Sister Bernadette Francis Bremmer

"> Sister Bernadette Francis Bremmer, OSF
Sister Bernadette Francis Bremmer, OSF, died in Assisi House, Aston, on December 15. She was 85 and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Sister Bernadette Francis (Virginia Monica Bremmer) was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of Holy Ghost Parish. She entered the congregation in 1938 and professed her first vows in 1940. Sister Bernadette ministered primarily in domestic work. In addition to cooking in the convents where she lived during the school term, she also ministered wherever a need arose during the summer months, for example, at Our Lady of Angels Convent, Aston, Pennsylvania, House of Studies at Catholic University, Washington, D.C., and at St. Michael Home, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. After she retired, she also assisted with mailings at Holy Ghost Rectory, Bethlehem. Sister Bernadette enjoyed raising plants, decorating and doing needlework. Sister Bernadette Francis ministered for 36 years in the Diocese of Allentown. 20 of those years were spent serving in her home parish, Holy Ghost Convent, 1971-1991. She also ministered at St. Lawrence Convent, Catasauqua, 1940-1944, St. Mary Convent, Catasauqua, 1962-1965, Ss. Peter and Paul Convent, Lehighton, 1965-1971, and Sacred Heart Convent, Allentown, 1991-1994. Sister Bernadettes 30 years of service in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia included ministering at St. Elizabeth Convent, 1939-1940, St. Alphonsus Convent, 1944-1946, Resurrection Convent, Chester, 1947-1951, St. Stanislaus Convent, Lansdale, 1951-1952, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Convent, Doylestown, 1952-1960, St. Aloysius Convent, Pottstown, 1960-1961, and Our Lady of Angels Convent, Aston, 1961-1962. In 1994, Sister Bernadette moved to Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer ministry until her death. Sister Bernadette Francis also ministered for a short time in the Diocese of Metuchen at St. Joseph Convent, Raritan, New Jersey, 1946-1947. Survivors: Brother, John Bremmer of Allentown; sister, Jeanette Keim of Bethlehem; nieces, nephews; her Franciscan family. Services: All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Rd., Aston, today, December 19. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 a.m. followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Aston. Contributions: Donations in her name can be made to the Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Rd., Aston, PA 19014.