Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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Academic Stars at CHS!

Distinguished Scholars

The Cabrinian community salutes these 28 Cabrini High School students who have distinguished themselves through their performance on College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations. They have demonstrated exceptional college-level achievements across multiple academic disciplines. These scholars represent dedication, intellectual curiosity and academic excellence.  Congratulations!

Rising Stars

Eighteen Cabrini students have earned national recognition through ACT’s PreACT Rising Stars program for their outstanding performance on the PreACT 8/9 examinations. Their achievement is an exciting reflection of the academic talent growing in Cabrini’s classrooms.  Congratulations to these outstanding students

New Community Initiative: Uptown Open Arms

On Wednesday, September 30, a diverse group of over 50 people who work with immigrants at schools, houses of worship, non-profits, small businesses, and the offices of elected officials gathered at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine for the launch of a new initiative called Uptown Open Arms. The event was coordinated by a team of local leaders, including the Shrine.

Uptown Open Arms is built on the knowledge that everyone helping in the immigration sphere works hard, heads down... and once a month it’s crucial to look up and see who is beside us. The focus is on the people in the room and on creating energy, connection and possibility. The program included several focused activities so that each person met 5-10 others they didn’t know. The result was a sense of discovery and optimism.

Uptown Open Arms will continue to meet monthly at the Shrine throughout the year.

Celebrating Migrants, Refugees, and Hispanic Culture!

Last Friday, Cabrini Immigrant Services - New York City (CIS-NYC) held an event in recognition of National Migration Week and World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

We were joined by the families we serve, allies, current and former clients, neighbors, and advocates who support us.

Together we celebrated our culture and contributions and prayed, led by Sr. Yolanda Flores, MSC, for vulnerable children who are detained or in transit to new destinations. We enjoyed a variety of foods from Latin America and we danced. Thank you so much to everyone who joined us!"

Saint Scalabrini: A Vision That Continues Today

It was a joy and privilege to participate in the celebration of the 125th anniversary of St. Giovanni Scalabrini’s coming to the United States, held at Our Lady of Pompeii on September 20, 2026. Christopher LaBianco, representing the Cabrinian family and the Cabrini Mission Foundation, Sr. Antonina Avitabile, MSC, and Sr. Lucy Panettieri, MSC, were present for this special celebration.

The principal celebrant was Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See. Concelebrating with him were Father Leonir Mario Chiarello, C.S., Superior General of the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo, and Father Horacio Carlos Anklan, C.S., Provincial Superior, along with many other prelates.

For us, the celebration held a special meaning because the stories of  St. Giovanni Scalabrini and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini are deeply connected. In a very real sense, our Cabrinian mission in the United States is part of the fruit of Scalabrini’s vision and his deep concern for those who were leaving their homeland in search of a better future.

As Bishop of Piacenza, Italy, Scalabrini witnessed millions of Italians leaving their homeland. He did not simply see migration as a social reality; he saw people—families carrying their hopes, fears, faith, and dreams to a new land. He understood the importance of offering not only practical assistance, but also spiritual, social, and cultural support.

His concern led to action. In 1887, he founded the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo, the Scalabrinian Fathers, to accompany those journeying to new countries and help them build a new life.

This same concern led to a beautiful connection with Mother Cabrini. Although she had dreamed of going to China, Scalabrini recognized her missionary spirit and encouraged her to respond to the needs of Italians in the Americas. Mother Cabrini brought this proposal to Pope Leo XIII, who told her: “Not to the East, but to the West.”

In 1889, Mother Cabrini and her Sisters came to New York, beginning a mission that would touch the lives of countless people and their families.

Scalabrini recognized a need and responded with vision and compassion. Mother Cabrini heard the call and responded: “I will go.”

Their vision continues today in the mission we carry forward: to see the person, to accompany those who journey to a new land, and to bring hope to their lives.

Witness to Hope: Pastoral Care of Immigrant Communities

Witness to Hope: Pastoral Care of Immigrant Communities was a regional conference hosted on September 17–18, 2026, at Villanova University. Co-sponsored by Villanova’s Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and Catholic IMMpact, the gathering convened Church leaders, scholars, advocates, and pastoral ministers from across the Mid-Atlantic states.

The conference was designed to translate Catholic Social Teaching into actionable strategies for parish and diocesan leaders serving immigrant populations. It addressed the heightened fears and legal uncertainties faced by migrant families while reinforcing the Catholic mandate to offer compassionate pastoral accompaniment and protection.

Key Themes & Agenda
• Understanding Rights & Legal Realities:
Presentations and workshops covered the current immigration enforcement landscape, practical guidance on "know-your-rights" protections, and navigating legal statuses such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole.
• Lived Experiences:
Personal testimonies from immigrants grounded the academic and theological discussions in real-world struggles.
• Spiritual & Pastoral Support:
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia celebrated Mass for participants, and Bishop Bruce Lewandowski delivered a keynote address urging deeper solidarity and active accompaniment within local faith communities.
• Actionable Diocesan Strategies:


Sessions featuring representatives from the USCCB, the Hope Border Institute, and Welcome.US provided concrete tools for outreach, community education, and assistance with pathway-to-citizenship programs.
Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC, Karol Brewer, Co-Chair of the Cabrini Immigration Commission, Nancy Costello and Dr. Jerry Zurek, Immigration Commission members attended the conference on behalf of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred. Heart of Jesus.

