February 13, 2025
Eager to become “missionaries of hope” in challenging times, eight St. John’s University students joined the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering from January 25 to 28 in Washington, DC.
The students were accompanied by Alexia Dolamakian, Assistant Director of Social Justice, The Institute for Vincentian Impact. More than 500 students, campus administrators, and Church leaders from across the nation participated in the gathering, whose theme was “Missionaries for Hope, Advocates for Justice.” The four-day session sought to inspire members of the Church to advocate on behalf of the poor and marginalized, whose voices are often not heard in political and social discussions.
“As a Catholic, the way we care for our community is a reflection of our morals,” said Holly Gola ’23C, a graduate assistant pursuing a master’s degree in Criminology and Justice. “Our beliefs and values should guide our actions in the public sphere, ensuring that policies reflect our commitment to human dignity, justice, and the well-being of all.”
Held for the past 40 years, the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering brings together hundreds of Church leaders whose faith inspires them to address domestic and global challenges affecting the most vulnerable citizens. True to its Vincentian heritage, St. John’s regularly sends a delegation of students to learn, pray, and advocate alongside those leaders.
Highlights of this year’s gathering included a Diversity Outreach Initiative designed to strengthen the Church’s ministry to ethnic, cultural, and disabled communities, and a Young Leaders Initiative targeted to college-age students interested in working with national leaders to promote human development on the local or national levels. Ms. Dolamakian served as a committee member organizing the Young Leaders Initiative.
Hope seemed an appropriate theme as many social welfare organizations face budgetary and other challenges, Ms. Dolamakian said.
“Hope is not just a feeling but an agency and a pathway,” she said. “It is energy directed toward a goal and a strategy aimed at achieving it. Hope is building metaphorical bridges with strong foundations between partnering communities or countries. The gathering allowed us to experience hope in changing times.”
The St. John’s delegation engaged in sessions related to environmental stewardship, migration, refugee resettlement, global conflicts, health-care access, and more. More practical topics included ways to make churches more accessible to special-needs parishioners, including those with sensory sensitivities.
“St. Vincent de Paul taught us that true charity goes beyond just giving,” said sophomore Briana Tola, President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul campus chapter. “It is also walking alongside those in need, advocating for justice, and creating systemic change. His legacy reminds us that faith is not passive, but calls us to serve with humility and love. The gathering strengthened my commitment to living out these values.”
“Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who support topics of interest to my peers and myself was so encouraging,” added senior Chiyoko Goya, a member of the University’s Catholic Scholars program. “It inspired me to put even more effort into making changes in my community.”