We are here to create something NEW

October 22, 2015

“We are here to create something NEW”

…These are the words of MSC General Superior Sr. Barbara Staley, spoken as she offered her opening remarks at the 2015 Provincial Assembly currently in session in Florham Park, New Jersey.

Missionary Sisters and lay leaders from the Stella Maris Province were united in an Assembly for the first time with the Missionary Sisters from Mexico and Central America. In the near future, the MSCs from Mexico and Central America will join the MSCs of the Stella Maris Province in forming a new entity.

Sr. Barbara reflected, “we are living the dreams and visions of our sisters of the past. We are building the future, which we look to with hope. Sisters and brothers, we are living in the rivers of grace and mercy; a grace that comes to us through charism.”

Fittingly, as the Stella Maris Province unites with the region of Central America, the theme of the Provincial Assembly is “interculture-ality”. To explore the implications of this new entity – this new union – Dr. Arturo Chavez, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mexican American Catholic College in San Antonio, Texas, led the Assembly in interactive exercises designed to consider the many dimensions of culture.

Taken from the work of Edward T. Hall and Eric H.F. Law, “culture is the particular way in which a human group interprets life and relates with nature, God, the world and other peoples. Culture is lived and expressed through traditions, relationships, food, music, religion, beliefs, thought patterns, myths and how we act. It is not only how we are, it is who we are. It is our history, our ethnicity, how we think about our families, who we include in our families, how we speak and when we speak, how we think about God and how we relate to God. It is how we relate to each other and how we relate to the stranger.”

Dr. Chavez asked the Assembly to consider the “Iceberg Analogy of Culture” created by Hall and Law. In doing so, sisters and laity contemplated the internal and external aspects of culture. The Assembly was invited to share in conversation about individual family heritage and traditions – how these serve to form an individual and his or her perceptions of others and of the world.

The first step in building an intercultural community, posited Dr. Chavez, is to get to know our own hearts. Being aware of our own heart, we come to a better understanding of our own power and how cultures have formed us.

One session of the Assembly focused on the way in which Cabrinian ministries are addressing the pressing issues of immigration, migration, refugees, asylum seekers and human trafficking. It is through these responses that we see how the Cabrinian charism is living and active in the world today.

Woven into the Assembly program were times for prayer and reflection each highlighting a different country present at the Assembly. Liturgies at the Assembly were offered in Spanish and English in honor of the new reality. In a further spirit of celebration, during Monday’s liturgy, Vicky Lucio renewed her commitment as a Cabrini Lay Missionary (CLM).

Nothing transcends culture like music and dancing. Therefore, no Assembly is complete without its own fiesta! With smiles and laughter, Missionary Sisters and laity shared the floor dancing to the beat of Latin, Swazi and American songs…united as one. For more photos visit: www.mothercabrini.org

Cabrini College Hosts Involvement Fair

September 17, 2015

On Thursday, September 10^th, the staffers at the Cabrini Cottage attended Cabrini College’s annual Involvement Fair. The event is focused on providing students, both incoming and veteran, with information about clubs and organizations that are available to them on campus. Our staff wanted to be sure that we maintained a presence throughout the event to welcome students and to become familiar with or be reintroduced to our MSC sponsored organizations.

As some Cabrini students are looking towards their post-graduate future, our staff was there to remind them of the opportunity to possibly volunteer with the Cabrini Mission Corps. Cabrini students were also reminded of the urgency of anti-human trafficking efforts and the awareness that is being raised through the Cabrini Action and Advocacy Coalition (CAAC).

Our staff, as well as having a presence at the fair, wanted to informally introduce the new CMC missioners to the college community – Ashley Block, Vanessa Miranda, Morgan Perry and Rachel Recolcolin.

Lastly, another of our goals was to create increasing familiarity of the Missionary Sisters as the religious sponsors of Cabrini College; to meet Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC and Sr. Grace Waters, MSC whom we are blessed to have on our campus; as well to heighten awareness of the MSCs’ presence and ministries throughout the world.

Cabrini College Breaks Ground for New Athletic and Recreation Pavilion

September 8, 2015

The Athletic & Recreation Pavilion will provide the Cabrini community and student athletes with a world-class athletic experience and an advanced recreation center. This revolutionary facility will meet the modern demands of the increasing student population and expanding athletic programs with updated locker rooms, fitness equipment, and studio space to be used for Zumba, yoga, Pilates, and dance.

The cutting-edge pavilion will accommodate the needs of Cabrini students and appeal to a wide range of prospective students seeking a state-of-the-art facility for a leading fitness experience while broadening the recruitment pool. The addition of the pavilion will provide adequate facilities for Cabrini to host popular NCAA tournaments and attract attention to the College. This exciting opportunity will encourage students to excel in their athletic programs and create an innovative approach to contemporary fitness and wellness.

