Sponsored Ministries
Humility of Mary Sponsored Ministries
We will claim the depth and significance of our charism of humility which connects us with the whole earth community and unites us in our ministries on behalf of the poor. – HM Chapter 1997
The Sisters of the Humility of Mary currently have involvement with four sponsored ministries (HM Housing, Magnificat High School, Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, Villa Maria Apartments) and one co-endorsed ministry (Saint Martin de Porres High School) which address various needs in education, housing, spirituality and care of the poor.
At the heart of our commitment to religious life are various ministries that carry out our traditions and mission. We build on a long history as educators, pastoral ministers, and healthcare and social service providers to continue the life-giving message of Jesus.
The school room in France was replicated in America beginning in 1864. Today the ministry of education takes on various forms and can be found in two of the congregation’s sponsored ministries and one co-endorsed ministry.
Visiting and nursing the sick as was done in France remained part of the sisters’ ministry. Three major hospitals grew out of these ministries and later became part of Catholic Health Partners (CHP), which became Mercy Health. The Sisters of the Humility of Mary were one of the Founding Sponsors of Mercy Health. The congregation’s ministry in Catholic Healthcare greatly expanded when, in September 2018, Mercy Health System and Bon Secours Health System, both Catholic Healthcare ministries, merged creating Bon Secours Mercy Health, the fifth largest Catholic health system in the country spanning seven states in the eastern half of the Unites States. The Sisters of the Humility of Mary, the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of Bon Secours are Founding Sponsors of the new BSMH System. The merger strengthens the legacy ministries’ shared commitment to improve population health, eliminate health disparities, build strength to address social determinants of health, and invest heavily in innovating approaches to health care.
Today, sisters minister in health care systems as hospital and hospice chaplains, as bereavement caregivers, and caring for persons with disabilities. Sisters continue serve in governance and management roles.
Pastoral Associates, Pastoral Ministers, Directors of Religious Education (DREs), Liturgy Directors and volunteers serve parishes and institutions in the Cleveland, Erie, Grand Island, Pittsburgh, Richmond and Youngstown Dioceses.
HM Sisters take a stand and are involved in social service projects for the marginalized. Dorothy Day House of Hospitality in Youngstown is a joint venture of the HMs and the Youngstown Ursuline Sisters and committed laypersons.
Our life of prayer and contemplation becomes the full-time ministry of our retired sisters who pray daily for the needs of the Church and the world.