This Spring I had the opportunity to revisit our sisters and collaborators who are part of Cabrini Health, Australia. Sr. Sharon Casey, MSC, accompanied me for the visit. The growth and extension of mission presence we witnessed was an experience that needs telling.

Anyone living in the Melbourne area can see how Cabrini Health reaches out into the community. In addition to Cabrini Hospital, Malvern, other Cabrini Health facilities are: Cabrini Brighton (a small acute care hospital), Cabrini Prahran (hospice/palliative care), Cabrini Ashwood (residential elder care), and Cabrini Hawthorn (finance center, laundry and Chemtronics services). Each center is a welcoming place where the individual is treated with dignity and respect and where a sense of mission extends beyond the walls of the respective facility.

It is impressive to see the varied ways employees also are involved with one of the many social outreach programs, such as providing nutritional meals at the Sacred Heart Mission (service to those who are homeless, live in boarding houses or are street workers), visiting the Way Community (residence for men with mental illness or alcohol dependency), St. Mary’s House of Welcome (services to people who are homeless in the inner city), or the St. Kilda Drop In Center (service for people with psychiatric disabilities). The individuals served are some of those most in need - very much in keeping with Mother Cabrini’s vision and goals. Her legacy is alive and well in Australia!

While there the Board of Trustees held their annual three day Seminar in addition to their Board meeting. A Mission Symposium was also held and participants from the varied Cabrini entities heard presentations and engaged in small group dialogue. Administrators and employees are committed to the on going provision of quality care as well as outreach extension in the community.

Cabrini Mission Foundation congratulates Cabrini Health, Australia for its outstanding service and leadership, core values and Mission identity. For more information, visit www.cabrini.com.au

Written by Sr. Bernadette Anello, MSC