Everyone had a ball at Cabrini Mission Foundation’s Annual Bowling event. Hosted at Lucky Strike in the Chelsea Piers in New York City, attendees got together to showcase their ‘unbowlievable’ skills, while others hung back to cheer on their favorite teams.

The night was full of alley favorites including chips, pizza, cold beer, and the Foundation staple – pigs-in-a-blanket. Bowlers came ready to win; some equipped with matching t-shirts that paired perfectly with their bowling shoes, fully embracing the team spirit.

Even with the competitive flare of the evening, the event created many happy memories, and a few new traditions, all while showing support for a great cause.

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.

 

Great company, the great American pastime, and a perfect summer evening “on deck” — Cabrini Mission Foundation’s 4th annual baseball fundraiser was a hit. Guests enjoyed ballpark favorites including hot dogs, popcorn, braided pretzels, and our new favorite: mac-and-cheese bites.

The game didn’t disappoint, with plenty of home runs and even a foul ball landing right in the suite. One lucky guest also snagged a t-shirt launched from the t-shirt cannon — a true souvenir moment.

Fittingly, it was Italian Heritage Night at the ballpark. Local Italian musicians delighted the crowd with beloved cultural tunes, and the night ended with an Italian-themed fireworks show lighting up the sky in the flag’s iconic red, white, and green.

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!