“If You Want Peace, Work for Justice,” Is Theme of Niagara University’s Annual Vincentian Heritage Week Celebration

Niagara University will celebrate its annual Vincentian Heritage Week Sept. 21-28, 2024, with a series of events that highlight its rich history of education and service in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul and this year's theme, "If you want peace, work for justice."

The celebration kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 21, with a Day of Service organized by the university's Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement. Students will spend the day working with community partners including Habitat for Humanity, the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, the Niagara Beautification Commission, and Heart, Love and Soul from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, the Ostapenko Center for Ethics in Medicine and Healthcare and the Center for the Study and Practice of Religion will co-sponsor a panel discussion exploring the theme of justice in healthcare from a Vincentian perspective. The Rev. Patrick Flanagan, C.M., chair and associate professor of theology and religious studies at Saint John's University; Sister Carol Keehan, D.C., former president/CEO of Catholic Health Association of the U.S.; and Niagara University professors Dr. Timothy Lauger and Dr. Theresa Puckett will discuss the role and importance of justice in the practice of healthcare, touching upon issues such as prevention, access to and quality of care, and consequences of inequities. The session takes place from 6-7:15 p.m. in Golisano Hall Room 101.

Sister Carol Keehan will also be one of five individuals honored during the annual Vincentian Convocation on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 4:30 p.m. in Alumni Chapel. Rev. Craig D. Pridgen, pastor of the True Bethel Church in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and member of Niagara University's Board of Trustees; Dr. Joseph B. Polat, executive director of the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School and Rochester Academic of Science; Dr. Shannon Risk, associate professor of history at Niagara University; and Olivia Sheldon, a member of NU's Class of 2024, will also be recognized for their outstanding work in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul at the event.

A special Mass of St. Vincent will be celebrated on Friday, Sept. 27, at 12:15 p.m. in Alumni Chapel, and the celebration ends on Saturday, Sept. 28, with the third annual Lynch Lecture at 2 p.m. in the Castellani Art Museum. Dr. Michael B. Boston, associate professor of African and African-American Studies at SUNY Brockport, will discuss his book "Blacks in Niagara Falls: Leaders and Community Development, 1850-1985." A tour will precede the presentation and a reception will follow. The event is free, but registration is strongly encouraged.