Recently, we offered the Annual Retreat for our Cabrini Volunteers at St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY. We offer this gathering every year and there is spiritual and sacramental content along with sharing among the volunteers and a refresher on the importance of prayer preparation for Communion Ministry and other areas of volunteering at Cabrini.
We begin with a beautiful breakfast and welcome to everyone, and we end with the celebration of the Eucharist which includes a service of Blessing and Re-Commitment by the volunteers.
Each year, the volunteers seem to look forward to this opportunity to gather together, pray together, and renew their commitment to Cabrini and to our residents. We have a wonderful group of volunteers who are so generous with their time and the positive impact they have on the lives of our residents and Cabrini at large is profound indeed.
Following Sister Theresa’s renewal, Cabrini staff and volunteers affirmed our commitment to carry on our shared mission, celebrate Mother Cabrini’s life as our inspiration, and bring God’s love to the world by providing exceptional care for our patients, the community and each other.
The celebration began in partnership with the Archdiocese of Denver as Catholics joined others across the nation in the Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The day included Adoration, confessions, a bilingual Liturgy of the Word, the Consecration Prayer, a procession, and benediction.
d to the beauty of the celebration.
A huge tent was already set up on the lawn for the Cabrini Immigrant Services fundraiser scheduled for the next day, so we ate fresh-grilled hot dogs and hamburgers beneath it. Then God did something utterly magnificent: He sent a rainstorm. It was tremendous, stupendous, and utterly irresistible. The 25+ children squealed with glee and, almost as one, darted out onto the grass to dance in the rain. They ran in circles. They raced in and out of the tent, shouted to each other, held their mouths open to the sky to drink in the gift. It was joy, pure joy.
Normally, this Rite of Renewal takes place during Holy Week at the Mass of Chrism in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, but given it is almost impossible for our resident priests and brothers to get to the Cathedral, we invite the Bishop to Cabrini so that this important liturgy can be celebrated in our own Chapel.
1 residents, staff and volunteers at St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY gathered outside around our Peace Pole for a prayer service. With wars raging in various parts of the world and antisemitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric increasing in our country, and overseas, we wanted to gather to raise our voices in prayer for a more peaceful, just, respectful and nonviolent world.
As each child entered the room, they were greeted by resident, Sr. Wilda Asfour, who provided bags in which the children collected their bounty. All of the items were coordinated by category to make the selection process easy.