Read the latest news and happenings of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and our ministries.
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Sister Judith Diltz Presents Lecture at Marshall County Museum’s Brown Bag Lunch Event; Mayor of Plymouth Robert Listenberger Presents Poor Handmaids with Key to the City
By: Philip Bolton, PHJC Marketing and Social Media Coordinator On Friday, November 6th, Sister Judith Diltz gave a presentation as a part of the Marshall County Museum Historic Crossroads Center Brown Bag Lunch and Lecture series. Brown Bag lectures are held at noon so attendees can bring their lunches while they enjoy the event. Sister…
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Maria Center Halloween Parade
By: Philip Bolton, PHJC Marketing and Social Media Coordinator On Friday, October 30th, Maria Center Independent Living residents celebrated the spookiest season of all with a lively Halloween parade through the Motherhouse! Dressed up in their most festive costumes, they walked through Marian University Plymouth to participate in a costume contest. Among the group was…
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Celebrating Dia de los Muertos 2026
Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is recognized on Sunday, Nov. 1st and Monday, Nov. 2nd. Día de los Muertos is a celebration to honor loved ones who have gone before us in death. Traditionally a three-day celebration in Mexico, culminating on November 2, this faith-filled family festival has made its way across…
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The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Continue to Serve the Region and Uphold Their Mission
By: Salem Billings. GreatNews.Life New Media Journalist In the 1800s, Saint Katharina Kasper felt called to lend aid to those in need within her village in Dernbach, Germany. As she worked through home nursing, including the care of children when the parents had need, like-minded women gradually began joining her faith-based mission. The first “little…
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A Reflection on the 2026 PHJC Associate Community Commitment Ceremony
By Libby Riggs. Director/Associate Community After a year of formation, preparation, and discernment, our new Associates made their formal commitment, joyfully welcomed by the Associates, Sisters, and Fiat Spiritus members. They embraced Saint Katharina’s charism and the Associate way of life, deepening their existing vocations through simplicity, community, openness to the Spirit, and dignity and…
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Open House at the PHJC Community Historical Gallery
Last week, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Community Historical Gallery, located on the fifth floor of the Motherhouse, invited guests to see its extensive archival collection. The Historical Gallery features more than 1,500 items, some of which are over 200 years old. These include tools and other items that the Poor Handmaids have used…
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“Mary’s Song: A Winter Concert” to be Performed at Ancilla Domini Chapel
This year’s concert will fill the Chapel with soaring voices and beautiful orchestral accompaniment as we celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat. Among the works being performed is Taylor Scott Davis’s 2020 composition, The Magnificat. This stirring work sets the opening words of Mary’s Song from the Gospel of Luke, celebrating…
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The PHJC Community Celebrates the 2026 Annual Coworker Award
On Thursday, October 1st, Poor Handmaids Sisters, coworkers, associates and Maria Center residents gathered in Cana Hall to celebrate the 2026 Annual Coworker Awards. This year’s theme was “You Lift Us Up!” and the tables were decorated with handmade model hot air balloons, the baskets of which were filled with candy. This year, Julie Coldiron,…
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A Positive Message for All: PHJC Billboard Installed Along Route 30
Have you seen the Poor Handmaids’ brand-new billboard? This message of love is located in Plymouth on Route 30, west of Pioneer Drive and on the north side of the road. The installation is the Poor Handmaids’ contribution to a billboard campaign that’s being run by several other local women religious congregations. The PHJC billboard…
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The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Host Multi-Cultural Concert to Celebrate 175th Anniversary
By Bennett Silveus, GreatNews.Life New Media Journalist The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC) continued celebrations for the congregation’s 175th anniversary with an end-of-summer concert, inviting the public to convene for an uplifting selection of international music and dance. Originally planned as a concert on the lawn, the rainy weekend meant that the concert had…
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A Loving Celebration of the Poor Handmaids and the Legacy of Saint Katharina Kasper!
Take a look at the beautiful 175th Anniversary Proclamation display that’s set up in the Motherhouse’s Cenacle Dining Room! It features several official documents, including one from the City of Mishawaka that designates June 13th as “Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Day,” as well as letters of congratulations from Mayor of Plymouth Robert Listenberger and…
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Poor Handmaids Bless the hands of Marian University Plymouth Nursing Students
On Tuesday, several Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Sisters blessed the hands of six Marian University Plymouth nursing students in the Ancilla Domini Chapel. The Sisters, many of whom are nurses themselves, anointed the students’ hands with blessed oil. This touching ceremony featured a beautiful nurse’s prayer along with a reflection on the healing that…
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New Motherhouse Wall Decorations
Notice anything different? Last month, the walls of the Motherhouse main entrance and chapel vestibule were decorated with several beautiful displays. These permanent fixtures will welcome visitors and pay homage to the Poor Handmaids’ history and mission. The next time you come to the Motherhouse to pray with us or even just to visit, please…
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The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Hosts 175th Anniversary Celebratory Mass By: Bennett Silveus, GreatNews.Life New Media Journalist
The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC) commemorated the 175th anniversary of the congregation’s founding on Sunday, August 2, in Ancilla Domini Chapel in Donaldson, Indiana. The congregation gathered for a celebratory Mass honoring the life of its founder, Saint Katharina Kasper, and her work as a woman religious. Born on May 26, 1820, in…
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“Moved by God’s Spirit”: An Art Exhibition Celebrating the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ’s 175th Anniversary
This exhibit, which commemorates the 175th anniversary of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, features eleven original works of art created by PHJC Sisters and Coworkers from around the world. This exhibit tells the story of a congregation continually guided by God’s Spirit to respond to the needs of each generation. As you journey through…
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Welcoming New Associate Community Candidates
The seeds of the charism of Saint Katharina continue to spread and take root in the hearts of many. Each year, we are approached by new individuals wishing to learn more about the charism of Saint Katharina Kasper, our core values, and the meaning of and commitment to the Associate way of life. This spring…
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Sojourner Truth House Hosts 27th Annual Walk for STH
By: Veronica Shloss,GreatNews.Life New Media Journalist On Saturday, June 13, members of the community, along with partners, sponsors, and volunteers, joined the 27th annual Sojourner Truth House Walk in Gary. Sojourner Truth House (STH), a ministry sponsored by The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC), is a day center that assists families experiencing homelessness by…
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Names of the Dining Rooms in the Motherhouse
Recently, the Motherhouse dining room formerly designated as the Sisters’ Dining Room was renamed Bethany Dining Room. Perhaps you are wondering why this name was chosen. A few decades ago, when the refurbishing of first floor areas in the Motherhouse was taking place, there was a need to name the rooms where Sisters, coworkers and…
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Apartment Blessing in Maria Center
On Tuesday, May 19th, Sisters, Maria Center residents, and coworkers participated in an open house and blessing ceremony for the newly constructed Maria Center North apartments. Everyone gathered in the Visitation Chapel on the fourth floor of the Motherhouse for a brief prayer service led by Father Tad Balinda. He then led the group through…
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PHJC Celebrates Earth Week
Protecting the environment is a key component of a healthy lifestyle in the community. On Wednesday, April 15, The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ collaborated with members of their coworker and Maria Independent Living Center communities to raise awareness about sustainable practices as a part of its Earth Day event.