Archives for May 2026

A Loud, Happy Celebration!

May 13, 2026

Tuba, trumpets, drums, clarinets, and mountains of flowers accompanied the faithful in a celebration in honor of St. Michael the Archangel at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York on the morning of May 8. The procession and Mass were organized by a group of men who attend the Shrine’s regular Spanish Mass.

The music began in the park down the street, prompting curious neighbors to emerge from their buildings, and children to race to the windows of the adjacent school.

The festive Mass was followed by a feast on the Shrine’s lawn of homemade tamales, pozole, and other Mexican specialties.

Language, Leadership, and Cabrini High School’s Global Mission

May 13, 2026

Cabrini High School continues to live out Mother Cabrini’s powerful words, “The world is too small for me. I want to bring the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to all people,” by forming students who can truly engage across cultures, and language is at the heart of that mission.

This year’s foreign language awards reflect not only academic excellence, but the development of real-world skills that allow students to communicate, connect, and lead in a global community. In one of the highest honors of Cabrini’s foreign language department, Junior Jordin McFarland earned first place in her French Oral Interview at the Southeastern Louisiana University Foreign Language Festival and received the prestigious Codofil Scholarship, a fully-funded opportunity to study in Brussels, Belgium this summer, and a true representation of the very spirit of Cabrini’s international mission in action

Cabrini students delivered an outstanding performance at the Southeastern Foreign Language Festival as a whole, dominating the competition and earning top placements across multiple categories in both French and Spanish. These accomplishments are more than awards; they represent students gaining the confidence and cultural fluency to engage meaningfully with the wider world.

Through language study, Cabrini students are not only excelling academically, they are continuing Mother Cabrini’s legacy, equipped to reach beyond borders with faith, compassion, and purpose.

Patron Saints for World Youth Day Named

May 7, 2026

The five Patron Saints of WYD Seoul 2027 are:

Saint John Paul II (1920–2005)— founder of World Youth Day, remembered for his emphasis on young people, the family and the dignity of human life
Saint Andrew Kim Taegon (1821–1846) and companions — the first Korean Catholic priest, a symbol of faith and courage who was martyred at a young age
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850–1917)— a missionary known for her care for migrants and the poor
Saint Josephine Bakhita (1869–1947)— a former slave who became a religious sister and a witness to hope, freedom and faith transformed through suffering
Saint Carlo Acutis (1991–2006)— a young saint of the digital age whose life remains a model of evangelization online.
To learn more about WYD please click here

MSCs and Cabrini U CAVS United

May 7, 2026

Missionary Sisters Eileen Currie (2nd l.) and Christine Marie Baltas (4th l.) and Sr. Roselle Santivasi (our photographer) welcomed Cabrini University CAVS Council and committee volunteers to their home for a springtime wine and cheese gathering. Mother Cabrini shooed away the rainy clouds in time for everyone to gather on the beautiful patio.

Our deepest thanks to the Sisters for their warm and gracious hospitality. Everyone had fun!

Be Aware! Cell Phone Tips

May 7, 2026

Shirley Godoi, Administrative Assistant at CIS DF, led the session and explained how people are receiving text messages and emails requesting money and personal information. She emphasized that no one should share personal or financial information by phone unless they are certain of who is contacting them.

One of the major topics that was discussed was the protection of banking and financial information. Shirley stressed that you should never open any of your banking/financial information while in public places, especially when using public Wi Fi or charging a phone at a public charging station. She explained that these places can expose sensitive information to cybercriminals. It is essential to wait until you are in a secure, private location before opening any financial apps or documents.

Another segment focused on downloading apps safely. Shirley walked participants through checking to make sure an app is safe to download. She also told them to be cautious about any fees that may be added when downloading the app.

Shirley stressed the importance of not answering any calls or opening email if you do not know who is calling or sending the email. She conducted a demonstration on how to block unwanted phone numbers and report spam.

Everyone left feeling more confident when using their phones. They said they learned a great deal and will be extremely cautious when opening apps or responding to texts in the future.

Pintastic! Cabrini Mission Foundation Hosts Annual Bowling Event

May 7, 2026

Everyone had a ball at Cabrini Mission Foundation’s Annual Bowling event. Hosted at Lucky Strike in the Chelsea Piers in New York City, attendees got together to showcase their ‘unbowlievable’ skills, while others hung back to cheer on their favorite teams.

The night was full of alley favorites including chips, pizza, cold beer, and the Foundation staple – pigs-in-a-blanket. Bowlers came ready to win; some equipped with matching t-shirts that paired perfectly with their bowling shoes, fully embracing the team spirit.

