Monday, July 28, 2025 10 AM to 11AM ET
All are welcome to witness the blessing of the land, hear brief remarks from PHJC leadership and partners, and share in a symbolic shovel ceremony celebrating the start of construction.
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Join Us for Taizé Prayer Service in Plymouth, IN :: A Moment of Peace and Contemplation
Welcome to the spiritual oasis provided by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Experience a calming and transformative Taizé prayer service, open to the public and available online through live streaming.
What Is Taizé Prayer?
Taizé prayer service is a meditative form of worship that transcends traditional boundaries. Focusing on repetitive singing, praying of psalms, and scripture reading, it’s a way to reconnect with your spiritual self. Join us for this peaceful time of contemplation and reflection, regardless of your faith background.
When and Where?
Location: Ancilla Chapel, 9601 Union Road, Plymouth, IN 46563
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
When: 1st Wednesday of every month
Online Access to Taizé Prayer Service
Can’t make it in person? You can still be a part of our contemplative worship through our live stream, accessible wherever you are. Our virtual Taizé prayer services are designed to bring the serenity of Ancilla Chapel straight to your home.
Why Attend a Taizé Prayer Service?
- Embrace Unity: Taizé prayer is a universal form of prayer that fosters unity and reconciliation.
- Experience Peace: Find tranquility in our chaotic world through the calming melodies and reflective readings.
- Nourish the Soul: Connect with your spiritual core in a community that welcomes all.
Join the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ for an enriching Taizé prayer service experience in Plymouth, IN. All are welcome, and we look forward to praying with you.
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Celebrating our Jubilarians: 50, 60, 70 + 75!
With hearts full of gratitude and joy, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ celebrate our 2025 Jubilarians—seven extraordinary Sisters who mark 50, 60, and 70 years of vowed religious life. Their lives have been a testament to our charism, lived out in classrooms, clinics, neighborhoods, and parishes across the globe.
Each Sister has offered a reflection in her own voice, sharing the wisdom and wonder of a life rooted in God’s call and sustained by community. Their stories are full of love, resilience, and faith in action.
Stay tuned for the next issue of Word Gathering.
Walking in Faithful Solidarity
On June 16, Poor Handmaids, Maria Center residents, co-workers, and friends gathered at The Center at Donaldson for a special solidarity walk in support of the annual Walk for Sojourner Truth House (STH). While many walked in Gary on June 14, our community here stepped out with prayerful intention, standing in unity with the women and families served by STH every day.
Before beginning, the group gathered in prayer, lifting up the clients of Sojourner Truth House and all those facing the burdens of homelessness and hunger. As we moved together, the walk became more than a gesture, it became a quiet pilgrimage of presence, echoing the charism of Saint Katharina Kasper, who taught us to walk with the poor in both spirit and action.
Each step reflected a deep desire to accompany others with mercy, hope, and love. Though we were not physically in Gary, our spirits were with those walking there, and with every woman and family on a journey toward healing.
In moments like these, we are reminded that solidarity is not about distance, it is about connected. Rooted in prayer and mission, we walked as one.
Associate Week Celebration
During the week of April 26 – May 2, 2025, the Associate Community of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ celebrated their first Associate Week.
The week provided an opportunity to collaborate, interact and co-celebrate with fellow Associate Communities all over the Midwest who are members of Midwest Kindred Spirits. Together we honored what we hold in common, the desire to reflect the charism of our founders/foundresses through the gospel values of love, peace and a sense of belonging to the world.
The week kicked off with the annual Companions on the Journey Retreat with the focus on Curiosity which celebrated the completion of a year of formation for three candidates who entered final discernment of their formal commitment as an Associate.
Also included in this week of celebration were daily shared prayer petitions, The Way of Creation prayer service, and an invitation to all Associate Communities to join an interactive zoom presentation, “Together We Rise: Community in Times of Change. In addition, the local Sisters designated a day of prayer during the week as a gift to the Associate Community. It was a wonderful way to celebrate together the Associate Way of Life!
Maria Center Hosts First Annual High Tea Fundraiser
Maria Center, a ministry sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, welcomed friends and supporters for its first annual High Tea Fundraiser.
Held on the grounds of The Center at Donaldson, the event brought together guests from the surrounding community along with Maria Center residents and several Poor Handmaid Sisters. Guests enjoyed an elegant tea service complete with a variety of teas, sweet treats, and the opportunity to gather in fellowship while learning more about Maria Center’s mission.
The event featured 18 themed raffle baskets, each generously filled with thoughtful items donated by the community and our partners. Laughter, conversation, and connection filled Cana Hall and reflected the spirit of hospitality that defines Maria Center and the broader mission of the Poor Handmaids.
Maria Center offers intendent senior living in a faith-filled, supportive environment where residents are encouraged to live with dignity and joy. Proceeds from the High Tea will help sustain the programs and services that enrich the lives of residents every day, from transportation support and wellness checks to social activities and spiritual care.
