Franciscan Month Kicks Off at St. Francis College

By: Edoardo Giribaldi

Throughout October, St. Francis College is hosting a series of events as part of Franciscan Month. 

Brother Gregory Cellini, Director of the Office of Mission, Ministry, and Interfaith Dialogue, is part of Team Franciscan Month, which has been meeting since June to organize a variety of events open to the entire St. Francis College community, regardless of the different religious backgrounds.

He introduced Franciscan Month as an expansion of St. Clare & St. Francis Week, which has represented a traditional recurrence for the last several years.

“We want to celebrate our beautiful 800-year Franciscan movement but also educate about it,” Brother Greg affirmed, highlighting four desired outcomes the entire team has identified while planning the celebrations.

One crucial goal is fostering a more cohesive community of students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and the board of trustees.

“This year we have chosen to be guided by the theme of community,” Timothy Nagy, Assistant Director of the Office of Mission, Ministry and Interfaith Dialogue, stated.

There will also be weekly sub-themes focusing on mindfulness, service, unity, and inclusion.

Franciscan Month also aims at promoting greater utilization of the school library to access Franciscan resources and more significant participation from internal and external stakeholders.

An opening event including live poetry readings and an open mic, arranged by Dr. Rachel Falkenstern and featuring Professor Jive Poetic, paved the way for several forthcoming celebrations.

Brother Greg highlighted some of these, including the Blessing of the Animals on October 5th, a dedicated day of service on October 12th, and an Interfaith Appreciation Breakfast that will occur on October 24th. “There is literally something for everyone,” he concluded.