Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Serving with the Sisters – Celebrating The Year of Consecrated Life

May 6, 2015

In celebration and commemoration of Pope Francis’s declaration of this year being the Year of Consecrated Life, the National Religious Vocations Conference Region 3 hosted an inter-congregational day of service on Sunday, May 3^rd in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

Sisters from eight religious congregations and young adults were invited to join each other in serving communities in need of some TLC and what a beautiful day we had!

We kicked off the day at 11 a.m. with a gathering at Community Center at Visitation where we had a lovely “sending forth” with our groups to our respective worksites. The air was palpable with excitement for what the day was to hold for each of us.

When I signed up for the event, I really had no idea what kind of impact we were going to have on the communities in which we were going to be serving. [However, due to the cadre of volunteers] La Salle Academy now has fresh, new ground murals of the United States and the world, a new foursquare court, and a beautiful hopscotch court. Several local churches have fresh coats of paint on their walls and doors and the Providence Center has a charming community garden.

I had the great honor of floating from worksite to worksite, taking photos of what was being done at each place. Leaving each site, my heart was filled with joy and gratitude to be able to witness the good work that was being done with a shared objective – to permeate each location with the insurmountable love, joy, and hope of Jesus. Throughout the day, a verse from the book of Matthew kept coming to mind – “For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” What a privilege to serve alongside Jesus.

Around 3:00 p.m., we once again gathered at the Community Center at Visitation for pizza, snacks, and group sharing. The room buzzed with enthusiastic chatter as each person described their individual experiences from the day. Throughout the time of sharing, there existed a common thread of beauty seen in these communities that have been hit so hard by poverty; beauty in the people they encountered, beauty in the sites themselves, and beauty in the experience of service. Each reflection contained not only pride in the work that had been done, but a sense of privilege to have been a part of it all. With humble gratitude, I can say that I am so very blessed to have had this opportunity to serve alongside so many beautiful servants of the Lord. What a privilege, indeed! ~ submitted by CMC missioner Ashley Block

The Cabrini Closet, NYC is now open

April 30, 2015

The Cabrini Closet, NYC is Now Accepting Donations

Thanks to the hard work of the boys from St. Raymond’s High School, the Cabrini Closet NYC is now able to accept donations! CMC Missioner Melanie will be in the Cabrini Closet this Friday, May 1^st from 2-6 pm to accept fashionable clothing, accessories, and gift cards. If you’re in the area, please feel free to stop by and get an advance look at this wonderful new ministry for survivors of human trafficking!

If you wish to make a donation but cannot make this date and time, please contact Melanie at 732-322-2956 or CabriniAandA@aol.com to schedule another time.

Cabrini Closet, NYC, 220 E 19^th St, Lower Level, New York, NY 10003

Love through Service – Cabrini Mission Corps Holds Fundraiser

April 23, 2015

The Cabrini family knows no boundaries, and the Cabrini Mission Corps has long embodied this beautiful characteristic of our community. On the evening of Friday, April 17^th, the Woodcrest Mansion at Cabrini College came alive with the energy of current and former missioners, board members, family, and friends in celebration. In reflecting upon her experience with the young men and women who have served alongside the Missionary Sisters, Sr. Diane Olmstead, MSC, beautifully captured what the gathering was meant to recognize in the Cabrini Mission Corps: relationship.

As current missioners Ashley Block, Martin Garcia, Matt Kaehler, and Connor White each offered a moment of reflection on their experiences with Cabrini Mission Corps, it was clear that Sr. Diane had hit the nail on the head.

“Cabrini College challenges us to do something extraordinary, but Cabrini Mission Corps challenges us to be something extraordinary,” shared Martin Garcia. Cabrini Mission Corps, for those currently or formerly involved with the program, has served as an extraordinary source of love for the world around it. As Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC, phrases it, these young men and women, “bloom where they are planted.” The beautiful presence of relationship continues to blossom wherever missioners find themselves planted.

An enormous credit for the evening must be handed to our beloved director, Gina Scarpello, whose guidance has seen to the growth and presence of Cabrini Mission Corps for years. Throughout the evening, a slideshow displaying photos of former and current missioners all over the world played as a backdrop to the festivities. Each smiling face in these photos served as testament to the life and love, which Gina has infused into the Cabrini Mission Corps.

Another huge thank you is to be directed towards the people who supported the mission through the event. Proceeds from the evening will go to support future missioners in their endeavors to be bearers of the love of Christ in the world.

As Friday evening showed, the Cabrini family knows no boundaries for the love that it cultivates. Music, food, and drink were accompanied by conversation and laughter, but one thing stole the evening more so than any of those: relationship.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations is April 26th

April 17, 2015

The Message of Pope Francis for the 52st World Day of Prayer for Vocations was released this week. This commemoration is traditionally the fourth Sunday of Easter and will be celebrated this year on April 26.

You can read the Holy Father’s Message at https://nrvc.net/256/article/message-of-pope-francis-for-the-52nd-world-day-of-prayer-for-vocations-7482

New Provincial Council Appointed

April 2, 2015

Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC, Provincial of the Stella Maris Province has announced the appointment of the new Provincial Councilors who will assist in the governance of the Stella Maris Province: Sr. Lucy Panettieri, MSC and Sr. Arlene Van Dusen, MSC.

Sr. Pietrina expressed her thanks to these sisters for their “yes” to this call of service and asks everyone in the Cabrinian community to support them with your prayers.

Sr. Pietrina expressed her thanks to Sr. Catherine Garry, MSC, Sr. Tommasina Lanski, MSC and Sr. Diane Olmstead for their service on the Provincial Council over the last six years.

: Sr. Lucy Panettieri, MSC

: Sr. Arlene Van Dusen, MSC

Cabrini High School Hosts Special Evening

March 24, 2015

Cabrini High School alumnae honor Sr. Catherine Garry, MSC, former faculty member and principal.

Cabrini High School’s alumnae and guests attended a reception honoring former principal Sr. Catherine Garry in the historic Esplanade Building on Cabrini High’s campus.

Former students from five decades traveled from throughout the US to attend the reception honoring Sr. Catherine Garry, who served as a Cabrini faculty member from 1966-1970 and Cabrini principal from 1970-1979. Highly respected and dearly loved by the students, faculty, and staff during her years at Cabrini, she remains close to the school, its alumnae, and students. In addition to serving on the Cabrini High School Board of Trustees and as an advisor to the administration, Sr. Catherine currently resides in New York where she is a member of the Provincial Council of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.