Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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Archives for April 2016

Cabrini College to become a University

April 28, 2016

From a letter from President Dr. Donald Taylor to the College community:

Mansion 1I am delighted to share that the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has officially approved our status change to university. It is an exciting new chapter in the life of our institution, and one that we will celebrate in the coming months.

Though we have official approval from the PDE, we will continue to operate as “Cabrini College” until the end of our fiscal year. We will be Cabrini University on July 1, 2016! On that day, we will launch our new website and brand identity; and we will begin to transition all campus signage and materials to reflect the new name and visual identity. Until July 1, we will use messages talking about the July 1 change to generate buzz and excitement.

The change to Cabrini University represents the culmination of years of work that expanded our program offerings and student populations. Our graduate programs have placed us beyond the realm of a regional residential college for well over a decade. You can see this reflected in U.S. News & World Report rankings in which Cabrini College is listed as a “regional university,” not college. With the addition of our new doctoral programs and more concerted international recruitment effort s, the change to university takes on even more significance.

Filed Under: Cabrini College Tagged With: cabrini college, Missionary Sisters

Rallying for Immigrant Rights at the Supreme Court

April 28, 2016

 

 

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Last week, Cabrini Immigrant Services joined more than 700 New Yorkers and close to 4,000 people from around the country in Washington, DC, to tell the Supreme Court that DACA+ and DAPA are vital for our community. The Court is hearing a case on whether the DACA+ and DAPA programs, which President Obama announced in 2014 but 26 states have obstructed, can be implemented. We went to Washington, DC, to show the Court and the country that we need these programs for our families. 42 members of our staff and community went to say that undocumented immigrants deserve to stay in the United States with their families. It was a great day, and it was incredible to see thousands of people there to defend the rights of immigrants. Thank you to everyone who came with us!

Before the April 18 action, one of our young members went to a conference held by the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) in Washington, DC, for high school students. The students learned about activism, the policies that have shaped the current state of immigration, and how to use their stories to create change in their communities. The night before the big action, the students joined undocumented mothers and fathers who had been fasting outside the Court. We held a vigil for all of the families who have been harmed by the broken immigration system.  Please continue to pray that the Supreme Court upholds the value of family unity in this case.

 

Filed Under: Cabrini Immigrant Services, Immigration, Internationality Tagged With: Cabrini Immigrant Services

Cabrini High School and Cabrini College participate in CRS Refugee Simulation

April 28, 2016

Cabrini College and High School CRS Immigration Simulation 3.22.16 Photo: Tyler Kaufman/©2016

Cabrini College and High School CRS Immigration Simulation
3.22.16
Photo: Tyler Kaufman/©2016

Cabrini High School (CHS) participated in the “Unaccompanied Minors: Refugees Seeking Safety” simulation developed by Cabrini College Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Ambassadors to increase understanding and awareness of the plight of unaccompanied minors fleeing South and Central American countries.

CHS Juniors participated in the simulation to increase their understanding of the plight of unaccompanied minors fleeing Central and South American countries. The program was created and implemented by Cabrini College CRS Student Ambassadors who visited from Radnor, PA.  As part of the Cabrini College CRS goals and a course on the Common Good, the college students designed a simulation focusing on the specific immigration issue of the many unassisted children seeking refuge and safety in the U.S.

Cabrini College was the first college campus to establish a partnership with CRS, and Cabrini High School, a select Platinum Level Global CRS High School, is the first group of high school students chosen to participate in the program.  The simulation began during the welcoming dinner, as the two CRS programs empowered one another to work together on a common Cabrinian goal: increasing awareness of the need for immigration reform.

Cabrini College’s Communications Professor Dr. Jerry Zurek and Dr. Ray Ward, Associate Director of Peace and Justice, initiated the simulation by remembering Mother Cabrini, the Patron Saint of Immigrants, and her work with immigrants, orphans and the marginalized during the time she spent in the United States.  Mother Cabrini’s ministry in New Orleans was spent primarily serving the needs of many Italian immigrant children at the orphanage on St. Philip Street. The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart continue to advocate for immigration reform as one of their two corporate stances.

The simulation included a complex map of the various routes to citizenship, and scenarios tracing the process leading to legalized citizenship to determine typical lengths of processing time, qualifications, costs, and the chance of deportation.  Each student was assigned a simulated journey assuming the “role” of unaccompanied minor, and traveled through the stages of gang harassment, the court system, and detention center. Throughout the simulation, the college students explained the hazards of that stage of the journey, with the whole group sharing their reactions along the way.

