Sep 23, 2019
Two students from the St. John’s student chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society attended the society’s National Assembly in Denver, CO, from August 28 to September 1.
Kyle Burnell, who plans to graduate in 2021 with a B.S. degree in Adolescent Education from The School of Education, and Sean Montafort, a member of the Class of 2021 working toward a B.S. degree in Biology from St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, copresented with the leadership of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Long Island. Their presentation focused on the work of the St. John’s student chapter, which includes more than 120 members on both the Queens and Staten Island, NY, campuses. In partnership with the Long Island chapter, the St. John’s chapter offers opportunities for the larger campus community to learn about various issues affecting the poor and immigrant populations.
“Being able to attend the 2019 Society of St. Vincent de Paul National Assembly was an experience Sean and I will always remember,” said Kyle. “We were proud to represent our Vincentian University among 800 other members who are just as passionate.”
The theme of the national conference was “Vincentians Moving Mountains.” The St. John’s students also participated in workshops to learn more about the work of the Vincentian charism across the country.
They also served local immigrants and those facing severe poverty. “We were grateful that we could lend a few helping hands,” said Sean. “We were also blessed to bond with the other conference attendees under the common spirit of friendship and service—as dictated in the ‘Vincentian way.’”
The St. John’s chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is the first college chapter in the United States. To learn more, contact the moderator of the St. John’s St. Vincent de Paul chapter, Sr. Patricia Evanick, D.C., Campus Minister for Leadership and Catholic Formation, at [email protected] or 718-990-6115.