Purpose
The Vincentian Mission Certificate program is a 16 month (monthly sessions from January in year I to April of year II) experience which provides an opportunity for Niagara University staff, faculty and administrators to learn, reflect and act on the Catholic and Vincentian identity of Niagara University. This experience will help you to provide better service to our students and to become a role model and ambassador who will perpetuate St. Vincent's legacy and inspire others into action.
The 2020-2022 cohort is underway. Read more below and look for the application here in the Fall of 2021
Eligibility
The candidate must have attended Niagara University's employee orientation program and completed two years of full-time employment at Niagara University.
Outcomes
A graduate of the VMC program will:
- understand Vincentian history and Catholic intellectual tradition;
- appreciate social justice issues and the value of service to the poor;
- relate the VMC experience to their work at NU.
Components
- Education: They will attend monthly lectures, presentations and events over a period of 16 months starting in January 2020, and concluding in April 2021. Topics will include Catholic intellectual tradition, Vincentian history and tradition, and social justice issues.
- Service: They will participate in community service to the poor, including Niagara University-sponsored activities and events. Poverty includes not only economic hardship, but also spiritual and emotional need.
- Reflection: They will reflect on how the encounter with the poor affects ones spiritual life. Reflection sessions will be offered periodically during lunch time. They will write a final reflection paper on what the VMC experience means to them and how it will affect their work at NU.
Commitment
- Attend monthly lectures, presentation and events, most on Friday afternoons.
- Actively participate in service projects.
- No meetings during July and August.
Selection
THE 2020-22 COHORT IS NOW UNDERWAY. See Niagara News for how they are doing!