Mission Statement
We gather as members, and families, connected by a desire to unite and transform our world, beginning in our local communities. We cherish the presence of each individual, and celebrate the diversity of all those who journey with us.
We are one with all creation. We see our world transformed through our work for social justice.
HISTORY
Founded by Father Stephen Pernet and Antoinette Fage in 1865 as a religious order in Paris, France. The Little Sisters of the Assumption began as a community of women religious responding to social needs in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. Faced with inadequate housing, insufficient health care and little or no legal protection, families had begun to break apart. Father Pernet saw that the only way to develop the strengths of the families was by going into their homes and responding to their many needs. In 1891, recognizing similar needs in the United States, the Little Sisters followed their call and began their work in New York City, to improve the lives of the poor through social and spiritual services.
Today, the Little Sisters are present in 21 countries and have remained faithful to the vision of their founders: to collaborate with all people of good will to bring about a more just, peaceful and loving world, conscious of the integrity of creation. We want to be what we want the world to be….One Family!
PURPOSE
Improving the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of families
Strengthening networks and supporting local communities by providing social, educational and spiritual gatherings
Bringing awareness to issues dealing with human rights that adversely affect families locally and globally
Fostering unity by celebrating the diversity
Promoting social justice and encouraging participation in human service programs to better serve the needs of families
Bringing awareness to issues dealing with justice and peace
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sister Annette Allain
LSA, President
Sr. Annette entered the Little Sisters of the Assumption in 1973. Over the years she has served in Vocation and Formation Ministry, Home Visiting Nurse and presently serves in leadership as the Coordinator of the LSA U.S. Territory.
Her passion is that people come to recognize one another as ‘family' – a place where each one has a sense of belonging.
Norma Flores
LSA Family Health Services, Chair of the Board
Norma Flores has been a part of Little Sisters of the Assumption Family since the early 1990’s. She and her husband, Edmundo have raised their two sons in East Harlem, living and working side by side with Sr. Susanne Lachapelle and many other Little Sisters and Volunteers. Norma brings many years of experience in marketing and fundraising to the LSAFIM board and has served on the board as Chairperson and as a member of the Fundraising committee.
Sister Jean McCormack
LSA, Treasurer
A native of Westbrook, Connecticut, my background is in education. Concerned for the needs of families living in poverty, I entered the Little Sisters of the Assumption, an international congregation of women religious , in 1975. Our mission to move families up and out of poverty, transforming our world locally and globally, led me to the privileged place of serving and sharing life with families through our agencies in East Harlem, New York; Worcester, Massachusetts; and in our rural community center in the mountains of Kentucky. I have 40 years of experience in the non profit sector in direct service, administration and financial management. I currently serve as Territory Treasurer for the United States Territory of Little Sisters of the Assumption.
Rosa Almanzar
Shelter Manager, Project Hope, Secretary
Rosa Almanzar was born in Honduras, Central America. She migrated to the USA at the age of 14 and later came in contact with the Little Sisters when she and her son became homeless. The Little Sisters helped Rosa to get her life back. She eventually became employed with the Sisters and is now the Shelter Program Director for Project Hope in Dorchester, MA. She brings much life experience to the LSAFIM Board of Directors. Rosa has served on the board as chairperson and secretary.
JUSTICE & PEACE
JUSTICE, PEACE, CREATION INTEGRITY AND SOLIDARITY
The international JPIC secretariat has an inter-congregational dimension. Our mission is to contribute to the transformation of society in the spirit of the Beatitudes.
Place in common the richness of our charisms and spiritualities and the quest for paths of justice and peace in the various continents where the communities are present.
Live out the challenge of networking in globalised societies (by means, at present, of participation in the Africa/Europe network, the UN and in various local networks.
Encourage reflection and action on the part of our communities with regard to the causes of injustices so as to work with others for the transformation of unjust structures. Become aware of the interdependence between our local situations and the overall system.
Contribute to giving a place to those who have no voice in the public domain and help the decision-makers to look at the situation with the eyes of the poor.
THE INTERNATIONAL LAITY COMMISSION
Gathered together in a single spiritual family, laity and Little Sisters of the Assumption from different countries, we share the charism left to us by Etienne Pernet and Antoinette Fage, founders of the Little Sisters of the Assumption. We live this charism in different ways but yet together. Through deeper knowledge of one another, we, laity and Little Sisters work together so that the charism of the founders will be offered to all.