On Wednesday, May 27th, CIS-NYC Social Services Department hosted our first workshop focused on art appreciation and creative expression, led by Sister Yolanda as the instructor. Twelve participants attended the session, and the feedback was very positive. Students sketched and painted while learning the importance of mindfulness and creative expression. 
Archives for May 2026
Prayers for the Perpetual Pilgrims
The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage kicked off on Sunday, May 24. Each of the perpetual pilgrims on the St. Frances Cabrini Route will be carrying with them a second-class relic of Mother Cabrini, a gift from St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York. The Shrine has committed to praying for the nine perpetual pilgrims — Cheyenne Johnson, Zach Dotson, Marcel Ferrer, Sharon Phillips, Eduardo Gutierrez, Angelina Marconi, Raymond Martinez II, Mary Carmen Zakrajsek and John Paul Flynn — until the six-week walking pilgrimage ends in Philadelphia on July 4, the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding.
Although the Shrine is not a public stop on the pilgrimage route, the perpetual pilgrims will make a private retreat here during the 3rd week of June. We are honored to welcome these young, faithful Catholics, whose dedication to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament would certainly please Mother Cabrini!
A Blessed and Happy Occasion
On Monday, May 11th our St. Cabrini Nursing Home Chapel was packed as we welcomed Bishop Gerardo Joseph Colacicco to preside and preach at Mass. Bishop Colacicco graciously accepted our invitation to also lead the Renewal of Vows of our resident priests and the Religious Commitments and Promises of our resident religious brothers. This is an annual Mass and rite that is enjoyed by those participating in the renewal of vows and commitments but also by our residents, staff, and volunteers in attendance.
Normally, this Rite of Renewal takes place during Holy Week at the Mass of Chrism in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, but given it is almost impossible for our resident priests and brothers to get to the Cathedral, we invite the Bishop to Cabrini so that this important liturgy can be celebrated in our own Chapel.
Throughout the year, in fact, we also work closely with the leadership of each of the congregations of women religious who have resident Sisters at Cabrini to choose a date or feast day in the liturgical calendar that’s important to each congregation of women religious so that our resident Sisters can renew their vows in the presence of their respective leadership teams and the wider Cabrini family.
These occasions seem to be enjoyed and appreciated, and they have become an annual cause for celebration at Cabrini
Uniting in Prayers for Peace
On Friday, May 
1 residents, staff and volunteers at St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY gathered outside around our Peace Pole for a prayer service. With wars raging in various parts of the world and antisemitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric increasing in our country, and overseas, we wanted to gather to raise our voices in prayer for a more peaceful, just, respectful and nonviolent world.
Great Cause for Celebration!
St. Mary’s Parish in Lower Manhattan is celebrating 200 years as a parish. The parish serves our sisters at the Sacred Heart Convent. The week of celebrations began on May 16th, with a beautiful gala. The chapel and the basement parish hall have just been newly renovated. Fr. Tom Mctamara, the paster gave a brief history of the church which was built on the highest hill in the area by Irish immigrants. The evening was filled with great food and a lot of dancing.
Cabrini HS Celebrates $17.7 Million in Scholarships and New Investment in Future Seniors
Cabrini High School is celebrating an extraordinary season of achievement and investment in its students’ futures.
The Class of 2026 has earned a record-breaking $17.7 million in college scholarships and grants, marking the highest scholarship total in school history. Scholarship-earning seniors averaged more than $361,000 in awards, among the highest scholarship average in the New Orleans area. Six graduates each earned more than $1 million in scholarships, while standout senior Marcia Quispe received an impressive $2.2 million in awards to attend Case Western Reserve University, where she plans to study Communication Science and Disorders. 
The milestone reflects Cabrini’s commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and preparing young women for success in fields ranging from engineering and medicine to theater and business. Graduates will continue their studies at universities across the country, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Coastal Carolina University, the University of Kentucky, and Spelman College.
