Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Bringing Christ's love to the world

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Bright New Beginnings

The program was presented by Joely Caro, an intern from Westchester Community College.

The program began with reflections about 2025. Everyone received a journal/notebook to write their personal reflections down. Following, they reflected on their goals for 2026. After sharing with one another, the painting and sipping, (coffee and orange juice) began.

The picture chosen was a beautiful sunset. It was chosen to symbolize a new

beginning. With the setting of the sun, a new day begins anew.

The clients were so grateful to have some time to stop and reflect after the hecticness of the holidays. Everyone was so proud of their ‘works of art.’

Christmas Clowns Bring Smiles to Kiddos

The Knitting Group at Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry, NY (CIS-DF) have been Santa elves as they have crocheted clowns that will be donated to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, NY. The very colorful clowns will bring big smiles to the faces of the children who are patients in the hospital.

Before donating the clowns, a special blessing was held. Everyone prayed over the crocheted clowns and asked God to send special blessings and healing to the children who will be receiving them. In addition to the clowns, a few more octopuses were crocheted and will be donated to the NICU at the hospital.

We are so proud of our Knitting Group as they continue to bring God’s love to so many people. They are happy knowing that they are helping children who will not be home for Christmas.

Recharge, Refresh, Re-energized!

Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF), held a workshop entitled: “Reiniciar y Recargar Energías: Por qué el Autocuidado es Importante (Reset and Recharge Your Energy: Why Self Care Matters). The workshop was presented by Betsy Suarez, a licensed mental health counselor. Betsy spoke about the importance of taking care of yourself so you can better care for others. Several ideas were shared about using different ways to help relax the body and calm the mind. Ideas such as keeping a gratitude journal, guided meditations, a walk and calling a friend, were discussed.

Everyone in attendance received hand cream and a lip mask. Betsy showed how to massage the hands using the hand cream. Another important piece that was shared was learning to say, ‘no,’ without feeling guilty.

Everyone left feeling energized. What a perfect way to feel as we prepare for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Thanksgiving with an International Flair!

The Knitting Group at Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF), held a special Thanksgiving luncheon. The group wanted to celebrate all the blessings that they had and continue to receive.

The meal started with a special prayer given by one of the clients. In addition to thanking God for the gifts of faith, friendship and family, she also thanked God for the gift of CIS-DF and the staff. A Thanksgiving meal followed the prayer. Special recipes were prepared with a flavor from the different countries. Everyone was so proud to bring in dishes from Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico.

Lorraine Campanelli, the Director, told the members of the Knitting Group that they too are a blessing to CIS-DF. She told them of the good that they do for so many people through their special projects. It was a blessing that we could all be together, celebrate and be thankful.

So Much for Which to be Thankful

During this time of giving thanks, Cabrini Immigrant Services -Dobbs Ferry, NY (CIS-DF), is thrilled to announce that we have a new US citizen. Dara Mersi Martinez passed her US Citizenship exam! She came to the United States in 2011 from Guatemala. Dara is filled with gratitude for all the help she received from her tutors at CIS-DF.

A special thank you to Peter Ricca, one of her tutors, who helped Dara learn the many questions needed to pass the test. Congratulations Dara!

Teens Helping Teens

Following the STARS program, several of our high school students came to CIS-DF to participate in a Giving Back Program. The students made 100 bags filled with toiletries and other items which will be given to teenagers whose families frequent The Pantry, which is located in Verplanck, NY. The Pantry provides groceries for residents in the Town of Cortlandt.

One student created the list of items for the bags. In addition to deodorant, lip balm, toothbrushes and toothpaste, etc., the teenagers will also be receiving socks, scrunchies, stress balls, lollipops, wristbands and keychains with inspirational sayings. We are sure that that these packets will brighten the holidays for these teenagers. A special thank you to our CIS-DF teenagers for taking time on their Veterans Day off from school to help others.

Integrity Always!

Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF) held a STARS (StoryTelling, Art, Reading and Socialization) Program for students in Grades 3-5 on November 11th. In addition to being Veterans Day, it was also National Young Readers Day. Dr. Wendy Mages, a trained storyteller, told the story, The Empty Pot, by Demi. A great discussion took place following the story. The students spoke about the importance of having good character. Words such as honesty, compassion, responsibility, etc. were suggested as the ways in which we should act towards one another.

After the discussion, the students created “A Tree of Integrity.” On the trunk, branches and leaves of the tree, the words that were used during the discussion were written on painted leaves. The tree, which hangs in our classroom, is a reminder to always be people with integrity.
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CIS-NYC Trying Its Very Best to Serve Those in Need

An estimated 2.9 million New Yorkers, including 1 million children, did not receive their food benefits on November 1st. While partial SNAP payments have been ordered to resume, it’s still unclear when families will get their full benefits. In the meantime, community food pantries, like ours, across the city are trying filling the gap and feed our communities.

At Cabrini Immigrant Services-NYC (CIS-NYC), our pantry already serves around 400 families every Saturday morning, and we expect that number to grow in the weeks ahead. To meet this need, we’ve extended our distribution hours from 7–9AM to 7–10AM.

This week, our pantry was highlighted in a NYT article about how faith-based and community programs are stepping up to meet this moment, often stretching limited resources to continue serving families. ~ submitted by Amelia Scdoris, Justice for Immigrants Coordinator

You can read the article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/nyregion/church-pantries-food-aid.html?unlocked_article_code=1.yU8.SFKW.c50lgOcL8tjM&smid=url-share

Día de los Muertos

As November approaches, we begin to think about our deceased family, friends and loved ones in a special way. On October 29th, some of the clients from Cabrini Immigrant Services, (CIS) Dobbs Ferry, NY, shared their celebration of Día de los Muertos, (the Day of the Dead), with the residents at St. Cabrini Nursing Home.

A beautiful altar was created with love and reverence in the lobby of the nursing home. Each element had great significance. In Mexico and Latin America, it is customary to build an altar to remember the dead. Our CIS clients are from Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and Venezuela. Many of our clients cannot go to their countries to celebrate with their own families therefore they are appreciative to celebrate with the ‘Cabrini Family.’

Our clients prayed and spoke in Spanish and English about what Día de los Muertos means to them. Two beautiful songs were performed. One song, La Llorona, is about a mother who is crying for her children who drowned. The other, Remember Me, from the movie Coco, reminds us that if even if a person is no longer with us, they are always in our hearts.

A CIS client carrying the Book of the Dead led a procession with luminaria bags lighting the way. People shared the meaning of the items gracing the altar. It was an emotional time of remembering deceased family and friends by writing their names on cards and placing them on the altar to be remembered in our prayers.

A special thank you to Bonnie Burke, CEO/Nursing Home Administrator at St. Cabrini Nursing Home and Fr. Ron Galt, Vice President for Mission Integration and Pastoral Care, for inviting us to celebrate such a meaningful time at the nursing home. ~submitted by: Lorraine Campanelli, Director, CIS-DF

 

 

Feeling Thankful and Blessed

Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF), held a STARS (StoryTelling, Art, Reading and Socialization) for Kids Program for students in Grades Kindergarten-. The STARS program has helped our students by increasing their attention span, improving their imagination and creative thinking as well as building confidence in their verbal and artistic expression.

Dr. Wendy Mages, a trained storyteller, told the story, Thankful, by Eileen Spinelli. After listening to the story, the students discussed all that they were thankful for. What a wonderful reminder to know how blessed we all are! The students worked on two art projects. Everyone wrote on a piece of construction paper what they were thankful for. The papers were then linked together to create a ‘I Am Thankful For…” chain. The students were then given jars which they filled with words of thankfulness. Some of the words chosen were Mom, Dad, grandparents, sisters and brothers, school, friends, books, and so many other things. The students can add more papers to their jars as they discover new things they are thankful for.

The students were so happy to receive a copy of the book, Thankful. They were going to read the story at home and ask their family to share what they are thankful for.
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1260 Upper Gulph Road, Wayne, PA 19087
Phone: 484-581-7163   Fax: 484-581-7164
info@mothercabrini.org