Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Bringing Christ's love to the world

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Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day Greetings from St. F.X. Cabrini Shrine, NYC

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated on December 12, honors the Blessed Virgin Mary as she appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 on Tepeyac Hill near present-day Mexico City. According to tradition, Mary offered words of compassion and solidarity, asking that a church be built so she could share God’s love with all people, especially the poor and marginalized. As a sign of her presence, she left her image miraculously imprinted on Juan Diego’s tilma, a sacred relic still venerated today in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This feast has become a powerful symbol of faith, cultural identity, and hope throughout the Americas, drawing millions of pilgrims each year who come to honor “La Morenita” and to seek her intercession.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness of this province of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and includes the MSC ministries located in Australia, Guatemala, Nicaragua and the United States of America.

Cabrini and Brother Martin Retreat Teams Share Faith with Catholic Schools

This year, the Cabrini High School Retreat Team embraced its call to share the Gospel in a meaningful new way: by partnering with the Brother Martin High School Retreat Team to host faith-filled retreats for local Catholic elementary students. Students participated in these special retreat days designed to strengthen their understanding of faith and community.

The combined Cabrini/Brother Martin retreat teams broke into small groups and together, they guided the students through discussions, reflections, and hands-on activities centered on building a strong foundation of faith. Their shared leadership created a dynamic environment where younger students felt supported, welcomed, and inspired.

What makes this partnership especially meaningful is the deep spiritual connection between the two schools. Cabrini High School was founded by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, while Brother Martin was founded by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Both religious communities share a devotion to the love and mercy of Jesus, symbolized by His Sacred Heart. Seeing students from these two traditions work together as modern-day disciples brought this devotion to life in a beautiful and tangible way.

Cabrini extends heartfelt thanks to Campus Minister Nicole Jouandot for her commitment to bringing Cabrini’s faith leadership to other schools, and to Donnie Midkiff of Brother Martin for inviting Cabrini to join in this mission. The schools are looking forward to hosting more retreats together in the spring.

Recharge, Refresh, Re-energized!

Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF), held a workshop entitled: “Reiniciar y Recargar Energías: Por qué el Autocuidado es Importante (Reset and Recharge Your Energy: Why Self Care Matters). The workshop was presented by Betsy Suarez, a licensed mental health counselor. Betsy spoke about the importance of taking care of yourself so you can better care for others. Several ideas were shared about using different ways to help relax the body and calm the mind. Ideas such as keeping a gratitude journal, guided meditations, a walk and calling a friend, were discussed.

Everyone in attendance received hand cream and a lip mask. Betsy showed how to massage the hands using the hand cream. Another important piece that was shared was learning to say, ‘no,’ without feeling guilty.

Everyone left feeling energized. What a perfect way to feel as we prepare for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

A Hope-filled Day

What did the 140 students from St. Elizabeth School do on their Jubilee pilgrimage to St. Frances Cabrini Shrine? Created a giant chain of hope, made their confessions, blew on a yobel (the ram's horn used to announce a jubilee), colored their own prayer cards, wrote postcards to refugee children, prayed on Mother Cabrini's bench, took the Cabrini Pledge, attended Mass, and had FUN and grew in faith! It was a whirlwind day with many graces... and hope.

Mother Cabrini Shrine – From the Heart Gala

The 2025 Mother Cabrini Shrine From the Heart Gala filled us with deep gratitude. Because of the generosity shared that evening, the Shrine can now move forward with restoring the chapel’s cherished triangular stained-glass windows—crafted in France in the 1960s and treasured by all who pray in this sacred space. This support ensures their beauty and integrity for generations to come.

We are especially grateful to our Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, our gala committee, table sponsors, auction donors, attendees, and volunteers whose care and commitment shaped the entire evening. Their kindness created a spirit of warmth and community that touched everyone present.

 

The gathering also reminded us of the many people who carry forth the Shrine’s mission throughout the year—our volunteers, musicians, clergy, retreatants, and visitors. Through their presence and service, the Shrine remains a place of prayer, hope, and encounter with the Heart of Jesus. For all of this, we are truly thankful.

 

 

 

 

Featured Gala Videos:

Mission Moment Video
A conversation led by gala emcee Kyle Dyer, Emmy-award-winning journalist and host of "Colorado Inside Out" on PBS12, featuring collaborators who support the Shrine’s ongoing ministry. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdn5goVs2NY

“Holy Ground” Video
A reflective musical offering recorded by the musicians of Mother Cabrini Shrine, accompanied by imagery capturing the spirit and community of the Shrine. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=oCRFf0K1E1E&feature=youtu.be

 

Getting Ready for Christmas as a Community

Each year, the season of Advent awakens in our community a spirit of preparation, reflection, and joyful creativity. 2025 has been no exception. Since the first days of November, Dispensario Madre Cabrini has been committed to guiding families through educational and communal experiences that nurture connection, learning, and the warm anticipation of Christmas.

One of these efforts is our Christmas Course, which began with enthusiasm. Both youth and adults joined with the desire to learn new culinary skills that, beyond technique, encourage teamwork, patience, and the joy of sharing.

During the first session, participants baked and decorated Christmas; in the second class, they built chocolate houses—an activity that filled the room with collaboration, excitement, and a sense of accomplishment. Although the course has only just begun, it is already leaving a meaningful impact on those who attend, reminding us that Christmas is also built through shared experiences and simple acts of care.

