“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
The Gleaners, by Jean-François Millet (1857), depicts three peasant women gleaning a field of stray stalks of wheat after the harvest
Our Mission
To seek out and advocate for the poor and needy, especially families, for the Kingdom of God since 1872.
Obituaries
We remember and celebrate the lives of the remarkable women who dedicated themselves to service, faith, and community. Their legacy continues to guide and inspire us each day. Click on the button below to view the obituaries of our sisters who have gone before us, and join us in honoring their enduring contributions and cherished memories.
Celebrating Our Legacy
Past
As Gleaners, we stood at the edge of society where Christ was encountered in word, silence, and action as the power of His Kingdom pushed out the boundaries of our world. We have been recognized by our simplicity of life and visible presence among the most abandoned.
Present
Our mission as Gleaners is to serve segments of the population who are underserved by Church and social institutions. As we celebrate this time in our history, our ministries will focus on children, homelessness, food insecurity, immigrants, refugees, and healthcare.
Future
Reflecting the heart of our mission our legacy will live on into the future for others through the Gardens at Palmdale, our Opportunity Fund with Abode Services, our Archives Collection, and Early Childhood Education Scholarships.
Sunday Scripture Reflection for October 11
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In the 2000 years since Jesus walked the streets of the Holy Land, we seem to have learned nothing about capital punishment. What we did then, God “undid” in no uncertain terms. This week’s news carries two capital punishment stories — one a “failed” execution with reports of previous failed executions in another state; the other a soon-to-be livestreamed execution for public viewing. Our Gospel reading this Sunday invites us all to the banquet, and instead of joyfully joining the crowd invited to the banquet, we turn to other unenlightened forms of entertainment. Even the major drug companies do not want to be involved in providing drugs for executions. Jesus himself stopped the public execution of the woman caught in adultery. Two millennia after Jesus’ public execution/resurrection, we still have a lot to learn.
Get Involved with Sisters of the Holy Family
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. If you would like to request a prayer for yourself or a loved one, please let us know.
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