To seek out and advocate for the poor and needy, especially families, for the Kingdom of God The Holy Family Sisters began in 1872 when Elizabeth Armer of San Francisco and Father John Joseph Prendergast founded the community to serve the poor and needy. Helping women, children and poor families has remained steadfast while the Sisters have updated their ministry with new programs and projects to address social ills that continue to affect the impoverished. The Holy Family Sisters and their associates current ministries include , Grief counseling, religious education, childcare, canon law, social work, personal growth and spiritual direction, & prison ministry. As the community ages and more Sisters retire, the community’s work continues in other ways, said Sister Michaela O’Connor, the community archivist. They provide financial resources to charitable ministries and serve on the boards of their day homes. There are always ways to serve, she pointed out. “The Church needs lots of stuff done.”