Relay for May 2024

The Sister Carol Ann Commons

 (Dedicated October 2023 - the beginning of the celebration of the 50^th Anniversary)

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 a young mother who is having 5-hour surgery on Monday.

National Day of Prayer

Theme: Lift up the Word – Light up the World

For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. 2 Samuel 22:29-31

3. FRIDAY - SS. Philip and James, Apostles/First Friday

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 Ellen Marie Burke

Mass will be offered for your special intentions.

Community Update – Deceased Family Member

Prayers are requested for the departed soul of our Sister’s Family Member and for the comfort and consolation of our Sister and her family.

• Rev. Charles F. Bodziak, 82, Sister Helen Therese Bodziak’s brother, died Wednesday evening, May 1, 2024. Viewing: Monday, May 6, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hoffman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 409 Main Street, Boswell, PA 15531, phone (814 )629-5550 during which a. Vigil for the Deceased will take place at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass: Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 325 Quemahoning Street Boswell, PA 15531, phone (814) 629-5551, with Rev. Fr. Brian Warchola, Celebrant. Committal: St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Boswell. https://www.dailyamerican.com/obituaries/psom0808595

Community Update – Living Family Member

for Sister de Lourdes Okoniewski’s grandniece, Sarah, and for the safe delivery of her baby.

Villa Maria 50th Anniversary Video

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LUwsPkjCRzcZAWbjvD-bXkh_6o_gO-tX/view?usp=sharing

  

Therapy Dogs Visit Sisters at St. Joseph Villa

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Left: Sister Francis Canice Reinhardt with “Silk”

Right: Sister Stella Ann Tumanow with “Muse”

Left: Sisters Therese San Miguel and Maria James Riedel with “Pippa”

Right: Sister Lorraine Molchanow, MSC and Sister Carol Anne Heitgen with “Sabrina”

Left: Sister Christen Shukwit and her sister, Pieta Shukwit – taking a break in the courtyard.

Right: Sister Maureen Carroll, MSC and Sister Theresa Molchanow, MSC with “Charlie”

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 the sister of a friend and former student of the BFS and her niece, her niece who seemed trapped in a damaging and dysfunctional relationship.
• for spiritual, mental and emotional recovery of a 15-year-old young lady who was kidnapped in Guatemala and trafficked in Florida. She managed to run away.

4. SATURDAY - First Saturday

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

5. SUNDAY – Sixth Sunday of Easter/Cinco de Mayo

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration held on May 5 to celebrate Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire

at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. 

6. MONDAY

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

Community Update - BFS

• Please pray for Sister La Verne Grippe who has been in Reading Hospital since April 28, 2024.

BFS Retreats – Reading, PA

• June 9-14, 2024 – St. Joseph Villa conducted by Fr. Kevin MacDonald, Redemptorist priest from San Alfonso Retreat Center, Long Branch, NJ. Theme: "Love's Redeeming Way: How to live creative hope through the Eucharist, redemptive suffering and contemplative prayer" Please call Sister Josandra Ciucci no later than Friday, May 24, 2024 to register.

• July 7 to 13, 2024 – McGlinn Conference & Spirituality Center conducted by Fr. Johnpaul Cafiero, OFM. Theme: “Come to the Mountains: An Encounter with God.” Registration deadline: June 25, 2024. For additional information, contact Sister Shaun Kathleen Wilson.

From the Relay

Tomorrow’s Relay will be posted in the afternoon.

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 a little boy, Kolin Hummer, who is facing a serious surgery.
• for a healthy pregnancy and baby for Blair and Doug.
• for protection and all the right decisions for Phil.
• for a peaceful, happy death for Dorothy.
• for healing for a young father.
• for Eva.



7. TUESDAY

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 Joana Sortica

Mass will be offered for your special intentions.

70th Jubliarians Feted at St. Joseph Villa Sunday, May 5, 2024

Canoas, RS Brazil

Flood in the South of Brazil (Experts from daily Vatican News – article of the Cardinal of Porto Alegre, Jaime Splenger to Pope Francis)

On Monday morning, May 6, 2024, the water of the Lagoa do Guaiba was 5meters and 26cm, and the limit for flooding is 3 meters. According to experts, the Guaíba should remain at about 4m for the next 10 days.

