Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Bringing Christ's love to the world
A Message from the MSC Generalate in Rome…
Dear Sisters and colleagues,
We would like to share with you the link to the livestreaming of the General Chapter Opening Mass, on Sunday June 26 at 5:30 pm Rome time.
LINK: https://youtu.be/MiImnaKy5ak
We hope that you will participate – even if online – in this special moment for the Institute and the entire Cabrinian family.
Thank you.
On June 24th, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The origins of the feast are with the visions received by St. Margaret Mary Alocoque, a 17th-century Visitation nun in a town called Paray-le-Monial, France. Her visions of Jesus presenting himself with his heart, were initially disbelieved by her fellow sisters. Then Jesus promised her in prayer that he would send her his “faithful servant and perfect friend.” Shortly afterwards, a Jesuit named Claude la Colombiere [arrived] at the convent to serve as a spiritual director for the sisters. He saw that Sr. Margaret Mary’s visions were authentic and devotion to the Sacred Heart spread from there.
The Feast of the Sacred Heart is an invitation to ask ourselves, “How did Jesus love?” and “Whom did Jesus love?” The answers to those two questions are: abundantly, totally and completely; and everyone, especially those who were poor or marginalized. But there are other questions that the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart raises: “How do I love?” and “Whom do I love?” And the most important question of all, “How can I love like Jesus?” Maybe that’s a question we can ask ourselves tomorrow and always, as we encounter each person with the love of our own hearts, which seeks to love as Jesus’ Sacred Heart did. ~ James Martin, SJ, AMERICA
In the Cabrinian community, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus holds great importance. It is the day on which the Missionary Sisters renew their vows and the Cabrini Lay Missionaries renew their commitments. Please keep the Missionary Sisters and the Cabrini Lay Missionaries in your thoughts and prayers in a special way on this Feast Day. And, this year, the Feast of the Sacred Heart is observed as the Missionary Sisters are about to enter their General Chapter which commences on Sunday, June 26th. We ask that you continue to keep the General Chapter in your prayers asking the Holy Spirit to inspire, enlighten and guide the proceedings and all those present.
A Message from the MSC Generalate in Rome…
Dear Sisters and colleagues,
We would like to share with you the link to the livestreaming of the General Chapter Opening Mass, on Sunday June 26 at 5:30 pm Rome time.
LINK: https://youtu.be/MiImnaKy5ak
We hope that you will participate – even if online – in this special moment for the Institute and the entire Cabrinian family.
Thank you.
Sixty-five years ago, Cabrini College, located at 610 King of Prussia Road in Radnor, PA was founded and incorporated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, June 7th the University community came together to commemorate this august occasion.
“The purpose for which the corporation is formed is to establish, conduct, operate and maintain, at the above address a college for the education, training and spiritual guidance of young women, with power to confer upon students who have successfully completed the required courses, the Degree of Bachelor of Arts and the Degree of Bachelor of Sciences, and such other Degrees as may be approved and authorized by the Department of Public Instruction of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania….The corporation is to exist perpetually.”
For many members of the faculty and staff, this was their first opportunity to meet and greet Ms. Helen Drinan, the Interim President of the University. Ms. Drinan offered welcoming remarks noting the University’s distinguished history and educational traditions which emanate from the educational philosophy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini – “the education of the heart” – and the charism of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Ms. Drinan said that these guiding principles are central to all we do as a University. She further commented that in the short time she has been on campus, she has found Cabrini University to be a most welcoming place.
Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC, a Cabrini College alumna and Campus Ministry Associate, offered a lively and entertaining glimpse into the storied journey of the University since its founding as Cabrini College in 1957.
All those gathered appreciated the summertime fellowship while enjoying ice cream treats to celebrate Founding Day.
On Friday, May 20, the beautiful new offices of Cabrini Immigrant Services of NY at 701 Fort Washington Avenue were blessed by Fr. Tom Faiola, OFM, Cap. The ceremony was followed by a picnic on the lawn with the Missionary Sisters and staff from CIS-NYC and St Frances Cabrini Shrine.
The Missionary Sisters at the Sacred Heart Convent in New York just completed an 8 Day retreat with Fr. Jack Baron, S.J. All were feeling very grateful and blessed.
On May 5, 2022, in addition to celebrating Cinco de Mayo with traditional Hispanic food, there was plenty of ice cream and lovely flowers in gratitude for the sisters who continue to exercise their nursing skills with our senior sisters. 