The team at Maria Center looks forward to making the High Tea an annual tradition and continuing to build a community where faith and care flourish.
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Congratulations to Sister Michele Dvorak, PHJC
Newly Elected Congregational Leader of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ
The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ joyfully announce the election of Sister Michele Dvorak, PHJC as the new Congregational Leader of their international congregation.
Elected during the 26th General Chapter held in Dernbach, Germany—the birthplace of our foundress, Saint Katharina Kasper—Sister Michele begins a six-year leadership term (2025–2031) that will shape the mission and ministries of the congregation across nine countries.
A member of the United States Province, Sister Michele brings a lifetime of commitment, spiritual wisdom, and compassionate leadership. As Congregational Leader, she will serve at the heart of our global community—guiding, listening, and discerning the will of God alongside her fellow Sisters with courage and grace.
The role of Congregational Leader is a sacred calling: to walk humbly as a servant leader, to foster unity among diverse cultures, and to uphold the charism of Saint Katharina Kasper through every act of service and love.
We ask you to join us in prayer for Sister Michele and the newly forming Congregational Leadership Council, as they step into this sacred work of leadership and begin a new chapter in the shared journey of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.
“Let us go wherever God may call us.”
– Saint Katharina Kasper
Announcing the Congregational Leadership Council (2025–2031)
The 26th General Chapter has also confirmed the election of the new Congregational Leadership Council who will serve alongside Sister Michele:
- First Councilor: Sister Sabitha Kalathil, PHJC (also elected Vicar of the Congregation)
- Second Councilor: Sister Nkechi Iwuoha, PHJC
- Third Councilor: Sister Rita Thykootam, PHJC
Please keep the new leadership team in your prayers as they begin this meaningful work in the spirit of unity, faith, and service.
For any further queries or information, please contact us.
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PHJC Statement on the Election of Pope Leo XIV
POOR HANDMAIDS OF JESUS CHRIST
Statement on the Election of Pope Leo XIV
With hearts full of prayer and hope, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ rejoice in the election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV. We extend our deep gratitude to the Holy Spirit for guiding the discernment of the College of Cardinals and offer our unwavering prayers for Pope Leo XIV as he begins his apostolic service to the People of God.
We recognize in Pope Leo XIV a shepherd deeply formed by his life among the people—born of the Americas and having served shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters across its communities. His life of ministry embodies the Gospel values we hold dear: humility, courage, and a preferential option for the poor.
Rooted in the charism of our foundress, Saint Katharina Kasper, we are reminded of her humble yet courageous spirit. She often said, “Whatever God wants, will be done,” expressing a deep trust in the will of God.
In this moment of transition and renewal for the universal Church, we echo her faith-filled surrender and commit ourselves anew to serve the poor, the sick, and the marginalized—those Christ himself loved so dearly.
The Gospel of Matthew reminds us: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). We believe Pope Leo XIV has been called to this servant leadership, to shepherd the Church with compassion, justice, and a heart attuned to the needs of all, especially those on the peripheries. We pray that his witness may call forth a deeper dialogue across differences, the dismantling of systems of oppression, and the restoration of dignity for all—especially the poor, the migrant, the excluded, and the wounded.
As Poor Handmaids, we stand ready to journey alongside our Holy Father in advancing the Gospel message of love, mercy, and inclusion. May Pope Leo XIV lead with the wisdom of the Spirit, the courage of the saints, and the humility of Christ.
In faith and service,
The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ
🌿PHJC Official Statement: Mourning the Passing of Pope Francis🌿
With hearts full of sorrow and gratitude, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ join the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and our global community in mourning the death of Pope Francis.
We join with the rest of the world in remembering Pope Francis. We are grateful for the Gospel witness Pope Francis has been in our world and our church. He challenged all of us to live in a way that cares for Earth and for the most vulnerable in our world. We pray that we will follow the example of Pope Francis to live deeply from a prayerful place that reaches out in compassion and works for justice. We pray that our church may embody the way of synodality that Pope Francis led.
Pope Francis leaves us a legacy of hope and prophetic witness. We give thanks for his life, his leadership, and his unwavering vision of a welcoming Church — one that, in his words, is a true “field hospital.”
May his soul rest in the eternal peace of Christ, whom he served so faithfully.
In communion and prayer,
The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ
LCWR Mourns the Death of Pope Francis
Monday 4-21-2025
With great sadness, the members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, mourn the passing of Pope Francis. His character, warmth, and deep humility, as well as the numerous contributions he has made throughout his papacy have made an enormous impact on the world, the Catholic Church, and on our lives personally.
We have been inspired by the manner in which the pope exercised leadership. He embodied the values that he held throughout his priesthood: that people who are hurting and in need must be given our highest priority, that leaders must spend time on the margins listening to those whose perspectives may differ from their own, and that we must be fearless in speaking out in the face of all that goes against gospel teachings.