The picture shows the population of the city of Canoas on May 5, 2024. The increase is a consequence of the floods that hit Rio Grande do Sul exactly a week ago. According to a partial balance sheet of the Civil Defense, 88 people have died, 111 are missing and 276 have been injured. In addition, more than 141 thousand people are out of their homes: more than 19 thousand in shelters and another 121 thousand displaced (in the homes of family or friends). In all, 345 of the state's 496 municipalities registered some type of problem, affecting 850, thousand people in Rio Grande do Sul.

The Pope's prayer - 05/05/2024

In addition to the closeness of Pope Francis on Sunday (05/05), who at the Regina Caeli said he prayed for the population affected by the great flood, the archbishop of Porto Alegre and president of the CNBB, Dom Jaime Spengler, has also shown himself to be close to parishioners throughout the state. He said he had been in contact with some parish priests, from the countryside and also from the capital itself:

"Here, in the metropolitan region, we have - for example, Novo Hamburgo and São Leopoldo - with practically 200 thousand displaced people. In the city of Canoas, in those days, more than 15 thousand people had to be taken from their homes. The city of Eldorado do Sul is practically taken by the waters. The mayor yesterday, in an interview, said: 'the city no longer exists'. Here in the city of Porto Alegre, we are practically isolated: there is no land contact with the cities in the region. And in some regions, the water is still rising, although the Guaíba has stopped rising."

"We will have very difficult days ahead. The water will take a long time to come down and, along with that, the concern with the care of all these people. We don't know how long this will be necessary, but also as the water enters the Patos Lagoon, we will have the entire region of Pelotas and Rio Grande, which will probably also be affected in a very particular way by these waters."

NOTICE: It includes Barra do Ribeiro where the Convent and School of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters is located.

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 enlightenment so that Jack and Meghan can resolve a difficult situation.
• for healing for Rebecca who may need surgery.

8. WEDNESDAY

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

When in the U.S. is the Ascension of the Lord celebrated?

The U.S. ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia [see below], and Omaha celebrate the Ascension of the Lord tomorrow, Thursday, May 9, 2024. The other U.S. ecclesiastical provinces transfer the celebration of the Ascension to Sunday, May 12, 2024.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia covers five Pennsylvania counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia. It is the metropolitan see of the ecclesiastical province of Philadelphia and the following suffragan dioceses [see below]: Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Scranton.

A suffragan diocese is one of the dioceses other than the metropolitan archdiocese that constitute an ecclesiastical province.

Flood Update - Rio Grande do Sul Brazil

May 7, 2024 Vatican News – Portuguese Messages

The emotion of a priest: "We are small in facing the gigantic situation in Rio Grande do Sul" - "Yesterday, when I celebrated Mass, I was moved, I cried. It's very difficult because we don't know what to do. We want to help, the devastating situation in Brazil," said Father Paulo César Bernardi in testimony to Vatican News. "I apologize for the emotion, but seeing this reality is quite difficult. May Our Lady, Mother of God, Patroness of Rio Grande do Sul, enlighten all the people who are discouraged and tired." The floods have already caused 90 deaths and 132 missing people.

A man being airlifted from the flood zone.

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 healing for 90-year-old Eileen who suffered injuries during a fall.

9. THURSDAY – The Ascension of the Lord [celebrated in some (Arch)Dioceses in the U.S. today and transferred to Sunday, May 12, 2024, in others].

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

Congratulations, Sister Noemia Ana Lenhart!

St. Joseph Villa had their Staff Appreciation Dinner on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at which Sister Noemia Ana Lenhart was honored for her 25 years of service. Many thanks, Sister! Muito obrigada! Many blessings for years to come! Muitas bênçãos para os próximos anos!

Left to right: Sister Josandra Ciucci (Local Minister), Sister Noemia Ana Lenhart (Award Recipient), Sister Madonna Marie Harvath (Assistant Local Minister)

Urgent: Help needed in Rio Grande do Sul – Brazil

Dear Sisters,

The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters in Brazil, alongside the Missionary Fraternity and JPIC are reaching out to you in solidarity during this critical time in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Our hearts ache for the communities devastated by the recent floods.

Our Resource Mobilization Center, led by Sister Samanta, is actively collecting donations to support those who have lost everything. We’ve been touched by the generosity of those friends who have already contributed.

The situation is dire. Entire cities are submerged, and thousands are seeking refuge in shelters, relying on the kindness and compassion of others. Access to essential supplies is limited due to the isolation of these areas.

