Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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Thumbs Up for Cabrini U. CAVS Service Day

The Cabrini University CAVS held their first annual Day of Service on Saturday, November 8th in honor of Mother Cabrini’s Feast Day on November 13th.

The Cabrini University community was invited to engage in an act of service wherever they may be located. Alumni, faculty, staff and their families and friends were encouraged to follow in Mother Cabrini’s footsteps and help an elderly neighbor or volunteer at a food pantry, whatever was particularly meaningful.

Two sites were offered for those who wished to serve those serving the poor, immigrants and those experiencing homelessness: the Mitzvah Circle in Lansdale, PA and The Blessing Shop in Norris

We had an enthusiastic turnout and look forward to growing this event in years to come.

Cabrini H.S. Sophomores Live Mother Cabrini’s Mission

Guided by the Campus Ministry Department, the Cabrini Sophomore Service Day and Retreat invited students to step beyond the classroom and experience faith in action. The day is an opportunity to live out one of Cabrini’s core values and meaningful service. Through encounters with the Church’s diversity, sophomores discovered that faith is not only studied but lived. These two days helped students connect what they learn about the Church with real opportunities to serve and grow together as a faith community.

On Monday, November 3, the day began at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church’s Lantern Light Ministry, where students prepared meals for more than 200 individuals experiencing homelessness and displacement. They also organized donated clothing by size to help ensure that guests could receive items that met their needs with dignity and care. In addition, students deepened their understanding of Ecclesiology, the study of the Church, by visiting three Catholic Churches representing different rites: Roman Catholic, Coptic, and Greek Orthodox. Each visit offered a chance to appreciate the beauty and unity of the Catholic faith through sacred art, architecture, music, and liturgical traditions.

Tuesday, November 4, was the Sophomore Retreat, a day of prayer, reflection, and community building. Through small-group discussions, shared worship, and moments of quiet reflection, students were encouraged to recognize Christ’s presence in their daily lives and to discern how they are called to serve others. The retreat provided a time for students to strengthen their faith, deepen friendships, and grow as a class rooted in compassion and trust in God.

100 + Years of Life x 7 = Cause for Celebration

 

On Monday, November 10th, Cabrini of Westchester held a festive celebration honoring its centenarians, 7 special women who are celebrating milestone birthdays this year. The esteemed honorees are: Gloria Wagner, 100; Jacquelin Beckerich, 102; Martha Macugowski, 100; Alessandra Dileo, 101; Cecile Rosenfeld, 100; Molly Neilson, 102 and Gloria Petrillo, 100. Story continues on next page.

Jessica Garcia-Robinson, Assistant Administrator addressed the gathering of residents, staff members, family and friends: “On behalf of Cabrini’s Administrative team, it is with great joy, deep respect and heartfelt gratitude that I welcome you all to this extraordinary occasion. Today we are gathered not just to honor these 7 remarkable women, but to recognize their lives through a century of change, challenge, triumph and transformation.” Addressing the centenarians, she said, “You are living treasures. Each of you has witnessed history in the making and in your own unique way, you have helped shape the world we live in and we are truly grateful for that. We are humbled to be in your presence today.”

A blessing was offered by resident, Fr. Michael Banks, followed by a presentation from special guest, New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Senator Stewart-Cousins bestowed framed resolutions to each centenarian and said, “I am so happy to be here to celebrate each centenarian and to give you official proclamations from the New York State Senate because we honor your lives and the value that you have brought to all of us, your communities and your families. I wish you continued health, love, care and many more happy and healthy birthdays.”

Teens Helping Teens

Following the STARS program, several of our high school students came to CIS-DF to participate in a Giving Back Program. The students made 100 bags filled with toiletries and other items which will be given to teenagers whose families frequent The Pantry, which is located in Verplanck, NY. The Pantry provides groceries for residents in the Town of Cortlandt.

One student created the list of items for the bags. In addition to deodorant, lip balm, toothbrushes and toothpaste, etc., the teenagers will also be receiving socks, scrunchies, stress balls, lollipops, wristbands and keychains with inspirational sayings. We are sure that that these packets will brighten the holidays for these teenagers. A special thank you to our CIS-DF teenagers for taking time on their Veterans Day off from school to help others.

Integrity Always!

Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF) held a STARS (StoryTelling, Art, Reading and Socialization) Program for students in Grades 3-5 on November 11th. In addition to being Veterans Day, it was also National Young Readers Day. Dr. Wendy Mages, a trained storyteller, told the story, The Empty Pot, by Demi. A great discussion took place following the story. The students spoke about the importance of having good character. Words such as honesty, compassion, responsibility, etc. were suggested as the ways in which we should act towards one another.

After the discussion, the students created “A Tree of Integrity.” On the trunk, branches and leaves of the tree, the words that were used during the discussion were written on painted leaves. The tree, which hangs in our classroom, is a reminder to always be people with integrity.
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Today is the Feast Day of the Patroness of Immigrants

The Sister with the Suitcase
~ excerpts from an article by Lucetta Scaraffia,

Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 100 Years of Cabrinian Mission

This fragile, determined woman from the Lombardy region [of Italy] traveled extensively having dedicated her life to helping the Italian immigrants who, filled with hope, made the trip to America [in the late 1880s.] Francesca Cabrini had received this mission from Pope Leo XIII and to serve them, became an immigrant among immigrants. She left Genoa, Italy with seven Missionary Sisters in 1889, unfamiliar with the sea, exactly like most of the women and men packed into third class and during the crossing she began to comprehend the appalling conditions in which immigrants lived. Like them, she thought she would find a warm welcome and assistance when she arrived in New York, but, bitter disappointment was what she found.

The Scalabrini Fathers, who awaited her arrival, told her that they had not expected her so soon and that they had not yet prepared their accommodations. The next day, after having rested in appallingly filthy conditions [overnight] she want to see Archbishop Corrigan, where she discovered that the situation a was even worse. The prelate ordered them to go back on the same ship that brought them.

This experience only confirmed to Francesca Cabrini that the presence of her mission here was a necessity. Like other immigrants, without anyone to protect her and her Sisters and without knowing a word of English, she went to work immediately. Nothing seemed to work out the way it should have and everything seemed to conspire against her projects.

Yet, from every ministry she founded, a network of initiatives emanated towards its neighborhood, from parochial schools to family visits. Immigrants knew the Sisters would assist the unemployed in finding work, rescue orphaned children, and ensure legal assistance to the poor families who needed it. The Sisters also took care of prisoners who were the most shunned group of Italian immigrants.

Mother Cabrini always chose beautiful places to open a school, an orphanage or a hospital destined for immigrants. In this way, she dispelled the negative image that weighed on the Italian community.

The migratory movements at the time of Mother Cabrini involved mainly the poor of Europe, whose destination was the Americas. Today, migration concerns [span the globe.] Immigrants, migrants and refugees have become the pressing issue of our time and precisely for this reason, the Saint who died in Chicago in 1917, is today more relevant and important than ever.

 

 

Cabrini University CAVS to Hold First Annual Day of Service

To commemorate the Feast Day of Mother Cabrini which will be observed on Thursday, November 13th, the Cabrini Alumni Volunteers and Supporters (CAVS) will be hosting their first annual Day of Service on this Saturday, November 8th. No matter where they are located, alumni, faculty, staff, former students, family members and friends are encouraged to do something beneficial in your community inspired by Mother Cabrini’s example of helping immigrants, children, frail elders and the poor.

We, who have been gifted by the “education of the heart”, whether it is volunteering at a soup kitchen, spending time at a senior center or nursing home, or supporting your local school or non-profit, let’s celebrate Mother’s life and ministries by giving back as one Cabrini College/University family.

One day, one volunteer service of your choice, and over 18,000 alumni – we can truly make a difference together! Wherever you choose to serve, wear your Cabrini gear and take photos of your time of service. Photos along with a blurb can be emailed to cabrininews@mothercabrini.org Photos will be shared in an upcoming edition.

 

Ice Should Allow Pastoral Workers to Bring Communion to Detainees

In remarks made on November 4th, Pope Leo XIV told reporters that he “would certainly invite the authorities to allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs” of detained migrants.

recent days in the Chicago area, specifically, at the Broadview Processing Center, for the second time in three weeks, ICE agents barred a group of clergy, religious sisters, and lay people from entering the facility to offer Holy Communion to migrants being detained there.

