Happy Valentine's Day!
1. THURSDAY – World Day for Consecrated Life
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the Power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister Lucinda Ferguson Scott (Brigida)
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
World Day for Consecrated Life is celebrated in the Church on Thursday, February 2, 2024, and in parishes over the weekend of February 3-4, 2024.
Five Major Forms of Consecrated Life
Monasticism, Religious Life, Secular Institutes, Societies of Apostolic Life, Consecrated Virgins, and Hermits. Each of these forms expresses itself in a variety of different orders.
What is Consecrated Religious Life?
Lived within institutes canonically erected by the Church, it is distinguished from other forms of consecrated life by its liturgical character, public profession of the evangelical counsels, fraternal life led in common, and witness given to the union of Christ with the Church.
Four Main Types of Consecrated Life—monastic, cloistered contemplative, apostolic, and missionary—but it's helpful to know that some groups are a hybrid of two or more of these types. [Internet]
What is the difference between consecrated life and religious life?
The 1983 Code of Canon Law recognizes secular institutes as a form of consecrated life. They differ from religious institutes in that their members live their lives in the ordinary conditions of the world, either alone, in their families or in fraternal groups.
What are the documents of consecrated life in the church?
Lumen Gentium, Perfectae Caritatis, and Vita Consecrata
American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month when we take a look at heart attacks and stroke, in particular Silent Heart Attacks. Tomorrow, Friday, February 2nd is National Go Red for Women Day. Consider wearing something red to bring attention to heart disease in women. Be Heart Healthy!
2. FRIDAY – The Presentation of the Lord/Go Red for Women Day (Heart Health)/ Groundhog Day
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
News from Sister Gilbetânia Ferreira de Andrade (Provincial Minister, Immaculate Conception Province)
On January 31, 2024, at the end of the annual retreat of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters in Fortaleza, Ceará, three Sisters were commissioned as Missionaries: Sister Antonia Eliene de Vasconcelos to Mozambique, Africa; Sister Maria Socorro Alves to Roraima, Brazil and Sister Tereza das Dôres Lima to the United States. Friar Vicente, President of the Eucharistic Celebration, spoke wise and motivating words, strengthening the Sisters for their missions. May the Lord of the harvest guide our Sisters so that they may be prophetic signs of peace and do good in the world and in people’s lives! Also on January 31, 2024, Sister Lucimara Martins da Silva renewed her vows.
Retreatants
Commissioning of Missionaries
Left to right: Sister Maria Cristina Melo (Regional Coordinator), Friar Vicente (Celebrant).
Three Missionary Sisters front, left to right: Sisters Antonia Eliene de Vasconcelos, Sister Maria Socorro Alves,
and Sister Tereza das Dôres Lima.
Vow Renewal
Sister Lucimara Martins da Silva (center) renews her vows.
Celebrating Catholic Schools Week
Community Update (2)
From the School Sisters of St. Francis
Sister M. Joyce (Helen Margaret Mary) Burkhart, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, United States Province, died on January 30, 2024, at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa. She was 85 and in her 67th year of religious profession. Visitation will be on Monday, February 5, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel at Mt. Assisi Place, 934 Forest Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa 15202. Arrangements have been made by L.T. Miller Funeral Home, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Obituary: Sister Joyce Burkhart — The School Sisters of St. Francis (schoolsistersosf.org)
A Celtic Circling Prayer – for February 2nd- https://soulistry.com/a-celtic-enfolding-prayer
Groundhog Day – “Every February 2, a crowd of thousands gathers at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to await a special forecast from a groundhog named Phil. If the 20-pound groundhog emerges and sees his shadow, the United States can expect six more weeks of winter weather according to legend. But, if Phil doesn’t see his shadow, we can expect warmer temperatures and the arrival of an early spring.” [Internet] Result this morning: Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, thus, predicting an early Spring!
From the Relay
Thursday, February 2, 2024???? See the Bulletin Quote on the U.S. Catholic Bishops site from which the Relay gathered its information posted on Thursday, February 1, 2024, thus the day of the week error!!!!!