Cabrini High School STEP-UP DAY!
Adding to the excitement, Cabrini’s annual Step-Up Day celebration (a time-honored tradition when underclassmen “step up” to the next grade level) brought a surprise announcement for the rising senior Class of 2027. Highland Scholars Fund founder Matt Theriot revealed that every member of the upcoming senior class will receive a $2,000 scholarship to Cabrini High School.
The announcement represents a direct investment in students as they enter one of the most important and financially demanding years of their 
academic journey. The gift recognizes students’ hard work and growth while also helping families prepare for senior year and the transition to college and future careers. The Highland Scholars Fund, based in New Orleans, is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities through scholarships and mentorship programs that help students overcome financial barriers.
Together, these milestones highlight both the remarkable accomplishments of Cabrini students and the continued community support helping shape the next generation of leaders.
Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday
“The Holy Spirit is the soul of the Church. He gives her life,
he inspires her mission, and he guides her into all truth.”
~ St. Augustine
Celebrated fifty days after Easter, it commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. Catholics often refer to Pentecost as the “birthday of the Church” because the Apostles were strengthened by the Holy Spirit to go forth and preach the Gospel to all nations.
The symbols of Pentecost include wind, fire, and the dove, representing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. The feast reminds Catholics that the Holy Spirit continues to guide, strengthen, and inspire the Church and all believers through the gifts of wisdom, understanding, courage, and love.
Pentecost marks the beginning of the “Age of the Spirit.” Catholics believe that through Baptism and Confirmation, each believer receives the same Spirit that descended upon the Apostles. This indwelling provides the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord), which enable the faithful to live a life filled with special graces.
The fact that people from “every nation under heaven” heard the Apostles in their own language underscores the universal nature of the Church. The word “Catholic” means universal; Pentecost is the moment the Church’s mission officially expanded beyond the confines of Judea to the ends of the earth.
SHOWTIME!
On May 13th, excitement filled the air at Cabrini Immigrant Services-Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF) as students in the Making Movies! Sharing Stories! Program prepared for their much-anticipated “Movie Premiere.” Throughout the year, our young filmmakers wrote stories, illustrated them, and then filmed their movies. In addition to producing and editing the films, the students also added sound effects. This year, the students designed their own logo for their ‘movie production company.’
Under the guidance of their teacher, Anne Marie Santoro, the students proudly presented two of their movies to an audience of classmates, parents, grandparents and siblings. Before each movie, the students welcomed everyone, thanked them for attending the premiere and then introduced their film. Following the presentation, the students fielded questions from the audience. The parents and grandparents were beaming with pride.
At the conclusion of the program, Ms. Santoro presented each student with a certificate in recognition of their achievements. The students were eager to display their certificates at home. In gratitude for all that Ms. Santoro has done throughout the year, the students presented her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers along with heartfelt words of thanks for her dedication and encouragement throughout the year.
The students had a wonderful time enjoying some refreshments following their premiere. Although relieved that they had done a superb job, the excitement lingered. The students are already looking ahead to a special three-week summer program being held in July.
Neighbors Who Sing!
Last fall, the Washington Heights Community Choir began to rehearse at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine. This non-audition choir of 80 locals bri ngs joy, and a true neighborhood feel to the
chapel. As we’ve gotten to know them, we’ve discovered new areas of common interest and a new pool of volunteers.
The choir’s repertoire ranges from sacred music to art songs to folksongs. They present four free concerts each year. Pictured here is their spring concert held on Tuesday, May 12.
First Concert of the Season on the Lawn
Sixth, seventh and eighth graders from a public school in Harlem provided. St. Frances Cabrini Shrine’s first outdoor concert of 2026 on May 7.
The Mott Hall Symphonic Orchestra, composed of about 26 youth, played a mix of jazz, classical music, and adaptations of popular songs. The weather cooperated, and proud parents and curious
neighbors enjoyed an evening al fresco.