Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Observing Dia de los Muertos in Dobbs Ferry, NY

November 8, 2023

In the Christian tradition, the month of November is a time when we remember our deceased family, friends and loved ones. There are different ways that we remember those who have gone before us. On November 2nd, some of the clients from Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, 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 in the lobby of the nursing home. As our clients built the altar, there was such reverence, love and tears that went into it. Each piece that was added to the altar had great meaning. It is customary in Mexico and many of the countries in South America to build an altar in your home to remember the dead. Our clients were from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

The program began in the chapel where our clients spoke about the meaning of Día de los Muertos. They sang, La Llorona, a special song that is sung on this day. The residents were led out to the lobby where the altar was displayed. There were luminaria bags in the hall that lit the way to the altar.

The clients spoke about the altar and the meaning of the different items. There were pictures of their loved ones on the altar. Special flowers, fruits, bread, sugar skulls and candles were also placed on the altar. Not only do the items have special meaning, but it is also important to have many colors exhibited.

Through tears, many described how being able to share in this moment helped them as they prayed and remembered their loved ones. Everyone present was invited to add the names of their loved ones to the altar where they will be remembered in prayer.

Knitting with a Purpose

October 19, 2023

The Knitting Group at Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY, completed a very special outreach program. The main purpose of our Knitting Group is to help our clients improve their English. However, they also enjoy helping others. The group crocheted 260 facecloths that will be given to Samaritan’s Purse: Operation Christmas Child. This program sends special shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and personal care items to children around the world.

We have teamed up with Youth Mission of Life Church in White Plains, one of the sites that fills the shoeboxes with various items. Our facecloths will be placed in the shoeboxes along with the other items. It was decided that the facecloths would be crocheted in purple and lavender, the Cabrini colors.

Before donating the facecloths, Fr. Ron Galt, Vice President of Mission and Pastoral Care, came to CIS to bless them. He told the group that the love that went into all the crocheting and the prayers that they said while making the facecloths are intertwined and that those who will use the facecloths will feel the prayers, their love and the love of God. Fr. Ron also blessed the members of the group for all their hard work they did through the use of their hands.

‘Giving Back’ to our Neighbors

October 11, 2023

On Monday, October 9th, Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY held a Giving Back Program. Despite being off from school for Indigenous Day, some of our high school students gave up their late sleep to help make packets of toiletries for those in need.

We have been working with our asylum seekers who are residing in a neighboring town. They have been attending many of our programs that are held at CIS. Our students made 150 packets of toiletries for the adults and 25 packages of ‘goodies’ for the children. In addition, we made 150 packets of toiletries for a homeless shelter in Westchester County. Some of the adult packets included toothbrushes, toothpaste, handwarmers, hats, gloves, socks, hand sanitizers, etc. The children’s packets had crayons, coloring books, a stuffed animal, sticker books and animal crackers.

Thank you to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for allowing our students to give back to those in need.

Bringing Snap! Crackle! and Pop! to Cabrini Immigrant Services

September 14, 2023

The Resident Council at St. Cabrini Nursing Home, wanted to reach out to the children from Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY. They held a Mission in Action fundraiser. They invited the residents, family, friends and staff to donate cereal during the month of August. They also added that they wanted ‘sweet cereal’ for our Cabrini Kids. Quickly the bins filled up in the lobby as different types of cereal were donated.

On Friday, September 8th, some of our Cabrini Kids and their Moms went to the nursing home to pick up their cereal. You can only imagine the look on the faces of the children when they saw nearly 150 boxes of cereal! They were thrilled to be able to go and pick out whatever boxes they wanted. One of the children, who is in 1st grade said, “I’ve waited my whole life to taste Captain Crunch.” Another child said, “I’ve never seen so many boxes of cereal. I can’t believe I can pick whatever cereal I want.” One child said that she would give her brother the Honey Nut Cheerios, but she would take the Trix, Captain Crunch and the Fruit Loops.

I don’t know who was smiling more, the children, the parents, or the residents. The parents were so grateful to receive the gift of cereal. We all know how expensive cereal is, especially the ‘sweet ones.’

On behalf of the children and the families at CIS, I want to thank the Resident Council for all they do to help support CIS. The Cereal Drive was a huge success!

Truly, we saw the Cabrini Mission in action. God bless you for putting smiles on so many faces.

Giving Back to Help Others

April 19, 2023

Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY, held a Giving Back Program to benefit an organization that assists Muslim women who are victims of domestic violence. Some of our ‘alums’ who are now in high school, along with some of the women in our Knitting Group, made 150 packets of different items to donate to the organization. The bags were filled with hand lotion, a small mirror, Chapstick, a pen and notebook, tissues, a facial mask, a keychain with a positive saying, such as “You are strong” and a pair of socks.

Thank you to Tom Costello, from The Joy of Sox, in Pennsylvania, who donated150 pairs of socks to add to the individual bags.

