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

 

 

Above: The Gleaners, by Jean-François Millet (1857), depicting 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

 

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.

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Celebrating Our Legacy
Present

Our mission as Gleaners is to serve segments of the population who are underserved by Church and social institutions. As we Celebrate Our Legacy: Past, Present & Beyond, our ministries will focus on children, the homeless, the hungry, immigrants and refugees, and those needing healthcare.

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Celebrating Our Legacy
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.

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Scripture Reflection for January 24, 2021
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last week’s first reading was a funny story from scripture about God’s call to Samuel. This week’s first reading is part of another funny story about what happens when you run from God’s call. No, not eternal damnation, just a storm at sea, being thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish until you come to your senses and surrender to God’s call, and then you get vomited up onto the shore and hear God’s same call again. This time you do what you are told and go proclaim God’s word, you are successful beyond your wildest dream as a prophet and the whole city — animals included — put on sackloth and ashes and fast from food. God repents of the punishment he had threatened, and you go sulk because you knew God was going to do that and you wanted to see those Ninevites get what they had coming to them. What is this story about? It’s about God’s mercy — both on the sinning Ninevites who repent, and on the not-so-saintly prophet who tries to run away from God’s call and then from God’s mercy. And it’s about God’s call — you don’t have to be a saint to be called by God. You just have to listen! And respond, lest there be a great fish out there with your name on him!
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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