Cabrini Mission Corps ends 24 year-long service to the college

Cabrini College was founded in 1957 by Sister Ursula Infante with three core values that stand to this day: Academic excellence, leadership development and a commitment to social justice. Social justice is a part of each persons life at Cabrini. Many students graduate educated on global poverty, immigration issues and how to create a more peaceful, just world.

Up to this point, Cabrini graduates and post graduate students from all over the coun- try had the opportunity to participate in a life changing experience volunteering their time to help others. Cabrini Mission Corps volunteers nationwide dedicated their lives to service of others through faith, charity and dedication to the common good.

Cabrini Mission Corps was originally founded by the Missionary Sisters of the Sa- cred Heart in the spirit of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Missioners would typically serve 10 months to two years in six US cities (Seattle, Denver, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and New Orleans) and nine countries overseas (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Ethiopia, Swaziland, the Philippines and Australia). Every missioner made it their purpose to serve and love the worlds most vulnerable, including refugees, the elderly, children, immigrants, marginalized women and the poor.

But as of June 2016, Cabrini Mission Corps announced that they will be closing. Af- ter 24 years of service to the College and Cabrini ministries worldwide, Sister Pietrina Raccuglia wrote a letter to all members involved in Cabrini Mission Corp stating that the “decision was made with careful discernment,” and that “this was not an easy decision, although we are confident it is the right action.”

Gina Scarpello who has been Cabrini Mission Corps (CMC) director for almost ten years is keeping positive on this chapter of CMC closing.

“Overall the emotion is one of sadness, yet peace. The program has served its purpose well for almost a quarter century,” Scarpello said.

The experience that Cabrini Mission Corps has given missioners over the years will live on in each of their hearts.

“It makes me feel very special that I am the last group of missioners but it’s also really sad that no other young person will be able to experience this opportunity again,” Vanes- sa Miranda, missioner, said.

Cabrini Mission Corps not only helped people find their calling to either continue a life of mission or move on to teach others the meaningful experience they received, but it was also a way for students to connect with campus ministry. Seeing young people com- mit to their faith gave students the courage to seek out their own truth.

Ashley Block, another fellow missioner, has reflected on her time with CMC.

“I joined CMC because I truly believe in its mission and the mission of the MSCs. I wanted to use my gifts and talents for something more,” Block said.

But many are still confused why such a positive, growth-inspiring and faith-finding program would close.

“CMC is closing, in part, because the Missionary Sisters are in a very different place than they were 24 years ago when they started,” Scarpello said. “Placing missioners in community and in ministry has become more complicated and challenging as the years have passed. The Province is also facing a reorganization that includes combining with the Central American region, which will continue to require an investment of time and resources.”

The tough decision was made to close CMC but it will continue to be a legacy left nationwide.

“They provided opportunities for me to discover who I really am and showed me that every unique talent you have in you can be used for good,” Block said. “I am who I am today because of CMC. They welcomed me home and became my family…and family is forever.”