FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
John Quaglione
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org
Mother Cabrini honored in designation of
Dyker Heights Post Office in a virtual press conference
The following press notification is being shared on behalf of the United States Post Office who will be hosting a virtual press conference tomorrow, Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at 11 a.m., to announce the renaming of the Dyker Heights Post Office in honor of Saint Frances Cabrini. Monsignor Thomas Caserta, Pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Dyker Heights, will represent the Diocese of Brooklyn and offer remarks on the life and legacy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.
To request the Zoom link, please contact Amy Gibbs of the USPS Corporate Communications Office at Amy.N.Gibbs@usps.gov.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, December 21, 2020
Contact: Amy Gibbs, USPS Corporate Communications
Amy.N.Gibbs@usps.gov
Mother Cabrini honored in designation of Dyker Heights Post Office in virtual press conference
NEW YORK, NY – In the spirit of the giving season, on Tuesday, Dec. 22, the Postal Service joins local delegates and community leaders in honoring an Italian immigrant and fellow New Yorker who made a large dent in the history books of charity – Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini.
On December 3, 2020, legislation to designate the Post Office building located at 8320 13 Ave. in Brooklyn, NY, as the “Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini Post Office Building” was signed into law by the President. This legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Max Rose.
On Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, the day that is officially celebrated as the Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s Feast Day, the Postal Service will host a virtual press event celebrating this designation from 11 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.
“From looking out for the poor to helping immigrant families, Mother Cabrini exemplified the values that make New York City the greatest city in the world. Renaming the Dyker Heights Post Office in her honor is another part of ensuring her legacy and memory forever lives on. I was proud to work with my colleagues across New York to make this happen,” said Congressman Max Rose.
Where: RSVP to Amy.n.gibbs@usps.gov to receive the Zoom link.
When: Dec. 22, 2020 at 11 a.m.
What: A virtual celebration of the life of Mother Cabrini and designation of the Dyker Heights Post Office
Who: Congressman Max Rose, Monsignor Thomas Caserta, Pastor of the Shrine Church of St. Bernadette, and postal officials.
Duration: 20 mins
This event precedes the official onsite plaque unveiling to take place in the spring.
The plaque will read as follows:
THIS BUILDING IS NAMED
IN HONOR OF
MOTHER FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI
BY AN ACT OF CONGRESS
PUBLIC LAW
116-201
DECEMBER 3, 2020
BACKGROUND:
On March 31, 1889, a nun by the name of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini came to America, and more specifically New York City, on the advice of the Pope to help “the Italian immigrants who were flooding to that nation.” Cabrini came here with six other nuns and immediately set to work.
She obtained the archbishop’s permission to open the Sacred Heart Orphan Asylum in West Park, New York – later renamed to the Saint Cabrini Home.
Cabrini also organized catechism and education classes for the Italian immigrants and provided for the needs of the many orphans. She established schools and orphanages. She was resourceful, finding people who would donate what she needed in money, time, labor, and support.
In New York City, she founded Columbus Hospital, which merged with Italian Hospital to become Cabrini Medical Center in 1973 until its closure in 2008.
In 1950, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was named the patron saint of immigrants.
Mother Cabrini died on Dec. 22. 1917 at the age of 67.
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