Perspective: Cardinal Newman Society’s calls for exorcism of Cabrini unwarranted

By Kelsey Alvino
February 8, 2012

Over 100 students attended Psychic Night hosted by Cabrini College’s CAP Board on Thursday, Jan. 19. Students waited in line, ate food and had their tarot cards read at this successful event.

For those students who do attend Cabrini College, we know how rare a large crowd at a school function is. The students who voluntarily came to the event had fun and are now anticipating more events CAP Board is hosting. However, through the grapevine, we have heard many negative reactions of this positive night of fun.

For this event, three tarot card readers were present, including Marilyn Sukonick-Zeff. Sukonick-Zeff’s messages to students were inspirational and motivating and her intentions on this night were to enlighten, stimulate and encourage positive living and aspirations to all participating Cabrini students.

Contrary to popular belief, at no point was there a black mass, drinking of goat blood or reading about  “the order of the trapezoid.”

Overreaction is an understatement and we do not believe an exorcism of our students, staff and campus is necessary.

During our personal reading with Sukonick-Zeff, she made us feel hopeful and reinvigorated as we face a challenging junior year including school and personal life. Her upbeat personality and her optimistic viewpoints on life stimulated the minds of every student at the event, which is why we are puzzled at the shocking and hateful review and comments placed on the Cardinal Newman Society website.

Sorry to disappoint the avid followers of Cardinal Newman but students at Cabrini College do not worship the devil and neither do the tarot card readers who were hired for the event.

Cabrini College is a liberal arts college; we offer a variety of events and organizations on campus such as Campus Ministry Activities Council, which provides educational, religious, cultural and social opportunities for students to interact and associate with their faith and the Catholic Church. But we also support clubs such as Sanctuary: Cabrini’s Gay/Straight Alliance. We are diverse and we support diversity; it’s as simple as that.

It saddens the Cabrini College community to hear such negative things said and honestly is sending the wrong message on how to be a good person.

Having a Catholic upbringing, we understand that the Catholic faith views psychics in a negative light. But how do they view drugs, underage drinking and premarital sex? What about the other activities that could have been happening that night, instead of an organized event chaperoned by staff, which made for a great sober night of fun.

But instead Cardinal Newman followers decided to demonize a group of students who tried to appropriately provide entertainment for their peers and everyone else involved.

“I’m surprised these so-called intelligent students aren’t aware that they are dealing with the likes of Satan,” Irena Edwards, Cardinal Newman supporter, stated.

Interesting, because we are intelligent enough to know God loves all. We also believe God knows when something is done out of evil intentions or when something is simply a student event to build community.

We are appalled at the way Cardinal Newman followers have been acting, since they are intentionally showing hate towards other children of God, which is something that is as far away from the Catholic faith as worshiping the devil.

We would like to thank the Cardinal Newman Society for opening our eyes to a learning experience. If anything, we can truly say we have found a new side to our faith and we look forward to growing as individuals who support our peers and love thy neighbors.

BY KELSEY ALVINO
PERSPECTIVES EDITOR
kma69@cabrini.edu

BY SARAH LUCKERT
DEPUTY EDITOR
skl37@cabrini.edu

 

 

 

 

 

3 thoughts on “Perspective: Cardinal Newman Society’s calls for exorcism of Cabrini unwarranted”

  1. I want to thank you for this insightful and mature view. As a Catholic parent, a firm believer in God, and someone who tries to be kind to others, I was disappointed and shocked by the comments hurled in the direction of Cabrini and the CAP board. Cabrini College is an excellent school. Your well written commentary demonstrates the value of that quality education.

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Kelsey Alvino

3 thoughts on “Perspective: Cardinal Newman Society’s calls for exorcism of Cabrini unwarranted”

  1. I want to thank you for this insightful and mature view. As a Catholic parent, a firm believer in God, and someone who tries to be kind to others, I was disappointed and shocked by the comments hurled in the direction of Cabrini and the CAP board. Cabrini College is an excellent school. Your well written commentary demonstrates the value of that quality education.

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Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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