The heart of our mission is prayer and hospitality. Our daily routine of morning Mass, retreats, praying and lighting candles at the grotto, drinking water from the spring, walking the steps and interacting with our visitors came to a screeching halt with the Coronavirus restrictions. Mother Cabrini Shrine is open 365 days a year and to completely close it was surreal. Like so many around the world and in the Cabrini family, we too are searching for ways to stay connected with each other and to keep our mission alive in new and creative ways during this time.
Feeding the Hungry
Every Thursday, Shrine staff members, Tom Francis and John McEncroe, pick up food donations from Safeway, King Soopers, Red Robin and other vendors in the Denver metro area. We often have more than the Shrine can needs, so we have partnered with EChO – Evergreen Christian Outreach. EChO assists people in the community with their basic and urgent needs. Their mission, following the gospels, is to “…feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick…and love one another as He loves us.” During this coronavirus shutdown, we are thankful that our food vendors are still donating and that we are able to deliver it to EChO. The staff at EChO sent over some photos of their food pantry and expressed their gratitude that the Shrine is still able to deliver food during a time when the need for it is greater than ever.
United in Prayer via Social Media and the Internet
We recently completed a nine day novena to Mother Cabrini, sending it out via email and social media. The novena gave us a chance to pray together and draw inspiration from each other. So many have shared that they were able to find solace in the routine of the novena knowing so many were united in prayer during those nine days. The urging of Pope Francis to pray the rosary, the Our Father and the “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) blessing, were all ways that united us in prayer during these challenging times.
What a gift social media can be to keep in touch, pray together and share heartwarming stories. We draw inspiration from you, Missionary Sisters and lay collaborators! We love to read your encouraging letters, stories of love and resilience and we are grateful for the life and faith of our foundress, St. Frances Cabrini. We send our love and prayers to you from Colorado and wish you a Happy and healthy Holy Week and Easter!
~ JoAnn Seaman Development Director, Mother Cabrini Shrine Colorado
Photo above: John receives donations from Skip at Safeway
