Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Get Ready for Catholic Sisters Week

February 25, 2021

March 8-14 is Catholic Sisters Week!

Catholic Sisters Week
Celebrating Traditions, Changing the World

Fifty-two weeks a year women religious stand with the poor and immigrants, teach children, fight injustice, heal the sick, share spirituality, empower women, defend the planet, promote peace, create community, offer hope …

But for one week, March 8-14, we shine the spotlight on women religious and encourage a wide range of campaigns and events that invite all who follow Jesus to
• expand and support their gospel witness
• grow the service networks they have seeded
• share their spirituality, charisms, and community
• encourage young women to consider a vocation to religious life
• support their pastoral, teaching and prophetic works
• and focus on the new world they call into being.

During this week we celebrate and give thanks for the lives of faith and service of our Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May God continue to shower his blessings upon the Institute of the MSCs.

To learn more about Catholic Sisters Week click here

There are so many ways in which women religious can shine a spotlight on their congregations during this special week.

Sisters are encouraged to get creative with virtual delivery of events: Zoom conversations and conferences; livestream events; Facebook encounters; virtual tours of mission sites and ministries; book discussions, interviews, Q and A sessions with vocation directors; photo galleries.

And, this year in light of increased food insecurity, religious congregations are invited to join the LCWR Region 4 challenge and plan a FOOD DRIVE for your neighboring area. On site or virtual, collect funds and food for those in need. Celebrate Catholic Sisters Week by doing what sisters have always done: respond to the need of others, especially the most vulnerable.

To watch a video by Fr. James Martin, SJ, about National Catholic Sisters Week, click here

Cabrini University Helps Nonprofit Notch Milestone Donation

February 18, 2021

Cabrini University’s annual Give Love, Give Socks, Give Hope drive helped The Joy of Sox reach a notable milestone: With its delivery on Saturday, Feb. 13 to Prevention Point Philadelphia in Kensington, PA, the Radnor-based nonprofit has donated a half million pairs of socks since 2010. In the past four years, Cabrini has contributed 6,000 pairs of socks to The Joy of Sox’s donation efforts in the Philadelphia area.

Cabrini’s Give Love, Give Socks, Give Hope campaign, held in early February to align with Socks for the Homeless Day on Feb. 14, raises funds for not only The Joy of Sox’s many sock donations in Pennsylvania and around the United States, but also for the University’s Wolfington Center, which fosters community-based learning through Catholic social teaching in the spirit of Mother Cabrini. Since 2017, Cabrini students, alumni, staff and Missionary Sisters have been among those who have volunteered to package and deliver socks on behalf of The Joy of Sox.

“The Cabrini community’s commitment to service is integral to the University’s Education of the Heart and we are proud to support the impactful work of organizations within our community like The Joy of Sox,” said Ray Ward, PhD, Director of the Wolfington Center. “It is an honor to have played a part in this milestone of 500,000 pairs of socks donated to those experiencing homelessness. I am also grateful to the donors whose contributions to the Give Love, Socks, Hope
fundraiser will support further service opportunities for Cabrini students through the Wolfington Center.”

Founded by Cabrini College alumna Nancy Gorevin Costello (ʼ71) and her husband Tom Costello Jr. (HONʼ11), The Joy of Sox receives donations of new socks and raises funds to purchase new socks which are then delivered to homeless shelters and clinics throughout the United States and as far away as Uganda and Afghanistan. The organization has succeeded in making ‘Socks for the Homeless Day’ a recognized observance in five states, including Pennsylvania.

“We observe Socks for the Homeless Day in mid-February as a way to increase winter-time charitable giving, which traditionally drops off after the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays,” said Tom Costello, Chief Sock Person at The Joy of Sox. “As we reflect on our 10th anniversary and this milestone of 500,000 pairs of socks donated, we express sincere gratitude for the continued service of countless volunteers and key partners like Cabrini and its mission-driven community.”

Prevention Point Director of Community Engagement and Volunteer Services, Clayton Ruley, said Saturday’s milestone donation comes at an ideal time for the city’s unhoused population. “We take for granted that we’re able to change our socks on a daily basis, but that’s just not the case for a lot of people we work with,” Ruley said. “In the cold months, if homeless people can’t change their socks, it leads to illness and disease that the cold and wetness brings.”

~ with abundant thanks to Steve Highsmith, Jackie Marciano, Matt Nestor, Emily Rowan and John Verdi
for their help in initiating, orchestrating and publicizing the Give Love, Give Socks, Give Hope campaign.

A Joyful Day for Us and Our Institute

February 11, 2021

~ a Reflection by Sr. Ayantu Abera Bishaka, MSC and Sr. Tigist Hailemariam Loha, MSC

February 2, 2021 was a big day and a joyful day for us and for our Institute, and for our families. On this day we made our first profession as Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; and we were welcomed as Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s daughters.

