In the spirit of Mother Cabrini’s mission to serve those in need, Mr. Liberto’s religion classes conducted a service project focusing on the Rebuild Center at St. Joseph Church in New Orleans. Students created hand-made inspirational cards to hand out during their visit to the Rebuild Center. Upon their return to the classroom, the students were prompted to write a reflective essay about their experience throughout the project. The purpose of the Rebuild Center is to provide a safe environment, resources and opportunities for collaboration among Catholic and other faith-based organizations in the City of New Orleans to serve those in need.
Storytelling Stars
Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY, held a Family STARS (StoryTelling, Art, Reading and Socialization) program. The goals of the STARS program is to increase the children’s literacy and listening skills and also to instill a love of books and learning.
This was the first time that we offered the program for the family. Dr. Wendy Mages, a professor from Mercy College and a trained storyteller, told the story, Where Are You From by Yamile Saied Mendez. After the story, Dr. Mages, shared her family story and spoke about where her family was from and where they settled in the US. The families then shared their stories.
Prior to the program, the parents were asked to bring in pictures of family, etc. from their home country. After sharing their individual stories, the parents assisted their children in creating their Family Story books using the pictures. The parents and children worked together to paste the pictures in the book and to also write captions or list the names of the family members under the pictures. The children and parents then shared their books with the group.
In addition, everyone received a copy of the book Where Are You From. Our hope is that they will share both books with their family and friends. It was such a beautiful experience for all involved.
Considering Immigration in Light of Justice
~ by Father Eugene Hemrick
The influx of immigrants is often portrayed as problematic. But is it so?
Recently, Bishop Giovanni Battista Scalabrini was declared a saint for founding the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo that enabled Italian immigrants to assimilate into American culture and enjoy its prosperity.
My grandfather was an Italian immigrant who benefitted from the work of St. Scalabrini and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. The education he and my mother received was at the heart of their later success.
We must wonder what would happen if vacant office space in cities was converted into educational centers and corporations advertised for people to be “missionaries” to immigrants ground in the history and culture of the people they serve and possessing heartfelt duty to respond to their needs.
What if these educational centers taught American inculturation: how to shop, get a driver’s license, open a bank account, find employment. What if studies were conducted to learn of immigrant success stories?
What if there was the philosophy of enabling immigrants to better learn how to help themselves and giving them due credit for possessing talent. What if there was a routine practice of praising their music, cuisine and family values.
One of the tragedies of the influx of immigrants is labeling it tragic and a threat to our economy. Equally tragic is building walls that stigmatize immigrants as undesirable people and busing them as unwelcome vagrants.
These negative images that denigrate their humanity are unjust.
A first principle of justice states that justice consists in living one with another, and the just person has an obligation to deal with the other.
This responsibility is inherited from God who created us as social beings. Equally true, being responsible for one another is the basis of decency.
Plato speaks of a debt, an obligation, owed to one another as the heart of justice. And yet, some feel immigration is negatively affecting our economic debt. How ironic to place an economic debt over a moral debt.
What if assisting immigrants is seen as a moral imperative, as an opportunity to repay God for our endowment of a blessed sense of responsibility for the other?
Cabrini High School Celebrates Mother Cabrini’s Feast Day
In preparation for Mother Cabrini’s Feast Day, Cabrini High School hosted a wonderful celebration of the Eucharist where the 50-year graduates (Class of ‘72) joined us in honoring our foundress and received a special pin to commemorate their golden anniversary.
A reception was held following Mass in the lovely Esplanade Courtyard located on Cabrini’s campus.
Cabrinian Organizations Continue the Mission of the Patroness of Immigrants
On November 13, 2022, the Church celebrated the Feast of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Patron Saint of Immigrants, and at the end of her jubilee year in honor of the 75th anniversary of her canonization.
Two of the CLINIC’s (Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.) affliliate organizations bear the name of Mother Cabrini: The St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance, which is part of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Texas and Cabrini Immigrant Services in New York City.
Cabrini Immigrant Services of New York City or CIS-NYC, remains close to the mission of Mother Cabrini in its location: after a recent office move, it is now located right in the building of the Mother Cabrini Shrine in the Washington Heights neighborhood.
