Archives for September 2025

School Bells are Ringing!

September 11, 2025

As each child entered the room, they were greeted by resident, Sr. Wilda Asfour, who provided bags in which the children collected their bounty. All of the items were coordinated by category to make the selection process easy.

The collection was made possible by a school supplies drive that was held in the nursing home to benefit the Cabrini Kids at the Cabrini Immigrant Services Program. Throughout the month of August, residents, staff, family members, volunteers and other visitors donated various necessities to assist these children in preparing for a new school year. The response to the supplies drive was overwhelming and each child was able to take several trips around the table to collect items such as pens, pencils, binders, notebooks, crayons and so much more!

Thank you to all those who contributed to this Mission in Action event and best of luck to the Cabrini Kids as they embark on the new school year!

9/11 – A Day of Remembrance

September 11, 2025

Most people will remember exactly where they were on the morning of September 11, 2001, when they heard the news about the first of the planes crashing into the World Trade Center tower.

Some witnessed the attack firsthand in Manhattan and scrambled for shelter as debris rained down upon them. Others looked across the New York Harbor from New Jersey in horror and disbelief. Sirens wailed throughout New York City as first responders rushed to the scene threading through throngs of people dazed and injured.

The first plane hit the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. At 9:03 a.m. the second plane hit the South Tower. Then, at 9:37 a.m. a plane crashed into the Pentagon followed at 10:03 a.m. by a plane plunging into the field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Life would never be the same. Today, we remember. We remember all those who lost their lives, their loved ones, the survivors, and all those who risked their own lives to save others.

And so, we pray…

On this day of solemn remembrance:
May we honor the lives that were lost in these tragic acts.
May we give thanks for those who served and saved, rendered aid and assistance.
May we give comfort to those who live with loss.
May we seek justice and peace where it is within our ability,
and rely on you when the ability escapes us.
On this day of solemn remembrance:
May we build what has been torn down.
May we mend what has been broken.
May live your love when hate seems to reign.
May we bear witness to the cause of peace.
By Derek Weber, JesuitResource.org – Free Resources online

Creating Comfort for God’s Littlest Ones

September 9, 2025

Knitting Group at Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS) – Dobbs Ferry, NY continues to work on outreach projects that benefit others. The group crocheted sixty octopuses for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Octopus Project. The octopuses are given to premature babies to provide them with comfort. The babies hold on to the tentacles, which resemble an umbilical cord. This helps to calm the baby down. It also distracts them from pulling on their medical equipment. In addition to comfort and security, it has been found that the babies who hold the octopus experience better breathing, more regular heart rates and improved oxygen levels.

Before donating the octopuses to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, NY, everyone prayed over the octopuses and asked God to bless and heal all the babies who will be receiving them. We also prayed for strength for the parents who are journeying with their children.

We are so proud of our Knitting Group. They live the Cabrinian mission of bringing the love of God to others.

Music to Their Ears!

September 3, 2025

The captivating music of Liszt and Debussy has echoed around the corridors of Cabrini Malvern in the past week or so as concert pianist and Cabrini patient Pauline Pidgeon practised for her upcoming recital in the hospital Chapel.

Pauline, an acclaimed pianist who has played with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and is a Conservatorium of Music alumnus, fell and broke her pelvis late last month, but her Cabrini doctors uncovered something far more sinister after a series of scans.

“They found I have stage 2 lung cancer,” the award-winning pianist said. “I’m having radiation treatment and chemotherapy here at Cabrini, but fortunately they’ve found it’s only spread to one lymph node, so that’s good news.

“I guess God wants me to keep playing music and make more people happy.”

It’s hard not to be happy listening to Pauline play the piano and watching her fingers effortlessly glide over the keys.

Pauline, originally from regional Victoria, began playing piano before the age of three, and was recognised early as having an extraordinary gift.

“When I was growing up, I had no idea that my ability to play was anything special,” Pauline said. “It was a natural gift, but I took it for granted to be honest. I just went up to the piano and played by ear. But by the age of seven, I was playing for the school dances.”

[Years later], she made her debut as a soloist for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra playing Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 in 1966 under the baton of Sir Bernard Heinze, and even accompanied acclaimed Australian ballerina Kathleen Gorham.

Since retiring to Melbourne, Pauline has generously gifted audiences, both large and small, her incredible music, including our Cabrini patients and staff.

“Playing while I’m having my treatment is helping me,” she believes. “And I think people here at Cabrini are also enjoying listening.”

was invited to play by Cabrini’s Manager of Pastoral and Bereavement Service, Michael Taylor.

Pauline, who is still a patient on 5 West, didn’t hesitate to offer her services – until she realised something significant.

“I didn’t have any clothes and would be wearing my spotted dressing gown, so I asked Michael if that would be OK, and that’s when he told me that that our gathering hymn for the Mass was ‘Come as you Are,’” Pauline laughed.

And so, she came as she was. The wonderful Pauline went along to Mass in her spotted dressing gown and accompanied the choir during the very special service.

“It was the least I could do,” Pauline said. “Everyone here at Cabrini has been so wonderful to me – and it also gave me some valuable practice before my recital.”

To read the entire account please click

Cabrini Mission Foundation Baseball Fundraiser – A Real Grand Slam!!

September 3, 2025

Great company, the great American pastime, and a perfect summer evening “on deck” — Cabrini Mission Foundation’s 4th annual baseball fundraiser was a hit. Guests enjoyed ballpark favorites including hot dogs, popcorn, braided pretzels, and our new favorite: mac-and-cheese bites.

The game didn’t disappoint, with plenty of home runs and even a foul ball landing right in the suite. One lucky guest also snagged a t-shirt launched from the t-shirt cannon — a true souvenir moment.

Fittingly, it was Italian Heritage Night at the ballpark. Local Italian musicians delighted the crowd with beloved cultural tunes, and the night ended with an Italian-themed fireworks show lighting up the sky in the flag’s iconic red, white, and green.

The evening was another wonderful opportunity for Sisters, family, and friends to gather in support of a great cause — making the night a true grand slam!