Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Feast Day Good Wishes from Cabrini Health

November 15, 2023

Those of us at Cabrini Health Australia would like to wish you all a Happy Feast Day and share with you a wonderful article that was posted on the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne website today.
To access the article please click here

Bishop Tony Ireland, Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, and Episcopal Vicar of Health, Aged and Disability Care, celebrated the Mass and spoke endearingly of Mother Cabrini and what an impact Cabrini Australia has had on his life as he grew up in the suburb of Malvern. It was an inspired celebration which was beautifully accompanied by our Cabrini choir.

Sue Williams, CEO, gave the welcoming address and Sylvia Falzon, our Board Chair, provided a beautiful closing. We were blessed to be able to share some refreshments after the Mass, something we have missed for the last few years.

We are Pilgrims on a Journey…

September 13, 2023

“We are Pilgrims on a Journey…”

Staff members from Cabrini Health in Australia led by Julie Fleming, the Director of Mission Services, are currently on a pilgrimage to Codogno, Italy to walk in the footsteps of Mother Cabrini. They are being joined by Cabrini Mission Foundation (CMF) Board Member Dave DeCerbo and his wife, Linda, and CMF Executive Director Christopher LaBianco.

Sr. Therese Merandi, MSC and Sr. Maria Barbargallo, MSC have been accompanying the group during their stay in Codogno.

In their own words:

Julie Fleming, Cabrini Health shares:
“How many people are blessed enough to literally walk in the footsteps of a saint?

“The whole pilgrim experience has been deeply moving; learning details of Mother Cabrini’s life and her faith in the Sacred Heart of Jesus plus the passionate storytelling by Sr. Therese Merandi, MSC has been inspiring and has brought to life the Cabrini charism in a vibrant way.

Meeting the senior Missionary Sisters who have given so much of their life to service of others is so humbling. We feel a deeper and more familial connection with Saint Frances Cabrini and know that we will become better torchbearers of her charism in our ministries.

Jenny Nicholson, Cabrini Health, Australia:
I did not expect to be overcome by the profound impact this immersion experience would have on me.
To walk on the very floorboards, St. Frances Cabrini walked on in her home; to be in the rooms where she listened to the stories told by her father; where she slept, ate and prayed. All these things I had only read of.

The passion of those who continue the work of St. Frances, living their life through her, in her spirit, living out the gift of our charism. The incredible stories of Sr. Maria Barbagallo, the passion, fervour and spirit of Sr. Therese and Allesandra Bergamaschi. To receive the blessings of the many Sisters of the Codogno Spirituality Centre every day…we are blessed in God’s love to be here.

Miranda Coombs, Cabrini Health, Australia
I have been moved by the stories of the sisters and mother Cabrini, delivered with so much illumination and conviction. But above all else, I have been moved by their openness to love. I have been moved with love, to be open to love and more giving of love. I have felt so much love for my family, for my friends and fellow pilgrims who are also on this journey.

“It has been a profound experience to walk in the footsteps of Mother Cabrini as part of a Codogno pilgrimage with my fellow Guadalupe Province lay leaders from Australia. I have had the opportunity to bear witness to Mother Cabrini’s birthplace, schools she attended and taught at, places of worship, and missionary institutions she opened. Mother Cabrini’s story has always inspired me — her resilience, perseverance, business acumen. Today, history has taught me so much more about her suffering, her love, her leadership, and her strategic approach and mission focus. I am grateful to have participated, and look forward to the opportunity to further the mission in my daily life.”

Cabrini Health Observes the Feast Day with Joy

June 20, 2023

Cabrini Health Mass celebrating the special Feast of the Sacred Heart was a moving testament to the power of the love of God which called the Cabrini Sisters to join Mother Cabrini’s Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Sr. Therese Cervasio, MSC and Sr. Beatriz Santos, MSC renewed their vows as all Missionary Sisters around the world do each year on this day, with Sylvia Falzon, Chair of the Board, and Sue Williams, Chief Executive, and staff present.

