Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Bringing Christ's love to the world

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International Children’s Day

International Children’s Day!

November 20th was International Children’s Day. St. Cabrini Nursing Home wanted to celebrate the day, so they invited the toddlers from Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS) in Dobbs Ferry, NY, to join them in some entertainment. We enjoyed great music by Lou Patrick, a singer and entertainer. It didn’t take long for the toddlers to get into the music. There was so much dancing and clapping of hands. The Moms also enjoyed the dancing.

As part of the Toddler Literacy Program at CIS, the children made turkey handprints which were placed on a paper along with a Thanksgiving poem. The toddlers went to every resident at the party and gave them a copy of their handprint and poem as they wished them a Happy Thanksgiving. The residents left with tremendous smiles on their faces and the children left exhausted but thrilled to have such a fun afternoon.

Fifty Years of Loving Service to Elders

In 1973, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus opened St. Cabrini Nursing Home to serve the elder population with quality services. Fifty years later, this ministry still thrives and has served thousands of elders in the skilled nursing facility and through other services to the community. To celebrate this milestone, the residents and staff came together for two special services: A prayer service on November 8th and the celebration of Mother Cabrini’s Feast Day on November 13th.

On November 8th, representatives from all 16 departments as well as the residents and volunteers were present in Cabrini’s chapel for a service of thanksgiving. Each department was asked to select a virtue that reflects what its purpose and mission are and to prepare a brief explanation to share. To begin the service, Fr. Ron Galt, Vice President of Pastoral Care and Mission gave a blessing which was followed by a scripture reading, song and presentation of each department’s virtue. The virtues were framed and a display was created that can now be seen in Cabrini’s lobby.

In closing the service, Patricia Krasnausky, President and CEO, talked about the virtue of perseverance and how Mother Cabrini persevered when she came to the United States when being told she was not needed. “Mother Cabrini may have felt defeated, but due to her perseverance, we are all here this afternoon in this chapel celebrating fifty years of caring for people. Thank you to all of you and to all who went before us for persevering in an excellent combination of qualities, so that the outcome is that Cabrini of Westchester remains standing here after fifty years as a shining golden tribute to Mother Cabrini.”

On November 13th, Cabrini of Westchester celebrated the Feast Day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini as well as the conclusion of the yearlong celebration of the 50th Anniversary which included both staff and residents. A Mass, with live music, took place in the Chapel and other planned activities took place throughout the day. The Missionary Sisters who are residents of the home gathered for a special meal. This meal was served to the all of the residents as well.

Later in the day, the Therapeutic Recreation Staff distributed ice cream to the residents as a treat in honor of the Feast. The staff was included in the celebration with the distribution of $10.00 gift certificates to Honda’s Cafe for each employee as well as raffle prizes.

Many thanks to all who participated in planning both of these celebrations and to all who have enabled Cabrini of Westchester to offer the very best services to elders for fifty wonderful years.

Intergenerational Fall Fun!

Intergenerational Fall Fun!

We hear so much about intergenerational programs and the wonderful effect it has on both the young and the elderly.

Several of our high school students from Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS) in Dobbs Ferry, NY, visited some of the residents at St. Cabrini Nursing Home. The students loved speaking with the residents and helping them create colorful wreaths. They especially enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to one of the residents who turned 102 years old that day! The residents had smiles on their faces from ear to ear. They kept remarking how wonderful, respectful, and helpful the high schoolers were.

They had such a wonderful time that the students will be visiting again in December when they will build gingerbread houses together.

Observing Dia de los Muertos in Dobbs Ferry, NY

In the Christian tradition, the month of November is a time when we remember our deceased family, friends and loved ones. There are different ways that we remember those who have gone before us. On November 2nd, some of the clients from Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, shared their celebration of Día de los Muertos, (the Day of the Dead), with the residents at St. Cabrini Nursing Home.

