Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart

09/01/2026

Hello, September!

Your days still carry the warmth of summer,
but you bring chilly mornings,
a softer Sun’s light and a promise of change,
as the earth prepares for the approaching turn.
You remind us that endings and beginnings
can walk hand in hand,
that beauty deepens
when we pause to notice
the small shifts:
the first golden leaf, the earlier dusk,
the coolness before the harvest.
There is both letting go and gathering:
final ripeness of cornfields, and
the quiet shift toward autumn’s deeper stillness.
Welcome, September!
Teach us to cherish your richness,
to honor what is fading, and
to open our hearts to what is yet to come.

Source: Rivers in the Ocean
Image: Steven Sandner

08/17/2026

Last week. Srs. Loretta Cornell, Elizabeth Langmead and Judy Waldt attended the annual conference of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, held in Orlando.

The theme of this year's conference was "Many Charisms, One Spirit, One Call: LCWR 70th Anniversary"
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR’s) 70th anniversary gathering in Orlando brought more than 1,300 participants together under the theme “Many Charisms, One Spirit, One Call.” Across four days, participants celebrated the richness of religious life, listened deeply to one another, reflected on the Spirit’s call, and entered into meaningful conversations about the future. Through prayer, silence and conversation in the Spirit, they explored what it means to walk together in hope and communion.
The gathering also invited participants to confront the wounds of our world through the Jericho Walk of Lament and Hope, naming realities including racism, migration, violence, poverty, and the climate crisis – and responding by carrying lanterns of hope and committing to action. The celebration concluded by honoring 70 years of LCWR leadership and welcoming a new presidential leadership team: S. Debra Sciano, SSND, president; S. Betsy Pawlicki, OP, president-elect; and S. Vicky Larson, PBVM, past-president

08/14/2026

The 13th ANNUAL AWE INSPIRING 5K is on Saturday October 10, 2026. It includes the following events: In-person 5K Run and Virtual 5K Run.

08/06/2026

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration.

The Gospel account of the Transfiguration depicts the full glory of the divine shining through the humanity of Jesus. For Peter, James and John, it was an awe-inspiring experience, one which they hoped to extend on Mount Tabor. Click the link to read more and see Malcolm Guite's sublime poem, Transfiguration.

https://missionhelpers.org/blog/transfiguration

07/27/2026

Franciscan Fr. Richard Rohr, noted author on spirituality, reminds us that "Just because you use Scripture, even in a God-affirming way, does not mean you are using Scripture for life and love, growth and wisdom—and for the sake of God or others." Check out this brief article for some life-affirming guidance.

https://cac.org/daily-meditations/how-jesus-uses-scripture/

Just because you use Scripture, even in a God-affirming way, does not mean you are using Scripture for life and love, growth and wisdom—and for the sake

07/23/2026

What's even better than eating delicious Maryland crabs? Winning one of the Crab Crawl raffle prizes this September!

Purchase chances and you could win $250, $500 or the grand prize of $1500. Price is $10 per entry or $50 for six chances to win. Click link below to get your entries. Drawing is September 3, 2026. Don't miss out!

https://missionhelpers.org/2026-crab-crawl-raffle

07/04/2026

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, we pray that we will strive to live up to the ideals of our founders: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all. May our gratitude for the many blessings we have received inspire us to be generous and compassionate to immigrants, the poor and to those who hold different beliefs. In our diversity may we know unity and peace.

Happy birthday, America!

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July.

Image: Leadership Conference of Women Religious

06/26/2026

As the 250th anniversary of our country approaches, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) , of which MHSH is a member, developed this Declaration of Commitment and presented the document to each member of Congress.

The Declaration restates and affirms our commitment to Gospel values of caring for all people, welcoming immigrants, standing against racism and violence, and promoting dialgoue and mutual understanding.

You can view the Declaration and the letter sent to Senators and Congressional representatives here:

https://www.lcwr.org/news/lcwr-declaration-of-commitment-1?fbclid=IwY2xjawSrikxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFnTXFVcUlUcTBvam1wRUJNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt53WDPghVcMkTFvnyG_AbJOnVylVDjTu3iyw3j0NBdhfRTKA7M8SzfBA0xT_aem_OFz2z0Fmxd_lwPxFzbZK3w

06/12/2026

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Always a joyous occasion, this year's observance is especially so. The US Bishops have consecrated the country on its 250th anniversary to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to bring healing, unity and peace. And, in a happy coincidence, we celebrate jubilees for six of our Sisters this evening. Together they have brought healing, unity and peace to untold numbers of people with over 380 combined years of loving service.

Please keep these Sisters and all Mission Helpers in your prayers as we come together for our annual meeting of prayer, reflection and planning our future. We hold all of you in our hearts and prayers as well.

See the profiles of our Jubilarians by clicking on the link below:

https://www.missionhelpers.org/our-2026-jubilarians

06/06/2026

We seldom notice how each day is a holy place
Where the eucharist of the ordinary happens,
Transforming our broken fragments
Into an eternal continuity that keeps us.
Somewhere in us a dignity presides
That is more gracious than the smallness
That fuels us with fear and force,
A dignity that trusts the form a day takes.
So at the end of this day, we give thanks
For being betrothed to the unknown
And for the secret work
Through which the mind of the day
And wisdom of the soul become one.

-John O'Donohue
Excerpt from the blessing, 'The Inner History of a Day,' found in the books: Benedictus (Europe) / To Bless the Space Between Us (US)

Ballyvaughan, County Clare, Ireland
Photo: © Ann Cahill