From left to right: Sr. Benedette Roberto, MSC; Sr. Mary Russo, SU; Sr. Eleanor Caviston, LSA From left to right: Sr. Adeodata Gatti, MSC; Sr.Regina Casey, MSC Sr. Sebastian Conlon, FSP Sr. Maria Rita Zucchetti, OSBM

Flash forward, 120 years later: April 1, 2009, Dobbs Ferry, New York – Seven resident sisters of St. Cabrini Nursing Home, from five different religious congregations, gathered in the meeting room of 3 North to pray together and discuss current issues facing immigrants and to learn more about Cabrini Immigrant Services, a Dobbs Ferry outreach of Cabrini of Westchester, sponsored by St. Cabrini Nursing Home, as part of their Cabrini Apostolic Plan. It was fitting that the discussion took place on this sacred ground overlooking the Hudson River, which St. Frances Cabrini handpicked as the 65th of 67 missions she founded during her lifetime. Originally an orphanage, the Mission at Dobbs Ferry was founded on March 31, 1914, as part of the jubilee celebration of the 25th anniversary of the U.S. arrival of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

The Sisters who participated in the April 1st discussion were: Sr. Sebastian Conlon, FSP; Sr. Georgeanne Farrell, FSP; Sr. Eleanor Caviston, LSA; Sr. Benedette Roberto, MSC; Sr. Maria Zucchetti, OSBM; Sr. Celestine Costello SU; and Sr. Mary Russo, SU. Joining these seven Sisters and also eager to discuss the needs of immigrants today, were Sisters Regina Casey, MSC, and Adeodata Gatti, MSC, Cabrini Sisters who minister at St. Cabrini Nursing Home; Fr. Edwin Robinson, OFM, Chaplain; and Sr. Lorraine Campanelli, OSF, Social Worker, who arranged the discussion.

Robin Larkins, Director of Cabrini Immigrant Services in Dobbs Ferry, described the scope of services, programs and activities of the “storefront” learning and community services ministry that has served the needs of thousands of immigrants of the Hudson “Rivertown” communities of Southern Westchester County over the past 10 years. A central part of the discussion paralleled Mother Cabrini’s experience as an immigrant herself with the stories of today’s immigrants: of survival in a society that is not always welcoming, where needs are not always met.

A profile of the communities served was presented, surprising the participants that in the suburban communities of Westchester County, immigrants comprise close to 25% of the total population, and are the fastest growing segment of the population. In Dobbs Ferry, like many of the Rivertowns, a large number of the immigrants served by Cabrini Immigrant Services live above the storefronts and in crowded houses converted into apartments, at or near the central business districts, close to transportation and the restaurants, homes and other sources of employment they obtain on a day to day, and week to week basis, as restaurant workers, landscapers, construction workers, caregivers, nannies and other service providers that support the needs of such affluent suburban areas.

Following the informational presentation, the discussion focused on the stories and immigrant experiences all had encountered in their own lives, families and ministries. Sr. Sebastian Conlon, FSP, a Franciscan Sister of Peace, told of the detention center work her congregation is involved with in Elizabeth, NJ, sharing a wonderful article and reflection. Cabrini Immigrant Services is currently supporting and advocating for a young man, originally from Guatemala who was detained at Elizabeth for four months before his case was recently re-opened. The Sisters offered to support this man and his family with their prayers, especially as his hearing date of May 19th approaches.

Sr. Maria Rita Zucchetti, O.S.B.M. (Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great), spoke of her own immigration to the United States and that of her family from Italy, and how she struggled to learn English, and integrate into the new culture and language she was experiencing.

It was agreed that many immigrants and their families struggle to find support with everyday concerns that can be overwhelming to those unfamiliar with the language and those without adequate resources. This is especially true of immigrant parents in households where the children are citizens and English is not the primary language spoken. This is a challenge that Cabrini Immigrant Services in Dobbs Ferry has been supporting through a partnership with the local school district, where Cabrini co-sponsors and hosts an afterschool homework tutoring and parent support program.

An exciting outcome of this discussion: It was overwhelmingly agreed that before the end of the school year, the Sister residents of 3 North would host an afterschool reading session with the students and parents of this program – as a gesture of their interest and support of their local immigrant neighbors! These Sister residents are certainly evidence that the missionary principles upon which Mother Cabrini tirelessly worked to serve in this country and in Dobbs Ferry, especially, are alive and well. As she wrote, “Today love cannot be hidden. It must be active, living and true!”

Cabrini Immigrant Services’ Dobbs Ferry statistics from the first three months of 2009 indicate that an average of 66 immigrant students are learning English, and over 100 requests for support services are responded to each month. Cabrini Immigrant Services provides instruction in English; assistance with immigration and documentation issues; enculturation; access to healthcare, education, social services, and employment opportunities; and skills training. Cabrini Immigrant Services also provides advocacy services, after-school homework skills sessions for immigrant families, and a variety of educational, cultural, parenting and life skills programs—most in partnership with local organizations. For more information, please see the Powerpoint presentation attached here.