Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Bringing Christ's love to the world

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Kindred Souls

In the mid-afternoon of Tuesday 14 April, a call came to me from Cabrini Malvern Reception. A lady named Elizabeth was asking to see me.

To my delight and surprise, it was Elizabeth Barmann from Mother Cabrini Shrine in Denver, Colorado. Elizabeth and her husband Terry were here visiting their daughter who lives locally in Malvern. What a long way from home!

Elizabeth is the Liturgist and Music Director at the Shrine. So, I immediately rang our own Cabrini Liturgist and Cabrini Choir Director, Mission Integration Lead, Leesa Horrigan to join us for coffee. What a great connection for each of us to have on the other side of the world.

A visit to our Chapel meant that we could have a beautiful snap taken by a colleague.
And all too soon our wonderful conversation about Mother Cabrini, her spirituality and the beautiful legacy we carry in our different ministries was over.

Cabrini Scholarship at Villanova

Last Thursday evening, members of our Cabrini University community attended the Villanova University Endowed Scholarship Award Dinner, specifically to honor the recipients of the Cabrini High School Scholarship and the Cabrini University Alumni Association Scholarship.

Unfortunately, neither of the student scholars could attend the dinner - one is studying abroad and one had to cancel at the last minute. We applaud their academic achievements and look forward to meeting them both in the near future.

A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Citizen!

Cabrini Immigrant Services -Dobbs Ferry, NY (CIS-DF), is thrilled to announce that we have a new US citizen! Maria Cordon passed her US Citizenship exam! She came to the United States in 2016 from Guatemala. Maria worked very hard with her tutor, Anne Zucker, to improve her English, her reading and writing skills and to also learn the civic questions.

We are so proud of Maria and congratulate her on becoming a new American citizen. She is looking forward to her swearing-in ceremony on June 9th.

From Colorado to Codogno Walking in Mother Cabrini’s Footsteps

Ciao from Italy! This April, members of the Mother Cabrini Shrine Colorado community participated in a pilgrimage across Italy, following in the footsteps of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and visiting places central to her life and mission.

The pilgrimage began in Codogno, where Mother Cabrini founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and continued to Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, her birthplace. The group also paused in Assisi for time set aside for prayer and reflection before arriving in Rome.

In Rome, pilgrims celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter at the Vatican and visited the statue of Mother Cabrini inside St. Peter’s Basilica. They also visited St. John Lateran and St. Paul Outside the Walls, where a recently installed statue reflects her global impact.

One of the most significant moments of the pilgrimage took place when six members of the group were welcomed to the General Curia of the Missionary Sisters in Rome. They were received by the General Superior, Sr. Maria Eliane Azevedo da Silva, along with members of her council. During the visit, the group viewed portraits of the congregation’s leadership, dating back to Mother Cabrini, and spent time in prayer before her relic in the Curia chapel.

They also visited the archives, where Mother Cabrini’s writings and volumes are carefully preserved, offering a direct connection to her life and work. The visit included time at the statue “Cecchina’s Dream” and concluded with conversation and hospitality before continuing on to Casa Cabrini.

At Casa Cabrini, the broader group gathered to celebrate Mass in the chapel built by Mother Cabrini and to pray before her relic. The pilgrimage concluded at St. Mary Major Basilica, where the group gathered in prayer, carrying with them the intentions of the Shrine community.

Throughout the journey, the experience offered a deeper understanding of Mother Cabrini’s life and the continued relevance of her mission.
Photos from the pilgrimage can be found on the Mother Cabrini Shrine Facebook page. Thank you to all who followed along and for your continued prayers throughout the journey.

Mother Cabrini Shrine Pilgrims in Italy

They spent time in Rome visiting with MSC General Superior Sr. Eliane Azevedo da Silva and Councilors Srs. Patricia Godoy and Gilda Mendoza Argueta as well as visiting Sant' Angelo Lodigiano, birthplace of Mother Cabrini and Codogno, where Mother founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

A Night of Green and Gold in New Orleans

Cabrini High School’s Night of Green and Gold Gala brought together alumnae, parents, and friends last Saturday for an unforgettable evening celebrating the Crescent spirit. Guests enjoyed a festive night filled with signature cocktails, delicious cuisine, and lively entertainment from the Wise Guys band, which had partygoers dancing until the very end. The event also featured both a silent and live auction, with attendees bidding on an array of sought-after items, including vacation packages, dining experiences, retail finds, and recreational experiences—all in support of Cabrini’s mission.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of Sr. Catherine Garry, MSC, who received the Heart of Cabrini Award. Sister Catherine’s lifelong dedication and influence have inspired generations of Cabrini women in New Orleans. Her impact on the founding of Cabrini High School and the school community was celebrated with deep gratitude and admiration for the legacy she established in New Orleans.

The school was also honored to welcome Sister Diane Olmstead, MSC, Sister Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC, and Sister Maria Loretta Caeti, MSC, as special guests. The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus served as a sponsor of the event, helping to make the evening possible and especially meaningful for alumnae, who remain deeply grateful for the Cabrinian education that has shaped their lives.

As Cabrini’s largest annual fundraiser, the Night of Green and Gold Gala plays a vital role in sustaining the school’s commitment to academic excellence and the formation of young women as faith-filled leaders. Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of all who attended and supported the event, the evening was a great success.