A beautiful altar was created in the lobby of the nursing home. As our clients built the altar, there was such reverence, love and tears that went into it. Each piece that was added to the altar had great meaning. It is customary in Mexico and many of the countries in South America to build an altar in your home to remember the dead. Our clients were from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

The program began in the chapel where our clients spoke about the meaning of Día de los Muertos. They sang, La Llorona, a special song that is sung on this day. The residents were led out to the lobby where the altar was displayed. There were luminaria bags in the hall that lit the way to the altar.

The clients spoke about the altar and the meaning of the different items. There were pictures of their loved ones on the altar. Special flowers, fruits, bread, sugar skulls and candles were also placed on the altar. Not only do the items have special meaning, but it is also important to have many colors exhibited.

Through tears, many described how being able to share in this moment helped them as they prayed and remembered their loved ones. Everyone present was invited to add the names of their loved ones to the altar where they will be remembered in prayer.

Celebrating Their Dedicated Service

October 12, 2023, was a special day at Cabrini of Westchester! Two events were held in honor of the employees: The Annual Employee Service Awards as well as The Annual Employee Barbecue.

The service awards were held in Cabrini’s chapel and celebrated fifty-eight outstanding employees who were celebrating five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty and even forty years of service to the organization. Each of the awardees received a pin with a precious stone reflective of their years of service to Cabrini of Westchester. Special gifts were presented to those with 25 or more years of service.

Fr. Ron Galt, Vice President of Mission and Pastoral Care, bestowed blessings on all of the honorees and Patricia Krasnausky, President and CEO, thanked the employees for their dedication, sharing, “Besides being unique individuals with special talents, you come from different professions and departments. Yet, together, you are the excellent, compassionate employees who have made Cabrini what it is today. We thank you for continuing to make Cabrini an excellent source of care for the elders in Westchester County.”

In addition to the awards ceremony, all staff were treated to an employee barbecue in thanksgiving for the hard work and dedication they provide to the residents every day. With the cooperation of the beautiful weather, employees were able to dine outside on Cabrini’s North Patio and relax during their lunch break. Thank you to Director of Food Service, Enrique Vargas, and his team who provided a veritable feast to honor our caring and compassionate staff members! Delicious meals were also provided to the evening and night shifts.

Friars Honor Cabrini of Westchester

On Friday, October 6, 2023, Cabrini of Westchester was honored by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at their 30th Anniversary of the Sharing Hope Celebration Dinner at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. Along with fellow honorees, Bonnie Brae and My Brother Vinny, Cabrini was selected for this honor because it shares similar values including embracing the dignity of all people and ministering to those in need of physical and spiritual healing.

Sr. Arlene Van Dusen, MSC, accepted the award on behalf of Cabrini of Westchester and our sponsors, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “Many thanks to the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement for recognizing the high-quality, compassionate eldercare that Cabrini has provided to countless individuals over the last 50 years. We are thrilled to be celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year and this award makes it even more special. We have been fortunate to have cared for a number of Franciscan Friars of the Atonement over the years and we are pleased to currently have 2 priests reside in the nursing home. We are most grateful to receive the 2023 Graymoor Award.”

Knitting with a Purpose

The Knitting Group at Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS), Dobbs Ferry, NY, completed a very special outreach program. The main purpose of our Knitting Group is to help our clients improve their English. However, they also enjoy helping others. The group crocheted 260 facecloths that will be given to Samaritan’s Purse: Operation Christmas Child. This program sends special shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and personal care items to children around the world.

We have teamed up with Youth Mission of Life Church in White Plains, one of the sites that fills the shoeboxes with various items. Our facecloths will be placed in the shoeboxes along with the other items. It was decided that the facecloths would be crocheted in purple and lavender, the Cabrini colors.

Before donating the facecloths, Fr. Ron Galt, Vice President of Mission and Pastoral Care, came to CIS to bless them. He told the group that the love that went into all the crocheting and the prayers that they said while making the facecloths are intertwined and that those who will use the facecloths will feel the prayers, their love and the love of God. Fr. Ron also blessed the members of the group for all their hard work they did through the use of their hands.

