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Cabrini Health Observes Cabrini Feast Day
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On 24 January 1948, just 18 months after the canonisation of Mother Cabrini on 7 July 1946, 10 Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus arrived at Essendon Airport to take over St Benedict’s Hospital, which 60 years later would become one of our leading hospitals popularly known as ‘Cabrini’. As we know, Mother Cabrini was proclaimed the Patron saint of Immigrants and was especially renowned for her work among the Italian immigrants in New York, having opened several hospitals, schools and orphanages. Here at Cabrini Health, the festivities surrounding Mother Cabrini’s Feast Day on 13 November provided the staff at our 6 campuses the opportunity to celebrate our Cabrinian heritage and join in the celebrations worldwide, particularly with the sisters living in her birthplace in Italy and in her adopted homeland of the United States. We are very fortunate here in Australia, to be blessed with the presence of our 3 MSC sisters, Sr Sharon Casey MSC who arrived this year from the United States, Sr Theresa Cervasio MSC and Sr Beatriz Santos MSC - who are a visible presence of the spirit of St Frances Xavier Cabrini amongst us. At the same time, we too know that we have an important obligation to keep alive the spirit of Mother Cabrini as partners in mission with the sisters, to be bearers of healing and compassion to those we serve. In the words of Mother Cabrini taken from A Journal of a Trusting Heart: “With God you cannot fail. So often he knocks on your heart and asks, in order to have opportunity to give. Your offering to God, however small, grows greater and the spiritual riches of your soul are born.” These words of Mother Cabrini are inspirational for many of us who work here at Cabrini Health and give deeper spiritual dimension to our working life. Our program of events for Cabrini week commenced with a concert and afternoon tea for the residents of our Aged Care facility at Ashwood. On Monday, we commemorated the 10th Anniversary of Cabrini Palliative Care at Prahran with a lunch and celebrations for staff. This included the launch of A life well lived – a special commemorative book documenting the lives of some of our palliative care patients many of whom are no longer with us. Staff who had been at Cabrini Prahran for 10 years, cut the celebratory Birthday cake and enjoyed catching up with the families of past patients as well as former staff. During the weeklong celebrations, Mass was celebrated for residents, patients and staff at our Ashwood, Prahran and Brighton campuses. On St Frances Xavier Cabrini’s actual feast Day – 13 November, Mass was celebrated by Vincentian priest, Fr Anthony Mannix CM in the Chapel at Cabrini, Malvern. Approximately 450 staff from all Cabrini campuses attended this Mass which incorporated a number of elements of Mother Cabrini’s work into the liturgy. We thank the Cabrini choir for their valuable contribution to enhancing the Mass with their beautiful music. They actually sing in tune!! Afternoon tea was then enjoyed by all the staff which was imbued with the true spirit of celebration. The highlight for many on the Cabrini calendar is the Annual Cabrini Ball which this year was held at Brighton International. A fun night was held by all, especially those who “danced the night away”!! On Monday 16 November, in a moving ceremony we remembered former staff and people associated with Cabrini who are no longer with us. This service took place in the Commemorative Garden at Cabrini Malvern and was attended by staff, friends and families of those who had passed away. The ceremony included a number of prayers, reflections and songs sensitive to the nature of the gathering. Cath Garner, Director of Mission Integration sprinkled the plaques and those present with holy water – symbolising both rebirth and baptism. These plaques are a lasting tribute to those who worked and have been associated with Cabrini over the years. We thank Mary Rowe, Manager Pastoral Services for co-ordinating and leading the service and all those who participated in the ceremony. We remember all those who have gone before us and recognise the contribution they have made to making Cabrini what it is today. On Friday we recognise the contribution of our Staff here at Cabrini with the presentation of special pins recognising years of service. We also acknowledge those staff members who have been Partners in Mission who have understood what it means to work at Cabrini and live out our values of competent compassionate care. Finally, we pray in thanksgiving for the sisters, our friends, workmates and members of the worldwide Cabrini family. We give thanks for their contribution in following in the footsteps of Mother Cabrini in serving those who are in need of care, especially the poor and the sick. To all those named Frances or Francesca, as Mother Cabrini would have said, we say Buon onomastico!! Buona festa!! Happy Feast Day!! |
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