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

Getting Ready for Election 2020,
and the call to be a Multi-Issue Voter

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 September 27, 2020
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“IT’S NOT FAIR!!!” This seems to be the universal cry, of the poor and of those who feel poor. When my brother got a bigger piece of cake than I did, “It’s not fair!” When the late-comers got the same wage as the early-risers in last week’s Gospel, “It’s not fair!” When known sinners find a place in heaven in this week’s Gospel while those who played lip-service to God’s ways for years are denied entrance, “It’s not fair!” We all see ourselves as poor in some way or another in relation to someone or another, and either cry out or mumble under our breath, “It’s not fair!” I’m embarrassed to find myself doing the same. Why should I be called to be a vegetarian when others are enjoying prime rib or turkey dinners with dressing? It’s not fair! But then is it fair to the turkey or cow to end up on a plate rather than living a natural life out in the wild? Is it fair that parents must measure their child’s dessert portions with a micrometer? Is it fair that I have never known food insecurity or lack of housing or unemployment? Oops — well, no, that’s not fair, either. And that’s a much bigger issue than most of the unfairness I experience in my life. God’s ways are not our ways, and maybe I better look a little deeper at God’s ways. There is a lot of unfairness in this world that needs to be addressed, and I have not experienced much of it.
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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