Leadership

Each province in the congregation of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is led by a Provincial Superior, who is assisted by a Vice Provincial, Provincial Secretary, Provincial Treasurer, and a team of Councilors. The Provincial House is located in Hamden, Connecticut, on a 125-acre property known as Mount Sacred Heart.

Provincial Superior, Sr. Mary Lee, ASCJ

A native of Dallas, Texas, Sr. Mary Lee entered the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1987. She professed First Vows in 1990, and made her Perpetual Profession in 1995.

Sr. Mary began her ministry in education as a teacher at Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, Connecticut. She went on to teach at St. Joseph School, a K–8 school in the heart of New York’s Chinatown district. She returned to Sacred Heart Academy in 1994 for three years before embarking on a new chapter as a missionary in Taiwan. During her 17 years in Taiwan, Sr. Mary taught at St. Paul School in Kaohsiung.

She returned to the United States in 2016 to serve as Provincial Treasurer. In 2019, she was appointed Vice Provincial, and in 2023, was appointed Provincial Superior. Sr. Mary holds a dual degree in computer science and physical education, a Master of Arts in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and a post-graduate certificate in Mandarin.

Provincial Council

The current Provincial Council was installed July 16, 2023. Pictured from left are Sr. Colleen Therese Smith, Secretary; Sr. Colleen Patricia Mattingly, Councilor; Sr. Mary Lee, Provincial Superior; Sr. Luisa Fernanda Villegas, Vice Provincial; Sr. Maureen Flynn, Councilor; Sr. Angela Gertsema, Councilor; and Sr. Christine Ann Hoffner, Treasurer.

History

The Congregation was founded in Italy by Blessed Clelia Merloni in 1894. On June 16, 1902, six Italian Apostle missionaries sailed to Boston, Massachusetts, to minister to Italian immigrants who were seeking a better life.

Within a short time of their arrival in Boston, the missionary Sisters from Italy had gathered about 200 children from the area and organized Christian doctrine classes for them. By 1905, 15 other Sisters had come from Italy.

In 1906, the Apostles moved into the Archdiocese of Hartford, establishing the first Provincial House and Novitiate in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1953, the Provincial House moved to its current location in Hamden, Connecticut, known as Mount Sacred Heart. Formerly known as "Cherry Hill," the 125-acre parcel is one of the highest spots in the surrounding area. Purchased from the family of Manley Chester in 1946, reminders of the Chester estate remain—orchards, magnificent trees, and the family's stately home, which is used by our Sisters in formation.

Over the years, the Apostles were invited to minister in other dioceses across the United States. Today our sisters serve in Connecticut, New York, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida, and in foreign missions in Benin, Ireland and Italy. Learn more about our ministries here.

Former Places of Ministry