One of the most eventful weeks at Hilbert College is right around the corner.

St. Francis week kicks off Sept. 30 with the Franciscan Day of Caring and wraps up with the New Mural Dedication on October 7. This week provides many fun events for students and staff, but also celebrates the Franciscan values here at Hilbert.

Some of the past events bring the same fun each year, such as the Franciscan Day of Caring. One of the favored returning events is the Blessing of the Animals, where students and staff can bring their pets to be blessed.

Tiffany Kuwik, a student at Hilbert College, plans to attend the Blessing of the Animals this Friday. “I’m most excited for the pet blessing,” Kuwik said. “I’m so excited to bring my puppy on campus.”

Jeff Pappia, Vice President for Mission Integration and Campus Ministry, has been part of the Hilbert community for about 4 years. His favorite part of St. Francis week is bringing people together for the events while celebrating Franciscan values.

“My favorite thing about St. Francis was that he was so influential. He started a worldwide movement, but he didn’t do this by having the most money. He did this by doing the exact opposite,” Pappia explained. “He dwelt and lived serving the poor, the forgotten. He was humble and meek. It speaks to the power of kindness, of love and of compassion.”

One of the new events this St. Francis Week is the lecture, “Brother Sun, Sister Thea: A Celebration of the Franciscan Life and Legacy of Sr. Thea Bowman through the Art and Stories of Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS.” Sister Thea Bowman is just one of six African-Americans in the Catholic Church on the path to Sainthood.

Pappia said her story and the effort to make her a saint exemplifies Franciscan values.

“Our Franciscan identity doesn’t just suggest we do the work of racial or social justice, it demands it,” he said. “So this is incredibly important.”

Papia is also excited about the mural by Br. Mickey McGrath and how it will bring the community together. He clarified that this event will involve group participation. “He’s going to trace the mural and then people from the community will help paint it. So if you’re walking by and there’s a brush available, grab one and help paint!”

Be sure to check out all of the events this week! Below is the full St. Francis Week schedule:

2021 St. Francis Week Schedule

September 30: Franciscan Day of Caring

Time: 800am-2:00pm

October 1: The Blessing of the Animals

Location: Outside of St. Clare Chapel (Rain Location: Chapel)

Time: 12:00pm

October 4: Mass for the Feast of St. Francis

Location: Main Quad Tent (Rain Location: Chapel)

Time: 12:00pm

October 5: College-Wide Picnic Lunch

Location: Main Quad Tent (Rain Location: Dining Hall)

Time: 11:00am-12:15pm

October 5: Keynote Lecture with Br. Mickey McGrath, OSFS

Location: Swan Auditorium

Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm

October 7: New Mural Dedication

Location: West Herr Atrium

Time: 4:30pm