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 One hundred and fifty-eight years after the birth of Mother Cabrini, her spirit continues to energize new generations of the Cabrinian Community to carry on her mission “to be bearers of the love of Christ in the world.” (MSC Constitutions) The Missionary Sisters recognize that the Cabrinian charism is a blessing and a heritage for the whole Church. New ways of understanding Frances Xavier Cabrini reveal new facets of this heritage, for example, Mother Cabrini as Missionary of the New Evangelization, Patroness of Immigrants and Educator of the Heart.
Mother Cabrini did not become the “Patroness of Immigrants” by theorizing or writing books. Rather, she rolled up her sleeves and alongside her Missionary Sisters walked through the immigrant ghettos of many cities. Today, the Missionary Sisters and their lay collaborators are active in a variety of ministries on 6 continents and 16 countries across the globe.
Frances Cabrini was a woman endowed with special understanding and insight. From the earliest days of the Institute, she intuitively grasped the idea that faithful and committed lay people were essential to carry forward the mission with which Jesus had entrusted her. Today, the MSCs call on their lay collaborators to extend Frances Cabrini’s mission in the world. MSCs and laity together share the joys, worries and hopes of the people.
The Cabrinian Community seeks to announce the good news of the gospel of Jesus. Challenged by the call to missionary solidarity, they draw closer to suffering humanity, to the marginalized and the excluded.
Together, the greater Cabrinian Community is privileged to go to places and situations which Mother Cabrini was not able to reach during her lifetime. Together they strive to follow in the footsteps of the woman whom Pope John Paul II called “an intrepid missionary of Christ…a relentless peace-maker.” Inspired by her dauntless courage, the Cabrinian Community continues, “to listen to the cries of the poor in order to respond wholeheartedly to their material and spiritual problems. This is Mother Cabrini’s legacy, so rich in expectation and hope, but also so wounded in its humanity.
~ excerpts from To the Ends of the Earth, The Missionary Travels of St. Frances X. Cabrini
translated by Sr. Philippa Provenzano,msc
Cabrini Retreat Center
Friends Gather to Celebrate in Chicago
Missionary Sisters in the Chicago area and friends gathered on the Feast Day to celebrate at Cabrini Retreat Center (CRC). Sr. Joan McGlinchey, General Councilor, Stella Maris Province, welcomed the guests. Rev. George Lane, S.J., from the Retreat Center’s Advisory Committee, presided at the liturgy. Fr. George came well prepared, sharing a history of St. Cabrini in his homily. He invited those present to say “Thank you, Jesus!” every day for the many gifts God provides. At the end of the liturgy, Nancy Golen, Center Director, invited the nine local Missionary Sisters, who support the Retreat Center with their prayers, good works and donations, to stand and be recognized.
A festive dinner followed the liturgy. The CRC staff made it a special evening with festive decorations and by serving a delicious meal. Sr. Joan Marie Sariti, MSC was honored with the “Heart of Service Award.” The award was given in recognition of her many volunteer efforts on behalf of the Retreat Center serving as sacristan, and in caring for the guest linens. Sr. Joan Marie is also a donor to the Center providing not only monetary support but also updating the liturgical supplies with items such as new candles, censor, a holy water bucket and sprinkler.
Mr. Nick Vendikos, Vice President of the Cabrini Mission Foundation, was visiting from New York and had the opportunity to tour the Center and meet many guests who have devotion to Mother Cabrini and to the ministry of the Retreat Center. In recent years, the Mission Foundation has funded Project Safe Harbor, Immigrant Outreach. Faithful to the legacy of St. Cabrini, this project has provided hundreds of immigrants with the opportunity to experience a time of retreat - to hear the voice of the Spirit. The desire and interest in retreats continues to grow. As Mother Cabrini said, “prayer is powerful; it fills the earth with mercy.”
~submitted by Nancy Golen
To view more photos of the event, please visit: http://www.cabrinifoundation.org/News/chicago08.html
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St. Cabrini Nursing Home, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Missionary Sisters Are Honored
Tribute was paid to the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who are residents of St. Cabrini Nursing Home (SCNH) during the Home’s Mother Cabrini Feast Day celebration. Sisters Louise Abbamonte, Imelda Cox, Joachim DeBenedetto, Christine Perazzoli, and Sr. Benedette Roberto MSC, all SCNH residents; and Sisters Adeodata Gatti and Regina Casey, were presented with corsages.
The upbeat event featured music by SCNH employees, Roehl Ranoco, on guitar, and Susan Herceg, vocalist, as well as dancing and stories about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini told by SCNH Mission Integration Director Sr. Carol DeAngelo, SC, and Adult Day Health Director Lois Cartica.
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Cabrini High School, New Orleans, LA
Alumnae Commemorate Mother Cabrini at Feast Day Mass
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Many of them wearing shades of Mother Cabrini’s signature violet color, Cabrini High School Alumnae celebrated liturgy in honor of the Feast Day which was followed by a reception. Gathered from left are: Nadine LeBlanc Pizer ’76, Jane Dabdoub Bartlett ’70, Florence Onstad Wingerter ’71, Mary Kay Chetta ’73, Patricia Thompson Eilertsen ’67 Teresa Doran Billings ’80, Yvonne Legrand Hrapmann ’76 CHS Principal, Gwen Dohre Busurelo ’76, Rachel Billiot ’03, Diane Bringol Foster ’64, Maria Pieri Bienes ’82 and Madeline Lipani Suer ’71.
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Mother Cabrini High School, New York, NY
Reminds Students to Bring Needs to Jesus
The Mother Cabrini High School (MCHS) community joined the worldwide Cabrinian community to celebrate the life, mission, and philosophy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini at a November 13th liturgy with Monsignor Bob Ritchie, Rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, presiding. Sr. Sharon Casey, MSC was also in attendance to offer Feast Day greetings.
The congregants celebrated the High School’s remarkable foundress with a Liturgy Class performance that brought young “Francesca” to life, highlighting Mother Cabrini’s commitment to following God’s will. Through divine providence, she was ready to serve in the name of Lord and go where He wanted to send her.
In her closing remarks, Sr. Sharon Casey, MSC, spoke about the challenging period our country and city are facing and how everyone encounters uneasy situations. Referencing the first reading of the Mass, a letter from St. Paul to the Philippians, she reminded the students not to get anxious but to bring their needs to Jesus through prayer, just as Mother Cabrini did.
~submitted by Cheryl Hallenback
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