Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

A Joyful Day of Recommitment

November 15, 2023

The Feast of St. Cabrini is such a beautiful day especially for those of us who are part of the Cabrini Family. It is such a beautiful day to remember Mother Cabrini and all the work she did for God’s people. She is an example to all of us to strive to know God’s will and to do all that we can to achieve what God is calling us to do.

The Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs) of the Guadalupe Province, had a very special celebration on the Feast Day. Patricia Krasnausky and Vicky Lucio renewed their recommitments as CLMs for 3 more years. To quote Mother Cabrini, “Today, love cannot be hidden; it must become active, living and true.” As CLMs, we are called to witness to the love of God. We are so grateful for Pat and Vicky. Truly, they bring the love of God to all those they meet.

Embracing the Future in Hope

October 19, 2023

The Guadalupe Province Assembly 2023

Missionary Sisters, Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs), and lay collaborators hailing from eleven countries gathered this week in New Jersey for the Guadalupe Province Assembly with the theme, “Embracing the Future with Hope”.

Sr. Diane Olmstead, MSC, Provincial, opened the Assembly by sharing the greetings of MSC General Superior Sr. Maria Eliane Azevedo da Silva, MSC, who offered the image of a mosaic, each person being a vibrant part of the Institute, saying that we express the charism according to the gifts we each have received.

During the Assembly, each session had a distinct focus such as Encounter/Re-Encounter; Sharing Ministry; Co-responsibility; Our Call to Live the Charism. Each session was presented with its own interactive dynamic.

Prior to the sending forth of the lay collaborators, in addressing the Assembly, Sr. Diane said that those present were “attracted by the charism and that our understanding of the charism develops over time.” She went on to say that we have made a choice to respond to the call to be women and men who share love, that we are called to live love which has to do with healing and reconciliation. She said that we are called to be a healing presence in the world.

Sr. Diane noted that those of us present at the Assembly have a sense that ‘I belong [here].’ That I fit. That we complement each other and that we are so much better for the presence of one another; that we should build on that sense of belonging – having a co-responsibility for the charism and mission.

She concluded by saying that we journey together, that we are sent by God and to go forth with courage.

The Cabrinian lay collaborators departed the Assembly midday yesterday. The Sisters will conclude their session tomorrow at noon. Continue to pray for the MSCs.

The CLM Corner

September 28, 2023

Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs) are women and men who desire to live out their Christian Baptismal commitment as a special call from God, in order to grow spiritually, to witness Gospel values, and to be agents of transformation in the world. CLMs hear and respond to their call by committing themselves to embrace and give witness to the love of the Heart of Jesus, according to the living legacy and spirit of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.

We are blessed to have 17 CLMs in the Guadalupe Province. Our CLMs live in California, Colorado, Guatemala, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Nicaragua, Pennsylvania and Washington State. We all strive to bring the love of the Sacred Heart to all those we meet.

For information on the CLMs, please contact Lorraine Campanelli, CLM Director:
cabrinilaymissionariesgp@gmail.com

Deepening the CLMs’ Connections

June 28, 2023

The Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs), Guadalupe Province, and some members who are in initial formation to become CLMs, participated in a 3-part presentation given by Sr. Bernadette Anello, MSC. The presentations were based on Chapters 9 and 14 in the book, Free Yourselves and Put on Wings by Sr. Maria Barbagallo, MSC.
As CLMs, we are part of the Cabrinian family. We live as witnesses to the love of God and share the Cabrinian charism as we journey with the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart (MSCs).

During the 3rd presentation, Sr. Bernadette shared about the process of discernment. Although not always easy, discerning God’s will for our lives is what allows us to have peace of heart in knowing we are doing God’s will. We were ask to reflect on “What is the more that God may be calling me and/or the CLMs to?” As we just welcomed three new CLMs on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, we know that God is calling us to pray, to continue to be a presence and to continue to bring the love of God to others.

A Most Sacred and Celebratory Feast

June 13, 2023

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a most special and sacred day for the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is on this day that the Missionary Sisters worldwide renew their vows.

For the Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs), as well, this is the day on which they renew or make their first commitments.

For our Missionary Sisters and our Cabrini Lay Missionaries, we will hold you in our prayers and hearts on this day and we will ask the Sacred Heart of Jesus to pour down upon you those graces that flow from His love.

Therefore, according to Mother Cabrini, “Always and everywhere, the gleaming and glorious MSC motto is: ‘All for the greater glory of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
~ Travels, London to NY 8.25.1902

Putting on Wings as CLMs

June 8, 2023

The Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs) of the Guadalupe Province, and several members who are in initial formation to become CLMs, are blessed to participate in a three-part presentation given by Sr. Bernadette Anello, MSC. The presentations are based on the book, Free Yourselves and Put on Wings by Sr. Maria Barbagallo, MSC. To date, we have had two presentations. At the end of each presentation, Sr. Bernadette gives us questions to reflect upon. At the end of the second presentation, Sr. Bernadette asked us to reflect on:
 The Cabrini Lay Missionaries as part of a larger mission footprint: Cabrini World.
 How is Mother Cabrini inviting me/us to be more connected with our global reality?
As we looked at our “Brady Bunch” screen during our Zoom meeting, we heard and saw a wealth of responses to these questions. Through our baptismal promises, we are called to live among God’s people, to share the Word of God, to proclaim the Good News through word and deed, to serve all people and strive for peace and justice.

