The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters celebrated Catholic Sisters Week on Sunday, March 10, 2024, by inviting representatives from 6 religious congregations serving in the Diocese of Allentown to join them for an afternoon of prayerful Eucharistic Adoration and Laudato Si Sunday Vespers in their Motherhouse Chapel in Reading. Representing the congregations were the Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia; Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood; Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; and the Sisters of Mercy.
Following the prayer, all were invited to dinner in the Motherhouse Dining Room, which included presentations by a representative from each congregation sharing the story of their founding, mission, and highlights of their service in their various missions, especially to migrants, the homeless, the sick, and those suffering because of poverty and hunger in the U.S. and throughout the world. The celebration of Catholic Sisters Week is an annual event in the Catholic Church that highlights the efforts of women religious to respond to the needs of the people of God wherever they live and serve.