On March 17th, Sister Maria Eliane Azevedo Da Silva, MSC, General Superior, accompanied by the General Council of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Sister Patricia Argentina Godoy, MSC, Sister Stella Maris Elena, MSC and Sister Gilda Mercedes Mendoza Argueta, MSC paid a special visit to Cabrini of Westchester to visit the Missionary Sisters who are residents of the nursing home. Joining with them and others at a festive Mass for the Feast of St. Patrick, they were surrounded by “the wearing of the green” as well as music and song selected for the occasion.

Director of Pastoral Care, Father Ron Galt, welcomed the Sisters to Saint Cabrini’s Chapel on behalf of all present. In an inspiring homily based on the Gospel reading: Mt 12: 28-34 “The First of All the Commandments”, Father noted that Mother Cabrini, like St. Patrick, out of faithfulness to her vocation and the promptings of the Holy Spirit, went on a journey to another land to spread the message of the Gospel. Loving God and loving one’s neighbor were central to the lives of these two humble, faith-filled and inspiring saints.

Before the closing of the liturgy the Sister Eliane and the Council were asked to come forward to receive the Barbara J. Holmes Values in Action Award from Simone Faulkner- Smith, VP for Human Resources, who explained its significance within Cabrini of Westchester’s Mission Integration Program. Given each month to an employee who is nominated for their exemplary demonstration of Cabrini of Westchester’s mission values in the performance of their duties, she announced that Sister Eliane, Sister Patricia, Sister Stella Maris and Sister Gilda had been nominated to receive the Values in Action Award for their leadership and their commitment to their special calling to serve the international Cabrinian community.

The Resident Welcoming Committee, led by Sister Veronica Piccone, MSÇ then presented the Sisters with a bouquet of flowers and congratulated them on behalf of all of the residents, followed by four staff members who offered their greetings and presented each Sister with a Cabrini tote bag full of souvenirs of their visit.

Following the Mass all of the Missionary Sisters gathered for a festive luncheon as well as Brazilian treats provided by Honda, the Chef and Operator of Cabrini’s Riverside Café.