Cabrini University Breaks Ground for New Residence Hall

May 24, 2018

On Wednesday, May 23^rd, Cabrini University trustees, administrators, faculty and staff gathered to break ground for a new 180-bed residence hall on campus.

Sr. Grace Waters, MSC offered the opening reflection and participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking. The residence hall will welcome students for the 2019 – 2020 academic year.

Sr. Grace Waters, MSC joined Cabrini University President Dr. Donald Taylor and other dignitaries at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new residence hall.

Construction will also commence immediately for a 130 car parking structure on campus enabling the paths of the campus center to be pedestrian friendly.

Cabrini Action and Advocacy Coalition Co-Sponsors Anti-Human Trafficking Symposium

March 15, 2018

The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus hold a Corporate Stance against Human Trafficking, which states, “the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus stand in solidarity with the victims of human trafficking. We condemn the use of violence, abduction, fraud, deception, coercion, or debt bondage to transport women and children from their homes for prostitutions, sexual exploitation, forced labor and/or real or virtual slavery.” In the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “It is a sin against the dignity of persons and their fundamental rights that would reduce them by violence to their productive value or to a source of profit.”

To further illuminate the horrors and prevalence of human trafficking an Anti-Human Trafficking Symposium was held yesterday at Cabrini University, co-sponsored by the Cabrini Action and Advocacy Coalition of the Missionary Sisters chaired by Karol Brewer and the Engagement with the Common Good (ECG) 200 Class of the University. The symposium was held to educate and raise awareness about human trafficking and featured many experts who are working against human trafficking.

An invocation and opening remarks were presented by Sr. Bernadette Casciano, MSC. The keynote address was given by Pearl Kim, JD, who is the former Senior Deputy Attorney General for Public Engagement within the Executive Office of the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and a fierce advocate in the fight against human trafficking and sexual assault. Ms. Kim offered an overview of the hierarchical trafficking and prostitution culture that exists in the U.S. She spoke of Asian massage parlors in the U. S. that many times are fronts for trafficking operations. many of those who are trafficked are immigrants from other countries. In addition to sex trafficking, labor trafficking is even more prevalent. She also spoke of the legislation that is pending with regard to trafficking.

Following the keynote address, a panel of experts: Hugh Organ from Covenant House, which offers services to meet the complex

needs of homeless,runaway and trafficked youth 21 years of age and under; Katrina Stopfer, from the Salvation Army’s New Day Drop-In Center in Philadelphia through raising awareness, training and direct services for victims of human trafficking; and Stephanie Blakeman, a case manager from the Nationalities Service Center, who works directly with survivors of human trafficking and is responsible for coordinating and locating services for clients in their path toward independence.

The symposium was rounded out by William Johnson, a deputy with the Philadelphia’s Sheriff’s Office and who works on a FBI task force aimed at combatting human trafficking and crimes against children.

All those in attendance were encouraged to get more involved in the fight against human trafficking. Donations of gift cards to (Target, Walmart), items such as underwear, feminine hygiene products and toiletries can be donated to the Cabrini Closet as a resource for those who are trafficked.

~ Anti-Human Trafficking Symposium program

Cabrini University Senior Tapped for Lead Story for Share the Journey Campaign

October 24, 2017

Cabrini University Senior Molly Seaman’s article has been chosen to be the lead story for the “Share the Journey Campaign” created by Pope Francis, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services and will be used to educate people around the world about Mother Cabrini’s Legacy.

Mother Cabrini, she lived for migrants

Do you know St. Frances Xavier Cabrini? You may know her as the first American saint, others remember her as the founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. But how many remember Mother Cabrini as the patron saint of immigrants, a fierce advocate for humans of all skin tones and a humanitarian with a deep passion for promotion the dignity and rights of every person.

Maria Francesca Cabrini was born in 1850 in Italy where she dreamed of becoming a missionary in China. Pope Leo XIII had other plans, however, and sent young Frances not to the East, but to the West, to work among Italian immigrants in New York City.

In this period of our history, Italians were leaving their homeland by the thousands for many of the same reasons immigrants are forced to migrate today: instability, conflict, ties to family. Mother Cabrini’s lifetime as known as the “new immigration” era in which over 3 million Italians made the perilous journey to seek refuge in America. At this time, this was viewed as one of the largest populations shifts in history. Fast-forward to 2017 and we are witnessing a similar displacement of people but at a greater magnitude.

According to Catholic Relief Services, the war in Syria has killed over 400,000 Syrians, and displaced more than 11 million civilians and counting. Millions of people have not only lost their homes but are struggling to retain the promise of a bright future for their children.

Similarly, hundreds of thousands of children, women and families are being forced to flee the Northern Triangle (Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras) due to harsh push factors as gang violence, poverty, unemployment and climate change.

