Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Bringing Christ's love to the world

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Sharing Precious Cabrinian Artifacts

On June 7th, Julia Attaway, Executive Director of the St. Frances Cabrini Shrine, NYC receives a document case from Janet Bauman, Scanning Specialist Holy Spirit Library, Cabrini University. The document case contains materials from the St. Frances Cabrini Collection at Cabrini University.

The materials which include Mother Cabrini’s business card, checks and promissory notes signed by Mother Cabrini, and a facsimile of the Saint’s will are on loan to the shrine for the upcoming exhibit, “The Everyday Life of Mother Cabrini.” The exhibit is set to open in July.

An Afternoon of Hope

In every age, O God, you have been our refuge. In every age, O God, you have been our hope.” (Psalm 90 1-4; Janet Sullivan Whitaker).

Uvalde school massacre. Eleven year old Miah smeared herself with the blood of her best friend and played dead. Miah survived. Nineteen classmates and two teachers did not.

Tulsa massacre: Four fatalities. Dr. Phillips shot to death.

Buffalo massacre: Thirteen shot. Ten fatalities.
“In every age, O God, you have been our hope.”

Ukrainians continue to be executed by Russian soldiers.

Covid continues.
“Oh God, you have been our hope.”

On Saturday, June 4th, Cabrini Lay Missionaries of the Guadalupe Province, along with caring Cabrini partners, gathered at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Shrine in New York City for an afternoon of song, prayer, discussion and reflection on the meaning of hope. Our afternoon was facilitated by Lucille Larrivee Naughton, retreat leader, spiritual director and music minister.

Our afternoon began with a lovely buffet lunch followed by song and prayer. We were then ushered into the conference area where Lucille asked us to examine and reflect on the meaning of hope for ourselves, beginning with our personal hope and extending outward to include family, local community and finally the global community and Mother Earth.

We gathered in small groups at discussion tables, shared with one another and then reported to the entire group. All of this took place virtually as well, and included participants from all over the United States and Central America. Simultaneous translation was provided.

There was room for creativity as well. Participants were given the opportunity to express how hope lives in them by designing a patch that will become part of a quilt representing this hope.

We wish to thank Lucille Larrivee Naughton for sharing her passion, creativity and expertise with us.

“In every age, O God, you have been our refuge.

In every age, O God, you have been our hope.”

Cabrini Immigrant Services – NYC Offices are Truly Blessed

On Friday, May 20, the beautiful new offices of Cabrini Immigrant Services of NY at 701 Fort Washington Avenue were blessed by Fr. Tom Faiola, OFM, Cap. The ceremony was followed by a picnic on the lawn with the Missionary Sisters and staff from CIS-NYC and St Frances Cabrini Shrine.

Cabrini Immigrant Services-NYC relocates to St. F.X. Cabrini Shrine

Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC has finally moved to our new location!

We opened our doors on the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Shrine property on Monday, May 2nd.

After almost 23 years at 139 Henry Street, we saw the need to move our offices to the upper side of Manhattan. We believe the services we offer are also needed by the community of Inwood and the surrounding neighborhoods. The big difference is that our food pantry needed to be relocated at 207 Street at the Good Shepherd Parish to share the space with their food pantry however, it will continue to be under our care.
The legal services are now offered at our new location.

As we opened our doors we welcomed our clients with joy and a sense of newness since the place is brand new to all of us. In our new surroundings, sometimes we get lost searching for someone’s office – but, we just laugh about it.

Now we are able to offer to our clients a better space in which to visit and to receive the services they need.

All of us are happy for having a place where we feel at home.

A Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday at St Frances Xavier Cabrini Shrine in New York

The Shrine was blessed last Sunday with beautiful flowers, good music, and the presence of the Missionary Sisters. Following the 11am Mass Missionary Sisters Renee Kittelson, Dianne McKenna, and John Giani showed the video Divine Mercy 101 and were on hand to answer questions. Also present were Sr. Aynalem Paulos, MSC Sr. Ayantu Abera, MSC and the novices Evarlyn Ndunge and Evon Somirla, who regularly help out at the Shrine on Sundays.