There was a real sense of community that had been diminished since COVID. In telling the story of our 75 years of building a greater Cabrini, Fr. Terry Kean reminded us of the resilience, faith, and companionship needed to do our work and to grow to meet increasing demand for our services.

The superb Cabrini Choir under the direction of musician Leesa Horrigan created beautiful musical arrangements and staff joined in with joyful full voice.

the spirit of feasting, staff enjoyed the gift of Chef JoJo’s special heart shaped biscuits and chocolate hearts box on the day!

Cabrini Health Celebrates 75 Years!

January 19, 2023

MSCs on Mission – True Missionaries Faithful to God’s Call

January 5, 2023

After long-standing service at Cabrini Health, Australia and the National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Chicago, respectively, Sr. Sharon Casey, MSC and Sr. Bridget Zanin, MSC are now beginning new ministries.

Sr. Sharon Casey, MSC
The following are remarks that Sr. Sharon Casey, MSC shared with the Cabrini Health community:

Greetings during this Advent, Christmas and Hanukkah season!

I’d like to say thank you for your warm welcome to me in 2009 upon my arrival here at a medical facility across the earth! It definitely was a daunting experience. However, your excitement and demonstration of the Cabrinian values which I sensed immediately was heartening.

Your encouragement and support bolstered my determination to fulfil the mission God called me to do in Melbourne.

During these years, a message arose within me, saying, ‘remember who you are’. It was clear, stirring and helped me often to re-ground myself. This message made me pause amid the dizzying pace and consider my roots, beliefs, manner of being and interacting. It gave me the opportunity to remember those upon whose shoulders I stand.

This message was a gift from God. I often remind myself with the grace of God, of who I am, where I’ve come from, and the values that shaped me. These moments, made me conscious of the strong pull from society to become truly self-centered.

I encourage you to remember who you are as a member of the Cabrinian community whether you’ve been here for 30 years or three months. I encourage you to remember the commitment that you made to be faithful to our Ethic of Care when you came here.

When social media and society lure you into believing in acting in another way, I encourage you to go and spend some time by the sculpture that was designed and made over a number of years due to the COVID pandemic.

The sculpture VIGIL – The Heart of Cabrini is a memorial of thanks to the sisters who first came here, carrying the spirit of Mother Cabrini and each of you who have made Cabrini what it has become thus far.

When you need encouragement, consider going out and sitting by this sculpture, helping you remember who you are.

On behalf of all my Sisters of the Sacred Heart throughout the world and our lay collaborators and partners, I thank you for your efforts to work according to the Cabrinian values, Ethic of Care, and legacy.
Sr Sharon Casey, MSC – December 2022 To view a video of Sr. Sharon’s sharing her message: https://vimeo.com/780550489/e1cd1d118c
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Sr. Bridget Zanin, MSC
Bridget Zanin, MSC, joined the Cabrini University community on Tuesday, November 29. She has served as a Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC) since 1962. As a teenager in Brazil, she was called on a spiritual path that led her from her home to the United States Midwest and eventually Radnor, PA. Get to know Sister Bridget through the Q&A below. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity. ~ submitted by Matt Nestor, Cabrini University

What are your first impressions since arriving here at Cabrini University?
Sister Bridget: The campus is beautiful. I feel a little bit isolated because I’m so used to living in a city where you step out and can go anywhere and do anything. Here, you need a car.

Which city were you in before you arrived here?
SB: Chicago. I was the Director of the National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini in Chicago. I was at the Shrine for 10 years. And before that, I was in the city of Des Plaines [Illinois]. I was working as a chaplain at the Holy Family Hospital. And, before that I worked at Mercy Family Hospital in Chicago.

What kinds of service did you do there and elsewhere?

SB: My first profession was as a nurse. I worked as an ICU nurse in medical/surgical. It was kind of getting heavier and heavier, so I went in to chaplaincy so I could talk to patients and their families. Having the nursing background, being a chaplain I think was a blessing for me, because I could understand the patient’s diagnosis—what they were going through. I could talk to them not as a nurse, but as a chaplain.
You grew up in Brazil, correct?
SB: Yes, I was born in Brazil. My grandparents migrated from Venice, Italy to Brazil where they worked very hard to get themselves through a hard time. They moved there during the Second World War, when people were moving out to look for a better life. So, they struggled a lot. But, I see now their struggles were not in vain, because I see now my family are in good positions. I have a judge, two lawyers, and a doctor in the family.