As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship and serving the less fortunate, we feel compelled to respond to the urgent needs arising from the climate crisis in Rio Grande do Sul. Your support, no matter the amount, would mean the world to those affected.

If you’d like to join us in this campaign, please know that Sister Zioldé is ready to receive your donations and ensure they reach those in need securely and swiftly.

Thank you for your kindness and solidarity in this challenging time.

Warm regards,

Sister Gilbetânia

10. FRIDAY - – St. Damien de Veuster of Molokai/St. John of Avila

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

• for safe travel for all during this busy Mother’s Day weekend.

Today we offer our prayers and good works for our dear Sister(s) who celebrate feast days/birthdays today

Sister Maria Leonil Araujo Perreira (Márcia)

Mass will be offered for your special intentions.

Chapter Implementation Updates

 Sisters, thank you for your participation in the Chapter Implementation Assembly on April 21, 2024 that focused on global fraternity and intercultural relationships.

Evaluation

Attached find the synthesis for the fall Tau and winter Tau evaluations.

April 2024 Chapter Implementation Assembly

If you were unable to view the videos or would like to view them again, here are the links:

• Sultan’s Call to Prayer - https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=islamic+call+to+prayer%2c+sunrise&&mid=1EFF2AE61D9EAED3B2701EFF2AE61D9EAED3B270&&FORM=VRDGAR
• Buddhist Presentation - https://pemachodronfoundation.org/videos/bill-moyers-on-faith-and-reason-with-pema-chodron/
• Heal the World Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWf-eARnf6U

Chapter Implementation Red Letter Dates

Please mark your calendars with the following dates for the remaining declaration statements:

• September 21, 2024 - Assembly - Introduction to themes.
• October/November Tau - Eliminate social inequality, discrimination, a culture of privilege.
• January/February Tau - Optimize human and financial resources / simplify our lifestyle.
• April 5, 2025 – Assembly - Share and evaluate themes.
• September 20, 2025 - Assembly - Closing ritual with Bi-fold Tau Charts.

Sisters Cecilia Bondy and Carol Ann Nawracaj

Chapter Implementation Committee Co-Chairs

10. FRIDAY – Afternoon Addition – BF Sister critically ill

• Please hold in prayer Sister Josita Karnish who is in our St. Joseph Villa and is critically ill.

11. SATURDAY

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

12. SUNDAY - Seventh Sunday of Easter/The Ascension of the Lord [transferred from May 9, 2024 in some (Arch)Dioceses in the U.S. to today]/Mother’s Day/World Communications Day

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 Genilse Luiza Dalmedico

Mass will be offered for your special intentions.

Theme for World Communication Day 2024

“Artificial intelligence and wisdom of the heart for a fully human communication” is the theme chosen by Pope Francis

for the 58th World Communication Day observed today.

12. Community Update – Death of a BFS

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 Josita Karnish (Kachniarz) who entered eternal life this morning, Sunday, May 12, 2024, in St. Joseph Villa, Reading, PA. Arrangements are pending.

13. MONDAY –Our Lady of Fatima

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 Jacinta Respondowska

Mass will be offered for your special intentions.

Community Update – Death of a BFS

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 Josita Karnish (Kachniarz) who entered eternal life yesterday morning, Sunday, May 12, 2024, at 12:26 a.m. in St. Joseph Villa, Reading, PA at the age of 87 and in the 71st year of her religious life. Sister’s viewing will be held [next week] on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph Villa, Reading, PA. Sister’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Joseph Villa Chapel, 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.)

Community Update - BFS

• Sister La Verne Grippe was discharged from the hospital on Friday, May 10, 2024, and has returned to St. Joseph Villa, Reading, PA.

Community Update – Family Member

• for Heidi, Sister Carol Ann Nawracaj’s cousin, for a successful surgery today and for complete recovery.

From the Relay

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” So the adage goes. Many pictures arrive at the Relay office for posting. Request: Send no more than a total of six (6) pictures for posting for any event. Provide identification for each of the 6 pictures [or fewer pictures] including the date of the event, where the event occurred, and the names of anyone in the picture. The person doing the Relay will determine which picture(s) will be posted. Pictures lacking identification will not be posted.

Prayers are requested for the departed souls of our Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends and Benefactors and for the comfort and consolation of their families:

• for Brittany Maynard.

