Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Bringing Christ's love to the world

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Awareness and Advocacy re: Human Trafficking

Cabrini High School, New Orleans, took the week of January 10-14 to highlight National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. In solidarity with Mother Cabrini’s Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, each day began with prayers for an end to this sinful tragedy. Facts about human trafficking and how we can advocate and fight against it were highlighted daily. The week culminated in a dress-up day, where students raised funds for the anti-trafficking efforts of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart and the Cabrini Mission Foundation.

A Life Inspired by Mother Cabrini

A Life Inspired by Mother Cabrini
~Fairfield County Catholic

When Lucille Souza was a high school freshman in Burbank, California, the idea crossed her mind that maybe, just maybe, she might be called to the religious life. Her parents, who were immigrants from Portugal, worked hard to make a good life for their family, and they sent her to a school run by Mother Cabrini’s Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

I was very active in school,” she recalled. “I played sports and did all different kinds of things. I never really thought of entering the convent until my freshman year when I kind of had this calling.”

When she was growing up, her mother always asked, “Don’t you want to become a sister?” And Lucille would promptly repond, “No, I don’t! Don’t even talk about it!”

But, by senior year, the desire became very, very strong, largely inspired by the example of sisters in her school.

“Then, when I told my mother I wanted to enter the convent, she said, ‘Oh no! Don’t even talk about it!” She was not happy with her daughter’s decision, but her father was.

And so, at 18 years old, right out of high school, she entered the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and within a month she was teaching second grade at a school in Brooklyn, NY.

Recalling the sisters who inspired her, she said, “I knew this is what I wanted because I saw the sisters interacting with one another and how they loved each other and how they reached out to us girls, not just for the academics, but for our personal lives and to help us grow and know Christ. That’s what really motivated me.”

Today, years later, after dedicating her life to the order, Sr. Lucille Souza, MSC has accomplished many things through the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the example of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the Patroness of Immigrants and the first American citizen saint.

recently spoke at the Cabrini Mass at Sacred Heart Church, which is sponsored by Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, CT. It commemorates the Italian-American founder of the religious order, who supported immigrants throughout the United States and established 67 institutions, including schools, orphanages and hospitals that cared for the poor and marginalized.

“Mother’s message today is as it has been throughout her whole life and that is love – bringing the love of Christ to the whole world,” Sr. Lucille said. “That is the message the Missionary Cabrini Sisters bring to the world. Bringing that love means feeding the poor and reaching out to those in hardship. Mother really had a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and that is the devotion and charism she has passed on to us.”

Mother’s deep love of the Sacred Heart is what propelled her to do everything she did. It was that love of him that he shared with her and, and she reciprocated that love to people she met along the way. “That is what we are trying to do today through that same love, that same going out of ourselves to give to others, especially those who are in dire straits,” she said.

Cabrini Mission Foundation Continues Legacy of Education by Giving Back to At-Risk Students

Mother Cabrini based her work on an “education of the heart”; promoting Gospel values, critical thinking and openness towards others. Through this initiative and all of our Foundation programs the Cabrini Mission Foundation continues to carry Mother Cabrini’s legacy forward.

Mother Cabrini and the Missionary Sisters opened a number schools and provided educational opportunities to children across New York for over 100 years. While the actual schools have since closed, to continue this education ministry in New York, our Foundation continues to provide needed funds to help at-risk students receive a faith-based education.

We are pleased to announce the 2021-2022 school year Mother Cabrini Scholarship awarded academic institutions.
 St. Catharine Academy, in the Bronx, New York, offers an all-girls program where the students are prepared for college success, leadership and engagement in the world community, the Foundation’s support of St. Catharine’s will provide tuition assistance to a number of students during the current academic year.

 The De La Salle School, in Freeport, New York, provides economically disadvantaged young men with a Catholic education grade 5 through 8. The Foundation’s support will offer their students and recent graduates’ programs to ensure they have the tools needed to excel during and following their time at the middle school.

 The Kennedy Children’s Center, in Manhattan, New York, with its high-quality educational services for young children with developmental delays will create a custom-designed sensory garden, which will act as a safe space for the preschoolers, staff and the families to engage in developmentally appropriate learning to build social-emotional skills.

The Foundation is proud to honor the work of Mother Cabrini as well as all of the Missionary Sisters who have and continue to serve as educators – this truly is a life project for the present time and for the future.

Cabrini Mission Foundation Hosts Gala

There were plenty of smiles, tears, and cheers at the highly anticipated 2021 Cabrini Mission Foundation Gala, hosted on Oct 7th at the Metropolitan Club. The event bolstered many familiar and a few new faces, all sharing a common goal to support and celebrate the Missionary Sisters as well as the honorees. A dazzling performance by our emcee, Joe Piscopo and a first look at the upcoming Mother Cabrini movie were just a few highlights of the wonderful night.

