The MSBT sisters have recently launched a community living program for young adult Catholic women at the Margaret Healy House in Northeast Philadelphia.
What Is The Margaret Healy House?
The Margaret Healy House is a community of young adult Catholic women, who are working and/or studying and desire to live in community with other faith and joy-filled Catholic women. If you are interested in joining the community, please contact Sr. Maria Lauren at [email protected].
Mission Statement
As women of the Margaret Healy House, we seek to build up one another in virtue through a community of faith. Jesus Christ is the King of our house, and each day we invite Him to be the King of our hearts. Everything we do should flow from our identity as daughters of the Most High God, and we desire to grow in a missionary spirit, reflecting Catholic values lived out with joy.
Community & Spiritual Life
– Nightly Prayer in Chapel (encouraged)
– Weekly Community Dinner and Reflection (required)
– When possible, doing service together
– Practicing hospitality together by hosting gatherings for Catholic young adults, Blessed is She brunches, Bible studies, and more!
– Sharing in the extended community life of the MSBTs and the Mother Boniface Spirituality Center
Virtues we especially value:
Missionary Spirit, Communication, Hospitality,
Joy, Generosity, Charity, Compassion,
Understanding, Respect, and Flexibility.
Who Is Currently Involved?
Courtney McHale, Campus Minister at St. Hubert’s Catholic High School For Girls
Christine Nieman, Library and Information Science Graduate Student at Drexel University
Angela Sanders, Content Marketing Associate at eCity Interactive
How Did The Margaret Healy House Come To Be?
In 2016, a group of young Catholic women were inspired to pursue a life lived in community together, supporting one another in faith and virtue. These women talked with the MSBT sisters about their vision and the sisters, who hold as part of their charism to encourage and uplift the lay faithful, were eager to assist! So, they decided to renovate the building, which was built in 1880, to house these women.
At the time, the house was used as the residence for the community’s leadership team, called the General Council. As the sisters graciously moved next door to the current Motherhouse, renovations began. Over time, new jobs and life changes prevented the original women from carrying out their vision of moving into the house. The house remained vacant, and the sisters prayed that God would bring the right women in His timing. Sure enough, when Courtney rediscovered the house and the opportunity that awaited her there, it certainly felt like news that “fell from Heaven.”
Courtney had known the sisters through ministry but had never seen the house. When a friend encouraged her to contact the sisters, it was like a nagging whisper in her heart that wouldn’t leave until she finally did so. After that first meeting it seemed all too clear that this house and the ideals of a Catholic women’s community were a direct answer to a prayer which Courtney often prayed in the adoration chapel at St. Dominic’s. Later she would realize that Chapel is literally in the backyard of the Margaret Healy House!
God opened the doors to the Margaret Healy House, fulfilling the original vision for community life that had been prayed for by so many. Within just a couple months, mutual friends connected Courtney with Angela and Christine, who felt it was more beautiful than a dream, and the three of them moved into the house in October.
Who is The Margaret Healy House named for?
Doctor Margaret Healy was an early associate of the MSBT sister’s founder, Fr. Thomas A. Judge, CM. As an educator Margaret came in contact with many generous young adults eager to be of service to God and the Church. In 1928 she was asked by Fr. Judge to assume the role of General Custodian for the combined lay groups which became known as the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate, our lay branch that continues today. Margaret was to hold this office until 1964. At that time she was instrumental in the formation of the Blessed Trinity Missionary Institute (BTMI), a secular institute within the Missionary Cenacle Family. She served as BTMI’s first General Custodian.
