Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Bringing Christ's love to the world

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Ho! Ho! Ho! – Here Comes Santa!

St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY, certainly has the ‘Spirit of the Season.’ Every floor and every unit are decorated for Christmas. There is a lot of excitement amongst the residents and the staff.

Kristen McCauley, the Director of Therapeutic Recreation, knew that there was one more thing that would bring great joy to the residents this season. Kristen invited the toddlers from Cabrini Immigrant Services (CIS) and their parents to go to the nursing home to meet Santa Claus.

On December 11th, the Rose Room was filled with residents eagerly awaiting the children’s arrival. The children were anxiously awaiting Santa’s arrival! Needless to say, the room was filled with great excitement.

The children entertained the residents with different Christmas songs. Right in the middle of Feliz Navidad, a special visitor appeared at the door! The children were so shocked to see Santa Claus!

Santa, a/k/a Al Lovell, nurse manager for 3 South, was magnificent. He read the story, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to the children. He had special gifts for all the children who assured him that they were good all year.

While having hot chocolate and cupcakes, the children visited with the residents and had some photo-ops with Santa. The residents left having smiles as big as the children. They all agreed that there is nothing like children to make the season bright.

A Reflection for Christmas

As we have journeyed through Advent one of the Cabrini Lay Missionaries has offered a reflection.  This week, we offer a reflection for Christmas.

I have always loved Christmas.

I celebrate the coming of Jesus and marvel each year as the story of His birth is recounted through Bible readings, story, and songs. I imagine his mother Mary, father Joseph and the tiny, newborn baby, surrounded by animals in the stable as the angels sang to the shepherds of his coming. If I had been there, watching my sheep by night, I would have rushed off with the other shepherds, to worship Jesus and kneel before Him.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is The Little Drummer Boy. The boy in the song had no extravagant gift to offer the baby Jesus, so he played a special song for him on his drum. The words of the song remind me that each of us is called to honor our Lord by offering the gifts of our time and talents and most of all, our Love to each other, not only during the Christmas season but throughout the year.

As I drive home from work during the dark evenings before Christmas, I find joy in the lights I pass along my way. I think of Jesus, who truly is the light of the world. I am grateful for any opportunity to reflect His love and His light, especially through joining with the Missionary Sisters and Lay Missionaries in whatever work I am called to do. Christmas is a time for giving and for sharing with those around us, including those who are the most vulnerable, the poor, the homeless, the sick, the elderly, the lost and lonely.

When I was very small, I learned these simple lines:
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what can I give Him?
Give Him my heart.

The words still resonate with me as I prepare for Christmas and carry the love of Jesus in my heart.

Keep the Creche in Christmas, Pope Francis Urges

~ by Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) Stopping to gaze at and perhaps pray before a Nativity scene is one of the best ways to remember the real meaning of Christmas, Pope Francis said.

“In its genuine poverty,” the pope said, “the creche helps us to rediscover the true richness of Christmas and to purify ourselves of so many aspects that pollute the Christmas landscape.”

“Simple and familiar, the Nativity scene recalls a Christmas that is different from the consumerist and commercial Christmas. It is something else. It reminds us how good it is for us to cherish moments of silence and prayer in our days, often overwhelmed by frenzy.”

Pope Francis encourages everyone to find some quiet time to spend before a creche at Christmas.

“Silence encourages contemplation of the child Jesus,” the Pope said, and “helps us to become intimate with God, with the fragile simplicity of a tiny newborn baby, with the meekness of his being laid down, with the tender affection of the swaddling clothes that envelop him.”

If we really want to celebrate Christmas,” he said, “let us rediscover through the crib the surprise and amazement of littleness, the littleness of God, who makes himself small, who is not born in the splendor of appearances, but in the poverty of a stable.”

The lights on the Christmas tree, he said, are a reminder that Jesus came “to lighten our darkness, our existence often enclosed in the shadow of sin, fear and pain.”

The Christmas tree, Pope Francis said, is a reminder of the need to remain rooted in Christ

A Reflection for Christmas Day

We continue our series of reflections by the Cabrini Lay Missionaries. The reflection for Christmas Day is presented by CLM Melanie Paccillo.

Unto us a child is born…

Christmas Day
December 25, 2020

“It’s a Boy!”

How amazing is it to welcome a child into the world? It’s exciting, a bit scary, and fills a family with an overwhelming feeling of love. Who will this person be? What will he or she be like? Will he or she give their mother premature grey hair? A baby changes everything. We instinctively gather to greet this new life and celebrate the growth of our extended human family.

When Jesus came into the world as a tiny baby, we welcomed not only a new life, but the incarnation of God. For born unto us was our savior, and for this reason we doubly celebrate the coming of this baby. A very special boy was born, indeed. It was a moment that changed everything.

The mystery of the Nativity isn’t only that He was born. It is that Jesus is continually born into our world every day. We can see it all around us. Every time we share a smile, offer help, pray urgently, Jesus is there. He who is love itself is brought forth into the world and we can sing “Emmanuel” – God is with us.

Happy Christmas, Sisters and friends. May you notice today
and every day of the coming year that our Lord is with you.

1260 Upper Gulph Road, Wayne, PA 19087
Phone: 484-581-7163   Fax: 484-581-7164
info@mothercabrini.org