The program was organized by one of our Human Services Intern, Danna Morales, from Westchester Community College. Danna explained about the organization and the different types of services that it has for women who are victims of domestic violence.

Thank you to all who helped to make the lives of these women better

Hailing the Cabrini Immigrant Services Nutrition Program Graduates

April 11, 2023

Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY, celebrated with our students who completed the course, ‘Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program’ – Part 2.

Lucy Diaz, a Nutrition Program Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County, presented the program. The students had already completed Part 1 of the nutrition program and returned to learn even more information. A Certificate of Completion for the course was given to the students. In addition, they received an insulated bag filled with many useful goodies.

Congratulations to all our ‘graduates’ of the nutrition program. We are so proud of you.

Strengthening Our Cabrinian Connections

April 5, 2023

Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY, had a very special trip for some of our adult students on March 29th. We visited the St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in NYC. We received such a beautiful and warm welcome from Julia Attaway, the Director of the Shrine. One of the staff members at the Shrine spoke to us about Mother Cabrini and the beautiful mosaics that tell the story of Mother Cabrini’s travels and great works. We were also able to view the many exhibits and enjoy the beautiful grounds.

During our break, Javier Ramirez Baron, the Director of CIS – NYC, spoke with our group. He spoke about the different services available in his office. He, too, welcomed everyone as a part of the Cabrini Family.

The day ended with a bi-lingual Mass. It was so beautiful to have one of our clients read the Responsorial Psalm at the Mass. She was so honored. Thank you to Fr. Rodriguez for not only celebrating a bi-lingual Mass but for also having a special blessing for the items that were purchased at the Gift Shop.

The day was perfect. It was so beautiful to be able to share together as a Cabrini Family. From the welcome to the good-byes, we truly felt like we all were family.

There’s No Business Like Show Business!

March 29, 2023

The rain and the wind this past Saturday did not deter our trip to the Random Farms Kids’ Theater in Yorktown Heights, NY. Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry, NY, brought a group of our toddlers, younger students and parents, to see the play, The Jungle Book. When we arrived at the theater, each child received a badge showing that they were attending the play. They were so proud of getting the badge.

The actors and actresses were kids ranging in age from 5 – 12 years old. They were wonderful! The costumes were so colorful, the singing and the acting were superb.

Everyone enjoyed the day. Some of the parents said that when they arrived home, their children were so excited as they shared about the play.
Thank you to St. Faith’s House Foundation for your grant which allowed us to enjoy a wonderful day.

Fun February Festivities at CIS-Dobbs Ferry, NY

March 2, 2023

Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, had two special programs for our Cabrini Kids during President’s Week. The schools were closed for the mid-winter break, and we thought it would be nice to have our Kids involved in some activities. The children come to CIS for many different programs such as the Afterschool Homework Program.

We held a STARS for Kids program for children in Grades K-2. Deborah Mosley, our trained storyteller, told the story, The Good Egg by Jory John and Pete Oswald.

The book was about a dozen eggs that lived together in one egg carton. The moral of the story was that even though each egg was different and unique, they could all get along. Following a discussion of the book, each child created his or her own egg. They shared with everyone what the name of their egg was and a bit about the character.

The children came up with some great names, “Princess Egg,” “Silly Egg,” etc. They were so excited when they received a copy of the book so they could tell the story to their parents and siblings.

We also hosted a President’s Day program for our students in Grades 3-5. They answered some questions such as the first thing they would do if they were the president, how they would make the country better, etc.. The students then went up to the podium and gave their “Presidential Address.”

They also had President’s trivia questions and a word search. We discussed the importance of voting. In fact, each student had a chance to vote. They voted on their favorite symbol of America: the Statue of Liberty, the American Flag or the Capitol. They placed their ballot in a box and then they received a sticker which read, “I voted!” After a first round tie, the Statue of Liberty won as the favorite symbol. We discussed the feelings of winning, losing and acceptance.

The day ended with everyone enjoying some pizza and punch.

A Valentine’s Day Story of Love

February 23, 2023

Valentine’s Day was very special at Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, New York.

We invited a group of our Moms to participate in a Storytelling Program. Dr. Wendy Mages, a professor at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, was our storyteller. She told the story, Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch. The story was told in both English and Spanish. After the telling of the story, the Moms broke out into small groups. Each group was led by a CIS intern. The Moms were asked to reflect on 2 statements, ‘What I love about my children’ and ‘What others love about me.’ There were beautiful discussions in the small groups and then in the larger group.

Each Mom received a heart-shaped box of chocolates. We then shared tacos, cupcakes, etc. There was a lot of laughter, tears and love. Everyone received a copy of the book so they could share the story with their children.

One of the Moms said, “Today I not only feel special, I feel so loved.” What a beautiful gift to receive on such a special day.