On Friday, June 7, the Missionary Sisters in Colorado celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with Mass and a vow renewal at the Shrine. Staff, volunteers, and friends of the Shrine were in attendance, and the evening ended with a wonderful community potluck supper.
Cabrini of Westchester Honors Long-Term Employees
On May 29, 2024, Cabrini of Westchester held the annual Employee Service Awards ceremony followed by a luncheon in honor of fifty-eight outstanding employees who were celebrating five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty and even thirty-five years of service to the organization.
The ceremony was held in St. Cabrini’s Chapel. Rev. Ron Galt, Vice President of Pastoral Care and Mission, bestowed blessings on all of the honorees. In her remarks, Patricia Krasnausky, President and CEO, shared her experiences of working in a nursing home as a teen and beyond, doing many of the tasks that all the employees take on every day. She shared, “The circumstances and times may have been different, but I know how hard you work. That’s how I can honestly express the great respect and gratitude I have for all that you are and all that you do. Congratulations and thank you for your contributions over the many years and for making Cabrini of Westchester what it is today.”
Each of the awardees received a pin with a precious stone reflective of their years of service to Cabrini of Westchester.
Recipients were invited to participate in a luncheon in recognition of the hard work and dedication to the mission accomplished by all Cabrini of Westchester Employees each and every day of the year! Account continues on following page.
Congratulations to the 2024 Employee Service Award Recipients and thank you for being such a cherished part of the Cabrini family!
They Journeyed Many Miles to Honor All Immigrants
In the spirit of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, this year Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC joined the 21st Annual Migrant Trail Walk. This is a 75-mile walk from Sásabe, Mexico to Tucson, Arizona which concluded on Sunday, June 2nd. Ivonne Moreno-Rodriguez, Director of Social Services at CIS-NYC, and David Rodriguez joined 36 other humanitarian workers to commemorate migrants who have lost their lives traveling across the US-Mexico border. Ivonne and David walked between 6 and 16 miles per day for a week to advocate for humane border policies and to honor our Cabrini clients and all immigrants who have crossed and continue crossing.
Here in the United States, more than 8,000 people (men, women and children) have lost their lives crossing the U.S.-Mexico border since the initiation of border deterrence policies in the 1990s. In the past year, 191 remains were found in the Arizona desert. Participants carried a white cross with the names of migrants who died in the desert. Other people carried a cross with the name “desconocido/a” (Spanish for “unknown”) that represents the remains of a person that has not yet been identified.
Sacred Heart Feast Observed with Tokens of the Heart
Last week on Sacred Heart Day, Friday, June 7th, at Cabrini Health in Australia, we marked the special occasion on which Cabrini Sisters around the globe renew
their religious vows and commitment to serve. We welcomed dozens of people to Mass in the Malvern Chapel to witness Sisters Theresa Cervasio, MSC and Sr. Beatriz Santos, MSC renew their own vows.
On behalf of all staff and volunteers Jenny Nicholson, Director of Support Services, made a public statement affirming our shared commitment to Cabrini’s mission and values.
Cabrini Health Chief Executive, Sue Williams, invited chefs Nash Cheddee and Matt Jones to present the Sisters with gifts of heart shaped cookies made with love in the Cabrini kitchen.
To the rest of the community, Margaret Stewart, Group Director, Identity and Mission, said, “We hope our love, symbolized in a chocolate heart and an affirmation of our shared work reached you all
for Sacred Heart Day.”
The Closing Mass at Cabrini University
The 
Closing Mass at Cabrini University
On the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sr. Diane Olmstead, MSC, Provincial; Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC, Provincial Councilor; Sr. Catherine Garry, MSC, Trustee; Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC, Sr. Eileen Currie, MSC, President Emerita; and Sr. Roselle Santivasi, MSC, along with present and former members of the University’s Board of Trustees; Ms. Helen Drinan, Interim President; Fr. Carl Janicki, former University chaplain and University staff welcomed Fr. Peter Donahue, OSA, PhD, President of Villanova University to campus for the final Mass in the Bruckmann Chapel of St. Joseph on campus as Cabrini University. The University will transition to Villanova University as of July 1st.
