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Irmãs Franciscanas Bernardinas
Uma Congregação Internacional de Religiosas

Motherhouse / McGlinn Conference and Spirituality Center 

"We welcome all as sister and brother..."
BFS Mission Statement

The Conference Center is a part of the recently renovated Motherhouse complex.  


With a seating capacity of 125 and a scenic view in every season, the Conference Center is available for religious, education and business groups looking for a pleasant and serene environment for day or evening retreats and meetings/seminars.  


The large room seats 125 at round tables and 150 theatre style. A  small Conference Room seats 10 persons comfortably.  Several break-out rooms are also available. 

Since its opening, the Center has also opened its doors to persons from a variety of groups for a day of prayer that includes a presentation on Mary, Mass, quiet time, and a pilgrimage procession to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.


The Center hosts many Alvernia University programs, parish, catechetical and retreats and diocesan events. County offices and local businesses find the Center “user” friendly.”


Four guest rooms in the Motherhouse make it possible for Individuals to make private or directed retreats for several overnights or a week-long experience with daily Mass.


Spiritual direction is also available.

Thirty acres of trees, flowers, and peaceful walking paths help to create a sense of peace and inviting guests to outdoor Stations of the Cross, prayer at the Grotto, or a quiet visit to the cemetery where many Bernardine Franciscan Sisters and their American foundress, Mother Veronica Grzedowska are buried.  


The Canticle Gift Shop has been a pleasant addition to the Center. Featuring religious articles and inspirational gifts at reasonable prices, it has become a favorite place to spend some time and find a few surprises while at the Center.

For more information about participating in a day of recollection, scheduling a group, making a retreat or receiving spiritual direction, please complete the online form or contact:

Sister Shaun Kathleen Wilson, OSF, Director
460 Saint Bernardine Street

Reading, PA 19607-1737
484-334-6807
FAX: 484-334-6808

Directions to the BFS Motherhouse Complex, McGlinn Conference and Spirituality Center and Sacred Heart Convent

460 St Bernardine Street
Reading, PA 19607-1737
484.334.7000

Sacred Heart Convent is located three miles from center-city Reading, in the scenic Blue Mountain area of eastern Pennsylvania. The 55-acre campus adjoins Angelica Lake and houses Alvernia University. Public transportation provides service to within walking distance of the convent.

Sacred Heart Convent is noted for its accessibility to metropolitan and historical areas of interest. Near enough to New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore to share their cultural and educational opportunities, the convent is also only a short distance from the Amish country in nearby Lancaster and York Counties.

LOCAL DIRECTIONS TO SACRED HEART CONVENT AND
THE MCGLINN CONFERENCE AND SPIRITUALITY CENTER

Sacred Heart Convent and The McGlinn Conference and Spirituality Center are located in the Millmont section of Reading, an area roughly bordered by Route 222 to the North, Route 10 to the East, Route 724 to the South, and Route 625 to the West.

From Center City Reading
Take US Business Route 222 South (4th Street) across the Bingaman Street Bridge. Move into the left lane. At the second light (Queen City Restaurant is on the corner) turn left onto PA Route 10 (Morgantown Road).

*** Travel one-half mile to Upland Avenue. Turn right and follow Upland Avenue through three stop signs and over a small railroad bridge. Turn left onto St. Bernardine Street at the sign for Alvernia University. Go to stop sign, then go straight until you see the Bernardine Franciscan sign. Turn right and go up the way and at the statue, turn right to park in the Guest Parking Lot.

From the North
Take Route 422 East (West Shore Bypass) to the Lancaster Avenue exit (traffic exits from the left lane.) At traffic light, turn right, then an immediate left lane onto PA Route 10 South (Queen City Restaurant is on the corner). Follow the directions from *** above.

From the South via Route 10
Take PA Rout 10 North. Approximately .5 miles past Angelica Lake turn left onto Upland Avenue. Follow the directions from *** above.

From the Wyomissing and West Reading areas
Take Museum Road to Kenhorst Blvd. Proceed on Kenhorst Blvd. across Lancaster Avenue to New Holland Road (PA Route 625). Turn left onto New Holland Road and travel .3 mile to Upland Avenue. Turn right onto Upland Avenue and proceed to the stop sign. ^ Turn right onto St. Bernardine Street at the sign for Alvernia College. Go to stop sign, then go straight until you see the Bernardine Franciscan sign. Turn right. At the statue, turn right to park in the Guest Parking Lot.

From the West and South via Route 724
From PA Route 724 turn onto PA Route 625 (New Holland Road) heading north toward reading. Proceed 1 mile to Upland Avenue. Turn right onto Upland Avenue and proceed to the stop sign. Follow the Directions from *** above.

REGIONAL DIRECTIONS TO SACRED HEART CONVENT AND
THE MCGLINN CONFERENCE AND SPIRITUALITY CENTER

From PA Turnpike
Use PA Turnpike Exit 298, Morgantown/Reading. Take I-176 North toward Reading. Take the left exit, 11B, and merge onto 422 West toward Reading. Take the 222 South (Lancaster Avenue) left-lane exit. At the traffic light, turn left, and make an immediate left at the next light onto Route 10 South (Queen City Restaurant is on the corner). Follow the directions from *** above.

From NY, Northern PA, and Northern NJ
Take I-81 to Route 61 South to Route 222 South/422 West. Follow 222 South toward Reading/Lancaster.

++++ After passing the Broadcasting Road exit, merge left onto US Route 422 East (towards Pottstown) to the Lancaster Avenue exit (left-lane). At traffic light, turn right, then immediately get in left lane. Travel 50 feet to next light, turn left on Route 10 South (Queen City Restaurant is on corner). Follow the directions from *** above.

From Central NJ and Allentown
Take U.S. Route 22/I-78 West to PA Route 100 (Trexlertown exit). At the second traffic light, bear right onto Schnatz Road (there is a sign directing right-lane traffic to turn towards reading) until it intersects Route 222. Bear right on Route 222 South toward Reading. After crossing PA Route 73, you will bear right again onto the Route 222. Follow the directions from ++++ immediately above.
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