Read the latest news and happenings of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and our ministries.
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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.
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PHJC combines food, family, and culture at Maria Center’s High Tea celebration
By: Maxwell Barath and Garrett Spoor,GreatNews.Life New Media Journalists The Maria Center, an independent living community sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, put together a special event for residents to eat, mingle, and bring their families together on Saturday, May 9. Since this event took place the day before Mother’s Day, it served as…
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A Celebration of Color and Quilting: Sister Joyce Diltz
On March 7, 2026, MoonTree Studios held a special reception for its latest exhibition “The Colors of Quilting.” This showcase displayed the work of Sister Joyce Diltz, PHJC, an extensive collection that features over 35 beautiful handmade quilted pieces, including wall hangings, framed works, table runners, throws, bed quilts, totes, purses, and gift wrap bags.…
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Pope Leo’s Lenten Message: Fast from harsh words
Ahead of the start of Lent, Pope Leo XIV invites Catholics to listen, build community, and cultivate kindness. He urged us to abstain from words of hate and make space for words of peace. He writes, “Dear friends, let us ask for the grace of a Lent that leads us to greater attentiveness to God…
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Third Annual Pancake Breakfast Brings Community Together in Support of Sojourner Truth House
For the third consecutive year, STH volunteers and Community Ambassadors came together to raise funds for the greatest needs of Sojourner Truth House, a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. The annual Pancake Breakfast has become a meaningful tradition, bringing supporters together for a morning of food, fellowship, and purpose. Guests enjoyed a…
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Lindenwood’s Room Plaques: Tributes of Love and Peace
Over the course of its four decades of operation, Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center has offered a vast array of benefits to the thousands of retreatants and visitors who have passed through its doors. For many, it is an oasis of tranquility in a noisy and hectic world. Whether guests are stopping by for the…
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Join Us in Prayer
Experience the power of prayer and unity! The Novena to Saint Katharina Kasper is a beautiful nine-day journey to grow closer to God and invite Saint Katharina’s intercession. Together, we can make a difference, bringing healing to our world and peace to our hearts. Start your Novena today and join people around the globe in…
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Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ’s Associate Community commit to living out Saint Katharina’s Charism
The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ continue to live out the charism of attentiveness and courage modeled by their foundress, Saint Katharina Kasper, who was canonized on October 14, 2018. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Associate Community of the congregation embraces this same charism, seeking to live with faith, service, and compassion in today’s…
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The Messiah Concert: A Night of Sacred Music and Community
On Saturday, November 15, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC) welcomed over 400 guests to the stunning Ancilla Domini Chapel for a performance of George Frideric Handel’s 1741 oratorio Messiah. The event featured conductor Andrew Jennings, Director of Liturgy and Music for PHJC, leading the Ancilla Domini Community Choir and Orchestra in a breathtaking…
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New Province Leadership Installation
Congratulations to the newly installed U.S. Province Leadership team! Installed today, this new team will guide the spiritual and ministry life of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ community. We joyfully celebrate the new team: Please join us in celebrating them and holding them in your prayers as they begin this sacred journey of…
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Celebrating Dia de los Muertos
We join with our brothers and sisters in celebrating Dia de los Muertos with our altars as we memorialize the lives of those who have passed “to the other side.” Sister Edith Schneider, a member of the U.S. Province who helped found the mission in Mexico in 1988, Sister Silveria Rodriguez Felix, a member of…
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Celebrating 10 Years of Laudato Si’
The Poor Handmaids celebrated the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato Si’, the text with which Pope Francis invited all people to care for our common home and each other. Published in 2015, the encyclical called on all of us to reflect and act on the ecological and social crisis that confronts us all. The…
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Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Announce New U.S. Province Leadership Team (2025–2029)
Following the sacred and contemplative experience of our 23rd U.S. Province Chapter, themed “Standing at the Threshold of the Unimaginable,” we joyfully announce the new U.S. Province Leadership Team of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. This expanded team includes three returning councilors and two newly elected sisters who will officially begin their four-year term…
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Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Catherine’s Cottage, a New Home for PHJC Sisters
More than 100 Sisters, Maria Center residents, coworkers, and friends gathered on July 28, 2025, to celebrate a land acknowledgment, blessing, and groundbreaking for the newly expanded Catherine’s Cottage—a future residence for the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC). Following a period of discernment, the Sisters made the thoughtful decision to create a space that honors and…
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Celebrating 40 Years of Joy at Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center
Lindenwood Retreat & Conference Center, a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a special Mass and festive banquet. The celebration brought together Sisters, past retreatants, and friends to honor four decades of welcoming all who seek rest, renewal, and connection. The liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, who offered…
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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…
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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…