Cabrini Immigrant Services NYC is on the move!

After months of deliberation, we have decided to relocate our office to another part of the city to continue the mission of bringing God’s love to vulnerable communities. On May 2nd, our office will officially open at the St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in Washington Heights (701 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10040). Our Food Pantry will also be located nearby at the Church of the Good Shepherd (608 Isham Street, New York, NY 10034). We will be forever grateful to the Lower East Side/Chinatown community for welcoming us and allowing us to be of service. We will not forget the gestures, both big and small, that made us feel welcomed and at home in this neighborhood.

We are looking forward to continuing our work, strengthening existing relationships, and building new relationships in our new neighborhood. All of our programs will continue to operate and serve clients from all over New York City, as they have for many years. This new, larger space will provide more opportunities for growth for our organization, and the possibility of exciting new projects as we continue to expand.

Thank you for supporting us through many transitions, moments of growth, and challenges over the past two decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us more than ever the importance of community, and we are grateful to have you as part of ours.

Should you have any questions about our move or need additional support, please feel free to reach out to us! Thank you again for your support through this transition.

Cabrini Sisters Gather in NYC for Perpetual Vows

Cabrini Sisters Gather in NYC for Perpetual Vows

More than 50 Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus from around the world gathered at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York City to witness the perpetual vows of three Sisters from Ethiopia.

Sr. Asnakech Asefa, MSC, Sr. Aynalem Paulos, MSC, and Sr. Berhane Ashebo, MSC made lifelong vows of chastity, poverty and obedience in the presence of Sr. Barbara Staley, MSC, General Superior. Each asked the Holy Spirit to transform their consecration “into a commitment of love, an offering of praise, adoration and reparation in the Cabrinian spirit, so that I may bring the love of the Heart of Jesus to
the World.”

“Religious life and the missionary calling are alive and growing,” said Sr. Barbara following the Mass, “It is a blessing to welcome these Sisters into a vibrant, perpetual relationship with Christ. The world needs them, because it needs Jesus.”

The Missionary Sisters follow in the footsteps of St. Frances Cabrini, the Patron Saint of Immigrants. They seek to respond to the unmet needs of those excluded from basic human rights. Active in 17 countries, their missions include schools, hospitals and clinics, spirituality centers, low income housing for the elderly; and community-based immigrant and social services.

Sr. Evarlyn Ndeti, who entered the novitiate earlier this month, found the ceremony deeply moving. “I am so inspired to see these women committing their lives completely to Jesus,” she said.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Thomas Faiola, OFM. Cap, with Rev. Ambiorix Rodriguez assisting. Missionary Sisters from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Italy, Nicaragua, Russia, Uganda, and the United States joyfully welcomed their new Sisters with the pax tecum, an embrace of welcome.

On a Pilgrim Journey

Last week, the St Frances X. Cabrini Shrine in Upper Manhattan hosted over 1,500 youth on pilgrimage. The energy and faith of the teens was electrifying! It was an honor to introduce them to Mother Cabrini, to answer their questions, and to pray with and for them. All were headed toward a Redemptorist Mater conference. The first Redemptorist Mater seminary is outside Newark, on the grounds of an orphanage founded by Mother Cabrini.

A Lively Birthday Celebration

Mother Cabrini’s 171st birthday was celebrated with great joy last Saturday at St. Frances X. Cabrini Shrine in Upper Manhattan. Joining us were a dozen Missionary Sisters, several lay collaborators from Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC and Dobbs Ferry, and hundreds of faithful families and friends. We had Mass with Bishop Gerald Walsh (English) and Bishop Josu Iriondo (Spanish), cake, mariachi, activities for kids, and a very, very good time.

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Phone: 610-902-1039
Fax: 610-971-0396
info@mothercabrini.org