Vincentian Heritage Week September 21-28, 2025

Vincentian Heritage Week is a Niagara University tradition that educates and celebrates all that makes our university community Vincentian. This year the theme is, “Anchored in Hope.” This subject comes to from the theme of the Jubilee of Hope, 2025, as declared by late Pope Francis. Convinced of God’s providential care, St. Vincent de Paul’s lived in hope. When he drew close to the poor, he entered God’s sphere of unconditional love. His friendship with Jesus Christ grew. As a priest and social innovator, he attended to the signs of hope in his day, focusing on the good waiting to be done. In his life time St. Vincent became a beacon of hope to the poor.

You are I are meant to live in these times. Rooted in a community of people, we signal hope and attend to the signs of hope around us. With Vincent’s inspiration in our hearts, now it’s our hour to shine brightly and for these times. During the week, our Niagara University Community, students, faculty, administrators and staff, will engage with various kinds of initiatives. See them as a means for our wellbeing. I wish to highlight two events, the Vincentian Heritage Convocation and the Mass of St. Vincent de Paul. Everyone is welcome to these events and to experience community in God, around shared Vincentian mission.

During the week, our NU Community, students, faculty, administrators and staff, will engage with various kinds of initiatives to promote peace and justice. Peace making involves an investment in the common good, and the care of and inclusion of everyone. I wish to highlight two events, the Vincentian Heritage Convocation and the Mass of St. Vincent de Paul. Everyone is welcome to these events and to experience community in God, around shared values. Our life here also unites us in prayer and worship, and with the communion of Saints with our patron St. Vincent, and St. Louise de Marillac.

Events and Programs

The theme is, “Anchored in Hope” (Pope Francis, Jubilee of Hope 2025), and the events and programs are as follows,

Sunday, Sept. 21, 7p.m. - 8p.m.

Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours, Alumni Chapel.  This event includes a brief instruction, followed by prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours for the Solemnity of St. Vincent de Paul.

Monday, Sept. 22, 1p.m. - 2p.m. and 5p.m. - 7p.m.

Screening of the film, “Monsieur Vincent,” Glynn Hall 407; NU professors will reflect on Vincent de Paul’s life and discuss the depiction of 17c France, culture, religion and society.

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 4p.m. - 5p.m. 

The Catholic Intellectual Tradition, Lecture by Lisa Williams, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management, Multipurpose Room, MPR, LL Gallagher. The panel will reflect on Niagara University’s appropriation of the tradition in its efforts to build a thriving educative community.

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 11a.m. - 2p.m. 

“Student Takeover,” Lower Level Gallagher Center. Students from the Justice House were given an opportunity to develop this year’s theme by a discussion of relevant issues.

Thursday, Sept. 25, 4:30p.m.

The Vincentian Heritage Convocation will take place in the afternoon at 4:30 p.m., Alumni Chapel in St. Vincent’s Hall. There are four honorees. Live access will be provided by Zoom.

2025 Honorees

• Vincentian Mission Award Presented to Youngsoo Choi, Ph.D. Associate Professor College of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management ǀ Niagara University
• Founders Award Presented to E. Bryan DalPorto, Retired | Superintendent (Chief) of the Niagara Falls, NY Police Department 
• Rev. Thomas A. Judge, C.M. Award Presented to Ava Palo, Senior Political Science | Niagara University 
• Doctor of Pedagogy, Honoris Causa Presented to Rev. Emmet J. Nolan, C.M., D. Min. | Pastor of Parróquia San Vincent de Paul, Soloy, Republic of Panama
• Keynote Speaker 
  Rev. Emmet J Nolan, ’87, D. Min., and Doctor of Pedagogy, Niagara University, ’25

Friday, September 26th

The Mass of the Solemnity of St Vincent de Paul will take place in Alumni Chapel at 12.15 p.m.

Saturday, September 27th

Friends of the Poor Walk, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Grand Island, NY. Contact Amelia Gallagher, Ph.D.

Service and Community Building Opportunities with local agencies in Niagara Falls: Contact Rhonda Bivins-Talley, NU Levesque Institute.

• (a) Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center - Mobile Unit screenings. Volunteers needed 10 a.m. -7 p.m. Sign up based on availability, two or four-hour time slots preferred.
  

• (b) 2025 Wildlife Festival: Contact Mark Gallo, Ph.D.
  
  
• (c) Underground Railroad Historic Heritage Center, “Street Clean-up,” Contact Rhonda Bivins-Talley
  
  
• (d) Walk the Falls, Contact: Brian Archie at brian.archie@healthynf.org or by 716-777-1034.

Sunday, September 28th: Family Day Mass in Alumni Chapel 11:00 a.m. with the pinning of the new class of Vincentian Scholars ’29.