Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Bringing Christ's love to the world

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Three Cheers for the Cabrini University Graduate!

Many MSCs traveled to Cabrini University to witness Sr. Amarech Lefamo, MSC, from Ethiopia, receive her degree in Educational Studies.  Congratulations, Sr. Amarech!

A Message from the Sr. Amarech Lefamo, MSC

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” 1. Thessalonians, (5 .16-18).

My words can’t express my gratitude to God and to everyone who has helped me along this four-year journey, by offering me various forms of psychological and substantial support. Without all of you compassionate people who supported me along the way, I would not have been able to complete this endeavor. I want to start by expressing my sincere gratitude to the Guadalupe Province, and the Holy Spirit Region’s sisters and laity, who worked hard to get me accepted as an international student at Cabrini University.

I would like to thank Sr. Therese Merandi, who prayed and dreamed for a very long time about the opportunity for my education as an international student; Sisters Barbara Staley and Diane Dalle Molle, who successfully made it happen for me; Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, who guided me in different levels, who accompanied me from the beginning of my school year and directed my every step when I was a freshman; Sr. Regina Peterson, who supported me in many ways until the end of my school year and all the sisters who walked with me during my studying journey with their prayers and words of the encouragement. I am so grateful for each one of them and I offer you my humble thankful gratitude.

I continue to express my gratitude to Cabrini University for providing an exceptional environment for my growth and development in so many ways, including the opportunity to learn about Mother Cabrini’s teaching philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of providing children with holistic development through an education of the heart. Being a part of Cabrini University gave me the chance to develop my academic skills with the help of the generous and kind professors, librarians, cooks, and other staff members whom I encountered on numerous occasions. I also had the chance to experience and learn from Cabrini University’s welcoming environment for students of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds.

Likewise, as an international student, there were good chances to exchange multicultural experiences. I am happy to offer my profound gratitude to everyone at Cabrini for allowing me the chance to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally throughout the course of my four years there. On this occasion, I would also like to express my gratitude to all of my classmates who, alongside my professors, have been my companions throughout my journey and who have inspired and positively impacted me in a variety of ways from the very beginning of my school years to achieve my goal. As a result, I appreciate and thank everyone who has come into contact with me in various ways.

In addition, I am deeply thankful to my sisters who attended my graduation ceremony both in person and online. Your presence warmed my heart, and I was touched by your generosity.

Last but not least, I want to express my gratitude to my parents and families for having raised me with a sense of knowledge and of fear God. They also encouraged me to join the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to serve God’s people as a Missionary Sister because being a missionary had a big impact on my decision to enroll at Cabrini University as an international student. God is great in my life, and I rejoice always and praise Him without ceasing.

“I can do all things with Him who strengthens me.”
(St. Francesca Xavier Cabrini)

Television Anchor Lucy Bustamante Cabrini University Commencement Speaker

When graduates from the Class of 2023 cross the Commencement stage to complete their Cabrini journeys on Sunday, May 21, their Commencement speaker, Lucy Bustamante, will be completing a full-circle Cabrini journey of her own.

Long before Bustamante delivered Philadelphia’s morning news as an Emmy Award-winning news anchor and journalist for NBC10 and Telemundo62, she was a Cabrini High School student in New Orleans who traveled to Radnor, PA, to volunteer with the retired Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSCs) at the former St. Cabrini Home in Philadelphia.

As the daughter of Cuban refugees who fled Fidel Castro’s regime, Bustamante said she and her family found a home in St. Frances Xavier Cabrini’s story, passion and life’s work as the Patron Saint of Immigrants. Bustamante’s sister who came from Cuba at age 4 was also educated at Cabrini High School in New Orleans.

Bustamante encourages graduates, particularly first and second-generation Americans, to embrace their cultural identity as an asset as they discover their own vocations.

“I don’t think there’s a better character to be in the American story than a first-generation American,” she said. “It is the front row seat for why this country is so special, at least in its ideals. As graduates, they need to really focus on what they have to offer and realize that the duality of being an American and whatever other culture they came from is a humongous benefit—more now than ever.”

