DePaul University was happy to have the Vincentian Summer Program back in-person after 2 years of a pandemic related pause. This program is designed to provide educational opportunities for high school students that combine Vincentian mission and values, English language courses, cultural themes, and field trips. The 2022 VSP Cohort welcomed a total of 11 students with 2 students from each of the following countries: Poland, India, Germany, Peru, Lebanon and 1 student from the Philippines. The students were accompanied at all times with designated DePaul graduate student chaperones throughout the program who were responsible for their lunch meals, after class and weekend activities. But it was a bit hard for the chaperones to treat their roles as a 9-5 as they ended up participating in the field trips and other activities with the students, developing a close bond.
Vincentian Summer Program high school students and chaperonesThe students are still in touch with each other through a social group and gather virtually occasionally. They will always be able to reach out to their DePaul contacts as they explore their University options and possibly study in the United States or become future Blue Demons themselves!
In addition to the students, this year, DePaul hosted a group of Vincentian educators. After over a decade of welcoming students from Vincentian high schools around the world to Chicago, a group of Vincentian educators (principals, administrators and teachers) from the same high schools joined one another in Chicago this past August to deepen their connection to the Vincentian mission. Under the leadership of Sr. Pat Bombard, BVM, the 7 educators shared a week together learning about Vincentian leadership and what it means to them in their respective countries and institutions. They explored Chicago, DePaul and other organizations that are part of the larger Vincentian movement, such as DePaul College Prep and the St. Vincent de Paul Center in Lincoln Park.
Vincentian leaders at DePaul Preparatory High SchoolThe participants were Roger Chavez from Colegio San Vicente de Paul in Lima, Peru, Miriam Repplinger and Eva Altmaier from Vinzenz von Paul Gymnasium in Niederprüm, Germany, Fr. Abdo Eid, CM, from Collège St. Joseph Antoura in Antoura, Lebanon, Fr. Biju Scaria, CM, and Fr. Santoy Kurian, CM, from DePaul International Residential School in Mysore, India, and Dr. Lorna Espeso from Adamson University Senior High School in Manila, Philippines. In their reflections on the experience one educator shared, “Our lectures from Sr. Pat will surely broaden and enhance my leadership capabilities." When asked how the experience would contribute to their understanding of Vincentian leadership, another educator reflected, “It made me realize that you have to start with yourself when you want to change something. If you don't take care of your own needs you won't have what it takes to invoke change."