Religious Life Today Storymap site brings study results to life
The NRVC released its Religious Life Today Storymap website on March 25, giving members and the public a highly visual, compelling way to understand contemporary realities and trends among those joining religious orders. The site brings to life the data from the 2020 Study on Recent Vocations to Religious Life. You are invited to scroll through this hope-filled resource, to share it with your members, and to add links to it from your website and social media sites. Thank you to the GHR Foundation for underwriting this project.
Board selects new chair, vice chairs, and members
At its March meeting, the NRVC board appointed a new chair and vice chairs, effective immediately, and selected four new members who will begin serving in the fall. (See all of them here.) The new executive committee now consists of Sister Mindy Welding, I.H.M., chair; and vice chairs Father Adam MacDonald, S.V.D. and Sister Belinda Monahan, O.S.B., and Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M. ex officio.
The new board members to begin serving in the fall are Ms. Nancy Costello, a former Region 3 NRVC coordinator who works in communications and vocations for the Cabrini Sisters; Sister Nicole Trahan, F.M.I., who has published vocation related articles in HORIZON and elsewhere; Sister Cheryl Wint, O.S.F., of the Hudson Valley Member Area, and Sister Mary Yun, O.P., former coordinator of the West Coast Member Area. Congratulations to all, and warm thanks to Sister Kristin Matthes, S.N.D.deN., who has completed her service as board chair.
National Catholic Sisters Week – March 8 – 14
National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) invites all to celebrate women religious from March 8-14.
NCSW is an annual celebration that began in 2014 to honor women religious with a series of events that instruct, enlighten, and bring greater focus on the lives of these incredible women. It’s a chance to recognize all that they do, with the hope that as more young women learn about women religious, more will choose to follow their example.
Visit the NCSW website, nationalcatholicsistersweek.org, to learn about the organization, find an event near you and join in honoring women religious, or plan an event of your own and spread the word.
Get Ready for Catholic Sisters Week
March 8-14 is Catholic Sisters Week!
Catholic Sisters Week
Celebrating Traditions, Changing the World
Fifty-two weeks a year women religious stand with the poor and immigrants, teach children, fight injustice, heal the sick, share spirituality, empower women, defend the planet, promote peace, create community, offer hope …
But for one week, March 8-14, we shine the spotlight on women religious and encourage a wide range of campaigns and events that invite all who follow Jesus to
• expand and support their gospel witness
• grow the service networks they have seeded
• share their spirituality, charisms, and community
• encourage young women to consider a vocation to religious life
• support their pastoral, teaching and prophetic works
• and focus on the new world they call into being.
During this week we celebrate and give thanks for the lives of faith and service of our Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May God continue to shower his blessings upon the Institute of the MSCs.
To learn more about Catholic Sisters Week click here
There are so many ways in which women religious can shine a spotlight on their congregations during this special week.
Sisters are encouraged to get creative with virtual delivery of events: Zoom conversations and conferences; livestream events; Facebook encounters; virtual tours of mission sites and ministries; book discussions, interviews, Q and A sessions with vocation directors; photo galleries.
And, this year in light of increased food insecurity, religious congregations are invited to join the LCWR Region 4 challenge and plan a FOOD DRIVE for your neighboring area. On site or virtual, collect funds and food for those in need. Celebrate Catholic Sisters Week by doing what sisters have always done: respond to the need of others, especially the most vulnerable.
To watch a video by Fr. James Martin, SJ, about National Catholic Sisters Week, click here
A Joyful Day for Us and Our Institute
~ a Reflection by Sr. Ayantu Abera Bishaka, MSC and Sr. Tigist Hailemariam Loha, MSC
February 2, 2021 was a big day and a joyful day for us and for our Institute, and for our families. On this day we made our first profession as Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; and we were welcomed as Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s daughters.
Saying yes to the Lord’s call, we continue our journey with Him and to serve his people. Being a disciple of Jesus is also all about channeling energy in a single direction and the primary energy we channel is love.