At the same time, our Vacation School has completed two vibrant and colorful weeks. The children have created a variety of Christmas crafts: decorative trees, nativity capsules, ornaments, and other handmade pieces that reflect the wonder of childhood. Each activity strengthens their creativity, motor skills, and ability to interact with others through respect,imagination, and joy.

Together, these two initiatives—one for adults and youth, the other for children—illustrate the profound meaning of preparing for Christmas as a community. Seeing so many people learn, create, and share reinforces our mission to accompany processes that transform lives in simple, everyday ways. At Cabrini Guatemala, we continue to light small, early sparks of Christmas: gestures of faith, unity, and service that announce the hope of the season.

Thanksgiving with an International Flair!

The Knitting Group at Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF), held a special Thanksgiving luncheon. The group wanted to celebrate all the blessings that they had and continue to receive.

The meal started with a special prayer given by one of the clients. In addition to thanking God for the gifts of faith, friendship and family, she also thanked God for the gift of CIS-DF and the staff. A Thanksgiving meal followed the prayer. Special recipes were prepared with a flavor from the different countries. Everyone was so proud to bring in dishes from Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico.

Lorraine Campanelli, the Director, told the members of the Knitting Group that they too are a blessing to CIS-DF. She told them of the good that they do for so many people through their special projects. It was a blessing that we could all be together, celebrate and be thankful.

So Much for Which to be Thankful

During this time of giving thanks, Cabrini Immigrant Services -Dobbs Ferry, NY (CIS-DF), is thrilled to announce that we have a new US citizen. Dara Mersi Martinez passed her US Citizenship exam! She came to the United States in 2011 from Guatemala. Dara is filled with gratitude for all the help she received from her tutors at CIS-DF.

A special thank you to Peter Ricca, one of her tutors, who helped Dara learn the many questions needed to pass the test. Congratulations Dara!

CHS Honors Katrina-Displaced Students with Long-Awaited Commencement

Nearly twenty years after Hurricane Katrina disrupted their education and scattered the Cabrini High School New Orleans community across the country, a group of former Crescents finally experienced the moment they had long been denied. On Thursday, November 13, 2025, the Feast Day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Cabrini High School welcomed back alumnae from the Classes of 2006, 2007, and 2008 for a special honorary commencement ceremony.

The day began with Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Church where honorees gathered with classmates, families, and faculty members who had supported them through the storm’s aftermath. Afterward, the celebration continued on campus with a reception recognizing the honorees’ perseverance and their place within Cabrini’s lifelong sisterhood. Account continues on following page.

Each woman crossed the stage carrying Cabrini’s signature yellow rose, a symbol of unity, resilience, and the unbroken bond shared by generations of Crescents, the same rose carried at all Cabrini High School graduations. Each Crescent received an honorary diploma, a Mother Cabrini rosary, and an official welcome into the alumnae association, bringing long-awaited closure to a chapter interrupted nearly two decades ago.

“This ceremony was more than a graduation; it was a homecoming,” said Deacon Uriel Durr, President of Cabrini High School. “These women’s perseverance and faith embody what it means to be a Crescent.”

Director of Communications and Alumnae Affairs Anne Argus DiPaola, Class of 1996, reflected on the significance of the day. “Every yellow rose carried down the aisle symbolized not just a true Cabrinian woman, but a bond that was never broken. Cabrini has always been their home.”

The honorees included Dr. Alane J. Anthony ’06, Amber Christine Clay ’06, Lauren Easterling ’08, Angelle Charlet Goodwyne ’08, Jessica Lucas Higginbotham ’06, Monique Hagan ’07, Candice McGee ’06, Stacey Windon Matthews ’07, Bethany Alaina Miles ’07, and Erica Gaines Moore ’06.

The celebration served as a powerful reminder that even twenty years after Katrina, the Cabrini spirit remains strong, rooted in faith, strengthened by friendship, and carried proudly into the future by its alumnae.

Cabrini of Westchester Honors its Long-Term Service Employees

On November 14th, Cabrini of Westchester held the annual Employee Service Awards ceremony followed by a luncheon in honor of forty-four outstanding employees who were celebrating five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, thirty-five and even forty-five years of service to the organization.

The ceremony was held in St. Cabrini’s Chapel and Christina Tiesi, Pastoral Care Associate, bestowed blessings on all of the honorees. In her remarks, Bonnie Burke, Chief Executive Officer and Administrator, said, “Our mission is rooted in compassion, care, and community, and today we recognize the vital contribution of our staff across all departments. Every member of our team plays a crucial role in enhancing the lives of the residents. Your commitment ensures the residents receive the highest level of care and dignity. A heartfelt thank you to each of you for your years of service, unwavering commitment, professionalism, kindness and love you put into your work throughout the years. I extend full gratitude to all of you and congratulations!”

Each of the awardees received a pin with a precious stone reflective of their years of service to Cabrini of Westchester. Account continues on following page.

Recipients were invited to participate in a luncheon in recognition of the hard work and dedication to the mission accomplished by all Cabrini of Westchester Employees each and every day of the year!

1260 Upper Gulph Road, Wayne, PA 19087
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