St. Bonaventure to celebrate African American women during annual Francis Week events

Sep 30, 2022

St. Bonaventure University kicks off Francis Week on Sunday, Oct. 2, with a day of service and concludes Friday, Oct. 7, with a concert.

The theme of the university’s annual celebration of Saint Francis of Assisi is “A Franciscan Celebration of Sisterhood: African American Women Lighting the Path to Peace and Love.”

The schedule of events:

Sunday, Oct. 2: Day of Service. Options include baking cookies, Warming House, making dog toys for the SPCA, cleaning gravestones at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, making no-sew blankets, visiting the elderly, walking dogs and socializing animals, and preparing personal care packages. Signups/more information is available using the QR code on the flyers throughout campus or via this link: https://sbu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6XrR4FIxmdkYgpE
Monday, Oct. 3: The Transitus of St. Francis, 7 p.m., University Chapel; traditional celebration of the passing of Francis to eternal life. Reception to follow.
Tuesday, Oct. 4 (The Feast of St. Francis): “Images and Icons: The Herrlein Franciscan Saints and Icons by Br. Robert Lentz, O.F.M.,” 1 p.m., the Quick Center for the Art’s Gallery.
Tuesday, Oct. 4: Francis Festival, 2:30-4:30 p.m., outside of Doyle Chapel; includes food, games, music and the Blessing of the Animals.
Tuesday, Oct. 4: Mass for the Feast of St. Francis, 4:30 p.m., University Chapel. A special dinner will be served in the Hickey Dining Hall for the Feast Day.
Wednesday, Oct. 5: lunch and guest speaker Leah Angel Daniel, an inspirational speaker and founder of Words have Wings and Fostering Greatness, who will discuss “Changing the Narrative: Fostering Resiliency and Greatness,” 12:30 p.m., University Ministries Great Room.
Thursday, Oct. 6: lecture “African American Women and Higher Education” with guest speaker Dr. Jamie Smith, chief academic officer and senior vice president of education at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3:30 p.m., Doyle Conference Center.
Friday, Oct. 7: “Let It Begin With Me,” 6 p.m., Quick Center for the Arts; Rochester African American women’s gospel choir AKOMA will present a concert featuring spirituals, gospels, anthems and historical reenactments. A reception will follow.

All events are free and open to the campus community.