Greetings from Ethiopia for the VCAAF Installation Luncheon -
Dear Linda and Villa Friends,
In spirit and heart I will be joining you for the 2009 VCAAF Installation Luncheon on the 24th at the Smoke House (yum, yum!) -- all the way from Ethiopia.
I would wish that all of our Cabrini Gals would know that through me as a MSC we are all present here in Ethiopia, that is the California Villa Girls! We have a growing and challenging mission here.
On the 28th of Januaray it will be 10 years that we are in Ethiopia. We have a small General Hospital which serves 600,000 people in the southwestern poorest area of Ethiopia, 2 Montessori Kindergartens, the "Child Jesus" Center of Life for abandoned and orphaned children preparing them for international adoption, a preparatory school for reading and writing for children who have been left out of the government schools because of not making the grade for entrance (they recuperate and then are gotten back into the general stream of government classes and schools).
Women's Promotion is a big and very necessary work for the reality in which we live and work, teaching skills and giving them a forum for growth, sharing and good womanly accompaniment.
We started out as 4 MSCs 10 years ago, now we have 6 new Ethiopian MSCs and 5 Novices in process. It is a blessed Mission and as a Villa girl from '65, I carry all of you in heart and spirit, remembering your needs and intentions in prayer!
A Happy Celebration and Blessings on the new Installed Officers!
Love and Prayers,
Thérèse Merandi MSC VCA 1965
Dear Friends and Villa Sisters,
Greetings and love in the Cabrinian spirit of building unity and sharing resources.
I was so touched today when Linda Grant Jones ('67) brought me the gift of your generosity for our mission in Ethiopia, especially for our abandoned and orphaned children being prepared for international adoption.
I was home in California for my mom's 90th birthday in February. There was a handful of us Villa girls at her party. Due to Mom's age I'll probably be back sooner than 3-1/2 years; God willing, in a year to a year-and-a-half. Hopefully, then I can join you for a meeting and share with you our Cabrinian activities in Ethiopia and beyond.
A Blessed Easter Season,
with love and prayers,
From Woodbury University
Dear Roa;
I want to thank you on behalf of the entire Woodbury University Community for your most recent gift of $5000.00. We will use this money very carefully
The relationship we have developed with the Villa Cabrini Alumnae Association during the past 10 years has been gratifying to me as well as helpful to the University.
Understanding one's history is very important for our current students. We are continuing the educational use of this Villa Cabrini property to help young people reach their fullest potential.
The University has been blessed in having such a beautiful site to educate students. The environment is conducive to strong, professional outcomes which are sought by each of our students.
Our library and your chapel has been the centerpiece or the signature building for Woodbury. We value its history and have been able through our Library Associates program to continue using this beautiful facility for helping young people learn.
You are aware that our student population is more than 35% Hispanic, 20% Asian,and 7% Afro-American. Almost 75% of our students are first in their family to attend college. This population, like the immigrant population that Mother Cabrini served works very hard and is very appreciative for the foundations established by Mother Cabrini back in 1905.
We will continue to serve students for many years in the future with your help with your support and the good wishes of the Cabrini Alumnae Association.
Again, thank you so much for everything you do and let us continue to be of service.
Sincerely,
(signed) Dr. Kenneth R. Nielsen
President
Dear Natalie and Villa Cabrini Academy Alumnae and Friends:
"It was so thoughtfull of you to adopt St. Bernard Elementary School for the year 2007. What a surprise to open a letter and find a $300.00 check! The hardest question is, what do I choose to put it toward?"
"There are so many things I could choose from, but since this year we are working on our Social Studies curriculum for WASC accreditation, this generous donation will be used to purchase a new map for one of our classrooms....... When we have been able to accomplish this, I will send you a picture."
Very sincerely,
Ms. Laurin Boadt
Principal
St. Bernard School
Also, Sister Regina sent a large box of artist and office supplies to St. Bernard's School.
In her thank you letter to Sr. Regina, the principal wrote, "Each and every item will be put to good use as I share with all the teachers. (I immediately saw things for office use as well!)"
And from Sherrie Samuels, our new Historian comes this letter.
Natalie Cirello Bloxham, President
Villa Cabrini Academy Alumnae and Friends
Dear Natalie:
Thank you for your letter of March 21, 2007. Your letter is an inspiration and encouragement for me. I am honored that you would consider me for this assignment to serve as your Historian. I do accept your offer and will partner with Roa Brand to accomplish the VCAAF historical goals and projects. I will outline for the Board's consideration goals and projects that may be appropriate--perhaps a mini-strategic plan for the historical work.
I was very pleased to see that many of us have kept our Villa annuals, and I have already begun to explore options for creating the Villa Cabrini Academy Annual CD(s) collection. I will keep Roa posted on my progress. I will also begin work on documenting historical data on Mother Cabrini's accomplishments in California and in particular, the history of our Academy.
....Please let the Board Members know that they can call or email me any time with their input and suggestions for the history-related goals, projects and research. I want to do the best possible historical work that I can and the more input, the better the product. Please also let them know that I welcome their visits when they are in Hawaii!
Best wishes to all the Board Members, and again thank you for allowing me to serve the Villa Cabrini Academy Alumnae and Friends.
With warm Aloha,
Sherrie Samuels