Bustamante developed her craft as a broadcast journalist under some of “the first women in broadcast.” Early in her career, she rose to the challenge of covering Hurricane Katrina, which devastated her hometown of New Orleans in 2005.

At Cabrini’s 63rd Commencement Exercises later this month, Bustamante will amplify messages of inspiration to graduates and their families. She said she hopes to impart a lesson learned from her immigrant parents: visualize yourself living the American dream in the form of a vocation based on your passion.

The Formative Education of the Heart

Dr. Nick Rademacher, former faculty member at Cabrini University in Radnor, PA, is now on the faculty of the University of Dayton, in Dayton, OH. The photo clip below is from an article that recently appeared in the University of Dayton Magazine. Nick and his faculty colleague, Joy Willenbrink Conte, taught together in new 12-week minicourse, entitled Educating the Whole Person.

In the course of the article, Nick states, “My approach to teaching and learning has been inspired by the educational philosophy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, an immigrant to the United States and the first U.S. saint, who wrote about the ‘education of the heart’. This approach seeks to facilitate intellectual development and the formation of one’s heart and then putting that into action in service of others. That’s one of the reasons why I really appreciate the title of this mini-course.”

We are grateful to Nick for continuing to espouse and model the “Education of the Heart” as he teaches his students at the University of Dayton. We are also grateful to Michelle Sherman, Nick’s wife and a former Cabrini Mission Corps missioner for sending this article to The Update. Nick and Michelle really continue hold the Cabrinian charism deep within their hearts.

Traveling South to Serve, Listen and Learn

A new group of Cabrini University students, staff, and alumni visited the mission of San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala this past week. This is the 14th visit, which we describe as an immersion experience. People often ask what we do. While we do perform work of the kind experienced on mission trips, such as building homes, the purpose of Cabrini University’s week-long trip is to learn from the people of San Lucas Tolimán about their lives, culture, and religion as well as their challenges and successes.

Among the challenges are climate change, persistent poverty, and migration. We could see how drought and unreliable rainfall affect crops, especially maize and coffee, both so vital to their diets and economy. When the economy makes it difficult to support a family, a ripple effect occurs, affecting all aspects of family life and may lead to migration.

However, over the 14 years we have been visiting we see such exceptional progress. We visited the Mission’s school, which educates 650 students each year. The hospital serves hundreds of residents without regard to the ability to pay. The coffee cooperative, run by the Mission, produces award-winning beans exported to the States. The farmers growing the coffee are paid above-market prices for their beans so they can live lives of dignity. All the projects run by the mission are now fully staffed and led by members of the community.

Each evening the students and alumni led discussions centered on one of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. The principles helped us all to focus what we experienced each day. All returned to the States with a renewed commitment to solidarity and the common good. ~ submitted by Dr. Jerry Zurek, Cabrini University

One of the alumni on the trip, Angelina Capozzi, now a professional photographer, documented what we saw with some exceptional photos. https://angelinacapozzi.pixieset.com/guatemala2023/

Cabrini University Giving Service on MLK Day

Students, faculty and staff joined together to serve on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 16th. This Cabrini group volunteered at The Joy of Sox warehouse in Phoenixville, PA, counting socks that had been donated through recent school sock drives and banding and packaging the socks for distribution to shelters and organizations that provide direct services for men, women and children who are experiencing homelessness.

Tom Costello, Jr., the Founder of The Joy of Sox, expressed his gratitude for the ongoing collaboration of Cabrini University and The Joy of Sox.

“We have a long history with Cabrini University. Since our inception in 2010, Cabrini alumni and more recently, Cabrini students, have formed the heart of our volunteer organization. The University community has generously donated to our mission through the Give Hope, Give Love, Give Socks campaigns. We are now in our 13th year of operation and this year, we are going for our millionth pair of socks distributed to those living without adequate shelter. We remain deeply grateful for the ongoing synergy with Cabrini University and believe this is our way of continuing the legacy of Mother Cabrini.”

