By Marivi Prado - St. Thomas University
MIAMI GARDENS | In preparation for the visit of Pope Francis to the United States, St. Thomas University will host its Inaugural Freshman Convocation on Wednesday, Sept. 9, with the theme "Care for God’s Creation" and Archbishop Thomas Wenski as the keynote speaker.
The archbishop will share his thoughts on Pope Francis' new encyclical, Laudato Si' , on the care for "our common home." He will be joined by students and faculty engaged in reflecting upon this historical document.
The theme of the Archbishop’s presentation is particularly timely since not only will it be a reflection on the new encyclical, it also will be a means of preparing students for the Holy Father’s visit to Cuba and the United States, taking place Sept. 19-27.
The convocation will begin at 12:15 p.m. in the Goldbloom Convocation Hall on the campus of St. Thomas University, 16401 N.W. 37 Ave., Miami Gardens, 33054.
Schedule:
- 12:15 p.m. - Welcome, Msgr. Franklyn Casale, president, St. Thomas University
- 12:30 p.m. - Brief film by Vatican Communications on Encyclical and keynote address by Archbishop Wenski
- 1 p.m. - Brief responses: Joseph Holland, Ph.D, philosopher and theologian; Nelson Araque, Catholic Climate Covenant; Joshua Rosner, president, St. Thomas University Student Government
- 1:30 p.m. - Commitment to Care for Creation by students, followed by lunch
- 2 p.m. - Adjournment
St. Thomas University is the only Catholic archdiocesan-sponsored university in Florida. Placing an institutional emphasis on social justice and ethical behavior, it offers more than 45 undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees at its 144 acre campus in Miami Gardens.
