Gathering around St. Vincent’s table

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Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,

At this year’s Academic Convocation, our community reflected on the image of St. Vincent’s table and its powerful reminder of the mission we are called to act upon.

When we look at St. Vincent’s table, we see a place where everyone, from every background, is welcomed. The table is also a reminder that our Catholic and Vincentian mission asks something of us. We are not simply invited to take a seat. We are called to make room for others, especially those who might otherwise be overlooked.

This is what we, at DePaul, are called by our mission to do — create a space where we listen to one another, recognize the dignity of each individual, and consider what we can do together in service of others.

That spirit is at the heart of St. Vincent de Paul Heritage Week. Each year, this week allows us the opportunity to take a moment and reflect on the legacy that drives our Catholic and Vincentian mission. We pause to consider how our namesake’s example continues to shape the way we learn, work, and serve together. I invite you to celebrate who we are as a Catholic and Vincentian community by participating in a series of events happening throughout the week. We included a list at the bottom of this message.

As you participate, we also encourage you to consider what it means to make room at St. Vincent’s table in your own life. Consider the compassion we can bring into our classrooms, offices, and campus communities. St. Vincent reminds us that meaningful change begins with us, from how we respond to and help one another, to how we listen, how we welcome others to the table, and how we collaborate. As part of our mission, we all help make each member of the DePaul community visible every day.

We hope you will join us for this year’s St. Vincent de Paul Heritage Week events and reflect on the mission St. Vincent entrusted to us. Let’s carry that mission into our world and, most importantly, into our daily lives, gathered around a table that makes room for all.