Emerging from a battered childhood into a hopeful future at Cabrini College

July 13, 2015

Valery Swope, 18, answered her phone one afternoon in March. It was Cabrini College telling her she had been accepted.

“I feel so great. Oh, my Lord. I’ve got to tell everyone.

To read Valery’s amazing story of courage and perseverance and to watch a video:

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20150712_Emerging_from_a_tragic__battered_childhood__hope_in_a_college_future.html

Middle States Reaffirms Cabrini College Accreditation

July 9, 2015

Cabrini College has received official notification from Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) that its accreditation has been reaffirmed and that it is being recognized for its progress. The College has been a member of MSCHE since 1965.

MSCHE’s campus visit, conducted March 22-25, 2015, was the culmination of years of institutional self-study and preparation involving the commitment of the entire campus community.

Cabrini was assessed on—and met all—14 standards for reaccreditation, which address the following criteria:

overall mission of the college
objectives and goals
student requirements for admissions
services available to students
quality of education
reputation of faculty

Visiting MSCHE members were “very impressed” by Cabrini and praised the high quality of the work demonstrated by everyone in the College community, citing Cabrini’s commitment to its mission of offering an Education of the Heart to students.

Cabrini President Dr. Donald B. Taylor congratulated all those involved in achieving this reaccreditation and recognition of progress. “So many of you worked hard, worked smart, and worked with passion. To the entire Cabrini College community, thank you for your diligent and professional effort.”

Cabrini’s next Periodic Review Report will be submitted in June of 2020; the next self-study evaluation occurs in 2024–25.

Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation as the accrediting body for institutions of higher education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, MSCHE works to define, maintain, and promote educational excellence across institutions.

Beginnings at Cabrini College

June 11, 2015

On three days in June, the College welcomes three groups of over 100 first-year students from the Class of 2019 and their parents and families to campus for our Beginnings Program.

The College’s spirited and talented student Peer Mentors will serve as hosts and share their experiences as Cabrini students with our incoming first-year students during Beginnings. During the day, incoming first-year students can meet other new students, develop a sense of community, and make new friends who will also begin the “First-Year Experience.” Students will have the opportunity to explore the college’s liberal arts core curriculum, will be introduced to and engage with the College’s summer reading, and will speak to their own individual academic interests.

While students are immersed in the campus community throughout the course of the day, parents and family members in attendance will also be oriented to various campus resources and learn about how to best collaborate with the Cabrini Community to ensure success. Family members will meet and create relationships with other families of new students and develop a better of understanding of how to assist their student with beginning the transition to college life at Cabrini. ~ excerpts from a letter to the campus community from Saleem Brown, Associate Director of the First Year Experience

Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC, gave the blessing and invocation for the day. She offered these insights to the students, “from the beginning, Cabrini College has provided students the opportunity for a unique educational experience, an experience that can be transformational. If you are open and willing to allow it to happen, you will learn and grow as a person; you will be challenged academically in your chosen field; you will become aware of social justice issues; and you will realize that you can make a difference in the world. You will receive an “Education of the Heart.”’

Sister Christine Marie closed with this blessing, “My prayer for you as you begin this orientation is that you will experience the joy of making new friends, that you’ll become more familiar with the campus, and that you’ll experience the peace and joy of knowing deep within yourself that Cabrini is the place for you. May God bless you, your families and all those who have supported you in making your desire to attend Cabrini become a reality.”

MSC Offices Celebrate One Year Anniversary

May 21, 2015

Last year, just as the Cabrini College graduates were leaving campus, the moving vans were arriving and a series of over 50 campus office re-locations was about to begin. First up, the move of the MSC Mission Offices from the College’s historic Mansion to the Cottage located on the northwest corner of campus.

After a spectacular renovation of the property by the College’s Facilities Department, The Cottage was ready for us. It’s hard to believe that a year has gone by! Given the natural setting of the Cottage, we have delighted in all four seasons here.

Fittingly, on this Monday, we had international MSC visitors with us to help commemorate this happy occasion. Sr. Lucy Panettieri, MSC, Provincial Councilor, brought

Sr. Laura Baldini, MSC, Sr. Hanna Dima, MSC and Sr. Amarech Herego, MSC for a visit to Radnor. They toured the campus and met many members of the College community who impressed the Sisters with their mission spirit. They also spent time at the Cottage. Following their visit to the Cottage, Sr. Lucy and the sisters travelled to Langhorne, PA for a visit with Sr. Arlene Primus, MSC and Sr. Stephanie Kabacinski. MSC.

Another exciting development at the Cottage is the inauguration of a new container garden. The backyard of the Cottage is blessed with southern exposure. The sunlight streams down all day. When Cabrini College acquired the property, the vestiges of a vegetable garden were in place. Over the course of the past year, the MSC Mission Offices staffers had dreamed of reconstituting the garden in order to grow vegetables for the various shelters in the nearby city of Norristown with whom the College’s Wolfington Center for Service partners. Collaborating with Wolfington Center Director Tom Southard, “Francesca’s Garden” as Sr. Grace Waters has dubbed it, will provide fresh produce for the guests at these various organizations.

