer, Laura Bellacicco-Cocchiarella, Jodi Cox, Sawanee Khongawatwaja, Cait McElroy, Vikki Perez-Quinones, and Helene Robinson joined VMC 5 Alumni Frank Jerome and Diana Lopez in preparing and distributing food, coffee, clothing and toiletries to homeless individuals throughout Manhattan that evening.

Thursday, March 21, 2013:  Members of VMC Cohort 6 and VMC Alumni participated in Providence House’s annual “Easter Basket Project,” which provides Easter baskets for mothers and children residing at the Providence House in Brooklyn, NY and MOMMAS House in Wantagh, NY. Both not-for-profit organizations assist women who are homeless or were formerly incarcerated with finding permanent housing, securing employment, completing their education, and providing them with daycare and health services. Adriana Dino (VMC 5) and Pat Minton (VMC 5) coordinated the efforts to collect items for the Easter basket project, along with another VMC alum, Rino Grzinic (VMC 3), who began the tradition. In addition to delicious Easter candy, donations of personal care items, books, school supplies and baby items were carefully organized into festive packages for approximately 160 mothers, children and newborns staying at the two residences.

Visit Providence House and MOMMAS House's websites for more information.  

Thursday, March 14, 2013: Several VMC program participants joined with other St. John’s community members in a Vigil Mass honoring the Feast of St. Louise de Marillac (March 15). Hosted by the Vincentian Community at Murray House and presided on by Rev. Michael Whalen, C.M., this special gathering highlighted a celebration of the Vincentian charism.

Thursday, March 14, 2013: Members of the VMC program, including Rob Cote (VMC 5), Jack Flynn (VMC 6), Rino Grzinic (VMC 3), and Provost Robert Mangione (VMC 2) participated in the annual St. Baldrick’s/Locks of Love event at St. John’s University. Volunteers could participate in one of two ways to help support children with cancer – either shaving their heads as part of a fundraising effort, or donating their hair to help make wigs for childhood cancer patients who have lost their natural hair.

Thursday, March 14, 2013: Past and current members of the VMC program attended the Lunch & Learn Series: St. Louise & St. Vincent – Soul Friends for the Mission, which was hosted by the Vincentian Center for Church & Society. Sr. Margaret John Kelly, D.C. discussed the significant contributions of St. Louise de Marillac and her timeless collaboration with St. Vincent de Paul in their efforts to uphold the rights of the abandoned infants, galley slaves, and the poor in 16th century France.

Monday, March 11, 2013:  VMC 6 members Colleen Greaney and Maciej Siekierski joined VMC 5 Alumna LJ Holmgren and Campus Ministry in preparing, serving and sharing a home cooked dinner with the guests staying at St. Nick’s Men’s Shelter for the homeless. They also learned a quick lesson in the difference between electric and gas stoves, and how fire safety is essential when using either one!

 February 14 and 20, 2013: VMC 6 participated in Spirit of St. Louise reflection session.  Fr. John Kettelberger C.M. provided a deeper understanding of the relationship between St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, and the important role that each of them played in building the legacy left by the Vincentian family.  In Vincent de Paul: Charity's Saint, chapter 4 sheds light on the spiritual development and life of St. Louise de Marillac.

 

Thursday, February 14, 2013:    VMC 6 members Nicole Bertram-Secor, Jack Flynn, Erin McDonough and Jodi Cox served at Bethany House in Roosevelt, NY.  Sharing green homemade cupcakes and creating leprechaun magnets with the children, they celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with residents of this safe, supportive, emergency housing for women and their dependent children. 

 Tuesday, February 12, 2013:   VMC 6 members Nicole Bertram-Secor, Jack Flynn, Liz Arruda, and Jodi Cox served at Bethany House in Roosevelt, NY.  Creating Valentines Day arts and crafts with the children, along with sharing dinner, they connected with residents of this safe, supportive, emergency housing for women and their dependent children. 

Monday, February 4, 2013:  VMC 6 member Sawanee Khongsawatwaja joined Campus Ministry in preparing, serving and sharing a home cooked dinner with the guests staying at St. Nick’s Men’s Shelter for the homeless.

January 16 and 17, 2013:   Building on the foundation providing during the first semester, VMC 6 members delved deeper into the history of the Vincentian family and its connection to Catholicism, using the mosaics in the lower portion of the St. Thomas More Church Narthex.  The primary focus of this workshop centered on the saints of the worldwide Vincentian family, including Vincentian missionaries (Ethiopia and China) and martyrs from the French Revolution.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013:   VMC 6 members Nicole Bertram-Secor, Jack Flynn, and Erin McDonough served at Bethany House, a new service site in Roosevelt, NY.  Creating arts and crafts with the children, they connected with residents of this safe, supportive, emergency housing for women and their dependent children. 

Monday, January 14, 2013:  VMC 6 members Laura Bellacicco-Cocchiarella, Natalie Maio, Cait McElroy, Jim Swike, Patty Voisin and VMC alumni Roberto Alas (VMC 5), Adiana Dino (VMC 5), Linda Miller (VMC 3), Pat Minton (VMC 5), Diana Lopez (VMC 5), and Jennifer Miranda-Velazquez (VMC 5) prepared and served a home cooked Mexican dinner at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park, NY, a “home away from home” for families of children receiving care at the Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center.  

Wednesday, January 9, 2013:   VMC 6 members Fran Goldberg, Rose Costales, Cathy Dewick, Bob Eschenauer, Lina Gilic-Amadio, and VMC 5 Alumni, Frank Jerome and Mirian Cepeda, prepared and distributed food, coffee, clothing and toiletries to homeless individuals throughout Manhattan that evening.  

Friday, January 4, 2013:   VMC Alumni Andre McKenzie (VMC 1), Michelle Kyriakides (VMC 5), and Nerissa Palermo (VMC 2) participated in preparing, packaging and distributing meals for clients of the St. John’s Bread and Life Soup Kitchen in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. 

December 22 and 23, 2012:    Several current and alumni VMC members participated in the Sponsor a Family Program at the St. John’s Bread and Life Soup Kitchen in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Volunteers serve over 2,000 families and bring warm winter gear to over 1,000 individuals through this annual program.

Thursday, December 20, 2012:   VMC 6 members Bob Eschenauer and Helene Robinson and VMC Alumni Nunzia Manuli (VMC 5), Kathy Meehan (VMC 1), Roberto Alas (VMC 5), Stephanie Shaw (VMC 5), Frank Le Veness (VMC 1) and LJ Holmgren (VMC 5)prepared on the Queens campus, and distributed food, coffee, clothing and toiletries to homeless individuals throughout Manhattan that evening.

December 15 and 16, 2012:   Several current and alumni VMC members participated in the Sponsor a Family Program at the St. John’s Bread and Life Soup Kitchen in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Volunteers serve over 2,000 families and bring warm winter gear to over 1,000 individuals through this annual program.

Wednesday, December 5 2012:   Through Understanding Homelessness: A Personal Journey  VMC 6 members connected with one individual’s personal experience with poverty, and his commitment to give back to those who helped him. Formerly homeless in New York City from 1987 – 1990, Mr. Dale Williams has managed the operations of the Midnight Run since 1991, spending the prior year as a part-time worker. Among his many current responsibilities, he now serves as main liaison between the Midnight Run and St. John’s University.

November 20, 2012:   VMC 6 members Nicole Bertram-Secor, and Bob Eschenauer, Jim Swike along with VMC Alumni Dorothy Bukay (VMC 5), Ruth Lovelace (VMC 2), Nunzia Manuli (VMC 5), and Nerissa Palermo (VMC 2) prepared and distributed food, coffee, clothing and toiletries to homeless individuals throughout Manhattan that evening.

Monday, November 19, 2012:   VMC 6 members Maciej Siekierski and Liz Arruda along with VMC Alumni Pat Minton (VMC 5), Althea Brown (VMC 4), LJ Holmgren (VMC 5) Nunzia Manuli (VMC 5) and Frank Jerome (VMC 5) prepared on the Queens campus, and distributed food, coffee, clothing and toiletries to homeless individuals throughout Manhattan that evening. 

November 8 and 14, 2012:   During Spiritual Journaling Reflection Session,  VMC 6 members participated in an interactive and experiential overview of the use of journaling as a tool for reaching a deeper spiritual understanding of the Vincentian reflection experience.

October 11 and 17, 2012: Using Bishop Untener's article How Should We Think About the Poor,  VMC 6 members reflected on the Vincentian tradition of working with the poor, both directly and indirectly, and how that affects their daily lives.

Saturday, September 29, 2012: VMC 6 members joined VMC alumni in participating in the 11th annual university-wide University Service Day. The volunteers served with their teams at various sites throughout the New York City area, including nursing homes, schools, soup kitchens, and non-profit organizations. Read the full story. View the picture gallery.

Friday, September 28, 2012: As part of the Founder's Week festivities and events, VMC 6 members, along with VMC alumni, attended their first Lunch and Learn Series: Living the Vincentian Mission. Fr. John Prager, C.M. presented the core beliefs, virtues and faith that embodied the life of St. Vincent de Paul. The talk was followed by a discussion with the audience about ways in which St. Vincent's example and message of charity can be applied to their daily lives and work at St. John's University.  

Thursday, September 27, 2012: The newest VMC cohort members attended a special commissioning ceremony in St. Thomas More Church. The participants received a special blessing from their colleagues and other members of the university community as they began of their sixteen-month commitment to the Vincentian Mission Certificate Program. 

Friday, September 14, 2012: The Opening Session and Welcome Dinner of the sixth cohort of the Vincentian Mission Certificate (VMC) Program was held on September 14, 2012. The twenty-two new members attended an orientation session to understand the expectations for the next sixteen months as they deepen their understanding of St. John's University's Catholic and Vincentian mission.  After the opening session led by Fr. John Kettelberger and Lucy Pesce, Executive Director for Mission, the newest cohort members were welcomed by VMC alumni from the five previous cohorts, who joined them for dinner and a presentation in the Faculty Club.