The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Board of Directors is delighted to announce the appointment of Laurie A. Halaska as Executive Director. Halaska brings extensive leadership and administrative experience, having been an executive director and CEO. “Mother Cabrini has always been a part of my life,” said Halaska. “For my own mom, Mother Cabrini was HER saint, and she prayed to her daily. I have continued that practice and when I saw the position announcement for the Shrine it seemed meant to be.”
Congratulations and best wishes, Laurie!
A Message from Sr. Yolanda Flores, MSC, Vocation Director, Guadalupe Province
From February 27 to March 1, 2024, I had the opportunity to visit Cabrini High School in New Orleans. It was a beautiful and motivating missionary experience. I was welcomed with great simplicity and human warmth by the staff and the students. The purpose of the visit and under the invitation of Principal Yvonne Hrapmann was to have an MSC Sister present to the different groups of students about the Cabrinian heritage, our presence in different missions in the world, and the invitation to make a commitment of service to God’s people when the time comes in their lives.
There were many questions and many clarifications to be made. In particular, on Friday, March 1, Career Day, my task was to speak to the young women about the different vocations. I was privileged to be part of a group formed by two other religious from other congregations and a lady whose commitment is the struggle for the dignity of the unborn, single mothers and all that this entails.
I want to emphasize how happy I was to be able to experience how the charism of Mother Cabrini is alive in the community of teachers and students. My admiration for all those who, from their lay commitment, carry out this mission of forming the new generations and as Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini used to say, “educating the heart” with values and sense for life.
I also appreciated the excellent coordination to help me see different sites and get an idea of the history of the city, its traditions and food. Different members of the staff took turns accompanying me, making me enjoy these days creating indelible memories.
Thank you, students, educational community, and our Provincial Superior for supporting me in creating connections with Cabrini High School. In my role as Director of Vocation Promotion, I have seen “an open window” to continue to bring the MSC presence to the Cabrini High School in New Orleans’ educational community.
Sharing Good News from Cabrini High School
Visit of Sr. Yolanda Flores, MSC
Cabrini High School had a special visitor at the end of February, Sr. Yolanda Flores MSC. While on our campus, she spoke to our religion classes and shared her journey to becoming a Missionary Sister. The students spent some time asking questions and getting to know Sr. Yolanda.
On Friday, March 1st, Sr. Yolanda joined Cabrini alumnae and community partners for Mass and our Career Day! Along with sisters from other congregations in our area, Sr. Yolanda met students in Cabrini’s Sacred Heart Chapel for more in-depth conversations on her calling. Photos of Sr. Yolanda’s visit can be found HERE.
CABRINI VIP Movie Premiere
An exclusive VIP premiere party was held by Cabrini High School for the CABRINI movie on Thursday, March 7. Over 300 alumnae, friends, and supporters gathered to view the movie before it was released to the public. Photos from the event can be found HERE.
The theater manager said that his theater had presold more tickets than any other theater in his region and that the sales were record breaking for his theater. Additionally, this theater was completely sold out for opening weekend.
The local CBS affiliate, WWL-Louisiana, ran a segment on Friday, March 8th. You may view the segment HERE.
Legacy Gala
As a continuation of the celebration of Mother Cabrini, the Legacy Gala was held on Saturday, March 9th at The Cannery in New Orleans. Over 175 people were in attendance. A silent auction was held and featured 170 items up for bid, including vacation stays, restaurant certificates, jewelry, and excursions.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Heart of Cabrini President’s Award, which recognized six individuals for their excellence, service, and dedication to Cabrini High School. This award was given to Keith Cavanagh, Thomas Long, Jules Martin, Madeline Lipani Suer ’71, Bill Trinchard, and Florence Onstad Wingerter ’71.
Photos from the event can be found HERE.
CABRINI film anticipation at the NY Shrine
On Tuesday, February 27, Angel Studios held their “media junket” for the upcoming movie CABRINI at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in NYC. They filmed interviews with Alejandro Monteverdi (the movie’s director), Rod Barr (scriptwriter), Leo Severino (producer), David Morse (Archbishop Corrigan) and Cristina Dell’Anna (Mother Cabrini). The film will debut in theatres on Friday, March 8, International Women’s Day.
Cabrini High School Students Attend March for Life 2024
Ten students from Cabrini High School in New Orleans recently attended the March for Life 2024 in Washington, D.C.
They shared these reflections about their experiences:
Elizabeth LeBlanc, Cabrini High School, Pro-Life Club Moderator:
As part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans annual Youth Pilgrimage to the March for Life, ten students from Cabrini High School were part of approximately 500 high school students that journeyed on a 22-hour bus trip to attend the annual March for Life in Washington D.C. On January 19, after Mass celebrated by Archbishop Aymond of New Orleans, we joined tens of thousands of others to march to Capitol Hill giving witness to the sanctity of human life. In addition to the March, the students enjoyed a private tour of the Capitol Building and got to meet the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, who is from Louisiana. They were also able to visit various Smithsonian Museums and tour the breathtaking Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, including a viewing of the statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, our patron who spent her life serving some of the most vulnerable of society. Ministry nights were held every night with various faith witness talks, worship music, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Olivia Montecino (12th Grade):
“On the March for Life, I got to stand up for what I believe in along with so many other teens. I got to see Washington DC, meet girls from other schools, and grow closer to God. One of my favorite things about the trip were the ministry nights. It was really cool to see so many teens in one place strengthening their relationship with God through worship and adoration. It was also amazing to see how many people go out to March for Life, even when it did not stop snowing all day. I loved every minute of this trip, and I am so grateful that I got to go on it.”
