“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 August 23
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Continuing our thoughts from last time, in this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus names Simon “Peter,” and says on this “rock,” he will build his church. It doesn’t work well in English, but Jesus wasn’t speaking English. In Greek or Aramaic, the word for rock and the name Jesus used are the same: Petros/Petros, Kepha/Kepha. Naming someone is an important action, as is calling someone names. It can have a powerful effect both negatively and positively. My name is Carol, and the first time I looked up its meaning, the source said, “strong and womanly.” It is also my mother’s middle name, so there was that connection. And she was born on Christmas, I on Epiphany. Later, I found that it can also mean “a joyful circle dance.” At different times in my life, my name has carried different meanings that helped me to grow into what it means when God calls me by name. What does it mean when God calls you by name?
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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