Saying yes to the Lord’s call, we continue our journey with Him and to serve his people. Being a disciple of Jesus is also all about channeling energy in a single direction and the primary energy we channel is love.

One part of the ceremony held a deep fascination for us. When we received the cross, Sr. Diane Dalle Molle, MSC, Regional Superior of the Holy Spirit Region, said, “In poverty, you give all that you have; in chastity, you give all that you are; in obedience, you give all that you can become. May God’s good grace be with you now and always.” These are enormously powerful words describing our commitment and our journey.

A Sacred and Joyous Occasion

February 4, 2021

On February 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation, Sr. Ayantu Abera Bishaka and Sr. Tigist Hailemariam Loha, both from Ethiopia, made their first profession of vows in a ceremony at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in New York City.
The following account is a reflection on the ceremony by Evarlyne Ndunge Ndeti, an MSC candidate.

I do believe in meaningful words that are made deeply from the heart as a promise. These vows were something that I witnessed as Sister Ayantu and Sister were offering their lives and service completely to God for His greater Glory.

The significance of religious life is embodied in the profession of vows taken before God and all those who gathered for the ceremony.

Sister Diane Dalle Molle, MSC, Superior of the Holy Spirit Region, and Sister Genet Henok, MSC served as the official witnesses of the recitation and signing of the vows. In declaring their intentions, Sister Ayantu and Sister Tigist answered their call and responded, “HERE I AM”.

Everyone present and virtually watched the two newly professed sisters make their temporary vows to God. The two radiant young women vowed that they would live out their words and continue spreading the Love of Jesus to the entire world. They were full of joy, hope and enthusiasm.

I could not stop rejoicing and thanking God for the opportunity of attending this special occasion, albeit virtually, joining many MSCs.

While listening and watching their ceremony, I gave my silent word and prayer to God and asked Him to continue blessing and protecting them.

May God Bless You, Always.

February 2nd is World Day for Consecrated Life

January 28, 2021

About World Day for Consecrated Life

In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.
World Day for Consecrated Life is celebrated on February 2nd however, it is observed in parishes on the Sunday after February 2nd. In 2021, this day will be celebrated in parishes February 6-7, 2021.
“This then is the consecrated life: praise which gives joy to God’s people, prophetic vision that reveals what counts. Consecrated life is not about survival, it is not about preparing ourselves for ars bene moriendi: this is the temptation of our days, in the face of declining vocations. No, it is not about survival, but new life. “But… there are only a few of us…” – it’s about new life. It is a living encounter with the Lord in his people. It is a call to the faithful obedience of daily life and to the unexpected surprises from the Spirit. It is a vision of what we need to embrace in order to experience joy: Jesus” –Pope Francis, WDCL Homily on February 2, 2019

Cousins with a Cause

January 27, 2021

Both cousins picked ministry…unbeknownst to the other.

Father Michael Bassano, 72, was born on December 22, the same calendar that Mother Cabrini died. “It was a sign of a calling to be a missionary as well,” he wrote in an email.

The Binghamton, NY native is now a Maryknoll missionary serving as the Catholic chaplain for people who have been displaced by civil war in the UN Protection of Civilians (POC) camp in Upper Nile State, South Sudan, where his routine includes writing poetry

Impressed as a youth by the happiness of the nuns who instructed herm Sr. Joan Marie Sariti, MSC, 95, Father Bassano’s first cousin once removed, became a nurse – “that’s what I like.”

A native of Scranton, PA, about 50 miles from Binghamton, she is one of 18 sisters living at Sacred Heart Convent in Lower Manhattan. A priest brings her copies of the Catholic Sun, the newspaper of the Syracuse, NY, so she can read about her cousin’s life in the African country.

“As I was growing up in Binghamton and was deciding to become a priest,” Fr. Bassano wrote, “my parents and family never told me about my cousin who is a religious sister. I finally found out about her years later.”

“I didn’t know he was going to be a priest until he was ordained,” Sr. Joan Marie said, and then we went to Binghamton before his first Mass [in 1975]. And then we went back again in 2000 when he had his 25th up at Maryknoll – a nice Mass and luncheon out on the grounds, under the tents, beautiful,” the last word pronounced in classic Big Apple style: “beauteeeful.”

Fr. Bassano called his cousin “a creative, amazing woman” with “a funny sense of humor and a warm personality. Her story helps me to understand my own journey as a missionary.

A public-school student Sister Joan Marie went for catechesis, First Holy Communion and Confirmation instruction with the nuns who had a convent in the school that was connected to St. Lucy’s Church in Scranton.

