As we stop to reflect on our work to serve as a ministry of the Church, take a moment to listen to the story of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, a founder of schools, orphanages and hospitals all over the world. As a child in Italy, Francesca Cabrini dreamed of spreading the word of God to the people of China. After training as a teacher, she was not received into her chosen religious order. The rector of the nearby parish, Fr. Serrati, saw great promise and sent her to make right a disorganized and badly administered orphanage. Although the orphanage eventually closed, Frances was not deterred and started an order of missionary women to serve at a bishop’s request. With her fellow Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, they received orphans and opened a day school. The new order attracted many postulants and in seven years, Mother Cabrini, as she became known, had created seven institutions to meet critical needs.
.tmb-0.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=caf210e_1 "ST. FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI (1500psd)")