An Official University Welcome to Sr. Bridget

Now that classes have commenced for the spring semester, Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC, Campus Ministry Associate, extended an invitation to join in some fellowship to officially welcome Sr. Bridget Zanin, MSC to Cabrini University.

Sr. Bridget’s office is located in the MSC Cottage on campus where she will be serving as a spiritual director. Sr. Bridget has been making the rounds of campus buildings sharing information about spiritual direction.

Already, several members of the University community have made appointments with Sr. Bridget.

The University is grateful for Sr. Bridget’s presence and wish her well in her new ministry

MSCs on Mission – True Missionaries Faithful to God’s Call

After long-standing service at Cabrini Health, Australia and the National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Chicago, respectively, Sr. Sharon Casey, MSC and Sr. Bridget Zanin, MSC are now beginning new ministries.

Sr. Sharon Casey, MSC
The following are remarks that Sr. Sharon Casey, MSC shared with the Cabrini Health community:

Greetings during this Advent, Christmas and Hanukkah season!

I’d like to say thank you for your warm welcome to me in 2009 upon my arrival here at a medical facility across the earth! It definitely was a daunting experience. However, your excitement and demonstration of the Cabrinian values which I sensed immediately was heartening.

Your encouragement and support bolstered my determination to fulfil the mission God called me to do in Melbourne.

During these years, a message arose within me, saying, ‘remember who you are’. It was clear, stirring and helped me often to re-ground myself. This message made me pause amid the dizzying pace and consider my roots, beliefs, manner of being and interacting. It gave me the opportunity to remember those upon whose shoulders I stand.

This message was a gift from God. I often remind myself with the grace of God, of who I am, where I’ve come from, and the values that shaped me. These moments, made me conscious of the strong pull from society to become truly self-centered.

I encourage you to remember who you are as a member of the Cabrinian community whether you’ve been here for 30 years or three months. I encourage you to remember the commitment that you made to be faithful to our Ethic of Care when you came here.

When social media and society lure you into believing in acting in another way, I encourage you to go and spend some time by the sculpture that was designed and made over a number of years due to the COVID pandemic.

The sculpture VIGIL – The Heart of Cabrini is a memorial of thanks to the sisters who first came here, carrying the spirit of Mother Cabrini and each of you who have made Cabrini what it has become thus far.

When you need encouragement, consider going out and sitting by this sculpture, helping you remember who you are.

On behalf of all my Sisters of the Sacred Heart throughout the world and our lay collaborators and partners, I thank you for your efforts to work according to the Cabrinian values, Ethic of Care, and legacy.
Sr Sharon Casey, MSC – December 2022 To view a video of Sr. Sharon’s sharing her message: https://vimeo.com/780550489/e1cd1d118c
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Sr. Bridget Zanin, MSC
Bridget Zanin, MSC, joined the Cabrini University community on Tuesday, November 29. She has served as a Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC) since 1962. As a teenager in Brazil, she was called on a spiritual path that led her from her home to the United States Midwest and eventually Radnor, PA. Get to know Sister Bridget through the Q&A below. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity. ~ submitted by Matt Nestor, Cabrini University

What are your first impressions since arriving here at Cabrini University?
Sister Bridget: The campus is beautiful. I feel a little bit isolated because I’m so used to living in a city where you step out and can go anywhere and do anything. Here, you need a car.

Which city were you in before you arrived here?
SB: Chicago. I was the Director of the National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini in Chicago. I was at the Shrine for 10 years. And before that, I was in the city of Des Plaines [Illinois]. I was working as a chaplain at the Holy Family Hospital. And, before that I worked at Mercy Family Hospital in Chicago.

What kinds of service did you do there and elsewhere?

