Sisters of the Holy Family | Advocating for the underserved in our community

“Their sturdy backs bent down, by labor and fatigue, their eyes intent upon the earth, sift through stubble discarded by the reapers.”

—Sister Michaela O’Connor

 

 

Our Mission: To seek out and advocate for the poor and needy, especially families, for the Kingdom of God since 1872

Above: The Gleaners, by Jean-François Millet (1857), depicting three peasant women gleaning a field of stray stalks of wheat after the harvest.

Foundations
from the past

As Gleaners, we stand at the edge of society where Christ is encountered in Word, Silence, and Action where power of His Kingdom pushes out the boundaries of our world. We will be recognized by our simplicity of life and visible presence among the most abandoned.

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Ministries
of today

Our mission as Gleaners will be to serve segments of the population who are underserved by Church and social institutions, including children, the homeless, the hungry, immigrants and refugees, those needing healthcare, and others.

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Legacy
for the future

Reflecting the heart of their mission the Sisters of the Holy Family’s legacy lives on into the future for others: Gardens at Palmdale, Opportunity Fund, Archives Collection and Early Childhood Education Scholarships.

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Reflection

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Many years ago, I was called in after a mammogram to make an appointment with a surgeon. I did so, and was told there was a 95% it was nothing. But someone has to be in that other 5%! My surgeon was going to a workshop the next week, and I was going on retreat. His workshop was on exactly my kind of situation, and my retreat was about trusting in God. But I was very clear that my trust in God had to be trust that — cancer or not — we would get through this okay; I wasn’t just trusting that I would be in the 95%. As it turned out, I was in the 95%, but the trust I learned during that retreat has been with me ever since. God brings us through the crucifixions, not around them!

Sister Carol J. Crater, SHF

Join Us

There are a number of ways you can join our Family of Friends, including donations, prayer requests, connecting with a Sister, and joining our mailing list.

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Prayer

If you would like to request a prayer for yourself or a loved one, please let us know.

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News

The gardens at Palmdale have long been known for their beauty. The Sisters of the Holy Family have long cherished the history and flora of this garden and with Robson Homes are conserving it as a park for the enjoyment of the community.

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