Gianna Jackson (9th Grade):
“I had so many favorite parts of the trip! I loved getting to know the Archdiocese of New Orleans seminarians more and growing closer to my Cabrini classmates that accompanied me on the trip. I really enjoyed the ministry nights, and when the Sisters of Life told all their stories about how they have helped women choose life and turn away from abortion. It was so awesome to get to know more pro-life people and to be surrounded by teenagers who are so passionate about defending human life.”
Multi-Day, Multi-Lingual Feast Day at NYC Shrine
Last weekend was busy, joyous, and celebratory as St. Frances Cabrini Shrine held five Masses over two days for Mother Cabrini’s Feast. Thank goodness for collaboration! Shrine staff extend special thanks to the MSC novices, Sr. Bernadette Anello, MSC and Sr. Ayantu Abera, MSC for their epic effort and endurance.
The marathon weekend began with the Mass in Italian. In addition to two van loads of people from Cabrini University we welcomed the knights of the Sacred Order of Constantinian and St. George and busloads of people from two of the original Cabrini churches: Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Newark, NJ and Our Lady of Pompeii in Manhattan. A group from the Church of St. Frances Cabrini in Brooklyn also attended.
Next up was the Filipino Mass, featuring a Filipino choir from Staten Island and a Franciscan priest from Queens.
The final Mass on Saturday was the high-energy French Mass, led by a French African choir that had everyone dancing and singing, even if we didn’t know what we were saying.
Sunday’s English Mass had a full house (the chapel’s capacity is 375). The girls from the Ursuline School sang, and Fr. Brain McWeenie, the Director of the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, celebrated. Finally, the Spanish Mass was celebrated by Bishop Josu Iriondo was attended by roughly 300 people. 
Feast Day Good Wishes from Cabrini Health
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.
The Eucharistic Congress
“Oh, if only we knew how to always appreciate the benefit of Holy Communion! How much more fervent and recollected we would be, and how many more merits we would gather.”
~ Mother Cabrini
More than 7,000 pilgrims from different parts of New York State gathered to commemorate the Holy Eucharist at Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville, NY. It was fascinating to see how people were moved to join in seeking the best ways of spreading Eucharistic knowledge and God’s love.
The Eucharistic celebration being the center of everything, we had two wonderful Masses
on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Among the celebrants of the Masses were some bishops, many priests, deacons, and seminarians. Men and women religious were also present together with the faithful. During their homilies both Bishops Terry LaValley and Edward Scharfenberger preached about the significance of the Eucharistic Lord upon all the believers. They illustrated how God’s love and His mercy is revealed through His presence in the eucharist.
“God wants everyone to be part of communion and everyone to get a chance to go to heaven. Each and everyone of us,” said Bishop Edward Scharfenberger. They also shared some saints’ stories of how they devoted themselves to the Eucharistic Lord. There was exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the hearing of confessions throughout the weekend.
We enjoyed listening to some of the keynote speakers, especially to Lisa Lickona who highlighted the lives of three powerful American women saints and their devotion to the eucharist. Mother Cabrini, being one of these wonderful women, our hearts were moved mostly with the way she described her. She spoke of Mother Cabrini’s eucharistic devotion and how it developed from the early years of her childhood through her sister, Rosa, and how it continue to grow and bear fruits throughout her religious life. “Rosa (Cabrini’s sister) went to adoration everyday and took her sister along, so Frances grew up from the Blessed Sacrament which is a great gift.
Cabrini University presents Ivy Young Willis-Martha Willis Dale Award
Each year, the History and Political Science Department of Cabrini University recognizes a woman who has made a noteworthy contribution to the civic life of her community; local, regional, national, or international. She is invited to Cabrini to speak to our students and receive the Ivy Young Willis and Martha Willis Dale Award.
This year’s recipient, PA State Representative Jennifer M. O’Mara, is being honored for her creative, innovative and progressive contributions to public affairs. Jennifer believes there is more that unites us than divides us and is committed to being part of a government that serves the people.
Established through the generosity of their respective families, in addition to many friends and alumni, the Ivy Young Willis and Martha Willis Dale Award and lecture series was initially established in 1992 by William G. Willis to honor Ivy, his late wife and modified in 2013 by John Dale to honor his late wife and daughter of Ivy and William. Martha’s son, Ian Anderson, offered a family history during the program.
Ivy Young Willis was a teacher, administrator, and reading consultant whose work, at WQED in Pittsburgh led the way for the teaching of reading on public television. Martha Willis Dale, a much-beloved alumni director at Cabrini College for 26 years, modeled her mother’s teachings through her life of service to students, alumni and the community. This series is dedicated to their memory and the strong belief a that women have a unique talent for improving the climate and conduct of public affairs.
We are Pilgrims on a Journey…
“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.”
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- …
- 23
- Next Page »