Congratulations to the Sisters of Social Service, Los Angeles City Council District 4’s honoree for National Clergy Month! On October 23, 2026, Councilmember Nithya Raman recognized the Sisters in the Council chambers at City Hall, where she was joined by Sister Chris Machado and Sister Marie Lindemann. The honor comes during a milestone year: 2026 marks a century since Sister Frederica Horvath brought the Sisters’ mission of social justice from Budapest to Los Angeles.
The Sisters hold a special place in HFS history. In 1963, they took over the administration and development of HFS from the Franciscan Sisters and ably led our agency for the next thirty years, first under Sister Bertille Prus, LCSW, who served as Executive Director from 1963 until her retirement in 1991, and then under Sister Mary Phyllis McCarthy, PhD, from 1991 to 1993. We remain grateful for their leadership.
Thank you, Sisters, for 100 years of service to Los Angeles, and congratulations on your Centennial!
See photos from the ceremony on Councilmember Raman’s Instagram.