SB: My first profession was as a nurse. I worked as an ICU nurse in medical/surgical. It was kind of getting heavier and heavier, so I went in to chaplaincy so I could talk to patients and their families. Having the nursing background, being a chaplain I think was a blessing for me, because I could understand the patient’s diagnosis—what they were going through. I could talk to them not as a nurse, but as a chaplain.
You grew up in Brazil, correct?
SB: Yes, I was born in Brazil. My grandparents migrated from Venice, Italy to Brazil where they worked very hard to get themselves through a hard time. They moved there during the Second World War, when people were moving out to look for a better life. So, they struggled a lot. But, I see now their struggles were not in vain, because I see now my family are in good positions. I have a judge, two lawyers, and a doctor in the family.

How did you choose religious life?
SB: I always felt a call. I used to go and pray every day. I had two other friends and they wanted to go [to the convent]. Two months later, my dad rented a car and took us to the convent. I was only 15. Can you imagine? Then, we did our profession and took our vows. And, I was missioned to the United States.

Obviously, you are a Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an order founded by Mother Cabrini. What does it mean to you to come here to Cabrini University, the only Cabrinian University in the world?
SB: I think it’s very special. And, the people who I have met so far, they’re so nice. I had a passion for the [Shrine] that I was at, and seeing that the people here have the same values and are part of the Cabrini family, has encouraged me to keep on giving and do whatever I can.

What attracted you to the MSCs?
SB: It was their simplicity and their faith. I like simplicity. I knew nothing about Mother Cabrini but they gave us books to read. And, the more I read, I saw she had this big devotion to the Sacred Heart. She kept saying the Sacred Heart is the fountain of all virtues.

What do you hope to accomplish here at Cabrini, and what do you hope to send students out in the world with?
SB: If I can make a difference in someone’s life, this life will go on to make a difference in the world. I feel that we all have a mission. Sometimes, people think they have to have a vocation to do the mission. No, you don’t. Life is an attitude. So, we can have a positive attitude—a faith attitude. I have my certificate in spiritual direction and I’m also a chaplain. And, I was a nurse. I am hoping to bring these skills to my present mission, everywhere I go and in everything that I do. I hope I can make a difference in campus life. To read the full interview with Sr. Bridget, please click here

Role of DEI at Cabrini University Continues to Grow

~ by Pryce Jamison, Cabrini University Loquitur

RADNOR, PA – Dr. Angela Campbell is clear about the work of her office. “Mission and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) are inseparable – you can’t have a mission and not have an equitable, inclusive and racially just environment,” she said. “If you don’t have that environment, you’ve lost the vision of what Mother Cabrini was all about.”

As changes continue to occur within positions and departments, she understands she must ensure that all initiatives are integrated with the school’s core values and represent diverse voices.

“There should be DEI and mission goals in every area of the institution and that’s part of my work,” Campbell said. “DEI lives and breathes in every center and every sector.”


The Current Look
Cabrini’s DEI Advisory Council has five working groups to help sustain long term success regarding institutional diversity: the Culturally Academic Curriculum and Education Working Group; the Transparency and Reporting Working Group; the Policy and Auditing Working Group; the Cultivate a Welcoming Campus Climate Working Group; and the Fundraising and Partnerships Working Group.

What’s really powerful about the council is that it went from a task force to being a council,” said Campbell. The importance of going from a “task force to a council is that it will continue to influence perpetuity in DEI – that it’s not just a one-and-done or reactionary response.”

The Council is composed of students, faculty, staff, alumni and board, totaling 20 representatives.

We are engaged in conversations about faculty and staff of color. Recruitment and retention – that is our key priority in the DEI Advisory Council.

Sending out the National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climate surveys last year to students was also a driving force that allowed students to give their perspectives. The data is now in for the DEIB to examine.

Today, December 8th, there will be a ‘Walking the Talk in DEI’ event on campus. The results of this survey will be discussed with students along with the comparative data with other institutions. The survey aimed to focus on what can be improved within six NACCC topic areas: appraisals of institutional commitment, impact of external environments, racial learning and literacy, encounters with racial stress, mattering and affirmation and cross-race engagement.

According to Campbell, the DEI Advisory Council is also working on a strategic plan for the 2022-23 school year, as well as a racial bias incident reporting system that will be vetted through another working group in the council.

 

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