In consultation with Gus Feudale, the head groundskeeper at Cabrini College, and Cabrini student Stan Thompson, plans have been developed to prepare a full vegetable garden for which the prep work will begin later this summer. Members of the College community will be invited to work in the garden and the future bounty will be given to Catholic Social Services of Montgomery County, PA, the Norristown Hospitality Center and Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC ) and other homeless shelters with whom the College has an on-going relationship.

Jumpstarting the garden this month was the gift of heirloom tomato plants from Cabrini College alumna and trustee Elizabeth Riley Bell ’69 and her husband Ray. Elizabeth delivered the plants cultivated by her husband to campus and Gus Feudale took it from there. Different varieties of heirloom tomato plants are now in place in large containers at the Cottage made secure from the many deer and fox visitors that frequent the property.

Campus Beautification Day

May 11, 2015

This year, Cinco de Mayo was celebrated at Cabrini College with an environmental twist. Thousands of annuals were planted throughout campus assuring a riotous show of color next week just in time for Commencement.

Teams of faculty and staff volunteers wielded rakes, shovels, trowels and dug, mulched and planted throughout the campus for the Spring Beautification Day.

The Radnor campus is already showing off the efforts of the Fall Beautification Day when over 10,000 bulbs were planted.

The morning gardening effort concluded with a community lunch

Cabrini College Holds Forum on Faith, Climate and Health

April 23, 2015

Cabrini College lays claim to a beautiful campus forested with trees both young and old, a bustling wildlife presence, and students who call these grounds home. On Friday, April 17^th, The Wolfington Center sponsored a conference to engage concerned citizens in the practice of entering into a healthy relationship with that natural world which men and women everywhere call home. Dr. John Burke, Cabrini College Professor of Religious Studies, organized the day-long event with a series of speakers, presenters, and dialogue amongst community members.

More than fifty attendees were treated to a thought-provoking piece by Dr. Burke to begin the day. The conversation concentrated on the relationship between the Catholic faith and environmental issues in our modern world. He reviewed the different themes of Catholic engagement with these issues ranging from the work of Cardinal Turkson to different encyclicals that display the varying facets of how the Church has mostly been on the stewardship and anthropocentric side of the environmental relationship. Dr. Burke then projected the steps which these people of faith ought to take in order for the concept of “green discipleship” to become genuine practice. His challenge to the Catholic Church was to view Catholic Social Teaching through an environmental lens as inhabitants in relationship with the natural world around it, rather than in a dominating relationship over the world.

Catholic perspectives were not the only ones heard throughout the day. Renowned Rabbi Arthur Waskow sparked the room with dialogue about the earth-oriented theology of Hebrew Scriptures. Rabbi Waskow spoke of how we need to change what we name ideas, both the idea of global warming and how we understand the name of God. Rabbi Waskow suggests that we start saying that we are scorching the earth, and recommends we start using the term global scorching in order to get across the extremity of the situation. He then exhorted us to think of the name of God as the breath of life, the breath that all living things breathe and that we all breathe reciprocally from each organism to the next: the trees breathe in what we breathe out, and we breathe in what the trees breathe out. Reconsidering our understanding of the name of God, will make us reconsider our relationship to our breath, and thus what we put out into the world to breathe.

Continuing with the theme of applying green practices to all aspects of our world, the conference broke into small groups with three presentations. Dr. Carrie Nielsen, Cabrini College associate professor of Biology, shared the science of climate change is making people around the world sick. Global warming (or scorching if we abide by Rabbi Waskows suggestion) often is associated with nature and the harm we are doing to nature, or the ice caps, or the polar bears at the ice caps. However, Dr. Nielsen shows that global warming has killed, and will continue to kill people until something is done. Dr. Nielsen also gave groups time to reflect and come up with ideas to help change our stereotypical understanding of global warming to add a human element.

Chuck Marshall, joining from Central Baptist Church, led his group through the history of his church becoming a carbon neutral building and institution, the processes they went through to get to that level, and suggestions of what they could do further, and what other buildings and institutes could do in order to get to neutral emissions.

Finally, as a continuation of his larger presentation, Rabbi Arthur Waskow spoke about the application of Hebrew Scriptures in today’s ecological world, and specifically how we can allocate our money responsibly, in order to help maintain a more ecologically friendly world.

Through interfaith dialogue and a shared passion to embody genuine care for God’s creation, this gathering offered a deepened the sense of responsibility for this beautiful campus which so many people call home. This small gathering for Cabrini College is one big step forward to educating the hearts of the world around it. For as St. Francis of Assisi says, “A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.”