Advocacy was addressed during the final stage of the simulation, suggesting strategies the students could use to influence legislation, such as write to senators, representatives, and the president.

Cabrini College provided pre-printed letters requesting government leaders to:

  1. Stop deportation of minors back to dangerous home countries.
  2. Provide lawyers and translators for minors when they are in legal proceedings.
  3. Fund vocational training for teens in Central America.

Many students chose to formally participate, including handwritten notes with their pre-printed letters.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Cabrini College, Cabrini High School, Immigration, Social Justice Tagged With: cabrini college, Cabrini High School, Cabrini Immigrant Services, immigration

College Students Advocate for Fair Trade Practices and Products

April 20, 2016

We may think that foods like bananas and coffee – being so natural – are made and distributed with humane practices. But everything is not as it may seem. Many of the products we consume today are processed in factories in underdeveloped countries – in factories with workers who labor in unsafe and hazardous conditions, as was the case in Bangladesh in 2013 when the Rana Plaza factory collapsed, killing thousands.

Since then, the question of where products originate has been a topic of discussion and with it a new phrase has made its way into the lexicon of many: fair trade. We know what it means to be fair and we know what trade is. So what is fair trade?

Fair Trade is the practice of selling and distributing products manufactured or grown by individuals in foreign countries who are paid fairly. Instead of working in sweatshops and living on wages far below those of the common minimum wage, workers are paid a reasonable income, are given more opportunities for advancement, work in safe environments, and are given financial assistance when needed.

Colleges and universities in the U.S. have taken the initiative to gain more knowledge on these practices and have successfully implemented fair trade options on their campuses.

Cabrini College is one of these colleges and universities. In June 2011, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) awarded Cabrini College and Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia a $14,000 grant in order for them to further their efforts to implement fair trade in their schools and spread the importance of this system. After much student advocacy the Cabrini College joined forces with Sodexo, the College’s dining services provider, to provide fair trade options like coffee, chocolate, sugar, bananas, teas, quinoa, and rice in the campus dining locations.

By November 2013, Cabrini College had been recognized as one of 17 colleges and universities nationwide to hold a fair trade status. The College now offers a course that focuses on educating students on the dynamics of fair trade.

On your next grocery store run, look for a fair trade logo somewhere on the packaging of the products you purchase so as to ensure that what you are purchasing was made or grown fairly. Either logo will contain the phrases “Fair Trade Certified” or simply “Fair Trade International.” But, beware of companies who claim to be providers of fair trade, as some may only offer a single line of a fair trade option compared to the many other unethically made lines of products they offer.

Purchasing fair trade options and encouraging others to do the same will ultimately lead companies to use this method and guarantee that there is fairness among employers and the workers who do so much for so little. ~ submitted by Danielle Perez, Cabrini College student and communications intern

 

Filed Under: Advocacy

Cabrini High School Pilots Journey 2050

April 20, 2016

Cabrini High School students are among the first in the US to participate in the pilot-test of the “Journey 2050” environmental learning program developed by Agrium and introduced to schools through the Nutrients for Life Foundation.

CAB Journey 2050 photo 3 crThe Environmental Science classes of Ann Smart are testing the “Journey 2050” web site learning simulation, under the oversight of Tiffany Ballow, local representative of the Nutrients for Life Foundation.  “Journey 2050” is a new program in the pilot-testing phase and Cabrini is only the 6th school in the US to use it.  Feedback from the students and science department faculty will assist in perfecting the program before it goes into wider use.

“The “Journey 2050” program is a new applied environmental science exercise that requires students to make decisions on how to feed the estimated 9 billion inhabitants on Earth by the year 2050,” noted Ann Smart, Cabrini Science Department Head.  “Students must take into account best practices in agriculture and coordinate these practices throughout different areas of the world to enhance worldwide production in order to assure a sustainable, global food supply.  At the end of the simulation, students will be exposed to various opportunities and careers related to agri-business and global resource planning and allocation.”

As part of Cabrini’s STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) initiative, the school’s participation in this program allows the school to stay on the forefront of advances in STEM instructional methods.  “Focusing on STEM education and training prepares our graduates to succeed in college and in the workforce,” cited Ardley Hanemann, Cabrini’s President.  “Career opportunities in the STEM fields continue to increase and accelerate in the US.  We want our students to be positioned to excel in these fertile fields.”

Filed Under: Cabrini High School

Sisters of Many Congregations Stand with Immigrants at Supreme Court

April 19, 2016

Lending their voices, support and prayers, dozens of sisters from various congregations gathered with hundreds of immigrants and advocates in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building April 18 as justices heard oral arguments regarding Obama Administration immigration policies.

