Anthem - Simple Gifts. This song is the official anthem of the Glenmary Sisters.

Bishop, Fr. William H. - A priest from Baltimore, Maryland, was assigned to a small, rural church. Not considering this a punishment or a stepping stone, Father tried to address the special needs of the rural church. He eventually founded Glenmary (photo on right).

Charism - This means to implant the church in those areas of the U.S. where it is not yet present in its fullness.

Dorothy Hendershot - The first entrant to the Glenmary Sisters. She was a registered nurse from Alpine, Michigan who arrived on October 15, 1941. Sister died June 12, 1994.

Ecumenism - The Glenmary Sisters work with the intention and desire for Christian unity through frequent sharing of the Word of God in our humble and untiring love for conversion.

Faith - "... that through our labors we may hope to win for all the Divine gift of faith." (Home Mission Prayer)

Georgia - Sister Mary Ellen Barrette lives and ministers in Millen, Georgia. She was one of the first Glenmary Sisters to come to Georgia in August 1968 (photo on left).

Home Missions - Glenmary Sisters pray "that the spirit of home missions spreads in America and other lands."

Invitation - Many times our Sisters are invited into a diocese or a certain area. Careful research then begins to see if we can honor that invitation.

Jesus - "Lord Jesus Christ... look with mercy on this land of ours where your truth is unknown to many..." (Home Mission Prayer)

Kentucky - Since our earliest days, the Glenmary Sisters have ministered in the state of Kentucky. Now, the Glenmary Sisters have two missions in Kentucky (Smithland and Frenchburg) and their motherhouse in Owensboro.

Love - The Glenmary Sisters share God's love with all people in rural and southeastern United States.

Motto - Thy Kingdom Come!

Catholic Nurture - The Glenmary Sisters nurture the faith of the local Roman Catholic community

Owensboro, Kentucky - The Glenmary Sisters were invited by Bishop John McRaith to come to the Diocese of Owensboro. The official transfer took place June 9, 1991. (Bishop McRaith is pictured on the right)

Purpose - The Glenmary Sisters, or more formally the Home Mission Sisters of America, Inc., were founded in 1941 by Father William Howard Bishop in Glendale, near Cincinnati, Ohio. As an apostolic religious community of women of diocesan right, Glenmary Sisters identify and serve the church in mission areas of the United States, particularly the rural areas and small towns.

Russellville, Kentucky - The first full-time mission was a small parish school at Russellville, KY in September 1947. It was transformed in 1966 to a teaching community so that more Sisters would be available for mission activity.

Sacred Heart - "We commend to Your Sacred Heart the work of carrying Your Gospel to the mission regions of America." (Home Mission Prayer)

Trinity - "In the name of the Most Holy Trinity each Glenmary Sister professes the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows call for a radical living out of the Gospel." (Taken from the Glenmary Sisters' Constitution)

Unchurched - "There is another objective for us to cherish and pursue... to lift up and improve the moral lives of the people around us, regardless of their beliefs, regardless even, whether they will ever accept the faith or not." (A quote from Fr. Bishop in his Mid-Winter Letter February 1952.)

Vocation - Have you thought that you might have a vocation to the religious life? Lay mission life? Click here for more information

Welcome - In our missions anyone who comes to the door of our homes or centers is welcomed as if they were Jesus who has come to ask for help.

eXciting - What's one thing a Glenmary Sister will never find when in a local mission?... Give up yet?... A dull moment! (ex. See Sr. Catherine on the right)

Yes - Like Mary, Our Lady Of The Fields, the Glenmary Sisters say "yes" to God every moment of their lives.

Zealous Apostles - "Lord, raise up zealous apostles to bring Your words of salvation to souls now thirsting for the truth."