Sisters of the Holy Family

Six Sisters of the Holy Family arrived in Fresno at the invitation of Bishop John B. MacGinley in late 1927, their mission, to bring the Word of God to the vast numbers of children inhabiting the fertile growing region of California's Big Valley.

Fresno was, at that time, part of the newly formed Diocese of Monterey-Fresno. There were few Catholic schools. Churches whose names are familiar to us now were not, as yet, even dreamed of, or were under construction. The farm lands were broad, most roads unpaved or uncertain. It was just the kind of territory that Holy Family likes best - ripe for home visiting, catechesis, and work with the poor in an area that was not prosperous in material goods for most people. It is good to remember that this new work was undertaken during the Depression. The Sisters received no salary or stipend from any of the parishes in which they worked.

Sister M. Anna Chambers was the founding Superior, accompanied by Sisters M. Sebastian Fogarty, M. Immaculata Byrne, M. Vibiana McAtee and M. Dionysia Shea and M. Laetitia O'Brien. They set to work in September, and by March they had nearly a thousand children in catechetical classes. The Diocese, through its Bishop, and the parishes through their pastors and people, kept the work going by donating food for the Sisters, automobiles to get them from place to place, gasoline to fill the tanks and pace in barns, old gas stations, houses, church halls, and whatever was available in which to teach.

During their first summer in the Diocese, the Sisters teamed with Company of Mary Sisters to conduct vacation school (a combination of religious instruction, arts, crafts, parties and, sometimes, outings) at St. John's Cathedral.

Fresno, of course, is famous for its heat. The heat is wonderful for the growing of crops but a little daunting when wearing yards and yards of wool serge and starched linen headdresses. But the Sisters toughed out the heat, the tule fog that occurs with frightening regularity in the Central Valley, the long distances to travel, and the dearth of class accommodations and materials and funds with a truly pioneer spirit. It was not until 1976 that the religious habit was no longer required and the sisters could adopt more easily obtained, worn, and washed attire.

The year that followed their arrival in Fresno, the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine was instituted in the Diocese, and the Sisters were asked to add Teacher Training to their already full schedules. The training of the laity to take their rightful place in religious education was a challenge and a joy, one that occupied many Holy Family Sisters as instructors or members and Directors of the Diocesan Office of Catechetics. By 1941 the Sisters were conducting instructions in eight parishes, six missions and 13 centers, as well as conducting vacation schools in far-flung areas during the summertime and training teachers at weekly sessions that occurred at many locations throughout the area. These included places as diverse and distant as Riverdale, Sanger, Selma, Reedley, Stratford, Lemoore, Clovis and Fresno itself, as well as seasonal work with the Mexican farm workers harvesting the fruit, nuts and vegetables of the Big Valley.

They were also offering retreats for women, working girls and Junior or Senior High School girls at their convent, Adult Education classes, High School Catechesis, Parent Education and other workshops of interest to people involved in faith formation. Throughout their 80 years in the Fresno Diocese, the Sisters of the Holy Family have offered many parishes their catechetical expertise, as well as branching out into work in Child Protective Services, Prison Chaplaincies, and RCIA (Adult preparation for Catholic Baptism) and work with immigrant Asian populations.

It is with great gratitude and amazement that the Sisters of the Holy Family look back on 80 years of service in the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno (it became the Diocese of Fresno in 1967). Throughout those fruitful years, the Sisters have known and loved many persons and places in the Central Valley, have ministered in many ways, have generated many stories and stored up many memories. Faith has flourished among the Sisters and their clientele in the Big Valley. Holy Family, and many other generous religious men and women, have planted the Word of God there or watered the emerging strengths, and God has given the growth.

During our June Assembly, We, Sisters of the Holy Family and Associates, witness to the good news and stand against conditions that demean or undermine the dignity of persons or the sacredness of the family.

We witness to each person's dignity, worth and the right to a full human life and at this time in our history stand against the devastating evil of human trafficking.