Cabrini High School extends heartfelt thanks to its sponsors, donors, and volunteers who made the night possible, ensuring that the legacy of Cabrini High School remains strong for years to come.

Celebrating Our Student Authors

Tuesday of this week was a ‘picture-perfect day.’  The sun was shining brightly, the temperature was in the high eighties, you didn’t need a winter coat or an umbrella. I thought, could this day get any better? It did!

The children wrote a story about one of Ms. Kaufman’s critters, whom they named Bella. Anne Marie Santoro, the teacher of our Sharing Stories! Making Movies! Program, shared the story with Ms. Kaufman who thought it was so wonderful that she published it in her new book.

I was honored to present a copy of the book to the librarian at Springhurst Elementary School in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Many of the authors’ classmates and teachers attended the ceremony that was held in the library. On display in the library was a sign that read, “We’re so proud of our student authors.”

One of the authors read the story to the group. After the reading, I presented the book to the librarian. She then asked each of the authors to sign the book. It was such a proud moment to see our students being recognized in such a unique way. It was beautiful to see all the support and accolades that they received from their teachers and classmates.                                              ~ submitted by Lorraine Campanelli, Director, CIS-DF

 

The Perfect Spot for a Peace Prayer

 

Pope Leo XIV asked the world to join him in praying a rosary for peace on Saturday, April 11. A handful of regulars at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine thought the perfect place to do that was on Mother Cabrini's bench! Clear blue skies, sunshine, and spring temperatures made it a beautiful time of prayer.

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage

Walk with Jesus. Pray for the nation. Follow the journey.

In honor of America’s 250th year, the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will carry the theme One Nation Under God. One Nation Under God is not a slogan—it’s an invitation to realign our lives, communities, and country under the sovereignty of Christ. It’s a call to build unity through prayer, and to let Jesus, present in the Eucharist, renew and heal the heart of our country, one soul at a time. As pilgrims on this route, we walk with Christ so that His love might draw our nation back to Him.

The pilgrims will journey along what is known as the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini route which will travel up the Eastern seaboard, beginning on May 24 in St. Augustine, FL and will conclude on July 5th in Philadelphia, PA. The pilgrimage will pass through most of the original 13 colonies. ~ National Eucharistic Congress

To learn more and to see a map of the route click here and here

Earth Day is April 22nd

Earth Day 2026 calls for moving beyond awareness into tangible, daily responsibility under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” highlighting the duty to steward God’s creation through concrete actions. As we mark the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, this is an invitation to ecological conversion—linking faith with action on energy efficiency, clean energy, and protecting the vulnerable from climate change.  ~ Catholic Health Association

Key Themes and Messages for 2026:
• «Our Power, Our Planet: This theme stresses that choices in homes, parishes, and communities—not just rhetoric—are what protect the earth.
• Ecological Conversion: A profound, interior turning toward God as Creator, recognizing that environmental decay is a crisis that harms our neighbors, particularly the poor.
• Integral Ecology: Recognizing that everything is connected—social, economic, and environmental systems. Our faith calls us to care for God’s creation and those most vulnerable.
• Energy Action: The 2026 program specifically highlights clean and renewable energy, reforestation, and net-zero planning, particularly for U.S. Catholic institutions. ~ Catholic Climate Covenant

To learn more and for ways to get involved:
USCCB
Green Climate Fund Partnership
Laudato Si’ Movement

Tips to Protect Our Global Home: YOU Can Help!

Each of us can help the environment every day by focusing on reducing waste, conserving energy and water, adopting sustainable consumption habits, and lowering our carbon footprint through daily choices. Small, consistent actions by many people create a significant positive impact.

Here are ways to help:

Waste Reduction and Management:
• Refuse Single-Use Plastic: Carry a reusable bottle, coffee mug, shopping bag, and utensils to avoid disposable plastics.
• Recycle Properly: Learn local recycling rules to avoid contamination, and clean containers before recycling.
• Buy Less, and Second-hand: Choose quality over quantity, buy second-hand clothing, and borrow or rent items instead of buying new ones.

Energy and Water Conservation:
• Switch Off and Unplug: Turn off lights when leaving a room and unplug electronics (like chargers and computers) when not in use to avoid phantom energy drain.
• Use Energy-Efficient Appliances: Swap to LED light bulbs and use energy-efficient appliances.
• Conserve Water: Take shorter showers, fix leaks promptly, and turn off the tap while brushing teeth or washing dishes.
• Adjust Thermostat: Lower the heat in winter and raise the AC in summer by just a few degrees.

Transportation and Diet:
• Choose Sustainable Transit: Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation instead of driving alone.
• Reduce Meat and Dairy Intake and Food Waste: Adopting a more plant-based diet reduces carbon emissions and land use; eat leftovers, eat local/seasonal

Lifestyle and Advocacy:
• Go Digital: Choose electronic statements and bills to save paper.
• Maintain Digital Hygiene: Delete old emails, files, and apps to reduce the energy consumption of data centers.
• Support Eco-Friendly Brands and Educate others: Buy products from companies with transparent and sustainable practices and share those tips with others

1260 Upper Gulph Road, Wayne, PA 19087
Phone: 484-581-7163   Fax: 484-581-7164
info@mothercabrini.org