Fr. Peter in his homily said that he and the Villanova University community would “cherish our (Cabrini) hearts and hold them sacred” – a timely and reassuring message to all those gathered on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
CLINIC Conference 2024
During the week of May 29-31, three of us from Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC (CIS-NYC) had the opportunity to participate in the annual meeting of CLINIC (Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc). This Catholic organization with more than 30 years of experience is dedicated to the protection of migrants’ rights and collaborates with numerous non-profit organizations through training workshops or legal updates.
Javier Ramirez, the CIS-NYC Executive Director, Father Scott Leet, pro bono attorney and I, Sr. Yolanda Flores, MSC, who are accredited by the Department of Justice, were immersed in three days of intense training. There were many legal topics in which we participated according to our needs: clarifying doubts, learning something new or reaffirming what we already do as an organization.
We have returned to our work with more enthusiasm and with better tools to continue qualifying our work in favor of the migrants who come to us or those for whom as an organization, we advocate through different programs.
Updates from Our Friends in Guatemala
The Cabrinian Community always enjoys hearing from one of our own members. This week, we hear from Andres Gonzalez from Cabrini Guatemala who shares with us the many activities taking place there during the month of May.
Bonfire Group: This is a care project for the family, including adolescents and parents, to receive mental and emotional health counseling.
Happy Mother’s Day: Celebration of social programs (children and mothers, as well as older adults) for Mother’s Day. They share special food, dancing and dynamics.
School Gardens: Tending to the school gardens is part of the activities for youngsters in nutrition and food security. The gardens complement actions such as child nutrition monitoring, food at home, and training.
Mother’s Day: Celebration of Mother’s Day with presentations for the whole family, traditional “Marimba” music and games to celebrate all the mothers of the programs.
The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 2024
June 7, 2024
The missionary passion that inspired St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was born from a charism strongly rooted in the spirituality of the Sacred Heart that was revived in the late 1800s. This revival took place for several reasons, but it was primarily due to the bicentennial anniversary of the first appearance of the Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and the consecration of the world to the Sacred Heart desired by Pope Leo XIII in the encyclical Annum Sacrum.
Mother Cabrini grew up in the sacred sphere that is the Heart of Jesus. With extraordinary courage, she felt impelled to transfer her profound experience to the missionary world, entrusting her work to the unlimited trust that she was given by God’s heart.
Mother Cabrini never theorized her spiritual experience drawn as it was from the Sacred Heart. The fundamental characteristics of that spirituality are of the Sacred Heart and is focused on sharing the sentiments of the Heart of Jesus, making His interests and preferences her own, “learning from Him, gentle and humble of heart”, (Matthew 11:29) sharing his mission of salvation, and offering oneself in sacrifice for humanity and in reparation for sin.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart had a profoundly spiritual influence on Mother Cabrini toward acceptance of God’s project of love of humanity, and this, in turn, became social reparation in her works.
In the spirituality of Mother Cabrini, her source was the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and her missionary spirit was the trickle with which she fed her tireless apostolic activity.
And so it was that humble missionaries managed to undertake and promote difficult works and missions and overcame obstacles and difficulties solely driven by the desire to give glory to God. This, in fact, is the ultimate ideal to which Mother Cabrini leads: the greatest glory of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which consists of his saving will for humanity and to which every missionary has made her vow.
~ excerpts from the Introduction to Free Yourself and Put On Wings, A Journey of Cabrinian Spirituality by Sr. Maria Barbagallo, MSC
Cheers! To One Hundred Years!
On Friday, May 24th, Cabrini of Westchester held a festive celebration honoring its centenarians, 5 special women who are celebrating milestone birthdays this year. The esteemed honorees are: Anna Ciccone, 102; Sister Rose Golden, 100; Sister Margaret Hernandez, MSC, 100; Theresa Izzo, 100; and Helen Nathanson, 102.