The Kmhmu' People
Exiled from their home, the Kmhmu' hill tribe people began relocating to the United States when the Communist regime assumed power in Laos. It has been and continues to be a difficult transition for the Kmhmu' people. They struggle daily to learn about and participate in American culture, while not losing sight of the value of their past. Sister Michaela's service to the Kmhmu' encompass a full range of humanitarian support including English as a second language, preserving Kmhmu' culture and history in their new home, and supporting this group in their devotion as new Catholics in the American Church.

Sister Michaela O'Connor's Mission to the Kmhmu'
Sister Michaela has brought a much-needed spiritual ministry to these people, as well as sympathetic teachings and basic support. Despite meager resources, Sister Michaela is helping these new immigrants understand and achieve educational, social, physical and spiritual health. After years of service, Sister Michaela remains dedicated to the Kmhmu' people and they respect and love her for all her valuable advocacy. Sister Michaela's main goal is to empower the Kmhmu' to become self-sufficient and independent in their new home.

In addition to social transition, the Kmhmu' must navigate the complicated process of becoming US citizens. Included in her humanitarian services, Sister Michaela assists in citizenship preparation, facilitates access to community social services, interprets official documents, and coaches the Kmhmu' lay leadership.

The Sisters of the Holy Family have been providing crucial services and benevolent ministries for over 130 years. As often as possible, the Sisters of the Holy Family have made financial contributions to the Kmhmu' community and hope to continue to support Sister Michaela in her ministry to them.

Sister Michaela O'Connor is the "parish Sister" of the Kmhmu' Pastoral Center based in the Diocese of Oakland. Sister Michaela serves the hill tribes' people of Laos, which mainly consists of Kmhmu', but also includes Leu, Mian, Thaidam, Lao, Hmong and Cambodian people.

These are the newest Asian immigrants to the Bay Area, exiled from their home after a Communist regime assumed power in Laos. Many come to the Bay Area directly from refugee camps. Sister Michaela works primarily with the Catholic Kmhmu' community, but certainly anyone in need of support and assistance is welcomed. The major goal and hope of Sister Michaela's work is to support these people in their presence as new Catholics in the American Church.

Their situation is unique in that their native religion is one without a personal God and they have much to learn about Catholicism and God. Most Kmhmu' were not baptized as children. However, many had been baptized as adults before the Communist regime assumed power in Laos in 1975 by the French and Italian missionaries, or since then in refugee camps in Thailand and the United States.

Most of the Kmhmu' population is poorly educated and has no written language skills. Their English is often very limited and for these reasons even scripture is inaccessible to them in the written form. This makes the presentation of the faith highly experiential and far less dependent on the written word. In addition to spiritual guidance, the Kmhmu' require assistance in learning basic social and survival skills for their new American environment.

Sister Michaela is the only sister working with the Kmhmu' people on a full time basis. She usually spends eight hours a day, five to six days a week teaching reading and writing; visiting hospitals, prisons, and homes; preparing the children's liturgy for weekly Mass; advising and assisting in endless INS paperwork and meetings; preparing and printing Catholic education materials for Kmhmu' families; seeking assistance including donations of clothing, building materials, and Christmas presents; and attending ethnic diocesan meetings to represent the Kmhmu' community's needs. In addition, Sister Michaela maintains contact with Kmhmu' centers throughout the United States through the publication of a newsletter and calendar as well as regular meetings and workshops.

It is a challenging and frightening time for the Kmhmu', as they have been driven from their own country and everything is new and confusing. The cultural confusion they experience often leads to depression and stress related disorders.Language and social barriers prevent many Kmhmu' from communicating effectively with health workers and potential employers and this often leads to economic insecurity.

The Kmhmu' have a strong faith, but it is new to them and requires nurturing and cultivation. Because the Kmhmu' are unable to compensate those who help them adjust or those who provide spiritual guidance, the Sisters of the Holy Family have raised funds to support Sister Michaela's ministry for nine years. Sister Michaela and the Sisters of the Holy Family are dedicated to serving the Kmhmu' community in becoming self-sufficient American citizens and faithful Catholics.

