Celebrate Vincentian Heritage Week at NU

Vincentian Heritage Week, an annual celebration of Niagara University's history of education and service in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul, will take place Sept. 27 to Oct. 3.

Also known as Founder's Week, Vincentian Heritage Week features activities that pay homage to St. Vincent de Paul, a 17th century Catholic priest who inspired and organized his contemporaries to serve the poor and oppressed, and established the Vincentian Community of Fathers and Brothers. This year, the Vincentian Community marks the 350th anniversary of the deaths of St. Vincent and St. Louise de Marillac, the patroness of Christian social workers who co-founded the Daughters of Charity with St. Vincent.

Vincentian Heritage Week events include:

Saturday, Sept. 25

NU faculty and staff, along with members of the freshmen class, will perform a Day of Service, spending the morning cleaning waterways, planting trees and stenciling storm drains with workers from LaSalle PRIDE, the Niagara Beautification Commission and the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper.

Monday, Sept. 27

From 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., the Chameleon's Coat Christian band will perform "noon tunes" in the lower level of the Gallagher Center. A St. Vincent look-alike contest will take place, with Niagara students and employees donning 17th century garb in hopes winning the largest audience approval.

Tuesday, Sept. 28

A votive Mass for the Feast of St. Vincent will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m. in the upper level of the Gallagher Center.

Wednesday, Sept. 29

A game of Vincentian Jeopardy! will be hosted by Peter "Alex" Butera, chair of the university's psychology department, at noon in the Gallagher Center.

Thursday, Sept. 30

NU's annual Vincentian Heritage Convocation will begin at 4 p.m. in Alumni Chapel. Honorees include Robert and Connie Dwyer (President's Medal), the Rev. Vincent O'Malley, C.M. (President's Medal), Vincent Agnello (Vincentian Mission Award), Paul McManus (Niagara Legacy Alumni of Distinction Award), and Sister Mary Fran Martin, D.C. (honorary degree).

Friday, Oct. 1

A poverty simulation workshop, organized by Dr. Kevin Blair, associate professor of social work, will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. on the fourth floor of St. Vincent's Hall.

Saturday, Oct. 2

EAGLE, a leadership development program at Niagara, is sponsoring "Lead Niagara," a forum that aims to take the university to higher levels of excellence by fostering collaboration amongst the community. Students and alumni are invited to a networking opportunity from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Under the Taps in the Gallagher Center. For registration, contact Mitchell Alegre at [email protected].

Sunday, Oct. 3

Masses in honor of Sts. Vincent and Louise are slated for 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. in the Alumni Chapel.

For more information, contact Al Oddo, mission director, at 286-8158 or [email protected].