Even with the competitive flare of the evening, the event created many happy memories, and a few new traditions, all while showing support for a great cause.

The Crescent Journey Begins

May 7, 2026

Cabrini High School recently hosted an unforgettable Welcome Night for its incoming pre-freshmen and freshmen, the classes of 2031 and 2030. It was an evening that reflected both the strength of the Cabrini community and the excitement surrounding this year’s remarkable recruitment success. In what can only be described as a milestone moment, Cabrini has welcomed a class that is more than double the size of last year’s incoming group, with over 100 young women applying to become the next generation of Cabrini Crescents.

The evening brought together students and their families for a first glimpse into the vibrant life that awaits them on campus. New students had the opportunity to meet their future classmates, beginning to form the friendships that will shape their high school experience. Laughter and conversation filled the cafeteria and arena as connections were made and anticipation grew.

Parents were equally engaged, connecting with members of the Cabrini Dads’ Club and the Parents Association. These conversations highlighted the strong network of support that defines the Cabrini experience, not just for students, but for families as well. Faculty and administrators were also present throughout the evening, offering a warm welcome and sharing their vision for guiding each student’s academic and personal journey.

A highlight of the night was an inspiring welcome video that captured the spirit of Cabrini and previewed the transformative years ahead. From academic excellence to spiritual growth, leadership opportunities, and lifelong friendships, the video painted a compelling picture of what it truly means to be a Crescent ~ story continues on following page
As these young women prepare to begin their Cabrini journey, the energy and enthusiasm of Welcome Night made one thing clear: the future is bright, and these classes are ready to shine.

Watch the welcome video here: https://streamable.com/jdwrhi

Teaming Up to Help Our Immigrant Friends

May 7, 2026

The Cabrini Immigration Commission of the Guadalupe Province, and the Cabrini University CAVS and community responded to an urgent need in a local school district in Southeast Pennsylvania. Three immigrant families in that district are in dire straits due to varying circumstances. When contacted by Karol Brewer, Co-Chair of the Cabrini Immigration Commission, Holly Oliver, the district social worker, explained the differing plights of these families. Due to the overwhelming generosity of Cabrini University alumni, faculty and staff and Villanova University staff members over the past year, Cabrini was able to provide support in the form of gift cards to assist these struggling families. Holly Oliver administers the gift cards to ensure that they provide the necessities needed. Abundant thanks to everyone who allows our support to continue.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Mother Cabrini’s 176th Birthday on July 15th from 1 – 4 pm at the Cabrini Cottage when we will once again be giving Mother “birthday gifts” that will enable us to support these families in meaningful ways.

A Warm Welcome to you, Sr. Lucy!

May 7, 2026

Sr. Lucy brings with her a rich and diverse background in formation, ministry, and leadership within our Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a Licentiate in Psychology from the Gregorian University in Rome. Her academic preparation has supported a life of service marked by attentiveness to both the human and spiritual dimensions of those entrusted to her care.

Throughout her religious life, Sr. Lucy has served in a variety of ministries across different cultural contexts. Her experience includes school catechesis, teaching Italian to middle school students, and serving as a nurse at Cabrini Hospital in Seattle. She has dedicated many years to formation as a Novice Directress in Latin America and the United States, accompanying young women in their discernment and growth in religious life.

Her international ministry also extends to Africa, where she has accompanied young women discerning their vocation and supported the ongoing formation of young sisters. This experience has deepened her commitment to intercultural formation, attentive listening, and the nurturing of vocations within diverse realities, strengthening connections across provinces and fostering a spirit of shared mission.

At the international level, Sr. Lucy has served as Coordinator of the International Formation Coordinating Team, fostering collaboration and unity in formation processes across provinces. She has also ministered as a Professor of Novices at the Conference of Religious in Guatemala and has offered therapeutic accompaniment to many religious sisters and brothers. Her leadership experience includes serving as Regional Superior in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico, as well as Provincial Superior in Argentina.

As she begins her service in the Guadalupe Province, Sr. Lucy expresses her desire to walk together in a spirit of synodality, listening deeply to each sister and fostering collaboration with the laity who share in our mission. She hopes to strengthen community life, promote vocations, support ongoing formation, and encourage a renewed missionary zeal rooted in our Cabrinian charism.

With trust in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she looks forward to embracing the challenges and opportunities of our time with faith, openness, and hope.

We entrust Sr. Lucy’s new mission to the Lord and ask for your prayers, that she may be guided by wisdom, compassion, and courage in her service.