Prayers are requested for the departed souls of our Sisters’ Family Members and for the comfort and consolation of our Sisters and their families:
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
3. SATURDAY – St. Blase/St. Ansgar/First Saturday
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sisters Miriam Guerra de Albuquerque Montenegro
and Rita Mafalda de Oliveira Magalhães
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
Some interesting facts about St. Blaze - https://www.google.com/search?q=st.+blaise+facts&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS755US755&oq=St.+Blase&aqs=chrome.5.69i57j46i10i512j0i10i512j46i175i199i512j0i10i512l5.6185j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
4. SUNDAY – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
5. MONDAY – St. Agatha
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister Chidera Agatha Ohamara
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
World Day for Consecrated Life Celebration on Friday, February 2, 2024
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to Candlemas Day, the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
Bishop Alfred A. Schlert of the Diocese of Allentown (PA) invited consecrated religious to a 10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas More Church, Allentown (PA) followed by a Brunch at the Lehigh Country Club, Allentown (PA). Twenty-two Bernardine Franciscan Sisters were in attendance.
Attendees at the World Day of Consecrated Life Mass at St. Thomas More Church, Allentown, PA on Friday, February 2, 2024. Can you locate the 22 Bernardine Sisters? Some are partially hidden.
Left to right: Sister Carol Ann Nawracaj , Bishop Alfred A. Schlert, and Sister Chidera Agatha Ohamara [novice]
Front table, left to right: Sisters Danielle Marie Kubelsky, Marietta Andrzejewska, Cynthia Skiendziel, Melita Skiendziel,
and Mary Sninsky [partially blocked]. Other BFS in both left and right background tables.
St. Thomas More Church, Allentown, PA
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
6. TUESDAY – SS Paul Miki and Companions
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister Dorothy Marie Poremba
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
Sister Antonia Eliene de Vasconcelos
Missionary to Cuamba, Niassa – Mozambique – Africa
Yesterday, Monday, February 5, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. Brazil time (4:15 p.m. EST) Sister Antonia Eliene de Vasconcelos left São Paulo, SP Brazil to travel to Cuamba, Niassa – Mozambique - Africa where she will join Sister Helena Marinho de Melo in the Mother Veronica Fraternity and serve as Formation Minister.
Sister Gilbetânia, Province Minister of Immaculate Conception Province, Brazil writes:
“Dear Sister Eliene, I hope your mission is very blessed, I know it will be a great opportunity to continue growing as a missionary. Continue with that burning heart and with your feet on the path, because He who called you walks with you.
Sisters, I ask all of you to pray for Sister Eliene as she continues traveling today to Mozambique.
May Our Lady, the great Missionary of the Father, protect her in her travels and in the new mission.”
7. WEDNESDAY
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Community Update
Sister Antonia Eliene de Vasconcelos, thanks all for their prayers for her safe travel from São Paulo, SP - Brazil on Monday, February 5, 2024, and her arrival yesterday, Tuesday, February 6, 2024, in Cuamba, Niassa – Republic of Mozambique - Africa. The speed of travel from one continent to an entirely different continent in such a short time is simply amazing! We are truly peoples of a global world!
Pictured with (5) Pre-Postulants are: Far Left: Sister Helena Marinho de Melo. Center: Sister Antonia Eliene de Vasconcelos.
Far Right: Sister Zenóbia Melz.
8. THURSDAY – St. Jerome Emiliani/St. Josephine Bakhita
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Community Update - Living
Community Update – Deceased Family Member
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister Cynthia Skiendziel
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
9. FRIDAY
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
10. SATURDAY – St. Scholastica
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
11. SUNDAY – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time/World Day of the Sick
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Pope Francis has issued his message for the 2024 observance of the World Day of the Sick,
which is today, Sunday, February 11, 2024, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister de Lourdes Okoniewski
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
12. MONDAY
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister Angela Maria Teixeira de Sousa
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
13. TUESDAY - Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
From the Committee for the 130th Anniversary
Please find the prayer service for the month of February on the Members Only area of our BFS website under the heading “Prayer Services.” It is titled February 16, 2024 – Theme: 130 Years of our Existence. The remaining months’ services will be coming as soon as the translations are available.
February Birthday Celebration at St. Joseph Villa, Reading, PA
Standing: Sisters Charlene Dalrymple and Josepha Piorkowski. Seated: Sisters Joan Eileen Christian and deLourdes Okoniewski. The 6th grade students from Sacred Heart School came and brought treats for everyone and played Bingo with the Sisters.