How did you choose religious life?
SB: I always felt a call. I used to go and pray every day. I had two other friends and they wanted to go [to the convent]. Two months later, my dad rented a car and took us to the convent. I was only 15. Can you imagine? Then, we did our profession and took our vows. And, I was missioned to the United States.

Obviously, you are a Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an order founded by Mother Cabrini. What does it mean to you to come here to Cabrini University, the only Cabrinian University in the world?
SB: I think it’s very special. And, the people who I have met so far, they’re so nice. I had a passion for the [Shrine] that I was at, and seeing that the people here have the same values and are part of the Cabrini family, has encouraged me to keep on giving and do whatever I can.

What attracted you to the MSCs?
SB: It was their simplicity and their faith. I like simplicity. I knew nothing about Mother Cabrini but they gave us books to read. And, the more I read, I saw she had this big devotion to the Sacred Heart. She kept saying the Sacred Heart is the fountain of all virtues.

What do you hope to accomplish here at Cabrini, and what do you hope to send students out in the world with?
SB: If I can make a difference in someone’s life, this life will go on to make a difference in the world. I feel that we all have a mission. Sometimes, people think they have to have a vocation to do the mission. No, you don’t. Life is an attitude. So, we can have a positive attitude—a faith attitude. I have my certificate in spiritual direction and I’m also a chaplain. And, I was a nurse. I am hoping to bring these skills to my present mission, everywhere I go and in everything that I do. I hope I can make a difference in campus life. To read the full interview with Sr. Bridget, please click here

The Blessing of Graduate Nurses

February 23, 2022

A group of 2022 Graduate Nurses were welcomed and blessed as they began their work at Cabrini Health Australia as newly Registered Nurses.

Julie Fleming, Director of Mission and Identity, spoke of Cabrini’s ethic of care to ensure that all who come to Cabrini felt loved. The new nurses were told of the vision of Mother Cabrini and the legacy they are entrusted with.

In a moving Blessing of Hands ceremony Sr Beatriz Santos MSC and Anne Zandegu, Director of Nursing anointed the graduate’s palms with the words ‘May God bless your hands and all you touch.’

In the presence of Chief Executive Sue Williams and the clinical nurse educators, last year’s graduates Julia and Vince addressed the new nurses with advice on how exciting, rewarding and challenging starting work was. They also encouraged the nurses to take care of themselves and rely on the support of their colleagues.

To the 65 graduates nurses starting work with Cabrini Australia, congratulations and welcome to the Cabrini family!

Cabrini Health Outreach Wins Award

December 15, 2021

We are thrilled to announce the Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Hub in Malvern, Australia has won the Victorian Multicultural Commission Awards for Excellence in the Health category.

The judges noted the Hub addresses a “pressing unfunded gap in primary healthcare and specialist mental health services for people of all cultures, faiths and ethnicities seeking asylum”.

They also made mention that our services were free, and included culturally and linguistically sensitive primary nurse-led care, specialized mental health support and engagement to access welfare and supports.

Celebrating Cabrini Weeks in Australia

November 12, 2020

At Cabrini Australia we are proud to celebrate our heritage with two weeks of honouring the life and legacy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and the ten founding Cabrini Sisters who came to Australia in 1948 to run and grow Cabrini Hospital.

In only our second Mass of the year due to the pandemic, Archbishop Peter D. Comensoli will declare 13th November a day of Observance for St Frances Cabrini in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

A foyer display in our four campuses presents Mother Cabrini’s belongings with a beautiful quote from a staff members about how they draw inspiration from holding Mother’s belongings which were kindly donated to us from the Chicago Museum.

Every day for 15 days we place a reflection card on the breakfast tray of all our patients and residents, with Mother Cabrini’s words and comments from staff on [the ways in which] our mission and heritage inspires them today.