We admire Pope Francis’ approach to his mission. An excellent communicator, he was able to share his vision for the church and for the world and engage others in the work to bring the vision to reality. He consistently sought the counsel of advisors from around the world and had the skills to build coalitions to take on the work to reform what needed urgent change. This was seen most dramatically in the way he shaped and led the 2024 Synod on Synodality that emphasized the essential role of the inclusion of all voices, communal discernment, and collaboration.
Pope Francis led from a place of both simplicity and savvy. An astute moral leader, he knew how to use his influence to bring about change and was fearless in speaking out publicly even when he knew there would be resistance to his message. He tirelessly took on the mission of loving the whole world – making difficult journeys to remote areas of many nations; visiting migrant camps, hospitals, prisons, and shelters; and most recently, maintaining daily contact with a parish in Gaza. He generously carried in his heart and prayer every bit of the suffering to which he was exposed. He gave to the world a public face of a church that was welcoming and inclusive – a church that strove to be a true “field hospital.”
Pope Francis embraced his role as a global leader and used his influence to impact all people, not only Catholics. His work to confront climate change, income inequality, and many other social injustices will live on. His encyclicals, particularly Dilexit nos, Fratelli tutti, and Laudato si’ as well as his apostolic exhortations such as Laudate Deum, Gaudate et exsultate, and Evangelii Gaudium, will remain important texts that will guide our thinking and prayer for many years to come.
With the world, we offer our prayer of gratitude for Pope Francis, a man who fully embodied the life and message of Jesus Christ and gave of his all to bringing about the Reign of God on this earth.
Contact: Sister Annmarie Sanders, IHM
LCWR Director of Communications
asanders@lcwr.org
original article
Prayer on the Death of Pope Francis
Gracious God,You know our needs even before we ask
and heed our faltering prayers, spoken and unspoken.
Hear our voice above the murmurs
of sorrow for it is the voice of confusion
seeking your still small voice of calm.
Hear our voice as we give thanks for your faithful servant
for it is the voice of praise
joining with sadness and joy.
Hear our voice as we pray for the future
for it is a voice of hope
longing to see your Church made whole.
Hear our voice as we watch with those who deliberate
for it is the voice of humility
asking for their wisdom and discernment.
Hear our voice as we pray in solidarity with the poor
for it is the voice of peace
searching for justice.
O God, hear the voice of the voiceless
for it is the voice of silence
crying out from the cross
through whom your Spirit may be heard
and your will be recognised.
For Jesus Christ’s sake, Amen.
Words by Annabel Shilson-Thomas
The entire Church mourns the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
In cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, shrines, and chapels, the Holy Eucharist will be offered for the repose of his soul. Communities and individuals will ask God to bestow His infinite mercy on the man who served the Church as Bishop of Rome.
This novena has been prepared to help pray for the Pope during this time. The daily novena—lasting for the novendiales period as directed by the College of Cardinals—consists of a short reading from Scripture or other ecclesiastical texts, along with brief prayers drawn from the Roman Missal and the Order of Christian Funerals.
PDF downloads of the novena are available in both English and Spanish.
Women Organizing Women, Inc. Honors Angela Paul with 2024 Torchbearer Award
Donaldson, IN – Angela Paul, Executive Director of Sojourner Truth House, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious Torchbearer Award by Women Organizing Women, Inc. (WOW) for 2024. The award recognizes Paul’s outstanding leadership and exceptional commitment to community empowerment. The award celebrates her transformative work in supporting homeless and at-risk women through Sojourner Truth House, a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.
Under Paul’s leadership since 2021, Sojourner Truth House has become the largest community food pantry in Northwest Indiana, providing critical nutrition to over 3,000 individuals monthly. Her background, which includes more than 20 years of business management, social service experience, and distinguished military service, has been instrumental in her ability to advocate for those in need.
Key achievements highlighted by WOW include Paul’s work with Sojourner Truth House, implementation of the Meals on Mission program, and efforts to secure scholarships through the ELD Foundation. Her approach focuses on fostering interdependence within families and helping them navigate complex service systems.
“Angela Paul exemplifies the spirit of community service and empowerment,” said a representative from Women Organizing Women, Inc. “Her dedication to supporting women and children has made a profound impact in Northwest Indiana.”
For more information on Women Organizing Women, Inc. visit womenorganizingwomeninc.org.
About Sojourner Truth House
Sojourner Truth House is a ministry of hope and help for homeless and at-risk women and their children sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Through hospitality, advocacy, integrative services and collaboration, participants improve their quality of life and that of the community in a safe, trusting environment. https://sojournertruthhouse.org
Contact: Arleen Peterson, PHJC Communications
574-935-1768, apeterson@poorhandmaids.org