The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters of Reading, Pennsylvania welcomes you to the home page of St. Joseph Villa, a facility for their retired sisters.

Mission Statement

Saint Joseph Villa is:

Dedicated to the care of the ill, aged, handicapped and convalescent Bernardine Franciscan Sisters

Guided by the compassion of Jesus in the Gospels and in imitation of St. Francis, we endeavor to assist the Resident Sisters to maintain their highest level of independence, self-esteem, peace and comfort

In our daily efforts we try to emulate the prayer of St. Francis in our lives and in our relationships.

As of October 2024, there are 50 resident sisters and six additional sisters on staff residing at the Villa as a small local community. The sisters come from various parts of the country to spend their retired years in the peace of the Villa environment.

The Villa is staffed by 48 lay employees from all parts of the world. In addition to the health care, maintenance and housekeeping duties they perform, the staff also brings a variety of experiences and differences in cultures to the facility.

There is a full time Chaplain, Father Bowman who is on call 24/7 and administers the sacraments and offers daily Mass for the sisters.

The sisters enjoy many activities provided by Senior Life, Alvernia students and outside providers. Some of those activities are bingo, chair yoga and games. In order to care for the needs of the sisters there is a house doctor, a podiatrist, dentist, optometrist, and physical therapist that comes to the facility on a monthly basis to care for the sisters.