Welcome to Mission Advancement

The Office of Development and Mission Advancement is the official and privileged link between the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters and you, our faithful supporters. We carry out the all-important task of keeping in touch with our extended Franciscan family and friends, sharing stories of our sisters in Mission, supporting our ongoing works, and working to meet the retirement needs of our elderly Sisters.

Our work remains strong because of your generosity. Today our Sisters minister in education at all levels, health care, foreign missionary work, pastoral and social ministries, retreat work, and diverse programs that benefit the economically disadvantaged in 10 states across the United States, throughout Brazil, in the African countries of Liberia and Mozambique, and in the Dominican Republic.

Your faithful support is a most treasured gift to us. We understand that you want to know that your financial support is being used for the purpose intended. We guarantee that every dollar contributed makes its way directly to a ministry of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters or to the Congregational retirement fund to provide care for our elderly and infirm Sisters.

Please know that through your gift, you are remembered in prayer by every Bernardine Franciscan Sister, whether working in Mission or engaged in the Ministry of Prayer at the Sisters’ retirement home, St. Joseph Villa. Our prayer is our gift to you.

God Bless you!

Sister Maria Bartos, OSF

Director of Development and Mission Advancement

Office of Development and Mission Advancement:

Bernardine Franciscan Sisters

450 Saint Bernardine Street

Reading, PA 19607

484-334-6815

Director: bfdevelop@bfranciscan.org

Assistant Director: bfdevelop2@bfranciscan.org

Development Office Staff

Janine Sarmir, Assistant Director

Margaret Hueske, Development Assistant

Senior Volunteers:

Sister LeRoy Primek, OSF

Sister Jeanne Budd, OSF

Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis
An International Congregation of Women Religious