Ella Nimmo, Director of Community Programs and Development, said that this location has allowed them an even closer relationship with the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, who founded CIS and several of whom still work at Cabrini Immigrant Services. Donations from pilgrims visiting the Shrine sometimes go toward supporting CIS-NYC, and sometimes immigrants who are visiting the Shrine will happen upon their office and request help. The Shrine staff often refer immigrants in need to visit CIS. CIS offers a wide variety of services for the immigrant community, from legal services to social support programs.
Beyond the outward connections to Mother Cabrini – its name, if founding by the Sisters, it location, Nimmo say CIS-NYC carries on the spirit of Mother Cabrini’s approach. “The Sisters often talk about Mother Cabrini having a sense of urgency about her, a ‘scrappy’ way of being,” Nimmo said. “If there was a need, Mother Cabrini was going to find a way to meet it. She would get things done. We try to take that approach, as well.” Nimmo said that CIS-NYC is always rising to the challenge of new developments facing immigrant communities in New York City. The biggest challenge for them lately has been finding a way to meet the needs of the thousands of migrants who have been bused to the city from Texas.
“We have helped at least 120 families from the buses so far,” said Nimmo. “It’s difficult because they are arriving with nothing – no contacts, no cell phones even, few job prospects, and often, no pathway to legal residency. We are having to be creative in how we help them and demonstrate support and solidarity.”
“The last few years have been really difficult, what with the pandemic and political changes,” Nimmo continued. “Now we have these migrant families arriving on buses from the border. Creating a supportive space for them amid these challenges is sometimes the most we can do. But we do all we can; we look for any source of support that we can provide, as we imagine that Mother Cabrini would have done.”
To read the complete article, please click here
Immigration Reform Needed: NOW!
The United States needs comprehensive immigration reform! The last time the United States significantly changed its method for awarding visas was in 1965, when Congress passed the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This law changed the immigration system from one based on country-of-origin limits to one based on family reunification
A majority of Americans agree that Congress should pass bipartisan legislation to permanently protect Dreamers and TPS holders so these people can continue to live, work and contribute to the only country they have called their home.
With the DACA program so vulnerable in the courts, the risks to Dreamers and particularly DACA recipients could not be more urgent. We are urging you to help push Congress to pass a bill now to protect Dreamers and other people who are undocumented. If DACA is halted in court, an estimated 1,000 DACA recipients could lose their deferred action status and work permits each week, causing severe harm in the healthcare, education, food production and service industries, all of which are experiencing shortages. Getting any deal will unquestionably demand compromise, such as extreme border security measures. There is a chance reforms on recapturing lost visas, improved case processing, and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act might also be included if a deal comes together.
Midterm elections have taken place so, NOW, is the time for action!
CALL: Your Senators and ask them to reform and modernize our immigration system. If you do not know your Senator’s phone number, dial 202-224-3121 and a switchboard operator will help connect you directly to the correct office. Post on social media (Facebook, Twitter) asking your contacts to join in on the action!
Guadalupe Province Immigration Commission
Sr. Yolanda Flores, MSC
Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC
Sr. Roselle Santivasi, MSC
Sr. Lucille Souza, MSC
Karol Brewer
This is National Vocation Awareness Week – November 6 – 12
National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.
Observance of Vocation Awareness Week began in 1976 when the U.S. bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year for the celebration. It was later moved to Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in January. In 2014, after extensive consultation, the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations moved the observance of National Vocation Awareness Week to November to engage Catholic schools and colleges more effectively in this effort
Remembering Our Dearly Departed
During the month of November we are reminded to pray for the repose of the souls of our departed family and friends.
The Missionary Sisters at the Sacred Heart Convent in New York City put together this lovely display in remembrance of their departed loved ones who were remembered at Mass.
~ submitted by Sr. Renee Kittelson, MSC
“The goodness of the Heart of Jesus is immense and infinite in mercy.”
~ St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
“The Significance of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” was our special seminar with Sister Bernadette Anello, MSC for the two weeks – September 26th to October 7th. It was a blessing to have her illuminate the spirituality of our Institute. Praying the Sacred Heart Novena made our classes so very meaningful. Sister Patricia Spillane’s booklet has comprehensive concepts of the Heart of Jesus; please be sure to use it for your upcoming novena next year. You will absolutely love the various attributes of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and meditate on them all.
Our prayers and discussion were intentionally focused on all the aspects of Jesus’s heart. Helping us to have a fuller understanding, Sister Bernadette included some noteworthy writings and meaningful resources. We read Segundo Galilea’s writings, our Constitutions, Mother Cabrini’s writings, and shared our lived experiences. These magnificent resources made our two-week session unique and remarkable.