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 improved health and blessings for John and Jane.

14. TUESDAY – St. Matthias, Apostle

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

St. Joseph Villa – Crowning of Mary – Sunday, May 12, 2024

15. WEDNESDAY – St. Isidore/International Day of Families

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

Prayers are requested for the departed souls of our Sisters, Family, Associates, Friends and Benefactors and for the comfort and consolation of their families:

• for Eileen Longe.

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 Carolyn Primeau who will be having surgery on Monday, May 20, 2024.
• for Kristine, Jessica, Kai, and Noah for good health, safety and blessing in travel.
• for Richard Per.
• for Judy Zdanowitz who was diagnosed with a serious illness, and for a successful surgery and complete recovery.

16. THURSDAY

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

Community Update - BFS

• Please hold in prayer Sister Francis Canice Reinhardt who is having knee surgery this morning, May 16, 2024. Speedy and complete recovery.

A Moment in Time

Celebrating 130th Anniversary of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters

1894 ~ 2024

The Health Ministry in Our Congregation

The hospitals were a vital and dynamic ministry of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters. A response to participate in the healing ministry of Jesus by caring for the whole person was the focus of the health care ministry of the Sisters. In each of the hospitals in which the Sisters ministered, the people of God were served with love and compassion.

Holy Infant Hospital, the former Municipal Hospital in Hoven, South Dakota, was the first hospital in the United States taken over by the Sisters in September 1943.

In living the mission of spreading the Gospel in loving care of the sick, the Congregation continued in the health care ministry in the Midwest and later in the East.

Acceptance of small hospitals in the Midwest included:

• St. Francis Hospital in Osceola, Nebraska (1944)
• St. Ann Hospital in Watertown, South Dakota (1950)
• Hospital of the Most Sacred Heart, the former Gettysburg Memorial Hospital, in South Dakota (1952)

The ministry of the Sisters in health care in the Midwest suffered adverse difficulties in obtaining the services of general practitioners and surgeons in the small town hospitals, with the exception of St. Ann Hospital in the city of Watertown, South Dakota. The Sisters who trained in the nursing profession and as various technicians were needed in the larger hospitals in the East with the purchase of and building of hospitals to care for the sick. In time, the presence of our Sisters in the health care ministry in the Midwest was non-existent.

The nursing personnel and technicians then served in the hospitals in the East which included:

• St. Joseph Hospital in Hazleton, PA formerly named The Corrigan Maternity Hospital (1944)
• Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News, VA (1952)
• Sacred Heart Medical Center, formerly named Sacred Heart Maternity Hospital, in Chester, PA (1953)

In our belief in the sacredness of life and the dignity of the human person, the Sisters served all persons in need respectful of their diversity in race, culture and religion.

                                                                                                                                            Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Archives

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 fulfilling and stable employment for Mike Bonnasso.

17. FRIDAY

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

Community Updates – BFS

• Prayers for Sister Conceição Ináia de Andrade who is hospitalized with heart problems in Porto Alegre, RS Brazil.

Community Updates – Family Members

• Prayers for Sister Marie Cacciatore’s two sisters, Marcia and Debbie, and brother-in-law, Tony, who were in a serious car accident this morning.
• Prayers for Frances Morton, Sister Immaculene’s sister (former Sister Rose Therese), who is in hospice care.

Community Update – Death of a BFS – Repeat announcement

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 Josita Karnish (Kachniarz) who entered eternal life Sunday morning, May 12, 2024, at 12:26 a.m. in St. Joseph Villa, Reading, PA at the age of 87 and in the 71st year of her religious life. Viewing on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph Villa, Reading, PA. Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Joseph Villa Chapel, 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.)

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 Jonathan’s dad that testing will indicate absence of disease and also for healing for sick family members.

18. SATURDAY – St. John I

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 Phyllis Duncan

Mass will be offered for your special intentions.

19. SUNDAY - Pentecost Sunday

Prayers are requested for the needs of our congregation.

Laudato Si’ Week May 19-26, 2024 “Seeds of Hope”

Ecological Conversion Sunday

“In the distance on the horizon we could see the great mountains… The sight of these beauties made a deep impression on my thoughts. I felt that I was already beginning to understand the greatness of God and the wonders of heaven.” – St. Therese of Lisieux, Manuscript A, 58r.