St. John's News
Successful Lenten Celebration Held At St. John’s University’s Oakdale Campus
March 18, 2008
St. John’s University, following in the footsteps of St. Vincent
de Paul, founder of the Vincentian Community, hosted a special
event for ten immigrant families residing in the local community at
its Oakdale Campus last week.
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As special guests of the University’s Oakdale Campus, families
were served dinner by St. John’s University students in the
doctoral classes of Professor’s Korynne Taylor-Dunlop and Jon
Hughes and by students in the TESOL (Teaching English to Students
of Other Languages) program. In addition, faculty and staff
distributed baskets of age appropriate literacy books for the
children and reading materials for the adults. A special blessing
was delivered by Rev. John Kettelberger, C.M.
The event was conceived as an outgrowth of the recent
celebration of Founder’s Week (January 25-31), established by St.
John’s University in 1995 to commemorate the work of the
Congregation of the Mission and St. Vincent de Paul’s lifelong
dedication to serving the spiritual and material needs of the poor.
Co-chairs, Professor Linda Faucetta and Dr. Elizabeth Pollicino
organized the event assisted by the administration and staff of the
campus.
This event had a significant impact on the families attending
who face many difficult challenges as immigrants,” said John
Connolly, Vice President and Director, Oakdale Campus. “To be able
to welcome them into our community is an important step in
spreading the mission of St. Vincent de Paul and St. John’s
University. By their commitment to this project our students have
distinguished themselves in a role that will help others to better
understand the needs of those of lesser fortune.”
For more information contact Professor Linda Faucetta, School of
Education, Oakdale Campus (631) 218-7775 or Dr Elizabeth
Pollicino, St. John’s College, Oakdale Campus (631) 218-7807, who
are both serving as Event Coordinators.
Interested media can contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice
President for Media Relations by calling (718) 990-6185 or e-mail
inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu. For
more information about St. John’s visit the University web site at
www.stjohns.edu/news.