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Beth Boyle

Co-Director
860.278.3561, x234
bboyle@hobread.org

Tom Porell

Co-Director
860.278.3561, x233
tporell@hobread.org

Rison Mackey

Food Service Director/Head Chef
860.278.3561, x237
rmackey@hobread.org

Michelle Murphy

Director of Development

860.729.1433
mmurphy@hobread.org

Michele Prizio

Director of Education
860.247.3030, x108
mprizio@hobread.org

Board of Directors

Carl Zyskowski, President
David J. Kozak, Vice President
Patrick Murphy, Treasurer

Molly Stiles, Secretary

Allie Barry

Christina D’Amato

Sister Maureen Faenza, CSJ, Co-Founder

Sister Theresa Fonti, CSJ, Co-Founder

David Hart

Sister Sally Hodgdon, CSJ

Allison Holst-Grubbe

Jeffrey Mortillaro
Chandra Persaud

Michael Rogers

Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, Emeritus

Rosemary Wall, Emeritus

Sisters of St. Joseph

The House of Bread is a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery.

Beginnings: Historically, until the 17th century religious life was open only to those who brought money, goods or land to the religious order they wished to join. These orders lived apart from the common people. However, in the early 1640s amid the social turmoil of wars and suffering our founders had a different vision.

Touched by the misery of the people, a small group of women came together in LePuy, in south-central France. They felt compelled to live and work among the common people, sharing their struggles and their hopes. Strengthened by the belief that they had a true calling from God, our group of six women sought the counsel of a young Jesuit priest, Jean Pierre Medaille, SJ. Under his guidance and encouragement, the first foundation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph came into being. The year was 1650. This new community, located among the poor, served the needs of all and opened religious life to women of all classes.

Persecution: In 1789, the French Revolution brought about the persecution of the Catholic Church and religious orders of men and women in France. But for the grace of God, the Sisters of Saint Joseph might have disappeared, as many sisters went into hiding while others faced imprisonment and the guillotine for their beliefs.

Rebirth: At the end of the Revolution in 1807, the community flourished again under the leadership of Jeanne Fontbonne. More and more, generous and courageous women bonded together to serve the needs of their sisters and brothers. The order grew and branched out. One of these branches became the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, founded in 1812 in the town of Chambery in south-eastern France.

Arrival in the United States: The North American Province owes its beginning to Jane Sedgwick of Stockbridge, MA — a convert to Catholicism. She desired to establish a Catholic school in Lee, MA. Since there weren’t enough sisters in the United States to aid in the running of the school, Jane eventually went to Rome to appeal to Pope Leo XIII to send help. In 1885, five sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambery arrived in Lee to open the school. The rest, as they say, is history. The foundation spread roots into Connecticut and eventually into other parts of the United States.

With a View to the World: Today, Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambery respond to challenges that include: violence and abuse, oppression, conflict, hunger, homelessness, and alienation of families, to name a few. Our ministries extend across the United States from coast to coast. The North American Province is one of 15 worldwide provinces that form an international Congregation of close to 2000 Sisters. The center of our Congregation is in Rome. Other Provinces and Regions are located in Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, India, Italy, Mozambique, Norway, Pakistan, Sweden and Tanzania.

Walking into the Future: We believe that today there continue to be generous women who share the vision of our founders. Most likely, they are women like us who desire to serve others, in God’s name. And no doubt, they are women of faith who possess great courage and a willingness to risk. We invite you to join us to make Jesus’ dream – THAT ALL MAY BE ONE – a living reality in our world.

History

On February 4, 1980, in a one room kitchen armed with a twelve-cup coffee pot, a two-slice toaster, and a few dollars, two Sisters of Saint Joseph ventured into the North End of Hartford on a journey to follow a dream. Their dream of feeding the poor and meeting the basic needs of Hartford’s poorest people materialized and grew. Sisters Maureen Faenza, CSJ and Theresa Fonti, CSJ, and many dedicated people worked together to follow the voice of a dream and respond with personal resources, prayer and renewed energies.

In fulfilling the dream of assisting Hartford’s poor, The House of Bread embarked on programs focusing on hunger, shelter, transitional living, affordable housing, education, Thrift Shop, and job training programs. All efforts became possible with the support and involvement of numerous volunteers, many church and civic groups, and various businesses and corporations.

A strong influence on The House of Bread service ministries is the dedication and commitment from Saint Patrick – Saint Anthony Church. The Franciscan Friars support and encourage the involvement of parishioners in many of our service programs.

Has the dream been fulfilled? That first step taken in 1980, a risk to walk among the poor in the city of Hartford, gave rise to wonderful possibilities, cherished friendships, and new ways to give and receive. The Good News says to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, and to shelter the homeless and so it is done.

Mission

Our Mission

The House of Bread provides urban ministry to the economically disadvantaged in the Hartford area. Compassion, dignity, and respect are characteristics of our services to the hungry, homeless, and needy population.

Co-Founders Message

Dear friends of the House of Bread,

To be honest with you, when we founded The House of Bread in 1980, we thought the plight of the hungry, the homeless, and the poor would be diminished by the end of the 20th century. Yet, here we are in 2024 and there is still so much more work that needs to be done.

Indeed, after providing various services to the needy population in the Hartford area for more than four decades, the problems of hunger and homelessness in this city, this state, and this country are still with us. Connecticut and its cities, including Hartford, face growing financial challenges as subsidies are cut. Despite these economic trials, we are able to continue to feed the hungry and house the homeless because of your infinite capacity to support our mission.

Never in our most hopeful dream did we think our ministry would grow to what it has become today. With your continued support, our programs have touched the lives of tens of thousands of men, women, and children. In the course of an average day our programs serves over 1,000 people.

You are the reason this happens! Your generosity allows us to help make “God appear [to the hungry] in the form of bread. Truly, food is the gift of life.

Thank you and blessings of peace and hope to you and your family.

Sister Theresa Fonti, CSJ
Sister Maureen Faenza, CSJ

Sister Theresa Fonti, CSJ &

Sister Maureen Faenza, CSJ