Each year, the Cabrini Mission Foundation (CMF) Gala brings together our extended Cabrini family for an evening of gratitude, joy, and hope. More than just a fundraiser, our Gala feels like a reunion—a chance to celebrate community, reconnect with friends, and honor those whose lives and service embody Mother Cabrini’s mission.
This year, we were proud to recognize three honorees whose faith, generosity, and dedication inspire us all: His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Felix and Francesca Avitabile (posthumously), and Vincent Iannelli.
His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan
nearly two decades, Cardinal Dolan has shepherded the people of New York with his characteristic warmth, humor, and steadfast devotion to the Church. Appointed Archbishop of New York in 2009 and elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2012, his leadership has touched countless lives, not only in our Archdiocese but across the world. From his boyhood sense of vocation in St. Louis to his nearly 50 years of priestly service, Cardinal Dolan’s life reflects unwavering faith. He has also shown a deep affection for Mother Cabrini and her mission. As Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC, Chair, Cabrini Mission Foundation, shared during his introduction, the Cardinal warmly received a relic of our foundress shortly after becoming Cardinal of New York, beginning a friendship that continues to this day. His presence and support have been a blessing, and this year we joyfully honored him for his lifetime of service to God’s people.
Felix and Francesca Avitabile
The story of Felix and Francesca is, at its heart, a love story rooted in faith and family. They met in Italy just after World War II, when Felix, a young American soldier, traveled overseas to visit relatives. Francesca joined him in Brooklyn in 1947, where they married and built a life grounded in hard work, devotion, and hospitality. Though neither had the benefit of higher education, they sacrificed tirelessly so that their children could pursue their dreams. Their home became a beacon of welcome for friends, neighbors, and strangers alike. Among their four children, their daughter Sr. Antonina answered the call to religious life as a Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart, carrying forward their legacy of service. Even after their passing—Felix in 2018 and Francesca in 2020—their generosity continues. In 2024, the sale of the family’s Brooklyn home resulted in a transformative gift to the Cabrini Mission Foundation, ensuring their values of faith, family, and community will benefit generations to come.
Vincent Iannelli
true builder of both structures and community, Vincent Iannelli represents the strength of tradition and the power of service. Beginning as a teenager working alongside his father and uncle in the family’s construction business, Vincent rose with his brother Tom to lead Iannelli Construction, one of New York’s premier public works contractors. Yet, beyond the buildings he has helped raise, Vincent has built a life rooted in family, faith, and generosity. For over fourteen years, he has served as a trustee of the Cabrini Mission Foundation, offering both leadership and vision. His service extends far beyond Cabrini, including a number of roles he has held with other community organizations. His dedication, integrity, and commitment to community embody Mother Cabrini’s spirit of service.
Together, these honorees remind us of what it means to live out Mother Cabrini’s legacy—with faith, hope, and love. We are blessed to count them as part of our Cabrini family and grateful for the ways their lives continue to “make hope” in our world.
The evening was another wonderful opportunity for Sisters, family, and friends to gather in support of a great cause — making the night a true grand slam!
