January 13, 2010

Cabrini Shrine gets new administrator

By John Gleason

The board of trustees at Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden have announced the appointment of Jeff Lewis to the position of administrator at the popular Golden pilgrimage site.  Lewis, who took over the post on Jan. 1, succeeds Sister Bernadette Casciano, M.S.C., who retired after 20 years as administrator.

Originally from Texas, Lewis grew up just outside of Houston.  He attended the University of Houston where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and later a master’s degree in theology from the University of St. Thomas, a Catholic university also in Houston.  Lewis said that after graduate school he made a one-year commitment to the AmeriCorps program, where he worked as a volunteer for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
“I was a case manager for the Stout Street Clinic at Samaritan House in Denver where I helped the homeless in an acute-care clinic,” he said. “Last year I entered into the clinical pastoral education program at St. Anthony Central Hospital while at the same time worked as the night trauma chaplain.” 

Lewis, who is single, said he’s excited about his new post. 
“The Cabrini Shrine has always been a special place for me ever since my first visit there shortly after my move from Houston,” he said.  “The staff has great passion for being of service to underprivileged families and youth.  I’m looking forward to being part of all that Cabrini does for the community.”

Sister Pietrina Raccuglia, M.S.C., chair of the board of trustees, welcomed Lewis to the community, saying she looked forward to the journey they would take together as bearers of the love of Christ in the world.  She also thanked Cabrini Sister Casciano for her many years of service in leadership at Mother Cabrini.

“She has faithfully sought to fulfill our mission to bring God to people and people to God,” she said.