Bonita Burke, Vice President of Operations and Administrator addressed the gathering of residents, staff members, family and friends: “On behalf of the Administration, Board of Trustees and Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we offer congratulations and well wishes to each of our centenarians as we celebrate a century of your utmost grace, strength and kindness. You’ve witnessed a lifetime of history, yet your spirit remains timeless. We celebrate your remarkable journey, honor your wisdom and anticipate more chapters in your extraordinary story.”
A blessing was offered by Pastoral Care Associate, Christina Tiesi, followed by a presentation from special guest, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Senator Stewart-Cousins bestowed framed resolutions to each centenarian and said, “I am so happy to be here to say happy birthday to you all! I am proud to recognize each of you for having lived over 100 wonderful years and for allowing women like me to stand on your shoulders. We wish you God speed, continued good health and thank you for inspiring us with your strength, your stories and your wisdom.”
FOUNDATIONS of CATHOLIC HEALTH CARE LEADERSHIP
Spring 2024
Recently, five Cabrini Nursing Home Leadership staff successfully completed an eight-week formation course facilitated by the Catholic Health Association. The course was titled:
“Foundations of Catholic Health Care Leadership.”
The course was open to leaders in health care facilities throughout the United States. Cabrini Nursing Home has been participating in these courses over many years. We were delighted to have five Department Head Leaders participate in this year’s formation course from different areas of our Cabrini facility as follows:
• Kristen McCauley; Director of Therapeutic Recreation
• Mark Pohar; Director of Nursing
• Enrique Vargas; Director of Food Services
• Dr. Soodabeh Zolfaghari; Medical Director
• Cassidy Barnes; Director of Information Technology
Topics covered included:
• Leadership in Catholic Health Care
• Spirituality and Reflection
• Catholic Social Tradition
• Community Benefit; Catholic Social Tradition in Action
• Global Health
• Ethics and the Catholic Moral Tradition
• Culture and Identity
• Models of the Church
• Integration, Discernment and Human Flourishing
Our participants listened attentively and participated enthusiastically during each of these sessions. The subject matter was engaging, relevant and allowed each participant, no matter their background, experience or faith tradition the opportunity to learn and contribute in meaningful ways. Each session incorporated important opportunities for small group discussions. Cabrini leaders participated in our own small group, facilitated by Fr. Ron Galt from Mission Integration and Pastoral Care. These conversations proved to be very rich and meaningful. It was the hope and intention at the start of the course, to make clear to our participants that they would share their learnings and engagement with their teams and staff in their respective departments and areas of responsibility. The following contributions are from two of our leaders detailing just a few highlights of the learning:
“Understanding the essence of the human spirit is extremely important in the healthcare environment. Failing to acknowledge the unique needs of everyone may inadvertently harm their spirit. It is vital for healthcare workers to recognize and respect the diverse requirements of each person, as these needs play a significant role in shaping their spirit. The spirit, intrinsic to one’s identity, serves as a compass for happiness and well-being.” ~ Kristen McCauley, Director of Therapeutic Recreation
“This training matured me professionally and personally on so many levels. It allowed me to look around my everyday surroundings and ask myself; ‘How can I improve my everyday responsibilities and leadership of my staff?’ That motivated me and sparked a flame within me to motivate my staff as well. So, I decided to do a social experiment with my staff to see how I could motivate them. I told them about this course and mentioned a quote I saw that was meaningful to me; ‘Take a step to change a life.’
I asked them what they can do today to change a life at Cabrini. I gave them a task to come back and share how at the end of their shift, what they had done to change a life. To my surprise, they all came back with beautiful examples, from helping a resident to the elevator, to making sure that a resident was happy with their meal. Every day since, I have had staff coming to me to share their stories and to share with department colleagues to make sure our efforts are team centered in our seeking to change the life of a resident, visitor, volunteer or family member for the better.” ~ Enrique Vargas; Director of Food Services
It has been a joy to watch and encourage our department leaders to approach this learning opportunity with an open heart and a Mission and Values centered spirit. We look forward to more of our Cabrini leaders participating in the years to come.
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