St. Clare & St. Francis Week recognizes the life and legacy of the two people who inspired a worldwide movement for good that continues to thrive more than 800 years later. It’s a week of reminding ourselves of our Franciscan foundation and intellectual tradition, as well as the values that center us and lead us as an institution.

The theme this year is Pace e Bene, which is Italian for "Peace and All Good." St. Clare and St. Francis used this phrase as a greeting, expressing their desire for each person to be truly at peace, truly good and deeply content. In selecting this as our theme, it is our sincere hope that this week profoundly impacts the atmosphere of our new campus by establishing it as a place of deep peace and good for everyone in our community.

Throughout the week, the Office of Mission, Ministry and Interfaith Dialogue will be receiving items for migrants coming to New York City from Texas, who are in need of assistance. There will be a donation bin at every event to collect socks, scarves, winter hats, bath soap, diapers and non-perishable foods.

Please join us at one or more of the following St. Clare & St. Francis Week events. Note that some require advance registration; click on the individual links for details.

Sunday, October 2

• 1-2 pm: Blessing of the Animals
  
  Assumption Parish Church
  55 Cranberry Street
  Brooklyn Heights
  
  In the tradition of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, come and have your pet or an animal blessed. If the animal cannot attend with you, please bring a photo to hold.

Monday, October 3

• 12:50-2:50 pm: Open Mic and Social
  
  Share the good of your gift! Sing a song, play a musical instrument, recite a poem or short story, or perform a comedy sketch, dramatic scene or dance routine. All St. Francis College students, faculty and staff are invited to share their talents. To attend as an audience member, RSVP here. Those wishing to participate as a performer or the student host, please register here.

Tuesday, October 4

• 12:45-2 pm: Feast Day Mass and Pizza Reception
  
  October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the College's patron saint. Please join us at a feast day Mass, which will be celebrated in the chapel at SFC's new campus. Mass will be followed by a pizza reception.

Wednesday, October 5

• 1-2:15 pm: Franciscan Values Panel Discussion
  
  Join us for "How Can Our Franciscan Values Respond to Environmental Harm, Poverty, Gun Violence and Racism?" The discussion will be hosted and moderated by Romario Thomas '20, and panelists will include SFC President Miguel Martinez-Saenz, Prof. John Dilyard, Bro. Tom Barton, Liz Peralta '15, Julie Pycior and Maria Hayes, the marketing director at Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province in New York City. This will be a virtual discussion, via Zoom.

Thursday, October 6

• All day: Day of Service and Kindness
  
  Take part in one or more service activities, including handing out food items at the St. Francis Breadline in Manhattan, distributing nutritious food to those in need at a farmers market run by St. Finbar's Parish in Brooklyn and joining Letters Against Isolation to send handwritten letters to elderly residents of assisted-care facilities.
  
  
• 5-6:30 pm: Alumni Panel Discussion: "Living the Life of Service"
  
  "It is in giving that we receive." The SFC community knows and lives by this famous quote from our patron, St. Francis of Assisi. Join us in conversation with former student leaders and Student Government Association presidents as we discuss what the concept of “service” means to them. Moderated by Jamaal Womack ’09, the virtual discussion will include panelists Phoebe Lee ’17, Alexander Baum ’18, Arianna Sartzetakis ’19, Kledi Roda ’20, Michael Conlon ’21 and Amanda Alexandre ’22.

Friday, October 7

• 9-11 am: Interfaith Appreciation Breakfast
  
  Celebrate our shared values of diversity, inclusion, community and compassion. This event will highlight SFC’s Franciscan values in action, celebrate the rich diversity of faiths represented at the College and strengthen our ties with surrounding faith communities.

• 3-4 pm: Our Lady of the Rosary Procession
  
  October is designated by the Catholic Church as the Month of the Rosary. All are welcome to join us on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary as we pray the rosary for world peace. Please gather by the Welcome Desk on the 5th floor.
  

Be sure to use the hashtag #ClareFrancisWeek and tag @sfcny so we can share your photos and videos of the week's events on SFC's social media channels.