Sr. Sharon Casey MSC, who has been on mission in Australia for 12 years, delivered a personal and inspiring video reminding us to be rooted in Mother Cabrini’s love for Jesus expressed through our Cabrini ethic of care.

To view Sr. Sharon’s video, click here

The video message from Chief Executive Sue Williams was inspired by the book we commissioned “St Frances Cabrini: A Passionate Life.” Sue said Mother Cabrini was a true visionary who was well ahead of her time and we have a responsibility to carry on her legacy, and Sue likened our response to the COVID pandemic to that of the Sisters in New Orleans during the yellow fever pandemic.
To view Ms. Williams’ Feast Celebration message, click here

Cabrini Australia mission is to spread Mother Cabrini’s love for all expressed through our commitment to care about, not just to care for, those in our hospitals, nursing home and in the community.

Wildfires in Australia

January 9, 2020

The Guadalupe Province is deeply saddened by the terrible bushfires that continue to impact many communities across Australia. The Missionary Sisters have a large health care system in Malvern, Australia. Sue Williams, the CEO of Cabrini Health, described how they are responding to this situation:

“We have all been shocked and saddened by the terrible bushfires that continue to impact many communities across Australia.

“Cabrini is keen to support and assist bushfire victims as they grapple with the ongoing disaster and start to rebuild.

“Initially, we are supporting the Victorian Bushfire Disaster Appeal, will offer our Tooronga Road apartments to families affected by the fire and will provide hospital services free of charge if required. We are also considering what we can do to support communities affected by the bushfires over the medium to long-term.” A Mass was also offered for all those who have been affected by this disaster.”

We join Australia in our prayers for so many people who have been impacted.

If you wish to help, please send any monetary donations to: Cabrini Mission Foundation 222 E. 19th St. Suite 5E New York, N.Y. 10003 and be sure to indicate that it is for the Australia Bushfires. The money will be sent to Cabrini Health to support the relief effort.

If you wish to send a donation directly to the Victorian Bushfire Disaster Appeal go to: Online – visit the Victorian Bushfire Disaster Appeal website <https://www.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/make-a-donation/bushfire-disaster-appeal

We thank you for your prayers and support.
Sr. Diane Olmstead, MSC
Provincial, Guadalupe Province
Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Cabrini Palliative and Supportive Care Celebrates 20 Years

December 11, 2019

It takes a special kind of person to care for someone with a life-limiting illness but Louise Taylor and the palliative and supportive care team at Cabrini wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Nurse Unit Manager of Palliative Home Care and Nurse Consult has been working at Cabrini for 27 years and was part of the original development of the palliative and supportive care service.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the service, which has grown to a large integrated service across all Cabrini sites and in the local community, providing more than 800 admissions to Cabrini Prahran, 7000 community visits and more than 1400 visits and appointments across the other Cabrini sites a year.

Ms. Taylor said palliative care provided invaluable care and support for patients with a life-limiting illness.

“Palliative care is about allowing people to have the best quality of life they can have for as long as possible,” she said.

“There aren’t many jobs where you get to come in at that time in a person’s life and help them. We assist patients to live well and to die comfortably and peacefully, as well as supporting their families through that process.”

Cabrini Palliative and Supportive Care Director of Nursing Janine Stockley said there were benefits in referring patients early to palliative care.

“This allows patients to access support for complex pain and symptoms, obtain advice on financial and social matters and prepare children and families for the future,” Ms. Stockley said.

“Palliative care is about teamwork and keeping the patient and family at the centre of care. This is integral to the mission of Cabrini,” she said.

Cabrini Chief Executive Michael Walsh said the anniversary was a testament to the staff who operated the service.

“Our Palliative and Supportive Care service has a wonderful reputation in the community and that is because of the staff behind it,” Dr. Walsh said.

“Patient-centred care is at the heart of everything we do and this service epitomizes our commitment to putting patients first and tailoring care to the individual’s needs. I am incredibly proud that we have reached this milestone and I am sure the service will continue for another 20 years to come and hopefully many more.”