Equipping pastoral leaders with policy knowledge, crisis planning tools, and advocacy strategies, the conference aimed to build supportive, bridge-building structures for vulnerable immigrant communities.

Getting the School Year Off to a Great Start!

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is observing National Migration Week from Monday, September 21st through Sunday, September 27th. The theme of the week is, “Even just one of these children.”

To start off National Migration Week, Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF) distributed much needed school supplies to many of our children. The Mission Integration Advisory Committee at St. Cabrini Nursing Home held a ‘Mission in Action’ project. They chose to collect school supplies to benefit our Cabrini Kids. What a beautiful way to honor our children.

We received an amazing number of supplies. The children and their parents were so happy and relieved to receive them. There were so many smiles on their faces. Fr. Ron Galt, Vice President of Pastoral Care and Mission, visited CIS-DF to help distribute the supplies. He blessed the supplies, each child, their families and the staff of CIS-DF. He also blessed each individual family and prayed that they would have a very good and safe school year.

Thank you to all who donated to the Mission in Action project. We are so grateful for all your prayers, love and support.

Citizenship Day!

Last Saturday, nine attorneys and a crew of volunteers joined Dominicanos USA (DUSA) at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York City for a free citizenship clinic.

The goal was to help people seeking to become citizens complete the paperwork needed. DUSA assisted about 60 people and completed 40 applications with full legal reviews. Bonus: when a pilgrimage group visiting the Shrine was curious about what was going on, the director of DUSA spoke with them and offered them the same service information via Zoom.

112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees – Sunday, September 27, 2026

The 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, centers on the theme “Even Just One of These Children” (Mt 18:5). Issued by Pope Leo XIV, this year's message turns global attention toward the millions of displaced minors—children and adolescents caught in forced migration, conflict, poverty, and environmental displacement. ~ Diocese of Portland - portlanddiocese.org

 

Key Focus Areas & Core Principles:
• Human Dignity Over Statistics: The papal message challenges global society to view human movement not through individual human lives. "Even just one" emphasizes that every displaced youth possesses inherent, inalienable dignity.
• Extreme Vulnerability of Minors: Displaced children face heightened risks, including family separation, trafficking, exploitation, loss of education, and severe psychological trauma along dangerous migration routes. www.vatican.va
• A Shift from Management to Rights: Faith leaders and international organizations call on governments to move beyond restrictive migration enforcement and prioritize human rights, immediate physical safety, legal protection, and family reunification. www.usig.org
• Integration and Pastoral Care: Local communities, schools, and parishes are urged to move past simple charitable aid. Instead, the focus is on creating environments where young migrants can fully participate, overcome isolation, and build shared futures with host youth. www.vatican.va

Originating in 1914 under Pope Pius X, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees remains a call to action. The 112th observance reminds the international community that welcoming and protecting a vulnerable child is both an ethical imperative and a testament to shared humanity. Portlanddiocese.org

 

Welcome Home! Cabrini College/University Alumni Return to Campus

The return to campus for Cabrini University alumni during the September 11–12, 2026 Alumni Weekend marked an emotional, full-circle moment for the Cavalier community. Following Cabrini’s closure and acquisition by Villanova University, the Radnor campus underwent extensive renovations over a two-year period.

Following a formal campus dedication ceremony by the Villanova University community on Thursday, September 10th, this past weekend served as the official welcome back for Cabrini alums. An estimated 400 graduates returned to visit their alma mater.

The weekend’s festivities kicked off on Friday evening with a welcome event hosted by Missionary Sisters at their residence on campus.

Saturday’s events included the traditional Alumni Awards luncheon recognizing distinguished graduates and milestone reunion classes, tours of the newly renovated campus, Mass in the campus chapel - now renamed the Sacred Heart Chapel - and the Blue and White Bash, a dinner and dancing wrap-up to the weekend.

Alums enjoyed walking familiar paths, taking in the sparkling campus building renovations, and reliving wonderful memories. It was a bittersweet and nostalgic time for all. Many expressed gratitude to the Villanova community for their deep respect for Mother Cabrini and for continuing the Cabrinian legacy and Mother Cabrini’s “education of the heart.”

Cabrini Campus of Villanova University ~ Dedication

On the afternoon of September 10th, the Villanova University community held the formal dedication ceremony for its 112-acre Cabrini Campus following a two-year revitalization program.

The ceremony was held on what is now known as the Cabrini Arbor - formerly The Commons and Peace Pole Garden. The proceedings featured remarks from Villanova University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., PhD and Sister Diane Olmstead, MSC, former Guadalupe Province Provincial and Villanova trustee.

Their remarks emphasized preserving the spirit and mission of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. Sister Diane highlighted Mother Cabrini's philosophy of “the education of the heart” - the whole person—mind, heart, and soul, expressing gratitude that students once again are filling the campus.

Fr. Peter noted that the new campus represents an historic, once-in-a-generation expansion for Villanova.He thanked the Missionary Sisters for entrusting the university to carry forward Mother Cabrini's legacy of service and faith.

Missionary Sisters, Cabrini alumni, former faculty, staff and friends in attendance noted the many thoughtful Cabrinian touches for the reception such violet centerpieces and Italian cookies and gelato.

The newly dedicated campus accommodates more than 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students, offering modernized classrooms, residential halls, study areas, and academic institutions, including the Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration.

~ excerpts from Villanova University social media and The Villanovan

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