An understanding of how the theology and devotion of the Sacred Heart was a strong response to the needs of the times during the life of Francesca Cabrini, helped us to better appreciate the focus our Foundress had for our missionary congregation.. We could see why the God Who loves us would appear to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to emphasize His great desire to draw one and all into His Heart of Love.
The apparition of the Sacred Heart to Margaret Mary bears one simple message to all: His Heart burns with love for all humanity, excluding no one. He loves us, and He deeply desires our love in return. In the crucifixion, His Heart was literally pierced out of love for us. And, far too often, the humanity He created and saved has responded with ingratitude and indifference. In turning to His Heart, we constantly receive and return that love, and we implore His mercy for ourselves and for those who are far from him.
We are so grateful to Sister Bernadette for sharing her wisdom with us, and to the Formation Team for creating this opportunity for Sacred Heart Theology and Spirituality. We hope that reading this short reflection gives you insight into what we have experienced.
The Feast Day of the Patroness of Immigrants ~ St. Frances Xavier Cabrini November 13, 2022
Mother Cabrini and Today’s Migrants
The “era of migrations” we live in has seen an unprecedented number of forcibly displaced people. Extreme poverty, persisting wars and violence, drastic climate change and natural disasters, produce millions of asylum seekers and migrants.
Image above: In 2012, the Society of the Citizens of Pozzallo partnered with Groundswell, NYC to create a mural honoring Mother Francesca Cabrini.
How to answer the plight of asylum seekers, refugees, destitute migrants, internally displace people, can be learned from the example of the saints of the migrants, special persons of vast horizons, exceptional generosity and creative insights. From the inspiration of the Gospel, such saints derived the motivation and the courage to act.
The methodology of the saints of migrants, such as St. John Neumann of Philadelphia, USA; St. Mary MacKillop of Australia; recently canonized St. Giovanni Batista Scalabrini, Piacenza, Italy; and of course, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who dedicated their lives and talents to their human and spiritual promotion is a useful and effective lesson for us.
particular, Mother Cabrini has articulated a dynamic approach that remains valid in the changed sociopolitical context of today. It had not been a sudden decision that pushed Mother Cabrini to plunge into the care of migrants, but a process of awareness and empathy for the needy.
The first step was a lively sense of mission. Mother Cabrini wanted to share her experience of God’s love with people in need. Analyzing the documents of the first years of activity of other Cabrini, one become quickly aware of a determined and practical personality in love with Jesus and deriving from this relationship, a creative and ready-for-action sense of mission.
The second step were evidenced in the first efforts of Mother Cabrini directed to the human and spiritual promotion of “abandoned youth”. Later, however, the plight of emigrants touched the hearts of the Sisters. The impulse to mission found a vast and urgent field of action. The education and formation of young women became a pioneering task.
third step shows the wide horizon within which Mother Cabrini was enlarging, and at the same time, consolidating her commitment to the care of people on the move. She confirms this priority after her first direct experience with the immigrants in New York City where she had arrived in 1889.
Although constantly struggling to find the economic means to start and support the multiplicity of initiatives undertaken to meet as many needs of the migrants, Mother Cabrini never stopped developing the outreach of her Institute.
As she looked at the future of immigrant communities in New Orleans, Denver, Seattle, Chicago, Mother Cabrini advocated a progressive integration into the host society. She wanted good Christians and also good citizens.
The fourth step – Mother Cabrini adopted a winning strategy, personal contact with the immigrants, a human relationship that inspired trust and love. Thus Mother and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart visited immigrant families in their miserable tenements and cared for their children. It was not a managerial or bureaucratic approach but, rather, a captivating successful style that touched the hearts.
, the fifth step, Mother Cabrini did not back down for reminding public officials of their responsibility to contribute to the services she had started and to choose policies that would ease the problems of the immigrants.
As we observe her Feast Day, the relevance of Mother Cabrini’s example and her method endures and applies in contemporary societies that under the impact of new arrivals are becoming increasingly pluralistic and demand mutual comprehension, and a genuine sense of welcome and of integration. Native-born and immigrants can build a common future of peace and reciprocal enrichment if there are women and men who have a maternal heart like Mother Cabrini that is all-embracing in its compassion and evangelical love. ~ Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, CS, 100 Years of Cabrini Mission
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- …
- 61
- Next Page »