News & Publications

Día de los Muertos

October 30, 2025

As November approaches, we begin to think about our deceased family, friends and loved ones in a special way. On October 29th, some of the clients from Cabrini Immigrant Services, (CIS) Dobbs Ferry, NY, shared their celebration of Día de los Muertos, (the Day of the Dead), with the residents at St. Cabrini Nursing Home.

A beautiful altar was created with love and reverence in the lobby of the nursing home. Each element had great significance. In Mexico and Latin America, it is customary to build an altar to remember the dead. Our CIS clients are from Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and Venezuela. Many of our clients cannot go to their countries to celebrate with their own families therefore they are appreciative to celebrate with the ‘Cabrini Family.’

Our clients prayed and spoke in Spanish and English about what Día de los Muertos means to them. Two beautiful songs were performed. One song, La Llorona, is about a mother who is crying for her children who drowned. The other, Remember Me, from the movie Coco, reminds us that if even if a person is no longer with us, they are always in our hearts.

A CIS client carrying the Book of the Dead led a procession with luminaria bags lighting the way. People shared the meaning of the items gracing the altar. It was an emotional time of remembering deceased family and friends by writing their names on cards and placing them on the altar to be remembered in our prayers.

A special thank you to Bonnie Burke, CEO/Nursing Home Administrator at St. Cabrini Nursing Home and Fr. Ron Galt, Vice President for Mission Integration and Pastoral Care, for inviting us to celebrate such a meaningful time at the nursing home. ~submitted by: Lorraine Campanelli, Director, CIS-DF

LHSAA Honors Cabrini Athletes for Academic Excellence

October 29, 2025

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) has recognized several of our outstanding student-athletes for their excellence both in the classroom and in competition. We are proud to announce that Raimee Collins, Mia Crotwell, and Makayla Richoux have been named to the All-Academic Volleyball Team; Logan Dempsey and Jenna Trabeaux have earned recognition for Cross Country; and Dylan Moisant has been honored in both Swimming and Volleyball.

The LHSAA All-Academic Program celebrates senior student-athletes who have demonstrated an exceptional balance of academic achievement and athletic dedication. To qualify, students must have participated in their sport for at least two years, including their senior season, and maintained a six-semester unweighted grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

This distinction highlights the commitment, discipline, and determination of these students, who exemplify what it means to be leaders both on and off the field. Balancing academics and athletics is no small feat, and these honorees have set an outstanding example for their peers by striving for excellence in every arena. We congratulate Raimee, Mia, Logan, Dylan, Makayla, and Jenna for their remarkable accomplishments and for representing our school community with pride and integrity.

National Vocation Awareness Week – November 2 – 8

October 29, 2025

National Vocation Awareness Week November 2 - 8

National Vocation Awareness Week 2025 will be held from Sunday, November 2 to Saturday, November 8, 2025. This annual Catholic observance is dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education. It is also a time to support and encourage those who are discerning a call to these vocations.

To learn more and to access resources:

Please visit: USCCB website
National Religious Vocations Conference website

A Prayer for Peace: An Interfaith Gathering During Pastoral Care Week

October 29, 2025

In recognition of Pastoral Care Week, which took place from October 19–25, 2025, Cabrini of Westchester hosted an Interfaith Prayer Service centered on a shared theme of peace. Held on October 23rd in the Cabrini Chapel, the service brought together residents, staff, family members, and guests for a time of reflection and collective prayer.

Representatives from various faith traditions offered prayers, readings, songs and blessings, each expressing the common wish for harmony, compassion, and understanding. Organized by Fr. Ron Galt, Cabrini of Westchester’s Vice President for Pastoral Care and Mission, the service provided an opportunity for the Cabrini community to celebrate the shared values of hope, kindness, and respect that guide daily life within the home.

Participants expressed gratitude for the chance to come together in mutual support and understanding, not only honoring the diverse spiritual needs of all residents and staff, but reminding us that peace is not only a prayer, but also a daily practice of kindness and respect toward one another.