Kathleen Ann Michels

The feeling in the room was heart-warming as each honoree was highlighted for their remarkable achievements and commitment to helping others. Four individuals were awarded the Covid Angel Award which recognizes those who have helped their community and brought smiles to the faces of those who needed it most.

Ron Cole

Nurse Bissoondai Persad has the task of caring for our Senior Sisters at the Sacred Heart Convent here in New York, and at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, worked diligently to keep our Sisters safe. Luzmilla Cedeño has been a volunteer at Cabrini Immigrant Services in New York for 20 years, and each week has come to help in the distribution of food to those in need as part of our food pantry program. Ronald Cole, a Respiratory Therapist at the St. Cabrini Nursing Home, has been courageous throughout the pandemic, and was one of the first to deliver up close and personal care

Luzmila Cedeno, Sr. Yolanda Flores

and treatment to our residents who contracted COVID-19. Kathleen Ann Michels, an Emergency Room nurse in New York-Presbyterian Hospital the Weill Cornell Level 1 Trauma Center, was at the forefront of treating COVID patients as the pandemic unfolded, working countless hours to help see them recover.

Along with these dedicated individuals, three honorees were awarded the Spirit of Cabrini Award, which represents an understanding of Mother Cabrini and a willingness to continue her legacy of helping people who are in need throughout New York City beginning with the Italian-American community. Philip Foglia, Sr. (Posthumously) and Chazz and Gianna Palminteri, have been involved with the Foundation for many years and were able to use their connections to erect the Mother Cabrini statue in Bryant Park.

Chazz Palminteri, Gianna Palminteri, Pietrina Raccuglia, Joe Piscopo, Chris LaBianco

The Sisters and Foundation staff would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to everyone in attendance and for the continued support of the mission.

Cabrini Mission Foundation Donates to Catholic Medical Mission Board’s Earthquake Response Efforts

Every day we seek to continue Mother Cabrini’s legacy and lifelong commitment to the dignity, development and empowerment of all people, especially during natural disasters, and to do so, the Cabrini Mission Foundation responds with urgency to provide immediate assistance to those in need. The devastation that has swept through Haiti following last month’s magnitude 7.2 earthquake has left thousands of people without basic necessities, food, housing and access to life-saving medical attention.

In order to help with relief efforts, foundation, in collaboration with the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Guadalupe Province, has donated $10,000 to the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB), a century-old organization rooted in Catholic traditions and deeply committed to addressing health inequities for women and children worldwide, to assist in providing medical aid and more to the people of Haiti.

Within three hours of the quake, CMMB-Haiti allocated and shipped medicines to Les Cayes health facilities, sent two orthopedic surgeons and five anesthesiologists to the region to perform critical surgeries at Immaculate Conception Hospital in Les Cayes; distributed 20,000 water purification tablets to provide 100,000 gallons of potable water to people lacking safe drinking water; and provided food to families of those hospitalized, so they could care for their injured loved ones.

We are honored to help CMMB’s mission in helping the country, and we will continue to pray for the safety of all persons in Haiti as well as the CMMB staff. ~ CMF website

 

Food Pantry Summer – CMF and CIS-NYC – a Collaboration

The Cabrini Mission Foundation responds with boldness and urgency to the unmet needs of the most vulnerable, especially when there are those in need in our own community. During the summer season, our team worked with Cabrini Immigrant Services’ NYC Food Pantry, and has been dedicated to supporting and feeding more than 200 families each week.

Whether it was lugging groceries up numerous flights of stairs or working as a team to fill the bags of food, our Sisters, staff, and volunteers worked tirelessly to provide meals for the disadvantaged. Though many of us come from different backgrounds, speak different languages or come from various parts of the world, we came together to “answer the call” for help, as Mother Cabrini did throughout her lifetime ~ CMF website

Cabrini Mission Foundation Assists Immigrant Families with Rent

As access to COVID-19 vaccines become more readily available, it brings hope the pandemic will soon ease its grip. Our prayers continue for all who grapple with the virus, and we are optimistic here in New York, once the epicenter of COVID-19 cases in the United States, we can soon return to a sense of normalcy.

For our immigrant families, business interruptions and closures have meant a loss of jobs. The lack of working hours over the last year have led to mounting debt. When it comes to paying for food or rent, the choice is obvious. In response to this COVID-19 driven crisis, the Cabrini Mission Foundation offers a rent assistance program for those most impacted.

To qualify, renters must have documented proof of a current lease, a letter from their landlord as well as recommendation from one of our immigrant services caseworkers or immigration attorneys. The current family benefit is $1,000 and Foundation checks go directly to the landlords to cover past due rent.

