“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.
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 this time in our history, our ministries will focus on children, homelessness, food insecurity, immigrants, refugees, and healthcare.
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.
Scripture Reflection for September 26, 2021
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.” This is the antiphon, or response, for the responsorial psalm for this coming Sunday’s Mass. In normal circumstances we would say or sing it five times during this Mass. Would we mean it? Do God’s rules give joy to our hearts? Or are they annoying, too demanding? I’m reminded of the “rules” we followed — or didn’t follow — during the earlier times of the pandemic. Masks? Social distancing? Hand washing? It was good that in our household of frail elderly, someone set out the rules and enforced them — but just as Moses met with grumbling, our leaders met with grumbling! What is the purpose of the rules? Benevolent rules are set up to make our lives better. We would be filled with joy if everyone followed the laws of the Lord. But if a few do not follow them, then we feel like we are missing out, and we blame the rules. So then, what should we do when not everyone follows the rules? Embrace the rules for the joy they give, and continue to love the sinner — because that’s one of the most important rules!
Sister Carol J. Crater, SHF
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