“This is a central concern and we want to stand in solidarity with our immigrant sisters and brothers,” said Mercy Sr. JoAnn Persch, executive director of the Interfaith Committee for Detained Immigrants in Chicago. The organization operates houses and provides services for detainees who are waiting for their case. “We believe this immigration system is evil. We are people of faith and operate on the basis that every human being is our sister and brother.”

“We see families ripped apart and hear their stories,” Persch said.

The case at hand questions the legality of Obama’s executive actions on immigration in the form of two initiatives: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), which the president launched in 2012 and 2014 respectively. A decision is expected in June.

Though the original DACA guidelines from 2012 are not being challenged, 26 states claim that 2014’s expanded DACA and DAPA violate the Constitution.

But Charity Sr. Mary Ellen Lacy, who is also an immigration attorney, said the arguments by those objecting to DAPA are basically “using a lot of bluster.” The objections “have no legal justification,” she said.

There is a long history of executive action involving immigration issues, including DACA in 2012, so 2014’s DAPA should be no different, she said.

“We have a culture of fear. Pope Francis tells us this is the year of mercy. There are plenty of resources in the U.S. for us to be as generous as we want to be,” she said. “We are never made better by taking away the God-given dignity of others; we become less.”

Charity Sr. Mary Ellen Lacy is an immigration attorney. (GSR photo / Gail DeGeorge)

Should the court decide in favor of the United States, an estimated 3.7 million undocumented immigrants could qualify for protection from deportation, according to the Migration Policy Institute, as early as June 2016.

According to a new paper by the Center of Migration Studies, 85 percent of those eligible for DACA under its original guidelines have lived in the U.S. for 10 years or more, as well as roughly 80 percent of those eligible for DAPA, and nearly three-quarters of those eligible for DACA-plus (the expanded initiative).

Nearly all those in the labor force are employed: 94 percent of DAPA recipients, 85 percent of the original DACA, and 72 percent of DACA-plus, according to the same study.

“We cannot not be here,” said Sr. Pat Murphy, also a Sister of Mercy from Chicago. “It is a moral issue. I think this period of history will be a very shameful one when we’re teaching American history in a few more years because we are sending people away from this country who are coming for political and economic freedom. They’re being driven from their countries and when you look at the base of the Statue of Liberty that says ‘give me your hungry, your poor’ [sic] — what’s happened to us?”

The crowds grew as morning wore on, as labor unions, church groups and other organizations joined the swelling throng in front of the Supreme Court building. Sr. Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK, gave an opening prayer in Spanish and English. “This is a great day for justice,” she said. “We pray that the hearts of the justices be open, their minds clear and spirits free to do what is right,” she said in prayer. “Lord, we ask you to open the hearts and minds of the justices.”

In an interview a few minutes later with GSR, she said, “Catholics should be engaged in this issue in welcoming the immigrant. The pope has made this abundantly clear.” She noted the pope’s actions in taking a dozen Syrian refugees from the Greek island of Lesbos over the weekend, and the heartbreak that there are so many thousands more.

Social Service Sr. Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK, a lobbying organization based in Washington, D.C., was among the sisters and other supporters at the Supreme Court April 18. (GSR photo / Gail DeGeorge)

“This issue at the court is not about refugees, it’s about people who have been contributing to our society for years, for decades, but do not have status, because the people across the street,” pointing to the U.S. Capitol Building “have failed to fix a broken law.” Even if the justices decide in favor of the Obama Administration, there is still work to be done, she said.

In the event of a 4-4 tie, the lower court’s ruling (that the executive actions are an overreach of the president’s authority) would stand, though the case could be reheard in the future.

Like Campbell, John Gehring — Catholic program director at Faith in Public Life, an advocacy group in Washington — points to the pope, saying that Catholics are responding to his call that “a culture of indifference is unacceptable.”

“Our hope is that Catholic sisters and clergy standing with immigrants outside the courthouse are a vivid reminder that this case is about more than dry legal analysis or typical political posturing,” he continued. “It’s about real people. It’s about the kind of country we’re building for our kids and grandkids. Our prayer is that the court rules on the side of human dignity and keeps families together.”

Several of the sisters were in Washington, D.C., for Ecumenical Advocacy Days, an annual meeting of representatives of various faith organizations working on the same social justice issues. Sisters were meeting with representative and organizations involved with trade, poverty and voter rights issues.

