Episode 42 Donna Cribari, musician, composer, former nun

My guest today is Donna Cribari, former nun, current musician, music educator and composer. I've known Donna since I was a child. She was a part of a vibrant circle of nuns, priests, ex-nuns and ex-priests that influenced my understanding that one could honor spirituality even when one needed to challenge the institution of religion.

In the late 60‘s Donna had been a member of the religious order of the Sacred Heart of Mary, in simpler terms, a Marymount nun. She was involved in the progressive changes within the Catholic Church that led to Vatican II. As Donna says “ we thought we were going to change the world, unfortunately the institutional church did not come along with our vision.” She shares what drew her to becoming a nun and what led to her decision to leave the order. She was proud that the nuns she lived with were harborers of Daniel Barrigan, and she is grateful that the nuns put her in the path of music.

It was Bob Fox, a Catholic priest, living and working in Spanish Harlem, that connected Donna to my family. She describes who Bob was and the grassroots, inner city organization he created, called ‘Full Circle”.  

Donna taught music at Marymount College for 35 years! She has been involved with the Arts Council of Westchester and taught or composed music for colleges, semi-professionals and regional theaters. For decades, Donna has kept a ‘day job‘ at Human Development Services of Westchester in Port Chester, NY. She laughs that her day job supports her music habit!  No surprise that Donna’s day job is another form of serving humanity; her organization provides case management and residential care for adults recovering from psychiatric illnesses. What pleasure to shine light on this grounded, loving, inspiring woman. Donna, “For all that has been THANKS, for all that will be YES!” Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
"Talkin' About America" with Donna Cribari, her sister Camille and Lou DelBianco
Lou Del Bianco (web site)
Lou Del Bianco (FB)
Art of English
An Immigrant’s Contribution to Mount Rushmore Is Recognized, 75 Years Later  (NY Times)
Camille Linen (FB)