If you walked past the Chapel at St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY, on the afternoon of June 20th, you knew ‘the Spirit was a movin.’ Residents, family and friends gathered to praise the Lord through scripture, song and movement as part of the Heart and Soul series. Scripture tells us that our bodies can praise God. Using our arms, hands, legs, feet, our entire body and our bones, we moved to the rhythm of music. While our bodies were moving and swaying, scripture passages relating to each section of the body was read. In addition to the scripture, the poem, Adoration, Praise and Thanksgiving by Elizabeth Craven, was read.
Using the theme of gratefulness, we were asked what we were grateful for. So many thanked God for their life, their health, their families and friends. Many of the residents were very grateful for St. Cabrini Nursing Home. They said that they were blessed to have a place like Cabrini where they are taken care of and are surrounded by so many wonderful people.
This month, we were blessed to have some members of the Youth Mission of Life Church join the service. They not only brought their joy of praising God but they also played the violin, the tuba and the saxophone. We sang different songs that gave thanksgiving to God for all that we have. Truly, we made a joyful noise unto the Lord.
Heart and Soul was created by Fr. Edwin Robinson, OFM, Director of Pastoral Care, Alex Riddick, a Pastoral Care Associate, Deborah Mosley, a trained storyteller from Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), and Lorraine Campanelli, the Director of CIS. Each month, residents and visitors are invited to join in a special service that brings each of us closer to God.