Staffers from NETWORK. At left is Diane Pliego, the organization’s government relations associate and someone whose status is protected by DACA. (GSR photo / Gail DeGeorge)

Charity Sr. Andrea Koverman was in D.C. for the annual advocacy meetings and came out to the Supreme Court’s steps to join other sisters and immigrant groups. “I’m so glad to be here,” she said. Koverman is based in Cincinnati at the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center. “I’m here to show our support for immigrants in this country. We’ve been fighting long and hard and hoping and praying and wanted to offer our support that [the justices] will make the right decision.”

Diane Pliego, government relations associate with NETWORK, held a sign quoting Pope Francis: “‘If we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities.’ DAPA is opportunity.”

Pliego herself has legal status in the U.S. because of DACA, but her parents are at risk unless DAPA becomes a reality.

“Before DACA, my family struggled,” she said. Since then, she and her brother have had opportunities to advance on the social and economic ladder, she said.

Campbell said if the justices determine the Obama Administration policies are constitutional, the decision would allow “millions of people who are contributing to society, but don’t have papers, to stay. They are investing in our society, justice demands that they be integrated into our society.”

She spoke specifically about two teenagers whose parents were recently deported. “They need a whole family, they need their parents here — that’s why I’m here today.”

[Soli Salgado is a staff writer for Global Sisters Report. Her email address is ssalgado@ncronline.org. Follow her on Twitter:@soli_salgado. Gail DeGeorge is editor of Global Sisters Report and based in the Washington, D.C., area. Her email address isgdegeorge@ncronline.org.]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Immigration, Social Justice Tagged With: Asylum Seekers, Cabrini Immigrant Services, immigration

St. F.X. Cabrini Shrine, NYC Extending Hospitality and Sharing God’s Love

April 14, 2016

For three years, the sisters at St. Frances Cabrini Gala 4-11 All crShrine NYC gave a home to their Jewish neighbors who had lost their place of worship. The young congregation from Fort Tryon Jewish Center would gather each week in Mother Cabrini High School to pray and sing while their children would play and learn in one of the classrooms. Over the years, smiles and greetings would be exchanged with shrine visitors as they crossed paths to pray.

On Monday, April 11, Fort Tryon Jewish Center honored the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart at a springtime gala to thank them for their hospitality. Rabbi Guy Austrian recalled first meeting Sr. Tommasina Lanski, MSC, who was then Shrine Director. “It was Purim, and I was dressed in a silly costume to entertain the children, when I ran into Sister Tommasina. It was an embarrassing first impression. Sister told me not to worry; “Sometimes people laugh at the way I dress, too!”

Rabbi Austrian presented the Shrine with a beautiful framed papercut image of the Hamsa, or Hand of God symbol. The artwork was created by a member of their congregation, and depicts a symbol of protection common to both Judaism and Christianity.

Gazing at the assembled guests, Sr. Tommasina said, “How did we get to this place, where a Jewish community and Catholic community gather in gratitude? This was a gift from God that united the two out of a respect for faith. As we got to know each other we had a greater respect for each other’s faith and greater love for our own. We share a love for and gratitude to the same God.”

On the Shrine grounds last September, families from the Jewish Center gathered to begin their celebration of Sukkot in the shadow of trees planted when Mother Cabrini was alive. Laughing children dashed beneath a full moon as their parents watched from the Sukkoh hut that was decorated with symbols of the harvest festival. From the darkness a voice began a song in Hebrew and was joined softly by others.

all.

Filed Under: St. Frances X. Cabrini Shrine NYC

Successful Campaign for Human Rights in International Fishing Industry

April 13, 2016

fisheries 2Informed by his Franciscan Community of an important Lenten advocacy campaign for slave-free seafood, Fr. Edwin Robinson, OFM, Director of Pastoral Care at Cabrini of Westchester, was compelled to raise awareness.  He shared the Lenten initiative led by the Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking (CCOAHT) with Patricia Krasnausky, President and CEO, and, together, they brought the campaign to the Cabrini community.

In honor of the Year of Mercy, Ms. Krasnausky ordered and distributed over 500 hundred pre-paid postcards addressed to two of the largest distributors of seafood:  Costco and Starkist.  The message on the postcards read:  “Catholics want slave-free seafood this year, and will be vigilant about this as we observe Lent.  We, therefore, kindly urge you to do all in your power to ensure that your supply chains are free of the taint of forced labor.”

Ms. Krasnausky had the postcards signed by many employees of Cabrini of Westchester as well as those in attendance of the Cabrini Day of Prayer, Restoration and Renewal held at Cabrini College.  Many were stunned to learn that the United States imports 80-90% of its seafood, and tens of thousands of people are exploited at every link in the seafood harvesting and production chain.