Cabrini of Westchester C.A.R.E.s for Residents

Cabrini of Westchester C.A.R.E.s for Residents

Cabrini of Westchester is proud to share that “The C.A.R.E. Channel” (Continuous Ambient Relaxation Environment) is now available to all residents for their viewing and listening pleasure! The C.A.R.E. Channel is television programming that combines peaceful scenes of nature with beautiful music. By tuning in to channel 54 on their in-room televisions, the residents can be swept away by the soothing landscapes, panoramas, and vistas as well as the original, instrumental music that has cross-generational and cross-cultural appeal.

The C.A.R.E. Channel has been shown to be a highly effective therapeutic tool that significantly contributes to improved satisfaction and patient outcomes, and helps create a healing environment for patients, families, and staff.

“I love to watch the C.A.R.E Channel,” says resident, Justin Vaccaro. “It is so relaxing and peaceful. The beautiful scenery and music makes me feel great and I’m so happy that Cabrini offers this for all residents.” Story continues on next page.

Fr. Ron Galt, Vice President of Pastoral Care and Mission shares, “We hope the C.A.R.E. Channel will be a blessing for our residents in offering them an opportunity to experience moments of peace and relaxation as they reflect on the visual beauty of God’s creation to the background of delightful music.”

Cabrini of Westchester Celebrates CNA Apprentices

 

“Let us never consider ourselves finished, nurses.
We must be learning all of our lives.”
~ Florence Nightengale

On Friday, September 1st, Cabrini of Westchester celebrated a second group of Nursing Assistant Apprentices as they completed five weeks of training to become Certified Nursing Assistants! In February 2023, we began partnering with the 1199 NationalFund to bring a Nursing Assistant Apprentice Program to Cabrini. This allowed us to bring on eleven additional staff members that received training through a grant initiated by the 1199 National Benefit Fund who contracted with Westchester Community College. All of the eleven staff remain employed full time and all but one are now certified nursing assistants in New York State! The remaining Nursing Assistant Apprentice who has not yet passed the CNA exam will have up to three chances to pass.

The second group of ten began their training in June 2023, and seven now remain employed on a full-time basis. They will take the nursing assistant exam this month. This addition to our workforce has helped tremendously to ensure we have the staff necessary to care for our resident population. The success of this collaboration with 1199 and Westchester Community College has allowed us to achieve staffing goals and we are currently offering training to a third group of Nursing Assistant Apprentices.

 

 

 

This third group began on September 11th as we welcomed sixteen new staff members to Cabrini of Westchester. A fourth group is anticipated to start in late October. There are also plans to include clients of Cabrini Immigrant Services in the fourth class!

Many thanks to 1199 SEIU, 1199 National Benefit Fund and SUNY Westchester Community College for being wonderful partners and for making this Cabrini CNA Apprenticeship Program possible.

Illuminating Mother Cabrini’s Mission and Ministry

On Wednesday, June 14th, the first in a mini series of presentations that will “Unpack the Mission and Ministry of Mother Cabrini” was given by Sr. Bernadette Anello, MSC, in the chapel at Cabrini of Westchester. The intention of the series is to familiarize more residents and staff with the calling, ministry and journey of our Foundress. Each session in the series is planned to coincide with a particular celebration around Mother Cabrini’s life.

Sr. Bernadette’s presentation coincided with the Solemn Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was entitled “Mother Cabrini: Patroness of Immigrants & Missionary of the New Evangelization.” While presenting, Sr. Bernadette went into depth regarding Mother Cabrini’s life, her spirituality and her sense of mission and at the conclusion of her talk, a question and answer period took place.

The attendees were then delighted to hear a special song that was performed by four young women who are in the process of becoming Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The song was sung in their native Ethiopian tongue which was about praising and thanking God for the many blessings he has bestowed on us.

The next presentation in the series will take place on Wednesday, July 12th, when Fr. Ron Galt, Vice President for Mission and Pastoral Care, will offer a second reflection around the 173rd birthday of Mother Cabrini on July 15th. The closing presentation of the mini-series will be on Monday, November 13th to coincide with Mother Cabrini’s Feast Day.

610 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA 19087
Phone: 610-902-1039
Fax: 610-971-0396
info@mothercabrini.org