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The Handmaids are, like the De la Salle Brothers, very well respected within the Congregation of Corpus Christi Church because of their history of managing the Boscombe Convent.
Many 'old girls' will remember the various nuns who ran the school, and this can be seen in the popularity of the 'Old Girls' Association where members attend reunions from various parts of the country in July each year.
But the Handmaids have a history of their own. Sister Catherine Reynell RIP, the late Superior, wrote:-
"The Congregation was founded in 1877 in Madrid, the foundress being St. Raphaela Mary Parras, along with her sister Dolores.
St Raphaela Mary was deeply aware of the love of God for all, and she decided to spend her life making a return of love and helping others to become aware of the privilege of being able to love God.
She expressed her message of love by worship of the Eucharist and by carrying the knowledge of Christ to the people around her. Sister Raphaela Mary was canonised on January 23rd 1977 and became St. Raphaela Mary.
The Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus now continue her work all over the world - in Universities, schools, retreat houses and general parish work.
Initially, the Handmaids were situated in Englfield Green, near Windsor. The community later moved to Marydale in Highcliffe, the site of the present Catholic Church of Holy Redeemer. In 1970, the Bishop asked the Sisters to run the school in Parkwood Road, Boscombe for the Sisters of the Cross until the forthcoming amalgamation of the Convent school and St. Peters. When this was completed, the Sisters moved to their present convent at 92 Southbourne Road.
Today, the Sisters carry out Parish work, especially in the Sacristy of Corpus Christi Church and also visit the housebound.
The Sisters have recently moved to Parkwood Road, very near to Corpus Christi Church, but as always, visitors are always welcome."