As CLMs and those journeying with us, we have responded to our call through prayer, education, social services, and health care. We work with the elderly, the young, college students, immigrants and refugees.

Some of us are administrators, educators, social workers and health care workers. Each of us has been called to be a pray-er. Whether we are called to help our family members, the less fortunate, the homeless, those in nursing homes, the immigrants and refugees, we do it out of God’s love for us. We strive to respond to our baptismal promises.

We are looking forward to Part Three of the presentation later this month.

CLMs Gain Insights on the Sacred Heart

March 22, 2023

The Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs) of the Guadalupe Province were blessed to share in a reflection on the Spirituality of the Sacred Heart presented by Sr. Eileen Currie, MSC. Sr. Eileen shared so many wonderful insights about the Sacred Heart of Jesus. How perfect it was to hear about the love of God on Laetare Sunday, a day of rejoicing and joy.

We are most grateful to Sr. Eileen and her willingness to share her thoughts and insights with us. Our hearts were all touched as we heard about the unconditional love that God has for each of us.

A Reflection for Christmas

December 13, 2022

As we have journeyed through Advent one of the Cabrini Lay Missionaries has offered a reflection. This week, we offer a reflection for Christmas.

I have always loved Christmas.

I celebrate the coming of Jesus and marvel each year as the story of His birth is recounted through Bible readings, story, and songs. I imagine his mother Mary, father Joseph and the tiny, newborn baby, surrounded by animals in the stable as the angels sang to the shepherds of his coming. If I had been there, watching my sheep by night, I would have rushed off with the other shepherds, to worship Jesus and kneel before Him.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is The Little Drummer Boy. The boy in the song had no extravagant gift to offer the baby Jesus, so he played a special song for him on his drum. The words of the song remind me that each of us is called to honor our Lord by offering the gifts of our time and talents and most of all, our Love to each other, not only during the Christmas season but throughout the year.

As I drive home from work during the dark evenings before Christmas, I find joy in the lights I pass along my way. I think of Jesus, who truly is the light of the world. I am grateful for any opportunity to reflect His love and His light, especially through joining with the Missionary Sisters and Lay Missionaries in whatever work I am called to do. Christmas is a time for giving and for sharing with those around us, including those who are the most vulnerable, the poor, the homeless, the sick, the elderly, the lost and lonely.

When I was very small, I learned these simple lines:
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what can I give Him?
Give Him my heart.

The words still resonate with me as I prepare for Christmas and carry the love of Jesus in my heart.

Cabrini Lay Missionaries Joyfully Celebrate the Feast Day and Welcome a New CLM

June 29, 2022

The day started with a beautiful Mass at St. Cabrini Nursing Home, Dobbs Ferry, NY. Four of our CLMs were able to attend the Mass. Melanie Paccillo and Lorraine Campanelli, both renewed their commitments during the Liturgy. Following the Mass, we shared in a delicious lunch at the nursing home with the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

The day continued with a prayer service via Zoom for the CLMs who were not able to attend the liturgy due to distance. It was during this prayer service that

Melissa said, “Yes,” to becoming a CLM. She, along with Digna Merchan, Sheny Hinestroza, Susan Pierson, Veronica Hernandez and Victoria Ortiz, all made commitments for 1 year. What a blessing to have so many Cabrini Sisters join us for prayer and support! Cont’d next page.

We had people from California, Colorado, Guatemala, New York, Pennsylvania and the State of Washington joining in.

Thank God for technology because we were able to be together to share the love of the Sacred Heart.

An Afternoon of Hope

June 9, 2022

In every age, O God, you have been our refuge. In every age, O God, you have been our hope.” (Psalm 90 1-4; Janet Sullivan Whitaker).

Uvalde school massacre. Eleven year old Miah smeared herself with the blood of her best friend and played dead. Miah survived. Nineteen classmates and two teachers did not.

Tulsa massacre: Four fatalities. Dr. Phillips shot to death.

Buffalo massacre: Thirteen shot. Ten fatalities.
“In every age, O God, you have been our hope.”

Ukrainians continue to be executed by Russian soldiers.

Covid continues.
“Oh God, you have been our hope.”

On Saturday, June 4th, Cabrini Lay Missionaries of the Guadalupe Province, along with caring Cabrini partners, gathered at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Shrine in New York City for an afternoon of song, prayer, discussion and reflection on the meaning of hope. Our afternoon was facilitated by Lucille Larrivee Naughton, retreat leader, spiritual director and music minister.

Our afternoon began with a lovely buffet lunch followed by song and prayer. We were then ushered into the conference area where Lucille asked us to examine and reflect on the meaning of hope for ourselves, beginning with our personal hope and extending outward to include family, local community and finally the global community and Mother Earth.

We gathered in small groups at discussion tables, shared with one another and then reported to the entire group. All of this took place virtually as well, and included participants from all over the United States and Central America. Simultaneous translation was provided.

There was room for creativity as well. Participants were given the opportunity to express how hope lives in them by designing a patch that will become part of a quilt representing this hope.

We wish to thank Lucille Larrivee Naughton for sharing her passion, creativity and expertise with us.

“In every age, O God, you have been our refuge.

In every age, O God, you have been our hope.”