In last week’s Update, there was an announcement regarding a Catholic Relief Services Ambassadors’ panel on immigration that was to be held on February 9th on the campus of Cabrini University. The following is an account on the panel written by Dr. Jerry Zurek, Professor, Communications Department, Cabrini University and Coordinator, CRS – Cabrini University Partnership.
It was such a moving event. Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC and Sr. Bridget Zanin, MSC were there and each spoke to the students in the Q&A.
Five students, from Nepal, Benin, Liberia, Ecuador, and Guinea, presented a small aspect of their life journey to fellow students, to faculty and staff, to the Missionary Sisters, and to the university president, Ms. Helen Drinan. They spoke of the many trials each had to undergo. Two had lived in refugee camps. All spoke of how difficult their coming had been, especially for their mothers who were the ones who brought them.
They all spoke about their mothers and the love they must have had for their children as they struggled to help their children have more opportunities. This video of the panel is unlisted, which means only those who have this link can see it. https://youtu.be/0FWUbCgvHdw
All through the panel I thought of Mother Cabrini, who also came to the United States not knowing English, not sure of where she would live, but just like our students, found her way in the US and helped so many migrants here and around the world. She must surely be looking down at these and other students and is blessing their way into the future. These students have been a gift to all of us at Cabrini University and will be a gift to the many people whose lives they will touch.
In an email to these students, Dr. Zurek wrote:
Dear Puja, Noelie, Johnson, Gabriela, and Fanta,
I want to thank you for presenting a small aspect of your life journey to your fellow students, to faculty and staff, to Cabrini sisters, and to the university president. I hope you could feel the appreciation all of us had for your courage, faith, and determination. You inspire all of us. All of you spoke about your mothers and the love they must have had for you as they tried to help you have more opportunities. I thought of them as you spoke and how proud they must be of you as they see you succeeding so brilliantly in your studies. This video of the panel is unlisted, which means only those who have this link can see it. Perhaps they might want to hear you speak. https://youtu.be/0FWUbCgvHdw
As I said last night, Mother Cabrini (Saint Frances Cabrini), who came to the United States in 1889, not knowing English, not sure of where she would live, but just like you, found her way in the US and helped so many migrants here and around the world, must surely be looking down at you and blessing your way into the future. You have been a gift to all of us at Cabrini University, as you are to your families, and will be to the many people whose lives you will touch.
With gratitude,
Jerry Zurek, Ph.D.
Pronouns: he/him
Professor, Communication Department, Cabrini University
Coordinator, CRS – Cabrini University Partnership