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Announce Annual Retreats
Franciscan Federation of the Sisters and Brothers of the United States
Registration for the next Maryland Listening & Learning Session will be released on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at noon Eastern Standard Time.
Space is limited, registration will close on date given in the release or when all slots have been filled—Whichever comes first.
To Register visit the Franciscan Federation website page for Listening & Learning Sessions. Click the register button. The button will not be visible until registration opens.
We look forward to the third of our 6 Listening & Learning Sessions! Peace and all good!
Registration Information for future Sessions
Registration will release 2 months out from each in person and Zoom session.
Future registration release dates:
Franciscan Federation of the Sisters & Brothers in the United States
1554 Paoli Pike #307, West Chester, PA 19380
Franfedoffice@franfed.org 484.757.2111 www.franfed.org
Some Word Meanings for Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day
Internet research on Carnival—source of all items below
Brazil – Carnaval – Friday, February 9 to 17, 2024
The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro (Portuguese: Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro) is a festival held every year before Lent; it is considered the biggest carnival in the world, with two million people per day on the streets. The first Carnival festival in Rio occurred in 1723.
Nobody throws a party quite like Brazil, and there's no Brazilian party quite like Rio Carnaval. It's the world's largest Carnival celebration, attracting participants in the millions for a week of explosive, flamboyant, samba-shaking fun. Feb 2, 2023
Carnival originated as a pagan festival in ancient Egypt which was subsequently celebrated by the Greeks and then the Romans. The popular festival was adopted by the Roman Catholic Christian church in Europe as the festival of Carne Vale. May 6, 2023
So "carnevale" means literally "remove meat". It refers to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, the traditional Christian period of 40 days before Easter, commemorating the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert, which was a period of abstaining from meat and other pleasures of the flesh.
6 of the World's Best Carnival Celebrations
Reminder: Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is a day of fast and abstinence. https://relevantradio.com/2018/02/lenten-fasting-abstinence-obligations-catholics-explained/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI85jFp4_l7gIVgfOzCh0VSQoqEAAYASAAEgIm4PD_BwE
14. WEDNESDAY – Ash Wednesday/Valentine’s Day
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Pope Francis’ Lenten Message
https://www.usccb.org/news/2024/pope-christians-must-rekindle-hope-fighting-todays-forms-slavery
Community Update
Sister Gilbetânia Ferreira de Andrade asks for prayers for Sister Valdair Unices Morelli who fell yesterday and fractured her femur. The surgery will take place today at 11am at PUC Hospital. Let us pray that everything goes well.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister Rosemaria Jaschke
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
15. THURSDAY
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister Claude Marie Jablonski
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
From the Relay
There will be no regular Relay posted on Monday, February 19, 2024. Federal Holiday in the U.S. - Presidents’ Day. The regular Relay will resume on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
Prayers are requested for the departed souls of our Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends and Benefactors and for the comfort and consolation of their families:
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister Juliana Melz
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
A Moment in Time
Celebrating 130th Anniversary of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters
1894 ~ 2024
Villa Maria Retreat House - Stamford, Connecticut
A distinguished Georgian Mansion on Skymeadow Drive in North Stamford, Connecticut erected in 1916 by playwright Henry Miller as his country estate heralded the beginnings of Villa Maria Retreat House. The purchase of the property took place in 1946 when the deed to the property changed hands from the Untermyer family to the Sisters.
Renovations were made to the building, which was dedicated on October 12, 1947, by Reverend Stanislaus Musial. Villa Maria was officially opened in June 1948. In 1948-1949, when Sister Chesla became the Superior and Sister Lucretia, the Retreat Directress, the Evening of Recollection was introduced as an integral part of the Retreat Program.
For 54 years, Villa Maria Retreat Center served as an ecumenical spiritual center hosting retreats and programs for priests, religious and laity. As of December 31, 2002, activities at the retreat center were discontinued pending its closing due to the conditions of the main building needing major repairs—a failing roof, septic system and boiler. With the financial burden of major repairs as well as the lack of Sisters to staff the retreat house, Villa Maria Retreat House closed its doors and was sold to the Knights of Columbus. A Mass of Remembrance and Thanksgiving was celebrated on April 26, 2003.
