I have been wanting to write you to explain my association with the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and the Cabrini Mission Corps.

My mother, Ann Hoffman, has a close association with the Sisters, and therefore, I, too, have been very blessed. Fifty years ago, when my mom was gathering newspapers, the paper blew open to an article on Saint Cabrini, even though there was no breeze in the house. She said chills went down her, and she has followed Saint Cabrini ever since. Mom has formed beautiful relationships with the Sisters through the years, collecting many items from them and creating beautiful "books" with the relics, articles, etc. They are works of art, and such a tribute to Saint Cabrini, the Sisters, and God at work in our world. She loves to show them to all who are interested.

We have traveled to several of the convents around the world and have been given the honor of staying with the Sisters wherever we traveled. Sister Camille Peretti was like a grandma to me. (She passed away several years ago.) We still speak with Sister Adelina DiMare, Sister Patricia Dunleavy and Sister Lucille Souza in New York City, Sister Bernadette Casciano in Golden, Colorado, Sister Regina Casey in Australia, and others. My Mom used to correspond regularly with them, but has slowed down in the past couple of years due to the death of my dad and her own health issues. I have been wanting to pick up the slack in this area, but I have not followed through as yet.

Here at work, we have the option of donating to various organizations through United Way. I was looking through the Catholic agencies when I saw Cabrini Mission Corps, and I became so excited! I am familiar with the program through Sister Lucille, who founded it many years ago, and I have met some missioners when at the convents in Philadelphia, Golden, etc. I am so impressed by these people, and by the Sisters. To give of themselves. What seeds of generosity and love they spread in this world! I am very thankful to be donating to the Cabrini Mission Corps.

So, in a nutshell, that is how I am associated with Cabrini Mission Corps. My life has been shaped by these incredible women. In October of 2000, my mom and I were at the 100th celebration. We were staying in New York with Sister Adelina, and two Sisters from Swaziland, who were visiting. These women spoke of the hardships the Swazi people faced, and the cultural difficulties that kept AIDs at a high level. Yet they served the people and never judged them. That is Jesus Christ at work in the world!

Thank you for letting me briefly share of my many blessings.

Mary Hoffman
Albuquerque, NM