In 1880, Pope Leo desperately urged for the care of the Italian immigrants coming to the United States much like Pope Francis does today. In fact, this September, Pope Francis launched the “Share the Journey” https://www.sharejourney.org campaign in which he invites us all to “Share the Journey” with refugees and migrants around the world. The focus of the campaign is to see through the eyes of others rather than turning a blind eye. In the words of Pope Francis, “Not just to see, but to look. Not just to hear, but to listen. Not just to meet and pass by, but to stop. And don’t just say, ‘what a shame, poor people,’ but allow ourselves to be moved by pity.”

During his visit to the United States to speak to Congress, Pope Francis urged, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Mt. 7:12) This rule points us in a clear direction. Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated.

In the words of our hero, friend and all fleeing their homes and facing persecution, “Take to heart the interests of the poor immigrants and direct them well when they are on these shores.” ~ St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

Cabrini University Launches the Center for Children of Trauma and Domestic Violence Education

October 17, 2017

On Monday, October 16, Cabrini University hosted its seventh annual Domestic Violence Awareness Symposium and the official launch the Center for Children of Trauma and Domestic Violence.

A half-day Domestic Violence Symposium focused on family perspectives on the tragedies of domestic violence through “A Conversation with Janine Rajauski.” There was also a panel discussion with Bill Mitchell, President of the Kristin Mitchell Foundation; Monica Jenkinson and Minna Davis of Laurel House; Barbara and John Jordan, advocates of domestic violence education; and Eliza Costoso, PsyD, Counseling and Psychological Services at Cabrini University. Each program was followed by an audience Q&A.

In the evening, Cabrini welcomed its community of domestic violence awareness advocates and educators as it officially launched the new Barbara and John Jordan Center for Children of Trauma and Domestic Violence Education.

The launch featured a keynote presentation by Lynn Rosenthal, Policy Director for Violence Against Women Initiatives for the Biden Foundation, and a ceremonial launch.

The mission statement of the Center reads, “furthering Cabrini’s Education of the Heart, the Center Center for Children of Trauma and Domestic Violence Education strives to end domestic violence and support children of trauma by promoting social change through professional development, training, education, research, and community.”

The Center will:

Educate teachers, leaders, and advocates to end violence in the lives of children, women, and men
Offer proven, community-informed tactics to prevent domestic violence, and to become aware of and help heal children of trauma
Confront in effective new ways the challenges of intimate partner violence
Better inform first contact educators, nurses, and others of the effects of domestic violence and trauma on children’s learning and professionals and domestic violence advocates while offering community-informed methods of tackling domestic violence and working with children of trauma

Throughout the month, Cabrini students also are hosting events honoring domestic violence awareness, including a Mass, movie screenings, and a dress-in-purple day.

Cabrini University’s Message on DACA

September 6, 2017

The following letter to the campus community was written by Dr. Donald B. Taylor, President of Cabrini University, in response to the current White House decision regarding the DACA program and the resulting uncertainty regarding the future of these young people.

Dear Cabrini University community,

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) allows individuals who entered the U.S. prior to their 16th birthday to register to remain in the country and to be eligible for work permits. As you may have heard, President Donald Trump has decided to end the DACA program, and has placed the future of DACA recipients in the hands of Congress.

Cabrini University believes that DACA should be renewed to protect the nearly 800,000 DACA recipients who would be at risk of deportation without DACA protection. Having been raised and educated here, most DACA recipients consider America their home, and uprooting these young people would cause them irreparable harm.

Be assured, Cabrini University will do whatever we can to protect all of our students and we will continue to update the campus as we learn more in the weeks and months ahead.

For students who have specific concerns about their DACA status, consider visiting Cabrini’s Center on Immigration webpage at cabrini.edu/immigration for more information, or reach out to the Center’s Director, Abel Rodriguez, at abel.rodriguez@cabrini.edu.

In October (date/time to be determined), The Center on Immigration and the Wolfington Center will host a Know Your Rights workshop for the community. The workshop is designed to provide information to assert one’s rights in encounters with law enforcement. This event is free and open to the public.

There are also a number of resources on campus to provide support, including the Wolfington Center, Campus Ministry, Counseling and Psychological Services, and, of course, Cabrini’s faculty.

It is important to remember that our University is named for the Patron Saint of Immigrants, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, who along with her Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus were tireless champions of immigrants from all walks of life. Today, the Missionary Sisters continue that work and have a corporate stance calling for “Just Policies for Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers.” Please join me in praying that our country does the right thing and will soon give permanent legal status to all DACA recipients.