Villa of Our Lady Retreat House - Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania
Located in the heart of Mount Pocono, the Villa of Our Lady Retreat House, formerly known as Meadowside Hotel, was one of the best year-around hotels in the Pocono Mountains. The current steel and concrete fireproof building was erected in 1929.
In December of 1952, the sale of Meadowside Hotel took place when Sister Edmund, the Superior General of the Sisters negotiated its purchase with Mr. C. Miller. The retreat house was dedicated and placed under the patronage of Our Lady on May 30, 1953.
Renovations took place retaining its’s original functional beauty while highlighting the aspect of it being a home for spiritual renewal. The first group of Sisters to reside in the Villa were Mother Henrietta, Mother Yolanda, Sister Marguerite, and Sister Irma.
Local missionaries and priests from various religious communities served the Villa of Our Lady in offering days of prayer, weeklong and week-end retreats to priests, sisters and laity. During its 67 years of serving God’s people, it was a place to be renewed in body, mind and spirit. Major repairs needed to the building and the lack of Sisters to serve in the ministry in the retreat house brought about the closure of the Villa of Our Lady A final Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated on August 1, 2020 in the Villa of Our Lady Chapel in Mount Pocono, PA.
Source: BFS Archives
17. SATURDAY – Seven Founders of the Servite Order
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister Maria Lucia de Araujo
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
18. SUNDAY – First Sunday of Lent
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
19. MONDAY – Presidents' Day
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
From the Relay
There will be no regular Relay posted today, Monday, February 19, 2024. Federal Holiday. The regular Relay will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
20. TUESDAY
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
From Sister Deborah Ann Surgot, Administrative Assistant/Communications
Reminder: Return of Registrations for gatherings on March 2 and March 16, 2024.
Please email communications@bfranciscan.org or mail 450 Saint Bernardine St. Reading, PA 19607-1737 or fax 610.777.3973 your registrations to Sister Deborah Ann Surgot
Thank you to those who have already returned both registration forms.
Community Update – Family member
Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) Transforming Grace
Between November 2023 and November 2024, LCWR is employing the lens of transformative justice as the country participates in the 2024 US national election campaign.
The transformative justice initiative for this time is entitled, “Transforming Grace: The Work of Transformative Justice.” “Transforming Grace” invites participants to take responsibility for the personal and collective responses we can make in the challenges we will encounter during the national election period.
The initiative follows the liturgical calendar. During each liturgical season, participants receive a weekly or monthly one-page reflection guide that includes: a short video, a brief reading, two or three questions intended to deepen conversation, and a prayer grounded in our contemplative commitment. The materials are designed to be used in groups such as leadership teams, justice committees, employee groups, and gatherings of sisters and partners in mission. Each reflection tool will be designed for a 60-75 minute session.
Some of the sessions may be accessed using the following link: Transforming Grace | LCWR
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
21. WEDNESDAY – St. Peter Damian
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Photos from Brazil
Community prayers – February 2024 for BFS 130th Anniversary
Fraternidade São José– Dom Feliciano, RS
Left to right: Sisters Lusete Morelli (visiting), Miriam Guerra de Albuquerque Montenegro,
and Severina Slawski. Missing: Sister Veraci da Silva Crispa (taking picture)
Fraternidade São Bernardino – Viamão, RS
Background left to right: Sisters Vera Lucia Pereira de Mesquita and Genilse Luiza Dalmedico.
Foreground: (partially hidden) Sister Elisângela Pereira Machado (Provincial Councilor)
Fraternidade Missionaria – Porto Alegre, RS
Left to right, standing: 6th from left: Sister Francisca Lopes de Oliveira (Provincial Councilor), Standing, 7th from left: Sister Cristiane Martins de Barros. Seated, far right: Sister Samanta Karla de Sousa Carneiro (Coordinator of the Fraternidade Missionária). Unnamed seated and standing persons are Employees and Volunteers of the Fraternidade Missionária
Community Update – Family Member
Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR)
Link to the LCWR March 2024 Newsletter March 2024 | LCWR
Prayers are requested for the departed souls of our Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends and Benefactors and for the comfort and consolation of their families:
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
22. THURSDAY – The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
A historic moment—No messages for today’s Relay!