The Shrine was blessed last Sunday with beautiful flowers, good music, and the presence of the Missionary Sisters. Following the 11am Mass Missionary Sisters Renee Kittelson, Dianne McKenna, and John Giani showed the video Divine Mercy 101 and were on hand to answer questions. Also present were Sr. Aynalem Paulos, MSC Sr. Ayantu Abera, MSC and the novices Evarlyn Ndunge and Evon Somirla, who regularly help out at the Shrine on Sundays.
On this date,
March 31,1889…
One hundred and thirty-three years ago, Mother Cabrini arrived in New York City to begin her ministerial work. “Their traveling expenses were paid by the Vatican Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, Cabrini and her companions had come to New York ‘to help Italian immigrants.’”
It was specifically to attend to these neglected Italians that Cabrini had chosen to come to America. [At that time], a young woman, who soon joined the Missionary Sisters and assisted in their work for Italian immigrants, noted:
“I was seventeen years-old when I first met…[Mother Cabrini] the third day after her arrival in New York City. The first Sunday she was there I accompanied her and her Missionary Sisters to Saint Joachim’s Church…Mother Cabrini, with lively encouragement, sent me and other young people to visit the families of the parish and often she went herself. She hoped to attract boys and girls, the young people, entire families to religious instruction.”
Hearts aflame with love, Mother Cabrini and her sister companions began their parish ministry to the poorest of the poor in humble surroundings. The first sisters in New York and Missionary Sisters who later ministered in the U.S. experienced hard lives, but they prevailed. The first “Memorie” of New York, in 1899, recounts, “No one speaks of rest. Those who perhaps before were less used to doing such now clean, wash, scour…and undertake difficult and repugnant tasks without any signs of distress.” While their lives were difficult and they encountered prejudice, they were not unhappy. The sisters knew the joy of recognition and trust which came to them in the immigrant communities of New York and elsewhere. They were proud as the immigrants took heart, and elated when they frequented the church.
~ excerpts from Mother Cabrini, “Italian Immigrant of the Century” by Sr. Mary Louise Sullivan, MSC, PhD
~ a reflection by Evarlyne Ndeti, MSC Novice
Who would ever think of the Ethiopian Christian artwork being displayed in an exhibit in New York City?! Being able to witness these phenomenal artworks at the Sheen Center in Greenwich Village, brought such a realization of possibilities. The uniqueness and beauty of each image was beyond description.
Reading about the artist’s life and the ideas/decisions towards the Ethiopian artwork was stunning also. Each one of us, after the tour, got an informational sheet about the artist and her artwork. For more information: https://www.laurajamesart.com/laura-james-bio/
We were in awe seeing these beautiful works of Christian tradition and features of biblical scenarios. We were also grateful to God, Laura James and to Sr. Bernadette Anello, MSC, who found out about this exhibit and invited us to go and see. Some of the featured stories included: The Call of Mary Magdalene, as someone who is very important and highly recognized in Jesus’ mission; The Sermon for our Ancestors which illustrated the African American history of enslaved people; Jesus’ Proclamation of God’s Kingdom.
In love and gratitude we continue our pilgrimage to Our Lady of Pompeii Church where we prayed before the image of St. Frances Cabrini, before returning to the novitiate.
On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, Cabrini of Westchester celebrated the opening of a new Dialysis Program with a Blessing and Ribbon Cutting ceremony. The ceremony was attended by our sponsors, The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, several contractors that helpe
d to implement the program, board members, staff, residents and special guest, Senator Andrea-Stewart-Cousins.
Expected to begin servicing patients by the end of March 2022, the Dialysis Program will allow residents of the nursing home to receive dialysis on site and eliminate the need for transportation to other locations. In conjunction with Dialyze Direct, the program will serve only residents and short-term patients of Cabrini of Westchester with a goal of improving the quality of life for those who need this service.
The dialysis suite will accommodate a total of 8 patients daily under the supervision of a registered nurse with special training. Treatments will be given five days a week for an average of 2 ½ hours and will be worked around meal times, rehabilitation appointments and activities so that recipients’ daily schedules will not be interrupted.
“We are pleased to add this vital service to Cabrini’s programs and services which will vastly improve the lives of those residents in need of dialysis treatment,” said Patricia Krasnausky, President and CEO of Cabrini of Westchester. “By not having to travel for treatment, residents will experience reduced recovery time allowing them to maintain regular schedules that include meal times, daily activities and rehabilitation. We are excited to implement the program and look forward to working with Dialyze Direct to ensure the best outcomes for the elders that we are so privileged to serve.”