Regards,

Dr. Taylor

Donald B. Taylor, PhD

Cabrini University Hosts Summer Institute for Cabrinian Educators

July 12, 2017

Cabrini University is excited to host the Cabrini Educator Institute. Joining us will be 47 teachers from schools sponsored by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Argentina, Spain and New Orleans. This will be the first time that we have hosted such a gathering and it will be a significant step in helping the world-wide network of Cabrini educators collaborate and understand our unique role as Cabrini educators. The Institute is designed to gather educators from Cabrini schools across the globe to develop skills on teaching and learning. With a clear emphasis on mission, Cabrini educators will learn from each other and immerse themselves in university coursework focused on engaging students from Pre-School through Grade 12.

The Institute has three primary purposes:

Focuses on mission and the question of “What does it mean to be a Cabrini Educator?”
Offers an opportunity for Cabrini educators to gather and learn from one another.
Provides a forum for learning about and discussing current educational issues that transcend particular locations

The Institute is generously funded by the President Antoinette Iadarola Endowed Fund.

Francesca’s Garden Will Benefit So Many in Need

June 21, 2017

: The first to bloom – green pepper.

: Cabrini University grounds crew keep the garden flourishing

: All sorts of veggies have been planted.

Long-time readers of The Update will remember that for the past three summers, due to the generosity of former Cabrini University trustee Elizabeth Riley Bell and her husband, Ray, we were gifted with heirloom tomatoes that were planted and nurtured by Gus Feudale, the Cabrini University Grounds Manager, and his crew on the grounds of The Cabrini Cottage. The garden is named in honor of Mother Francesca Cabrini, whose parents were farmers.

The tomatoes are harvested each year and brought to area homeless shelters and homes for rescued victims of human trafficking. This year, Elizabeth and Ray have relocated and so, Gus Feudale and his crew have taken up the mission of the vegetable garden, once again, planting tomatoes, and introducing sweet peppers, mini-eggplant, butternut squash, zucchini and watermelon. Just yesterday morning, the Cottage ladies discovered the first pepper to sprout. Given the combination of the rainy spring and the sun-drenched property where the garden resides, the garden is off to a great start.

Cabrini University Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Its Charter

June 13, 2017

On June 7, 1957—60 years ago—the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County officially granted a charter to (then) Cabrini College, which was the final step in the long process for Cabrini to become an institution of higher education.

To commemorate this Founding Day—Cabrini’s Birthday—Dr. Donald Taylor and the President’s Office invited the campus community to an ice cream social, where anecdotal notes on Cabrini’s academic history were presented and all in attendance sang Happy Birthday to Cabrini University. Sr. Grace Waters, MSC, did the ceremonial honors of cutting the cake.

Much to Celebrate…Cabrini Marks its First Commencement as a University

May 22, 2017

With a stunningly beautiful spring day as the backdrop for graduates and their families and friends, William R. Hite Jr., EdD, Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia, addressed bachelor’s degree candidates at Cabrini University’s undergraduate Commencement on Sunday, May 21 on the campus in Radnor, PA.

Bhavna Shyamalan, PhD, Co-founder and Vice President of the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation, addressed master’s degree candidates at the University’s graduate Commencement on Sunday afternoon May 21.

Celebrating a trifold of milestones, the ceremonies marked Cabrini’s 57th Commencement, the first exercises since becoming a University, and Cabrini’s 60th anniversary.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Hite and Dr. Shyamalan during a year of momentous occasions,” said Donald B. Taylor, PhD, President of Cabrini University. “By sharing Cabrini’s steadfast commitment to social justice and education, these leaders exemplify how graduates will continue to impact their communities, long after leaving campus.”

During the undergraduate ceremony honorary degrees were conferred upon several past presidents of Cabrini University: Sr. Regina Casey, MSC (1969 – 1972) accepted by Sr. Diane Olmstead, MSC; Sr. Mary Louise Sullivan, MSC, PhD (1972 – 1982) – given posthumously and accepted by her cousin Marcia Butland – Sr. Eileen Currie, MSC (1982 – 1992); and Dr. Antoinette Iadarola, (1992 – 2008) the first lay president of Cabrini College. Honored also was the University’s longest serving faculty member Professor Emeritus Dr. Joseph Romano.

During the afternoon Commencement, Dr. Bhavna Shyamalan, Vice-President of the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation was awareded an honorary degree. In her heartfelt address, Dr. Shyamalan encouraged graduates to be their most authentic selves, to believe in themselves and say ‘yes’ to opportunities to grow.

Cabrini University Staff and Students Advocate in Harrisburg for Immigrant Rights

May 11, 2017

Abel cr in Harrisburgimage002 Attending a recent Advocacy Day in Harrisburg is Abel Rodriguez, Director of the Center on Immigration at Cabrini University and some University students. The day was organized by the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC). Next semester, we’ll coordinate a group to DC to advocate on immigration issues.