23. FRIDAY – St. Polycarp
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister Antonia Eliene de Vasconcelos
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
Community Updates
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
24. SATURDAY
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
25. SUNDAY – Second Sunday of Lent
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
26. MONDAY
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Congregational Updates (2)
Prayers are requested for the departed souls of our Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends and Benefactors and for the comfort and consolation of their families:
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
27. TUESDAY – St. Gregory of Narek
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
Community Update
The Committee for the 130th Anniversary
The prayer service for the month of March is now on the Website under PRAYERS. Please feel free to download and use as you feel appropriate.
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
28. WEDNESDAY
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
From Sister Rose Jameson
Sisters, When you sign in to join the meeting on Saturday, March 2, 2024, it is important that you do the following:
1. Look at the bottom of your screen and look for a circle/globe which will allow you to choose your Language. For Brazil and Mozambique and the Dominican Republic select Portuguese and for the US select English. If for some reason you are disconnected or leave the meeting and join back in, you must always select your language. If your screen is small you may not see the circle/globe but you will have three dots …. Click on the three dots… and select your language.
2. It is important that you keep yourself muted. Be sure that there is a red line through your microphone which is on the bottom of your screen on the left. To mute, just click on the microphone icon and the red line will appear.
I will start the meeting at 8:30 a.m. Reading time to give you an opportunity to sign in. Once the meeting begins at 9:00 a.m., I will not be able to help you so you must sign in before time. I will answer my cell phone until 9:00 a.m.
Zoom participants will not be placed into Breakout Rooms. You will need to do your reflections among yourselves in whatever zoom room you are in initially.
News from Brazil
Yesterday, February 27, 2024, was a busy travel day for our Brazilian Missionary Sisters. Sisters Lusete Morelli, Yasmim Victôria dos Santos Oliveira, and Maria Socorro Alves traveled to Fraternidade Nossa Senhora dos Anjos in Félix Pinto, RR (Amazon) where they were greeted yesterday upon their arrival by Sister Rita de Cássia Lima Barbosa [not pictured]. Sister Tereza das Dôres Lima traveled yesterday and arrived today, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in Reading, PA-United States.
Left frame: Sister Lusete Morelli’s back. In the heart: Sisters Maria Lucia de Araujo and Nita Ricardo Rassude bringing Sister Tereza das Dôres Lima to the airport in Fortaleza. Above the heart Sister Yasmim Victôria dos Santos Oliveira; right frame: Sister Maria Socorro Alves.
Can you find the letters “L OVE” in the picture? [Picture created by Sister Jenniffer Acosta Rosario]
Community Update
Chapter Implementation Committee
Thank you to all the Taus who already returned the evaluations for their January/February meetings. Please note that the deadline is this Friday, March 1, 2024. Also, be sure that April 20, 2024 is a red letter date on your calendar for the Chapter Implementation Assembly. Details and registration will be forthcoming. May God bless you for who you are and all that you do. Gratefully, Sister Carol Ann Nawracaj and Sister Cecilia Bondy, Co-Chairs for the Chapter Implementation Committee
Community Update – Death of a Sister’s Family Member
My Uncle and Godfather, Thaddeus (Ted) Wieleba, 89, died on Monday, February 26, 2024 following years of struggling with various ailments. He was my Dad’s only brother. Ted and his wife Joyce were blessed with a large family who value your prayerful support at this time. Funeral liturgy will be on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Kieran Church, 53500 Mound Rd, Shelby Township, MI followed by burial in Resurrection Cemetery in Shelby Township, MI. - Sister Karen Anne Wieleba
2024 Directory Update
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
29. THURSDAY – Leap Year Day
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sister Maria Celeste Vieira
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
From the Relay
Apologies to our Sisters of the Dominican Republic - A little late but posted with love…. Happy Independence Day!
Dominican Republic Independence Day – February 27, 1844
Following both French and Spanish rule from as early as the 16th century, the island nation of the Dominican Republic declared itself an independent nation from neighboring Haiti in 1844. In 1861, the Dominican Republic reverted to Spanish rule, again winning its independence in 1865.
Ten interesting facts about the Dominican Republic:
https://childrenshungerfund.org/blog/10-interesting-facts-about-the-dominican-republic/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_War_of_Independence
Happy Belated Independence Day, Dominican Republic!
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
Leap Year Information
GOODBYE, FEBRUARY!
WELCOME, MARCH!