On the Zoom screen before us were 68 Cabrini College/University alumni, staff, and friends meeting for the inaugural session of the Cabrini Alumni, Volunteers, and Supporter (CAVS) Social Justice Ambassadors. The participants ranged from 1971 to 2024 graduates. Responding to just a single email invitation, more than 190 alumni signed up to be a part of this group.
The CAVS Social Justice Ambassadors group is an initiative of the university’s CAVS Mission and Service Committee. The goal is to create a community of Cabrini alumni and friends intent on educating themselves about global and US issues of justice, as well as discussing and advocating for those issues and then taking action.
This new Cabrini mission-oriented group will draw upon the charism of the Missionary Sisters, the spirit, energy, and commitment of the alumni themselves, as well as expertise of two social justice organizations with which Cabrini University had long relations – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice.
The focus of the first meeting was the impact of the deep cuts or total elimination of US foreign aid. Two Cabrini graduates who work at CRS, Melissa Stevens ’07 and Clare Pressimone ’14, reported that CRS had to stop much of the work funded by US foreign aid. This meant that food and medication already shipped to warehouses around the world could not be distributed to those most in need, resulting in suffering and death. Programs long in existence that have helped millions of people had to be terminated. Account continues on following page.
Melissa gave examples of what is happening on the ground. In Sudan, for instance, with “catastrophic” hunger and no US aid, people are eating dirt to at least have something in their stomachs. A woman living in Tigray, Ethiopia, said: “We are not just hungry. We are being erased. Our children cry through the night with empty stomachs, and we have nothing to give them. If the world forgets us now, we will vanish, not by war, but by slow, silent starvation.”
Another woman in Tigray said, “Once I was a proud farmer, rich and respected, now I live in destitution, watching my children waste away. This hunger is not just suffering, it is a slow death. The world may not hear us, but we are already fading. With my last breath, I call for help, for food, for survival.”
This is the effect of the cuts by the US government upon millions of vulnerable people around the world.
Following the presentations by Clare and Melissa, the alumni discussed their reactions and what they planned to write to their members of Congress. The Zoom meeting concluded with the opportunity to send emails in real time to each participant’s two senators and one House member.
If you wish to watch a portion of the session, here is the link: https://youtu.be/g82DX8KeaJ4. If you are interested in getting more information about the CAVS Social Justice Ambassadors group and future sessions, please fill out this form: https://bit.ly/43UCFY9.
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Buenos Dias! For the 16th year, members of the Cabrini University family departed on Saturday, February 22nd for San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala, for a mission immersion trip. Previously the trip was included as part of the curriculum of a class offered to Cabrini students, led by Cabrini faculty Dr. Jerry Zurek and Dr. Ray Ward.
Cabrini High School in New Orleans enjoyed an unforgettable Mother Cabrini Week,
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this such a special time for all our CLMs.
To wrap up the semester before Christmas break, Campus Ministry coordinated with Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans to “Adopt a Family” for Christmas. Due to the sock drive and Cabrini being virtual for the week after Thanksgiving, the school was unsure if it were possible to sponsor any families this year. However, when our Campus Minister learned there were three families unclaimed, Cabrini High School jumped at the chance to help. Religion classes donated to two families, and the faculty and staff sponsored the remaining family. All items on these families’ wish lists were bought and donated to ensure they have a “Merry Christmas.”
NEW YORK – Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri, whose career spans more than 35 years on Broadway, and in notable film and television roles, and his wife, Gianna, herself an acclaimed actress and producer, were thanked by the Cabrini Mission Foundation, at a reception at the Bedford Playhouse in Westchester, NY.
“My husband and I are grateful to the Foundation for this recognition and allowing us to help them in their important work. We are so proud of our children who share in our commitment to our faith and community and were the reason we were able to connect with the Cabrini Mission Foundation in the first place,” said Gianna Palminteri.
I really see—and feel—such selfless behavior is right here in our Cabrini University community, and I’m so incredibly proud to be part of it. Someone very wise said to me, “A pandemic calls for grace.” Indeed, it does. A family gave a case of iced tea to Cabrini employees who were helping students move out when the University had to close because of Gov. Wolf’s precautions to lessen the spread of the coronavirus. The Alumni Association was offering gas cards to students who had a long drive. Cabrini people are taking in students who have nowhere to go. And I know that the members of our administration are doing everything they can to ensure our seniors have the celebration they deserve, because they care so deeply.
a young age, I was taught that it’s important to help others. My parents told me there are plenty of people in the world who are less fortunate than I am, so, I wanted to make a difference [in the lives of others.] This was my second trip to serve the people of West Virginia [and] I wouldn’t be who I am today without the experiences [the trip] gave me.
The seven of us had an experience of social, economic and cultural aspects of rural poverty through serving and speaking with the people who lived in the region. We had a supervisor who helped us with the tools and made our experiences fun and enjoyable. Tim (our supervisor) is an example of how people should love unconditionally and help others. Tim is the one who introduced us to Jason and helped us in helping him.