One part of the ceremony held a deep fascination for us. When we received the cross, Sr. Diane Dalle Molle, MSC, Regional Superior of the Holy Spirit Region, said, “In poverty, you give all that you have; in chastity, you give all that you are; in obedience, you give all that you can become. May God’s good grace be with you now and always.” These are enormously powerful words describing our commitment and our journey.
A Sacred and Joyous Occasion
On February 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation, Sr. Ayantu Abera Bishaka and Sr. Tigist Hailemariam Loha, both from Ethiopia, made their first profession of vows in a ceremony at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in New York City.
The following account is a reflection on the ceremony by Evarlyne Ndunge Ndeti, an MSC candidate.
I do believe in meaningful words that are made deeply from the heart as a promise. These vows were something that I witnessed as Sister Ayantu and Sister 
were offering their lives and service completely to God for His greater Glory.
The significance of religious life is embodied in the profession of vows taken before God and all those who gathered for the ceremony.
Sister Diane Dalle Molle, MSC, Superior of the Holy Spirit Region, and Sister Genet Henok, MSC served as the official witnesses of the recitation and signing of the vows. In declaring their intentions, Sister Ayantu and Sister Tigist answered their call and responded, “HERE I AM”.
Everyone present and virtually watched the two newly professed sisters make their temporary vows to God. The two radiant young women vowed that they would live out their words and continue spreading the Love of Jesus to the entire world. They were full of joy, hope and enthusiasm.
I could not stop rejoicing and thanking God for the opportunity of attending this special occasion, albeit virtually, joining many MSCs.
While listening and watching their ceremony, I gave my silent word and prayer to God and asked Him to continue blessing and protecting them.
May God Bless You, Always.
February 2nd is World Day for Consecrated Life
About World Day for Consecrated Life
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.
World Day for Consecrated Life is celebrated on February 2nd however, it is observed in parishes on the Sunday after February 2nd. In 2021, this day will be celebrated in parishes February 6-7, 2021.
“This then is the consecrated life: praise which gives joy to God’s people, prophetic vision that reveals what counts. Consecrated life is not about survival, it is not about preparing ourselves for ars bene moriendi: this is the temptation of our days, in the face of declining vocations. No, it is not about survival, but new life. “But… there are only a few of us…” – it’s about new life. It is a living encounter with the Lord in his people. It is a call to the faithful obedience of daily life and to the unexpected surprises from the Spirit. It is a vision of what we need to embrace in order to experience joy: Jesus” –Pope Francis, WDCL Homily on February 2, 2019
Cousins with a Cause
Both cousins picked ministry…unbeknownst to the other.
Father Michael Bassano, 72, was born on December 22, the same calendar that Mother Cabrini died. “It was a sign of a calling to be a missionary as well,” he wrote in an email.
The Binghamton, NY native is now a Maryknoll missionary serving as the Catholic chaplain for people who have been displaced by civil war in the UN Protection of Civilians (POC) camp in Upper Nile State, South Sudan, where his routine includes writing poetry
Impressed as a youth by the happiness of the nuns who instructed herm Sr. Joan Marie Sariti, MSC, 95, Father Bassano’s first cousin once removed, became a nurse – “that’s what I like.”
A native of Scranton, PA, about 50 miles from Binghamton, she is one of 18 sisters living at Sacred Heart Convent in Lower Manhattan. A priest brings her copies of the Catholic Sun, the newspaper of the Syracuse, NY, so she can read about her cousin’s life in the African country.
“As I was growing up in Binghamton and was deciding to become a priest,” Fr. Bassano wrote, “my parents and family never told me about my cousin who is a religious sister. I finally found out about her years later.”
“I didn’t know he was going to be a priest until he was ordained,” Sr. Joan Marie said, and then we went to Binghamton before his first Mass [in 1975]. And then we went back again in 2000 when he had his 25th up at Maryknoll – a nice Mass and luncheon out on the grounds, under the tents, beautiful,” the last word pronounced in classic Big Apple style: “beauteeeful.”
