Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

CAVS Social Justice Ambassadors host CIS on Zoom

October 2, 2025

The Cabrini Social Justice Ambassadors of the Cabrini University CAVS (Cabrini Alumni, Volunteers and Supporters) under the direction of Dr. Jerry Zurek, former Chair of the Communications Department, hosted a Zoom with Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS) leaders Lorraine Campanelli, Director of Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry, NY and Amelia Scdoris, Justice for Immigrants Coordinator, at Cabrini Immigrant Services-NYC.

With small-but-mighty staffs, Lorraine and Amelia shared the many services and outreaches that CIS-Dobbs Ferry, NY and CIS-NYC provide for immigrants ranging from reading programs for children, to nutrition classes, to food pantries, to field trips for families, to help with citizenship test preparation, to assistance with visas.

The Cabrini Immigrant Services staff members also provide educational programs on knowing your rights as well as active engagement in rallies and advocacy with legislators.

This was the sixth in a series of social justice webinars sponsored by the CAVS Social Justice Ambassadors.

Cabrini Tradition of Service ~ Alive and Well

September 25, 2025

On Saturday, September 20th, two of Cabrini College/University alumni volunteered alongside Villanova University students for the 20th Annual St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service.

Each year on this day, Villanova students and alumni travel to hundreds of different service sites throughout the Philadelphia area to garden, paint, make food packets, and send letters to schools about service opportunities.

Many thanks to Faith Pitsikoulis ’22 and Hollie Havens ’98 for joining in this special day!

The CAVS look to grow this collaborative service day with Villanova in years to come.

Cabrini University Alums Learn Stark Reality Facing Many Immigrants

June 19, 2025

What would you do if you were undocumented now? What would you do if you were a mother of two children, one of them one month old, and your husband is detained and sent to a detention center? You had been seeking asylum because of threats of violence in your home country and when you go to your immigration check-in and are told that your asylum petition has been denied and you have exactly one month to come back with tickets to return to the danger in your home country. Your husband is definitely being deported. Should you pay $10,000 to appeal? What should you do with your children who are US citizens?

These are the kind of decisions that thousands of immigrants must make every day as Homeland Security is going after many people who have lived and worked in the US for many years in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, but are undocumented or on Temporary Protected Status or seeking asylum or on a particular visa that is revoked.
Two Cabrini University graduates, who have spent much of their careers working with communities of immigrants, shared stories of the anxiety and fear and stress that these communities face every day.

Cabrini University alumni and friends meet each month to learn about and discuss social justice issues. The June meeting was led by Robin Larkins, Class of 1985, and Meghan Hurley, Class of 2007.

Robin has had a long career with various Cabrini ministries and is currently the co-founder and executive director of Spring Community Partners in Dobbs Ferry, NY – a suburban community just north of New York City. The organization particularly focuses on serving the growing local immigrant community and assisting parents in navigating the complex systems to help their families succeed and to advocate for their children.

Meghan works for CATA, the Farmworker Support Committee in South Jersey and southern Chester County. She is currently the Policy and Advocacy Organizer. She also served as a volunteer after college with the Holy Child Sisters in Peru.

Following the discussion, the 50 alumni participants wrote or called their U.S. Senators who are now debating the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This budget reconciliation bill will increase funding for immigration enforcement from the current $34 billion to a proposed $200 billion. Funding would come from many sources, but especially by cutting social services such as many funded by Medicaid and SNAP.

If you are interested in learning about future discussions, please let the Cabrini University CAVS Mission and Service Committee know by adding your name here: https://bit.ly/cavs-ambassadors.

MSCs Welcome Cabrini University Alums

May 22, 2025

The closing of Cabrini University in Radnor, PA may have taken place one year ago, however the mission, our loyalty, and friendships continue to remain open and deeply rooted in our hearts as alumni.

In the past year, the Cabrini Alumni Volunteers and Supporters (CAVS) association has been launched to keep our 18,000+ alumni ties strong, to keep communications flowing, to engage one another in the mission and in service for the common good, and to enjoy each other’s company at sporting events and social gatherings.

We, as alumni, have always taken our cue from our beloved Missionary Sisters. The Sisters’ charism, their warmth, their sense of inclusion and hospitality created a campus culture of welcome and of a shared endeavor that was transcendent. As students, we felt valued, and a part of something greater than ourselves. As alumni, we seek to keep that distinctive Cabrinian spirit flourishing.

Last evening, Missionary Sisters Christine Marie Baltas, Eileen Currie, and Roselle Santivasi, invited the alumni who are currently serving on the CAVS Council to their home for a social event. For many of these alums, who represent a wide range of graduation years, this was the very first opportunity to meet one other. As the alums gathered, our Cabrini bonds were immediately evident. Smiles, hugs, and laughter filled the air as we greeted one another. As one alum so aptly said, “I am so happy. This feels like home.”

Thank you, Sisters, for welcoming us into your home and for your encouragement to grow and strengthen our Cabrinian connections.