NYC Gazette

Honorees at this year’s Vincentian Convocation were individuals and organizations who answered the thematic question posed during St. John’s University’s annual Founder’s Week celebration, “What Must be Done?”

The Convocation, held on September 26 at St. Thomas More Church on the Queens, NY campus, is the capstone celebration for Founder’s Week. It is a meaningful time at St. John’s as the University community focuses on the life and legacy of St. Vincent de Paul, the founder of the Congregation of the Mission, culminating in his feast day on September 27.

In his welcoming remarks, Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s, told the gathering that in bestowing awards, the University confers honor upon these individuals and organizations.

“It’s important for us to do what we do because when a community bestows honor, it expresses its most important values. It holds them up. It clarifies them. It celebrates them—and it gives them human form in the lives of the individuals that we congratulate today.”

He added, “It’s also a form of inspiration because we hope that one of the results of this ceremony today is that when you hear the incredible lives of the people that we honor, we will all be inspired to embrace more deeply our own vocations to the Vincentian mission of St. John’s.”

Fr. Shanley concluded by saying the ceremony was also a form of gratitude: “To the people that we honor today, we thank them as we honor them for what they have done for the Church and for our world.”

Rev. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M., Executive Director of Vincentian Center for Church and Society noted that Founder’s Week theme is often characterized as "the Vincentian question."

“From this starting point,” he said, “Vincent and St. Louise de Marillac began to determine what service they could provide for the most neglected in their world.” He continued by emphasizing how these figures opened their ears and eyes to their contemporaries' needs.

The Convocation fulfills an essential role in celebrating Founder’s Week according to Fr. Griffin: “We highlight individuals and groups who recognized needs and then asked themselves ‘What needs to be done?’ We will hear how that comes true.”

The following awards were presented:

- **Vincentian Mission Award**: Joanne Persico ’93MBA,’09PD - Head Coach Women’s Volleyball at St. John’s University

- **Caritas Medal**: Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens accepted by Richard Slizeski - Senior Vice President Office of Mission

- **St Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal**: Serena Martin - Executive Director New Hour for Women and Children–Long Island

- **St Vincent de Paul Medal**: Dylan Corbett - Executive Director Hope Border Institute

- **Frédéric Ozanam Award**: The Bridge to Life Inc., accepted by Catherine Donohoe - President Bridge Women’s Support Center

- **International Medal**: Famvin Homeless Alliance 13 Houses Project accepted by Mark McGreevy - Chief Executive Depaul International

During his address at Convocation Mr Slizeski delivered "125 Years Faithful Service Catholic Charities Brooklyn Queens" lecture noting through work with poor vulnerable encounter Christ accompany brothers sisters journey faith.

“We have always striven,” he said proudly reflecting common history presence shared with St John's among communities.

Over his 20 years with Catholic Charities Mr Slizeski has seen agency respond creatively strategically community needs become apparent quoting prayer from Saint asking God grant grace see same eyes spirit make prayer see Christ one another.