President's Letter
History, Mission and Meaning
Annual Report (Pdf)
Magazine (Pdf)

History, Mission and Meaning

From its beginnings in Baltimore in 1890, Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart reached out to the marginalized and disenfranchised families in poverty-stricken neighborhoods where their people-to-people ministry was most needed. Their work started with educating black children in St. Martin's Parish-children and their families who because of their race were unable to participate in the ordinary social, educational and religious activity available to the community. It was a time in our history and in our Church when black children and white children were not allowed to learn together.

By 1896, under the leadership of Sister Mary Frances Cunningham (Mother Demetrias), Mission Helpers opened an industrial school and laundry to prepare young black women for future employment as well as schools for the deaf in Puerto Rico and the US and day nurseries for children of immigrant families. The need for missionaries grew, and by 1930, Mission Helpers prepared adults as teachers of religion-men and women who could extend the Sisters' efforts. The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), the Catholic Church's official organization for religious education outside the Catholic school system, became the focus of the Sisters' ministry. A specialized method of teaching religion, The Adaptive Way, was developed to present the Gospel Message at the various learning levels of children.

By 1950, Mission Helpers were recognized as experts in the field of religious education developing children's books and parent guides for use throughout the English-speaking world. The Sisters developed catechetical centers on or near the campuses of large public schools to emphasize the importance of religious education.

Today, Mission Helpers' ministries reach throughout the United States into Puerto Rico and Venezuela and include pastoral work in parishes, hospitals, college campuses, evangelization and telecommunications, programs for the very young and elderly, immigrants and those made poor. New models of ministry are emerging such as the Associate and Lay Missioner programs. Today, as in the future, the work continues, and the Sisters are found where the needs are greatest.