"One way or another, the choice will be made by our generation,
but it will affect life on earth for all generations to come."
~ Lester Brown, Earth Policy Institute
Trafficking

Human trafficking involves the movement of people through violence, deception or coercion for the purpose of forced labor, servitude or slavery-like practices. It is slavery because traffickers use violence, threats, and other forms of coercion to force their victims to work against their will. This includes controlling their freedom of movement, where and when they will work and what pay, if any, they will receive.
Owning a slave has never been cheaper than it is today. Women, children, and also vulnerable men, work in factories, fields, restaurants, hotels, homes, and in every facet of the sex industry. This slavery exists in every country, including in the United States.
In fact, trafficking in women and girls has become one of the fastest growing enterprises in the world. The United Nations estimates that over two million women and girls are taken from their homeland into other countries under false pretenses for the purposes of forced labor, domestic servitude or sexual exploitation. Trafficking and slavery are never "stand alone crimes." They are linked to money laundering, drug trafficking, document forgery, human smuggling, rape, and torture.
This is a complex, multi-national, economically-driven, politically charged reality... a reality that impacts us even if we do not yet recognize it. (From the Sisters of the Devine Savior, with whom SHF stands in coalition to Stop Trafficking.)
We are called to respond.
In 20___ we, the Sisters of the Holy Family, made a corporate stance [commitment] to embrace the principles of the Earth Charter. Since then we have deepened this commitment in our own hearts and have sought ways of caring for the earth and its peoples. We have reflected on the Millennium Development Goals and have made choices that enhance the quality of the life for the poor of our world. Since January 2008 we have been involved in an educational phase regarding the exploitation of women, men and children through human trafficking. This June we, Sisters and Associates, chose a focus to address the issue of human trafficking as follows:

We, Sisters of the Holy Family and Associates, witness to the good news and stand against conditions that demean or undermine the dignity of persons or the sacredness of the family. We witness to each person's dignity, worth and the right to a full human life; at this time in our history we stand against the devastating evil of human trafficking. We stand with every woman, man and child who has been victimized by human trafficking and support their healing, restoration and re-integration into a life worthy of her/his human dignity. Thus,
%u2022 We commit ourselves to continue raising our own awareness of human trafficking as well as the awareness of others.
%u2022 We commit ourselves to finding creative ways to support those rescued from human trafficking.
%u2022 We commit ourselves to supporting legislative action and advocacy on behalf of all caught in the web of human trafficking.
Currently the Sisters of the Holy Family also co-sponsor the "Stop Trafficking!" newsletter. Link can be found on the HolyFamilySisters.org Web site.

"Remember, you belong to the people; consider them first."
Rev. John J. Prendergast, co-founder of SHF, 1834-1914

In 1872 Father John J. Prendergast and Lizzie Armer founded the Sisters of the Holy Family in San Francisco, California. From the very beginning the mission of the Sisters was to seek out with compassion the poor and needy, especially families, for the kingdom of God.

The work of the early Sisters took them well beyond the church walls into the neighborhoods where they cared for people spiritually, physically and emotionally.

For more than a century Sisters of the Holy Family have continued to seek out new ways to respond to the changing needs of families and children.

As Gleaners, we stand at the edge of society where Christ is encountered in Word, Silence, and Action where power of His Kingdom pushes out the boundaries of our world.

We will be recognized by our simplicity of life and visible presence among the most abandoned. Our mission as Gleaners will be to serve segments of the population who are under served by Church and social institutions.

Our coming together as a community will be typical of the gathering of disciples around Jesus. Thus, we are open to the power of the Spirit which unifies and empowers us with a passion for mission.

The richness of our community life will be the result of our commitment to interact with one another and assume the responsibilities of active participation as we live our common faith and mission. This will be enhanced by our spirit of inclusiveness where individuals, drawn by the charism, freely choose levels of participation where they live out their commitment as Vowed members or Associates.

Our position in the world as Gleaners calls our congregation and institutions to a larger social agenda. Toward that end we will network and collaborate with other congregations for the poor; impacting policy with Gospel values and promoting the values upon which we were originally established.