Franciscan Values
The Franciscan values of Cardinal Stritch University
From Stritch’s founding, the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi bestowed the Franciscan charism upon Cardinal Stritch University, shaping the students, faculty and staff throughout the years to model the virtues and values of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi. Both nourished their lives of cooperation and inclusivity with prayer and reflection, focused on the example of Jesus. Representing various faiths and cultural backgrounds, the diverse Stritch community lives out these ideals in their personal and professional lives by embracing four core Franciscan values that carry on the legacies of Saints Francis and Clare.
Each year, the Cardinal Stritch University community chooses one of the four values as a focal point for the entire year, creating intentional efforts to incorporate that value into programming throughout the year.
The Franciscan value for the 2022-2023 academic year is Showing Compassion.
Showing Compassion
- Serving and caring for the poor and oppressed
- Working for justice
- Taking responsible social action
- Offering unselfish service
Some examples of living the value at Stritch:
- Participating in local meal programs, supporting local non-profit agencies and social service organizations and dedicating one day each year for Stritch Service Day
- Assisting students needing help in fundamental skills through the work of the Academic Support Center
- Offering pre-college courses in basic skills for provisionally admitted students
Making Peace
- Forgiving others
- Healing and reconciling
- Resolving conflicts
- Promoting nonviolence
Some examples of living the value at Stritch:
- Offering insights into peace and justice issues through academic curricula
- Participating in leadership workshops dealing with conflict resolution
- Maintaining membership and involvement in the Wisconsin Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies
- Participating in and facilitating ecumenical and interfaith dialogue
Creating a Caring Community
- Respecting each person’s dignity
- Offering hospitality, courtesy, kindness and friendship
- Fostering loving relationships
Some examples of living the value at Stritch:
- Offering a welcoming attitude toward persons with disabilities, the elderly, the disadvantaged and the disenfranchised
- Making the effort to boost multicultural diversity among faculty, staff and students
- Infusing academic programming with lessons and experiences in responsible citizenship and servant leadership
Reverencing All of Creation
- Fostering a simple lifestyle and responsible stewardship
- Preserving the environment
- Respecting all creatures
Some examples of living the value at Stritch:
- Endorsing positions that revere the sanctity of life, including those related to the unborn, capital punishment and euthanasia
- Teaching and encouraging the conservation of natural resources and power sources
- Sponsoring health and wellness campaigns on campus
- Holding annual Blessing of the Animals as part of an observance of the Feast of St. Francis