“I went to visit them every Tuesday, when I went for the novena,” she recalled. And…they seemed so happy, so I said, well, this is what I really want.

Sr. Joan was a postulant and a novice in West Park, NY, and after her first profession there, she went to Chicago to study nursing. She made her final vows where she graduated from the nursing school at the now-closed Columbus Hospital. Within walking distance was DePaul University where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing. She worked at two hospitals in Chicago and one in Seattle. She did surgical and pediatric nursing and also worked in nursing administration.

Fr. Basano has served Maryknoll in Chile, Thailand, Tanzania and steadily since 2014, South Sudan.

A few years ago she enjoyed a visit from Fr. Bassano and his brother Ted. He told the sisters all about South Sudan. “It was very interesting…I hope he’s safe.”
To read the complete article click here

Religious Sisters Express Hope in President Biden’s Character and Catholicism

January 21, 2021

~ by Dan Stockman, Global Sisters Report (GSR)

Catholic women religious in the United States want to see many different things [as] the Biden administration enters the White House. While it’s no surprise that those sisters interviewed by the Global Sisters Report want to see policies more in line with Catholic social justice teaching, over and over, all of them kept coming back to the issue of character.

As the nation reels from a January 6 insurrection at the Capitol and impeachment in Congress, sisters said the new administration, led by President Joe Biden, will be a relief.

“Did anyone notice during this entire presidential campaign what was said most about Joe Biden? It was that he is a good man,” Sr. Joan Chittister, a Benedictine Sister of Erie, PA, and the co-chair of the Global Initiative of Women told the GSR, “[people] are looking for character. They’re looking for quality.”

Sr. Marcia Hall, of the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore, MD, said she is looking for a return to civility.

Sr. Simone Campbell of the Sisters of Social Service, executive director of Network, a Catholic social justice lobby, said Biden’s Catholic faith is inseparable from who he is.

Chittister said sisters’ calls for better policies on issues such as ecology, the economy, healthcare, just wages and racial equity will have a chance of being answered.

Chittister continued, “What I will be looking for is the character and the quality of the leadership and the recommitment to the Constitution. I’m looking for character.”

Chittister said that Biden’s win restored her faith in the electorate.
To read the entire article click here

Vaccinated and Relieved!

January 21, 2021

Monday, January 11, 2021 was a very exciting day at Cabrini of because residents and staff received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine! A team from CVS Pharmacy was on site to administer both doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, the first of which was distributed on December 21, 2020. In total, 217 residents and 177 staff members opted to be inoculated. Another site visit is planned for February 1, 2021.

“We are fortunate that the Covid-19 vaccine has demonstrated-safety and is highly effective,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gold, Cabrini of Westchester’s Medical Director. “Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective way that we can protect ourselves, and most especially the residents, in order to address the global pandemic.”

With the second dose, the vaccine is said to be more than 90% effective against the on-going threat of the COVID-19 virus. This is a great relief to the residents, staff and most especially the family members, who haven’t seen their loved ones in person in quite a long time. “A renewed sense of hope accompanies the availability of the vaccine for the residents and our hard-working staff,” said Patricia Krasnausky, President and CEO. “Reuniting residents and their families with in-person visits is our greatest hope for this year.” ~ submitted by Susan Herceg, Cabrini of Westchester

United in Spirit and Prayer

December 15, 2020

As the saying goes, “Prayer can move mountains!” Even COVID-19 could not stop several of the Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs) sharing an Advent prayer service with the Sisters at Sacred Heart Convent in New York City.

Once again, we were thankful for technology as we met via Zoom. It was wonderful to see each other as we have been quarantined and not able to visit in person. After some ‘catching-up,’ we shared in song and prayer. Thank you to Sr. Isalia Carvalho, MSC, for being so supportive of our coming together and making sure all the technology was in place. We look forward to being together again, hopefully in person, but until then, we are blessed to see each other via Zoom.

Residents and Staff Join in Feast Day Observances

November 18, 2020

Cabrini of Westchester celebrated the Feast Day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini on Friday, November 13th and included both staff and residents in the celebration. A Mass, with live music, took place in the St. Cabrini Nursing Home Chapel that was beautifully decorated with vases of purple and white flowers. Sr. Romualda Molon, MSC also included a striking figurine of Mother Cabrini that was hand painted in 1939 and a gorgeous violet plant that she lovingly tends to in the home’s convent among the décor for the altar.

Later in the day, Sheri Gottlieb and her dedicated Therapeutic Recreation Staff distributed ice cream cones to the residents as a special treat in honor of the Feast.

The staff was included in the celebration with the distribution of $10.00 gift certificates to Magnolia’s Café for each employee.

What a special day to honor such a truly extraordinary wom an: our patroness, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini!