Founder’s Week Creates Unity while Celebrated Virtually

Graphic of St. John's students with St. Vincent de Paul
October 1, 2020

Founder’s Week, St. John’s University’s annual celebration of the life and legacy of St. Vincent de Paul, was faced with a daunting challenge this year: crafting virtual programs for events that traditionally revolve around in-person service and interpersonal engagement. 

Thanks to the dedicated staff of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society, Office of University Mission, and Campus Ministry, those challenges were overcome—and the St. John’s community came together, as always, to honor St. Vincent with direct service and a call to action. Despite being physically separated, the community’s collaborative spirit was on full display during a week’s worth of special events and lectures held from September 20 through 27. 

Encompassing the Solemnity of St. Vincent de Paul, this year’s theme for Founder’s Week, “Faithful to the Mission,” featured a unique set of lectures and special events that offered a glimpse into just how St. John’s engages its whole community, even during a worldwide pandemic. 

The Faculty Research Talk, a Founder’s Week staple, was held online and featured a presentation, “The Coronavirus, Vulnerable Communities, and the St. John’s University Mission.” It was given by CDR (Ret.) Harlem J. Gunness, Ph.D., MPH, Associate Professor and Director, Public Health Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Dr. Gunness noted that marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the borough of Queens has the highest number of confirmed cases throughout New York City. Some of Dr. Gunness’s recommendations for combating the virus in these areas include better public health messaging, separating those who are positive and may be living in overcrowded conditions, and examining whether transportation systems or essential workers (such as those handling food products) exacerbate the number of positive cases.

Mirella I. Avalos-Louie, Ed.D., Program Director of Alternative Certifications, Department of Curriculum and InstructionThe School of Education, presented the Administrators and Staff Talk on September 24, “A Call to Action: How am I Faithful to the Mission?” 

“My story has the pandemic on one side and social justice on the other,” observed Dr. Avalos-Louie. “We came to understand very quickly how COVID affected underserved communities disproportionately, and simultaneously how the Black Lives Matter movement had an emotional and traumatic impact on those same communities.” 

Dr. Avalos-Louie said she felt a heightened sense of anxiety and great weight in trying to process both events, something she saw mirrored in those communities. After several weeks of what she described as “sitting on the sidelines,” she realized how she could help: by becoming an agent of change.

She has participated in discussions centered on racism both within and outside the University, “because I need to listen to those who are like me, but I also need to listen to those who are unlike me. I need to reflect on my many roles and ask myself, ‘What must be done?’”

The 19th annual University Service Day was held virtually on September 26; all members of the St. John’s community were invited to perform direct service in their local communities. The Friends of the Poor 5K Walk/Run, benefiting Long Island’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul conferences, could not be held in person so all participants were asked to walk, run, or bike 3.1 miles in their local communities.

Following their effort, participants held Zoom chat sessions discussing the question, “What must be done?” Lisa Kim, Vice President of Service for the St. John’s chapter of the alpha Kappa Delta Phi international sorority, said awareness must be the first step toward combating poverty. “We need more student involvement. Students and young adults today have the ability to leave an impact. If we want to make a difference in the world, we must represent the change we want to see.” 

She added that the Friends of the Poor Walk/Run was a great event to turn virtual. “Although we made sure to social distance, I loved how we all came together to raise awareness for an important cause.”

Founder’s Week concluded with a special concert held on September 27, the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul. It featured the band Gen Verde and celebrated the Vincentian community and the 150th anniversary of St. John’s University. A Mass celebrating the Solemnity of St. Vincent de Paul was held on the same day at St. Thomas More Church and live-streamed on Campus Ministry’s Instagram page.

“At St. Vincent’s death, among his few possessions were the two college degrees that he had earned,” noted Rev. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M., Executive Director, Vincentian Center for Church and Society. “For Vincent, these symbols of his training remained important. He believed in education and its value for the promotion of people. As St. John’s celebrates Founder’s Week during its 150th anniversary year, we can be confident that Vincent would encourage us to continue this important work for the good of the young and the service of the poor.”

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