Fr. Bassano called his cousin “a creative, amazing woman” with “a funny sense of humor and a warm personality. Her story helps me to understand my own journey as a missionary.
A public-school student Sister Joan Marie went for catechesis, First Holy Communion and Confirmation instruction with the nuns who had a convent in the school that was connected to St. Lucy’s Church in Scranton.
“I went to visit them every Tuesday, when I went for the novena,” she recalled. And…they seemed so happy, so I said, well, this is what I really want.
Sr. Joan was a postulant and a novice in West Park, NY, and after her first profession there, she went to Chicago to study nursing. She made her final vows where she graduated from the nursing school at the now-closed Columbus Hospital. Within walking distance was DePaul University where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing. She worked at two hospitals in Chicago and one in Seattle. She did surgical and pediatric nursing and also worked in nursing administration.
Fr. Basano has served Maryknoll in Chile, Thailand, Tanzania and steadily since 2014, South Sudan.
A few years ago she enjoyed a visit from Fr. Bassano and his brother Ted. He told the sisters all about South Sudan. “It was very interesting…I hope he’s safe.”
To read the complete article click here
Vaccinated and Relieved!
Monday, January 11, 2021 was a very exciting day at Cabrini of 
because residents and staff received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine! A team from CVS Pharmacy was on site to administer both doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, the first of which was distributed on December 21, 2020. In total, 217 residents and 177 staff members opted to be inoculated. Another site visit is planned for February 1, 2021.
“We are fortunate that the Covid-19 vaccine has demonstrated-safety and is highly effective,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gold, Cabrini of Westchester’s Medical Director. “Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective way that we can protect ourselves, and most especially the residents, in order to address the global pandemic.”
With the second dose, the vaccine is said to be more than 90% effective against the on-going threat of the COVID-19 virus. This is a great relief to the residents, staff and most especially the family members, who haven’t seen their loved ones in person in quite a long time. “A renewed sense of hope accompanies the availability of the vaccine for the residents and our hard-working staff,” said Patricia Krasnausky, President and CEO. “Reuniting residents and their families with in-person visits is our greatest hope for this year.” ~ submitted by Susan Herceg, Cabrini of Westchester
United in Spirit and Prayer
As the saying goes, “Prayer can move mountains!” Even COVID-19 could not stop several of the Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs) sharing an Advent prayer service with the Sisters at Sacred Heart Convent in New York City.
Once again, we were thankful for technology as we met via Zoom. It was wonderful to see each other as we have been quarantined and not able to visit in person. After some ‘catching-up,’ we shared in song and prayer. Thank you to Sr. Isalia Carvalho, MSC, for being so supportive of our coming together and making sure all the technology was in place. We look forward to being together again, hopefully in person, but until then, we are blessed to see each other via Zoom.
A CLM Commitment to the Charism
The Feast of St. Cabrini was truly a day of blessings and celebrations. Three of our Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs), renewed their commitment for three years on the Feast Day.
Thanks to technology, we were able to come together, via Zoom, to celebrate Patricia Krasnausky, Patricia Stancato-Purkey and Vicky Lucio as they prayed their recommitment.
Ordinarily, our commitments are made on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Due to COVID-19, we could not come together for a prayer service. It was then decided that our three CLMs would make their commitments at the Provincial Assembly. Again, COVID made us change the plans as the Assembly was cancelled. I guess it was like the determination of St. Cabrini that we finally were able to connect and pray together for our CLMs.
What a special time it was as we had several of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart join us in our prayer service. In addition to our CLMs who live in California, Washington State, New Jersey and New York, we had Sr. Bernadette Anello, MSC, General Councilor, who joined us from Rome, Sr. Diane Olmstead, Provincial, from NYC, and several other Sisters from NYC and the Sisters who minister at St. Cabrini Nursing Home.
We had a pleasant surprise to have so many of the Sisters from Sacred Heart Convent join us! It was so nice to see everyone and share some conversation and prayer.
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