1:30–2:45 p.m.

Francis’s Canticle: Still Giving Guidance for Our Challenging Times

Interpreted with the lens of quantum-based natural science and radical relational social science the Canticle invites us to greater action for ecological and social justice. The Canticle presents Francis’s held worldview. A worldview grounded in nonduality, a deep reverence for every speck of matter, and a shift in held concepts of a Divine. The Canticle poem-prayer-song promotes being daily pilgrims of hope as we face personal, social, and global challenges. Dialogue with others about how a deeper understanding of the implicit “science” can impact your own held interpretation.

Presenter: Lucy Slinger, FSPA, Viterbo University
Location: NRC 104

Repairing the World: Franciscan Mission-based Caring in Higher Education Service

Service-based learning has become an increasing and integral part of higher education, but how does a Franciscan mission teach about caring? Political scientist Joan Tronto has developed a multi-phased process for developing care-based institutions. This module will use her work, Franciscan theology, and organization development theory, to construct a Franciscan mission-based care model of higher education. We will discuss its application in the Padua Program, a Franciscan mission-based leadership training program.

Presenter: Fr. David Couturier, St. Bonaventure University, Viterbo University
Location: NRC 101

Inclusive Government in a Synodal Church: Examining the Ministerial Public Juridic Person as an Exemplar

Catholic Church bodies that aspire to synodal governance, need to align their structures and processes with the theology and practices of synodality. This is one of the key findings of a recent international project that investigated Ministerial Public Juridic Persons and Associations of Christ’s Faithful. These are bodies where lay people are often the decision makers in governing ministries such as: universities, colleges, hospitals, and community services. These bodies have some synodal advantages over other Church structures but further reform and consistent effort is needed for them to truly embody synodality.

Presenter: Margaret Grenisen, Viterbo Ministries
Location: NRC 202

Utilizing Forensics to Care for and Restore the Community

Drawing on the restorative justice principles of harm reduction and repair, obligation, and engagement, the Criminal Justice Studies Program (CRJS) at Siena shapes change-agents who can lead with compassion. Through our CARES Center (Center for Anti-fraud Resources and Examination Services) and forensic investigative genetic genealogy lab, our CRJS majors specializing in financial forensics and forensic science learn hands on while serving their brothers and sisters in the community who have suffered a loss. By helping to repair the harm, CRJS majors restore dignity to community members, one person and family at a time. Our panel of professors will showcase this effort.

Presenters: Annie Rody-Wright, Marie Rice, Tobi Kirschmann, Siena College
Location: NRC 205

Top Down and Bottom Up: Self Study Seeking a Culture of Sustainability

On Feast of St. Francis 2023, St. Bonaventure University’s president appointed a task force promoting Care for Our Common Home. Over eight months the task force researched best practices related to facilities and infrastructure, curriculum, co-curriculars, food service, forest management, grounds keeping, technology, and waste management.

This panel will address: 

• why St. Bonaventure engaged in this project; 
• who was tasked with evaluation and research; 
• how the task force identified priorities; and what comes next. 
• Faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend, ask questions, and share knowledge. 

Presenters: Fr. Stephen Mimnaugh, Karen Pulaski, Kevin Vogel, St. Bonaventure University; Br. Jimmy Kernan, OFM, Siena College, moderator
Location: NRC 207

Living the Canticle: Reflecting on Interconnectedness at Lourdes University

In quiet reflection, we sense the deep interconnectedness of all creation. St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures invites us to live in harmony with the world. Lourdes University, located on the sacred grounds of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, brings this vision to life through action. This presentation highlights campus initiatives honoring St. Francis’s harmony: solar panels for Brother Sun, an apiary for Brother Wind, erosion control guided by Sister Water, Tree Campus efforts for Sister Mother Earth, composting for Sister Bodily Death, and more. Discover how this vision can inspire your campus, too.

Presenters: Sara Grunerg and Juliana Samples, Sisters of St. Francis
Location: BRC 123

Neumann University: 60 Years of Light and Legacy—Animating our Franciscan Identity

Neumann University’s 60th anniversary campaign celebrates the creativity and boldness of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, who established Our Lady of Angels College in 1965. Inspired by St. Francis’s Canticle of the Creatures, our campaign emphasizes the interconnectedness of all creation, the importance of service, and the lasting legacy of the Sisters. In this presentation, we will explore intentional strategies to engage students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners in a campus celebration that brings our Franciscan mission to life, aligned with the themes of the Canticle and Neumann University’s RISES values.

Presenters: Sarah Williamson, Mary Domes, Nadirah Roberts, Emma Schneider, Quron White, Neumann University
Location: BRC 123