A Fitting Tribute for a Departed Friend

October 28, 2025

We are deeply saddened over the loss of our friend, Brigid K. Sullivan. It has been two months since she passed, and to honor her life and care, we have dedicated our community room at CIS-NYC in her name: the Brigid K. Sullivan Community Room.
For thirteen years, Brigid gave her time, energy, and heart to our community. Now, this space will carry on her work, and we will continue to pour love into our community as she always did.

This week, we gathered to remember her. We shared a blessing and read a passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes: "He has made everything beautiful in its time… I know that nothing is better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live."

Brigid’s generosity and spirit will always be part of this space and part of all of us who had the privilege to know her.

Jubilee Family Day of Hope at St. F.X. Cabrini Shrine

October 28, 2025

On Saturday, October 18th, an exuberant group of kids and parents gathered at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York to celebrate a Jubilee Family Day of Hope.

Designed as a close-to-home pilgrimage families could take together, the day included talks about hope, Mass, activities (writing postcards to refugee children, making a prayer bracelet, a color-your-own holy card, and creating a saints candle), and finished up with putting together packages for the homeless with the help of the Sant’Egidio Community.

What fun! The 50-voice children’s choir from Good Shepherd School sang beautifully and lifted everyone’s hearts. This is an event we will definitely repeat, so Catholic families have the opportunity to gather and
spend time together.

So Happy Together!

October 28, 2025

On Saturday, October 25, several Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs) and Missionary Sisters came together to share an afternoon of sunshine, conversation, fun and games and prayer. Sisters Christine Marie Baltas, Eileen Currie and Roselle Santivasi opened their lovely home in Radnor to CLMs Angela Campbell, Susan Pierson, Lorraine Campanelli, Marianne McGowan and Adela Jarquin Soza where they were warmly welcomed with a delicious lunch of pizza and salad.

Sister Christine read a beautiful reflection in which she shared the love she and the other Sisters have for us. I know I speak for all the CLMs in saying that love is returned in huge measure. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to walk in solidarity with the Missionary Sisters as we try to live the Cabrinian charism in the work we do every day, bearing the love of Christ to the world.

Sisters Christine, Roselle and Eileen spoke of some of their experiences in Rome, where they met as a group of 95 for a special Assembly. While speaking of challenges navigating the airport and streets of Rome, they also talked about how wonderful it was to have Sisters who spoke 4 different languages together, not only in spirit, but in the same meeting room! Each of the CLMs had an opportunity to talk about some of the work they are doing and what it means to be part of the Cabrini family.

We had so much fun together, especially outside on the patio, playing silly games Lorraine brought with her from New York. Sister Christine, like the good sport she is, agreed to wear the “Cabrini pants” for a funny game of ball toss. Everyone tried ring toss too.

Later, we were joined by Karol Brewer, of the Cabrini Formation Office, who was just in time for our prayer service at 3. Those CLMs who were unable to join us in Pennsylvania, came to a ZOOM meeting where we shared thoughts about the power of community along with prayers of gratitude for our time together. Despite some technical issues (as always) we were able to use two phones to enable those online and those seated in the Sisters’ living room to hear and see each other.

After a dessert of coffee, cookies and chocolate, the CLMs departed with wonderful memories of the day. Thank you so much to Sisters Christine, Eileen and Roselle for making it possible for all of us to be together. We hope to be back sometime in the future.

Cabrini U. Unites with One Church, One Family

October 23, 2025

~ a reflection by Jerry Zurek, PhD, former Chair, Communications Department, Cabrini University

Cabrini University alumni and friends joined 100-plus faithful in raising their voices in song and prayer in front of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Philadelphia field office

This public witness was a part of the nationwide Catholic campaign to call people of faith to publicly demonstrate solidarity with migrant families, asylum seekers, and refugees. The campaign is called One Church, One Family. Information may be found at 1family.us.

The speakers reflected the spirit of Pope Leo’s recent message on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees: “Migrants and refugees stand as messengers of hope. Their courage and tenacity bear heroic testimony to a faith that sees beyond what our eyes can see and gives them the strength to defy death on the various contemporary migration routes.”

“We reject the culture of fear that dehumanizes,” said Sr. Michelle Cimaroli, of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

A second day of prayer is planned for Nov. 13, timed to coincide with the feast of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.

