Relay for July 2025
BERNARDINE FRANCISCAN SISTERS
Weekly Relay
July 2025
1. TUESDAY – St. Junipero Serra
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
- for our Sisters who will celebrate a birthday or feast day during the month of July. Many graces and blessings for you are precious to God and to us, your Sisters!
- for all our special intentions and for those who ask us to remember them and their special intentions in our prayers.
- for many graces and blessings upon our Sisters who are making their annual retreat during the summer months.
- for relaxing and restorative vacations for our Sisters during the summer months.
- for safe travel for our Sisters during the summer months.
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.
Community Update
- Prayers are requested for Sister Jeanne Marie Budd who will have a medical procedure today, July 1, 2025.
From the Relay
There will be no regular Relay posted on Constant Contact or the website on Friday, July 4, 2025 – Federal Holiday – Independence Day in U.S. The Regular Relay will resume on Monday, July 7, 2025. Regular messages received after 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3, 2025 will be posted on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Prayers for the needs of those who request a remembrance in our prayers.
- for health and blessings for John O.
2. WEDNESDAY
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
- for safety for all who will travel on this Holiday Weekend in the U.S.
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters in Action for the Environment
Sister Samanta Karla de Sousa Carneiro and her team, in partnership with the Padre Josimo Cultural Institute, received a donation that included 670 seedlings, fertilizer, equipment, laborers, and the assistance of a technician to support the planting effort. The 670 trees have been successfully planted in the Ponta Grossa neighborhood of Porto Alegre, RS, where the São Francisco Social Project is based.
Children and volunteers from the Social Project “As Florzinhas de Madre Verônica”, together with Sister Maria Cristina Melo, Project Coordinator, planted 10 trees in the Siqueira neighborhood, Fortaleza, Ceará. The children learned in practice the importance of taking care of the environment.
Prayers are requested for the following sick and needy Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends, and Benefactors and for those who companion them during this time:
- for Ivone for successful healing after a major surgery.
- for Mary for successful surgery on Monday, July 7, 2025.
3. THURSDAY – St. Thomas, Apostle
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
- for safety for all who will travel on this Holiday Weekend in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Please hold in your prayers, Sisters Sandra Lyons and Zioldé T. de Caldas as they leave today, July 3, 2025 for the Nampula airport which is a 6-hour drive (depending on the traffic and road conditions) from Nipepe. They will arrive in the United States on July 5, 2025.
Funeral Information - Sister Immaculé Zdanowicz
Prayers are requested for the departed soul of our dear Sister and for the comfort and consolation of her family and friends:
- for our dear Sister Immaculé Zdanowicz who entered eternal life Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 10:50 a.m. in Sacred Heart Convent, Reading, PA at the age of 91 and in the 73rd year of her religious life. Sister’s viewing will be held on Wednesday morning, July 9, 2025, in Sacred Heart Convent Chapel (Motherhouse), Reading, PA. Sister’s Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Reading, PA. Burial follows in the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters’ Cemetery, Mount Alvernia, Reading, PA. (Please refer to the Funeral Notices section of our web site for additional information.) If you will be attending the Liturgy and reception that follows, please call the Reception Desk at the Motherhouse 484.334.7000 to leave word of the number attending.) The call in/call out functions of the new phone system are operational.
From the Relay
There will be no regular Relay posted tomorrow, Friday, July 4, 2025 – Federal Holiday – U.S. Independence Day. Regular Relay will resume on Monday, July 7, 2025.
4. FRIDAY – First Friday /Independence Day in U.S.
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
- for safety for all who will travel on this Holiday Weekend in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Adoption of the Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress meeting at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, PA, later renamed Independence Hall
The transcript of the Declaration of Independence
Happy U.S.A. Independence Day!
Colorful Firework with Sounds. Screensaver (4K UltraHD) - Bing video
5. SATURDAY – First Saturday/St. Anthony Zaccaria/St. Elizabeth of Portugal/First Saturday
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
- for safety for all who will travel on this Holiday Weekend in the U.S. and elsewhere.
6. SUNDAY – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.
- for safety for all who will travel on this Holiday Weekend in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s)
who celebrate feast days/birthdays today
Sisters Maria Korick, Marietta Andrzejewska, and Alvina Vieira Machado
Mass will be offered for your special intentions.