As a result of Cabrini’s participation, we received the following feedback from CCOAHT.  “Over 15,000 cards were mailed, which exceeded the goals of the campaign.  As a result, the National Fisheries Institute contacted the US Bishops Conference and a meeting is scheduled to occur in May.  This contact means that the mail campaign had an effect.  The initial meeting is the first step in the effort re halting the human trafficking situation in shrimp and fish farming.”

Therefore, all the individuals who signed and mailed in postcards made a significant contribution to the campaign.  Thank you, and God bless one and all!

Filed Under: Anti-Human Trafficking, Cabrini Ministries, Dobbs Ferry, Missionary Sisters, Social Justice Tagged With: anti-human trafficking, Cabrini of Westchester, human trafficking

Cabrini Immigrant Services in Dobbs Ferry, NY Gets Cookin’!

April 13, 2016

Chef JesusWhen people leave their homeland, so much has to be left behind. They have to adapt to a new environment. She or he is faced with a new language, new cultures and sometimes very new climates. One thing that the person can keep is his or her own memories. Very often when speaking about their memories, people will mention a special dish that they had enjoyed with their families.   Food is very often an important part of family life and family traditions. For those reasons, Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, decided to offer a Cooking Class to our adult students and tutors. What a great way to share a special recipe as well as talking about their homeland and their memories of sharing the meal with their family.

On Monday, March 21st, CIS held its first Cooking Class. “Chef Jesús,” a head pizza maker at a local pizzeria in Westchester, made a Mexican Spring Salad and Gazpacho soup. Our Chef is from the state of Puebla in southern Mexico and is currently a student at CIS.

In addition to making these recipes, our Chef taught us about the importance of cleaning fruits and vegetables, maintaining a clean work area and what the proper temperature should be when cooking certain foods such as beef and chicken. He also taught us about the unique kinds of fruits and vegetables that are grown in Puebla including a variety of green cabbage called “col” with its thick leaves and round shape.

We all watched as our Chef created a delicious salad and very tasty Gazpacho soup. Everyone enjoyed the class especially the finished products! We all received a copy of the recipes so that we can try them at home. We hope that you will also enjoy these delicious recipes! We hope to continue to have our Cooking Class

Filed Under: Cabrini Immigrant Services, Cabrini of Westchester Tagged With: Cabrini Immigrant Services, Cabrini of Westchester

Cabrini Mission Corps to close after 24 years of service

April 7, 2016

CMC to close in June after 24 Years of Service in the US and Overseas

Closing Mass and Celebration to be held June 18that Cabrini College

In a recent letter to Cabrini Sisters, Lay Missionaries, CEOs and Board Chairs, Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC, Stella Maris Provincial, and Council announced the closure of Cabrini Mission CoLove through Service 2016rps, the lay mission program sponsored by the Province, after 24 years.

“The decision to end the program was made by the Stella Maris Provincial Council after careful discernment. The decision was made given the reality of the Province. Our mission sites are fewer as well as placements in community. This was not an easy decision, although we are confident it is the right action,” said Raccuglia.

She went on to say, “We are sincerely grateful for the ‘education of hearts’ that the CMC program has offered to many missioners and sisters, Cabrini ministry sites and all those they have served. Our hope is that the few months that remain can be a time of prayerful reflection on and reverence for all the program has offered over these many years. We want to thank Gina Scarpello, especially, for the good work in forming the hearts of these missioners for life; and Sr. Lucille Souza, MSC who launched the program, and all the other directors of this ministry.”

Gina Scarpello, CMC Director, will continue to work closely with the Province to ensure a graceful closure of the program that has meant so much to so many.

In a recent interview, Scarpello stated, “Overall the emotion is one of sadness, yet peace. The program has served its purpose well for almost a quarter century. 143 men and women have served as missionaries in the US and overseas, and each one has answered what they felt was call to serve in the spirit of Mother Cabrini. Wherever they were placed, for however long they served, they sought to be and were instruments of God’s love and mercy. The beauty of love and mercy is that once it flows out there, its effects are endless – it just flows and multiplies. We have a saying at CMC that “#missionneverends” – and even though the CMC program is coming to a close, the mission continues, and there is peace in knowing this.”

A Closing Mass and Celebration will take place on June 18, 2016 at Cabrini College

Filed Under: Cabrini Mission Corps, Service, Volunteerism Tagged With: Cabrini Mission Corps

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