Personally, I was inspired by the many women religious present. As I mingled with everyone, each person spoke from their rich lives, often of decades of service. One, an IHM Sister from Peru, spoke of how the image of the United States has changed for many in other countries.

I hope that public events like this reveal the true spirit of many Americans and Catholics who understand that we truly are one family and must care for those seeking hope as best we can. Participating in a prayer vigil or a public action gives me greater courage to stand up for what we believe.

Hearts of Service & Faith in Action

October 22, 2025

What happens when busloads of Cabrini Crescents show up at Second Harvest Food Bank for a service day? Hearts open wide, and the Holy Spirit transforms lives! Service was at the core of Mother Cabrini’s mission to uplift the marginalized, and we are honored to continue that legacy through our Campus Ministry Department.

This fall, our students began a new service and retreat initiative designed to help them live out their faith in tangible ways. Each class is participating in a two-day retreat experience: day one dedicated to service at Second Harvest Food Bank, and day two a class retreat focused on reflection, prayer, and community building. These experiences remind our students that living the Gospel means putting love into action.

At the heart of these efforts is our Campus Ministry Retreat Team, a group of passionate students who are pouring their hearts for Jesus into leading retreats not only for our Cabrini community but also for schools across the Archdiocese. Guided by Campus Minister Mrs. Nicole Jouandot, the team has joyfully hosted retreats for St. Louis King of France Catholic School, during which 5th and 6th graders toured the Cabrini Shrine, Mother Cabrini’s bedroom, chapel, and museum, learning about Mother Cabrini’s courage and deep faith. The team also collaborated with the Brother Martin High School Retreat Team to welcome Saint Dominic School’s 5th graders for a day of spiritual growth, prayer, and connection.

As Mother Cabrini once said, “You, my dearest daughters, are destined to live the life of the apostles.” Our Campus Ministry Department embraces that call with joy, serving others, spreading Christ’s love, and helping students encounter Jesus in both service and spiritual formation. The seeds being planted today promise to bear beautiful fruit for years to come.

Refugees and Migrants in Our Common Home

October 22, 2025

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From October 1 to 3, Villanova University, through the Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration, and the Refugees and Migrants in Our Common Home project, held three days of conferences and working groups at the Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome, with the aim of “shaping the first drafts of action plans that will guide our collective response to migration in higher education and beyond.”

The invitation came from attorney Michele Pistone of Villanova University, which enabled Javier Ramirez Baron, Executive Director, Sister Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC, and Sister Yolanda Flores, MSC of Cabrini Immigrant Services - New York City (CIS_NYC) to participate, along with our Superior General, Sister Eliane Azevedo da Silva, MSC; General Councilor Sister Patricia Godoy, MSC, Sister Joseane Cabral, MSC and Sister Tatiana Avdokushina, MSC.

An integral part of the program was an audience with Pope Leo XIV, who encouraged us to strive to seek new ideas and forms of service “by placing the dignity of each person at the center of any solution.” When we encounter difficulties, he said, we should not fall into the trap of “globalization of indifference,” but rather nurture a “culture of reconciliation.” The Pope, recognizing that this work is not easy, encouraged us to formulate action plans without forgetting that “it is also important to remember that migrants and refugees can be privileged witnesses of hope through their resilience and trust in God.”

During the conference, Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz created a sculpture of Frances X. Cabrini, incorporating figures of migrants considered—in his own words - “angels unawares.” His work reflects what we can offer through our service, hope, and support for each person we serve. This piece of art was blessed on the last day by Fr. Joseph Farrell, OSA, the Prior General of the Augustinian Friars, in the presence of all the participants.

On the 4th and 5th, we actively participated in the Jubilee of Migrants and the Mission.

On the 6th, a group of MSCs, along with a lay person, Javier Ramirez, held a meeting to evaluate our participation in the jubilee and share our different types of services related to migration. This was an opportunity to present to the General Council a proposal to organize a small committee of sisters and lay people (two to three people) to help us find resources, creative ways, and support for the work we do on behalf of migrants and refugees. It can be a small drop into a huge ocean of needs, but a helpful drop maybe needed to complete the ocean.