To read more about Pope Leo’s remarks please click here 

CIS-NYC Trying Its Very Best to Serve Those in Need

An estimated 2.9 million New Yorkers, including 1 million children, did not receive their food benefits on November 1st. While partial SNAP payments have been ordered to resume, it’s still unclear when families will get their full benefits. In the meantime, community food pantries, like ours, across the city are trying filling the gap and feed our communities.

At Cabrini Immigrant Services-NYC (CIS-NYC), our pantry already serves around 400 families every Saturday morning, and we expect that number to grow in the weeks ahead. To meet this need, we’ve extended our distribution hours from 7–9AM to 7–10AM.

This week, our pantry was highlighted in a NYT article about how faith-based and community programs are stepping up to meet this moment, often stretching limited resources to continue serving families. ~ submitted by Amelia Scdoris, Justice for Immigrants Coordinator

You can read the article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/nyregion/church-pantries-food-aid.html?unlocked_article_code=1.yU8.SFKW.c50lgOcL8tjM&smid=url-share

Domestic Violence – What Can We Do?

On Monday evening, October 27th, in the seventh of a continuing series of Cabrini University CAVS Social Justice Ambassadors webinars, the topic was Domestic Violence, which was presented by Colleen Lelli, Ed.D., former Professor of Education at Cabrini University, and a national expert on domestic violence and child trauma. Here are some highlights from her presentation:

What can we do to assist families suffering from domestic violence?

One in three women and one in four men in the U.S. have faced intimate partner violence in their lifetime. When someone escapes from domestic violence, they often turn to government assistance in the form of Medicaid and SNAP food benefits. Over the summer, these two forms of assistance received drastic cuts, and now, beginning Nov. 1, all SNAP food benefits will be suspended.

These were some of the less-known effects of the U.S. government’s current budget cuts affecting vulnerable Americans.

Colleen gave an overview of the extent of domestic violence, its manifestations, and the complex dynamics of power and control. By discussing scenarios, participants explored how to know the signs [of domestic violence], the importance of listening [to the accounts of others], the need to ensure the victim’s safety, and the importance of supplying good information.

Dr. Lelli provided participants with a copy of her presentation and helpful resources. Readers may access them here. http://bit.ly/4quJcBP

Following her presentation, participants wrote emails to President Trump and Congress to free up emergency money so survivors of domestic violence will not lose SNAP benefits on November 1st. In addition, participants advocated to restore Medicaid benefits. Here is a link to advocate: http://bit.ly/49bZWYr

You may view a video of Dr. Lelli’s presentation here. http://bit.ly/4nNY4J3

Key Takeaways: Supporting a Loved One in a
Domestic Violence Relationship

 Recognize Red Flags of Power & Control
• Isolation from friends and family
• Monitoring phone, social media, whereabouts
• Verbal abuse, intimidation, or humiliation
• Control of money, work, or resources
• Explosive outbursts followed by apologies (“cycle of violence”)

 What You Can Do
• Listen without judgment: Believe them and let them share at their own pace.
• Express care: “I’m worried because I care about you.”
• Validate feelings: Abuse is never their fault.
• Offer information, not ultimatums: Share hotline numbers, shelters, or counseling resources.
• Stay connected: Keep the lines of communication open so they know you’re a safe person.
• Respect autonomy: Remember, only they can decide when and how to leave.

 What Not To Do
• Don’t confront the abusive partner — it can escalate danger.
• Don’t pressure them to “just leave” — leaving is the most dangerous time.
• Don’t shame, criticize, or make them feel guilty for staying.
• Don’t withdraw support if they return to the relationship.
 Ways to Offer Support
• Provide emotional support and a safe space to talk.
• Help brainstorm a safety plan (e.g., safe contacts, documents, emergency exits).
• Offer practical help: childcare, transportation, a safe place to stay — but only if it feels safe.
• Encourage professional help: domestic violence hotlines, shelters, legal services.

 Resources
• National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.): 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or text START to 88788
• If in immediate danger: Call 911

 Remember: You can’t “rescue” someone — but you can be a steady, supportive presence.
Consistent care can help them feel less isolated and more empowered to make safe choices.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month ~ Follow these organizations on social media
• Laurel House
• Victim Services of Montgomery County, Inc.
• Women’s Center of Montgomery County
• Domestic Violence Center of Chester County
• The National Network to End Domestic Violence
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• It’s On Us

 

 

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info@mothercabrini.org