Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ celebrates groundbreaking ceremony for Catherine’s Cottage

On Monday, July 28, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC) rejoiced with its members and the local community for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Catherine’s Cottage facility. The project is being managed by DJ Construction and will be built on the western side of The Center at Donaldson campus, closest to where the Marian University’s Ancilla College building sits.

United States Province Leader, Sister Shirley Bell, PHJC considers this groundbreaking to be an opportunity to create a space that brings new expressions of religious life rooted in community and compassion.

“The groundbreaking of this addition to Catherine’s Cottage is more than the beginning of a building,” Bell said. “It’s a continuation of a mission that began with Saint Katherina Kasper, our foundress, who followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit with courage, simplicity, and unwavering faith. Catherine’s Cottage addition is being built to provide a home where we Sisters can continue to live the gospel and share our lives in service to others through prayer, presence, and ministry.”

Adam Tohulka, project executive with DJ Construction, has experience working on projects with the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in the past. He’s overjoyed that they reached out to DJ Construction to work on this project.

“It’s been a great experience because the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and their team are fantastic to work with,” Tohulka said. “We were able to work with them close to 15 years ago on a different project, so it’s exciting to be back down here working with them again and seeing the Sisters. It’s neat for us because we’re able to figure out how to incorporate all the sustainable building practices that are near and dear to them.”

Tohulka and his team are motivated to build Catherine’s Cottage in a way that meets the desires of this community.

“This will be a facility that they get to age in place in, which is very important to them,” Tohulka said. “Allowing them to figure out how they want to live here and bring a variety of ideas to life here is one of the best parts of this project.”

Sister Jolise May, PHJC views this project as one of the many ways that the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ have listened to the people they serve.

“This is truly a gift from God that we have enjoyed over the years,” May said. “We strive to be attentive to the concerns of men, women, children, and others who need attention, care, and support. 

We continue to serve them in our ministries, as we bring the love of God to everyone. We also want to care for our Sisters, who have served God in so many ways throughout the years. Their generosity has been noticed and appreciated by hundreds, and perhaps even thousands.”

Along with creating a better presence for the community, Catherine’s Cottage is a project that aligns with everything the PHJC stands stand for.

“This addition is significant to our mission and our vision, as well as the ministries of the Donaldson community and beyond,” May said. “We’re called to be women of the gospel, identifying with Christ in the many passages and stages of our life. We accompany one another to live simply, love tenderly, and act justly. This project will give us a beautiful and safe environment for the next chapter of our lives, and it is designed to support our Sisters as they age in place. For DJ Construction, our partners, and our community, we are very thankful.”

May also sees the facility serving as a base for the Sisters to continue their ministry in spiritual care, social justice, and addressing the needs of the poor and the marginalized.

Following prayer, many attendees came together to bless the ground where Catherine’s Cottage will be built, along with one another. After the groundbreaking, refreshments were presented to everybody in attendance.

For more information on the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, you can visit poorhandmaids.org.