The Cabrini Mission Foundation has been able to assist 37 families to date with this program. ~ CMF website

BROADWAY, FILM & TV STARS CHAZZ & GIANNA PALMINTERI recognized at CABRINI MISSION FOUNDATION RECEPTION

NEW YORK – Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri, whose career spans more than 35 years on Broadway, and in notable film and television roles, and his wife, Gianna, herself an acclaimed actress and producer, were thanked by the Cabrini Mission Foundation, at a reception at the Bedford Playhouse in Westchester, NY.

The Palminteris, who reside in Bedford, have long been active in Italian American, Catholic and community causes. In 2019, their daughter Gabriella wanted to help immigrant families at the border and led a high school project that collected toothbrushes and toiletries for those in need. She donated the supplies to the Cabrini Mission Foundation and through that process, her parents were introduced to the organization and the important work it does around the world. Since that time, Chazz and Gianna have become well-known supporters of the charism and work of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first Italian American and U.S. Citizen to be canonized a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church.

“The story of Mother Cabrini has been so inspiring to me and my family. As a proud Catholic and Italian American, I am honored to support the Cabrini Mission Foundation whose work is critical to uplifting the lives of so many people around the globe, particularly during these difficult times,” said Chazz Palminteri. “More recently, when Mother Cabrini was nominated for a statue, I joined my close friend Philip Foglia to advocate for it. I was glad to play a role in seeing it recently erected.”

“My husband and I are grateful to the Foundation for this recognition and allowing us to help them in their important work. We are so proud of our children who share in our commitment to our faith and community and were the reason we were able to connect with the Cabrini Mission Foundation in the first place,” said Gianna Palminteri.

Chazz Palminteri, is most recently known for Academy Award nomination for acting, writing and producing A Bronx Tale. Throughout his heralded career, he has appeared in numerous movies, Broadway productions and popular television series like Law & Order: SVU; Blue Bloods, Modern Family and Kojak.

“The Palminteris are shining examples of a family stepping up in these challenging times to help those less fortunate. COVID-19 has only accelerated the level of assistance that immigrants and those who are in need have today. We are so thankful for their enduring support and encouragement,” said Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who serves as chairwoman of the Cabrini Mission Foundation.”

“Chazz and Gianna have been incredible supporters of our foundation, especially this year, as our programs and services are stretched due to the pandemic,” said Cabrini Mission Foundation Executive Director Christopher LaBianco. “We were so happy we could recognize them for their generous service and help during these critical times and look forward to honoring them at our Gala in 2021.”

Cabrini Mission Foundation Working at the Border

In 2019 the Cabrini Mission Foundation expanded its work with immigrants by visiting the border city of Laredo, TX and partnering with a shelter which receives immigrants and asylum seekers once they are released from United States detention centers.

It is hard to understand the size of such detention centers. The Rio Grande Detention Center in Laredo, TX for example, houses an estimated population of over 1,900 detainees.

In July of 2019 the U.S. government, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), began enforcing its new Migrant Protection Protocols, or the “Remain in Mexico” policy under which the U.S. government returns certain asylum-seekers to Mexico to wait through the duration of their pending cases in the U.S. immigration court system.
In short, asylum seekers wait in Mexico without access to family, legal, or social support. As we are told, as of August 2019, over 98 percent of those subject to this policy have not been able to obtain legal representation. Undoubtedly, this will make it more difficult for those subject to the policy to successfully assert their asylum claims and will also risk retraumatizing them in the unsafe conditions in which they are forced to wait.
With word of the impact the “Remain in Mexico” policy is having on the number of people making it to our shelter partner in Laredo, TX, the Cabrini Mission Foundation headed back to the border but this time to McAllen, TX.

Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, Sr. Yolanda Flores, and Cabrini Mission Foundation Executive Director, Christopher LaBianco met with Sr. Norma Pimentel the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley and Ashley Feasley, Director of Policy, Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to discuss the challenges at the border that the new immigration policy poses.

The Foundation provided supplies to make 500 sandwiches and crossed the border in Matamoros, Mexico to aid the migrants in the newly formed tent city at the United States border.

There are an estimated 2,500 people living in tents at the border.

The people are making the best of it. The camp sites were impeccably clean.

The families are resourceful and incredibly optimistic. They have managed to make the tents “home” and have constructed stoves out mud and wood pallets.
In addition to Catholic Charities and the Cabrini Mission Foundation there are a number of philanthropic organizations providing services for the people in Matamoros. But there is still much to be done.

The Cabrini Mission Foundation has received a number of requests for funding to provide for additional needed infrastructure in the area. The Foundation is also seeking partners who are directly providing services in the tent city to ensure a Foundation investment will have the hoped-for community impact.
The Cabrini Mission Foundation looks to send both financial support and volunteers to the Matamoros, Mexico in the coming year.
For more information please feel free to contact Christopher LaBianco, clabianco@cabrinifdn.org or at 212-375-0110.

610 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA 19087
Phone: 610-902-1039
Fax: 610-971-0396
info@mothercabrini.org