An updated Adoration Schedule is in the vestibule. We have many open hours available for you to spend time alone with Jesus. Call the office to let us know what time you are choosing.
Welcome!
Thank you for visiting us at Saint Bernadette Church, which is a Roman Catholic parish located in Bayou Vista - between Patterson and Berwick, Louisiana,
in the Diocese of Lafayette . St. Bernadette Church continues the Sacramental Traditions of Jesus Christ as handed down by the Apostles, we strive to live lives of Communion and Participation as we seek to fulfill the mission bestowed upon us by Christ.
Our Pastor is Father Thainese Alphonse.
The Liturgy of the Word for The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Gospel of Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus' public ministry begins after his baptism by John the Baptist and after his retreat to the desert where he was tempted by the devil. When Jesus returns from the desert, he hears that John has been arrested.
The first part of today's Gospel places Jesus' ministry in the context of the writings of the prophet, Isaiah. Matthew wants to show that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies given to the people of Israel, and he refers to Isaiah to do so. Isaiah says that the Messiah will begin his ministry in Galilee, the land of the Gentiles. When Jesus begins to preach in Galilee, Matthew points to his ministry as a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, proof that Jesus is the Messiah.
When Jesus called his first disciples, the Gospel tells us that the fishermen (Peter and Andrew, James and John) dropped everything to follow Jesus immediately. Yet this Gospel tells us little about the prior experience that the fishermen had of Jesus. Did they know him? Had they heard him preach? What kind of person must Jesus have been to invoke such a response? We can imagine that Jesus was a powerful presence to elicit a response as immediate and complete as these first disciples gave.
The Gospel concludes with a description of the ministry that Jesus begins in Galilee. Jesus inaugurates the Kingdom of God with his work. He teaches in the synagogue and preaches the kingdom. His ability to cure people's diseases and illness is a sign of the kingdom. In Jesus' ministry, we already begin to see the Kingdom of God among us.
First Reading
Isaiah 8:23-9:3
The people in darkness have seen a great light.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 27:1,4,13-14
The Lord is our refuge, our light, our salvation.
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17
Paul urges the community at Corinth to be united as people baptized in Christ's name.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 4:12-23
Jesus begins to preach in Galilee and calls his first disciples.
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.
Matthew 4:12-23
A WORD FROM THE PASTOR
A Pilgrimage of Faith and Family
My dear parishioners,
I am happy to inform you of my home visit from January 5th to February 11th, 2026. This time, two priests from the Diocese of Lafayette will be accompanying me, and I will be taking them to several well-known pilgrimage centers in India. These include the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, four Marian Basilicas, several 500-year-old churches, the tomb of St. Teresa of Calcutta and the site of her first mission near a Hindu temple, the Taj Mahal, and my family home.
As you can imagine, my mother is eagerly waiting to see me. I assure you of my prayers for all of you at the holy places we will be visiting and offering Masses.
During my 14-day stay at home, I will also travel to my Diocese of Kadapa to visit my bishop on January 27th. In addition, I will attend my 1985 classmates' priests' reunion on February 4th and 5th, and I will celebrate the baptism of my nephew's baby on February 7th - he was married in September 2024. After that, I will prepare to return on February 10th and will arrive back here on the night of February 11th.
I will be away for five weekends. Fr. Mike Bergeron will cover four of those weekends, and one weekend will be covered by a priest from the Food for the Poor group. As our weekday Mass attendance is very low, I am sorry to inform you that there will be no weekday Masses during my absence. Please attend Mass at neighboring parishes on those days.
The Light of our Journey (Pulpit to Pews-Cycle A: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time)
St. Teresa of Calcutta told a beautiful story of a man who was brought out of darkness into the light. One day, in Melbourne, Australia, she visited a poor man whom nobody knew existed. The room in which he lived was terribly unclean. The doors and windows were never opened to let in the light. She began cleaning the room. At first, the man protested, saying, "Leave it alone. It's all right as it is." But she continued cleaning anyway.
Under a pile of rubbish, she found a beautiful oil lamp covered with dirt. She cleaned and polished it, then asked him, "How come you never light the lamp?" "Why should I light it?" he replied. "No one ever comes to see me." "Will you promise to light it if one of my sisters comes to visit you?" she asked. "Yes," he replied. "If I hear a human voice, I'll light the lamp." Two of Mother Teresa's nuns began to visit him regularly. Gradually, things improved. Then one day he said to the nuns, "Sisters, I'll be able to manage on my own from now on, but please do me a favor: tell that first sister who came to see me that the light she lit in my life is still burning."
God is light, and He dispels all darkness. He invites us to live enlightened lives, bringing light into the darkened lives of others. The liturgical readings call us to know and accept Jesus as the light for our journey.
In our Gospel Weeklies lessons throughout the year, our children will be meeting Jesus in the Sunday Gospel, the same Gospel that will be proclaimed during Mass the upcoming weekend. As your child's first, and most important catechist, its your role to help them develop a personal relationship with God by providing them with opportunities to learn about the teachings of the Church, the sacraments, and the lives of the saints. While we are extremely grateful that your children are usually present at class weekly, it is more important for them to be in Mass every weekend. Your family belongs to the Catholic community, but in order to feel this sense of belonging, your family MUST BE involved in the life of the Church. By taking an active role in the life of the Church, you can help your children see the relevance and importance of our Catholic faith in our lives.
The Gospel this Sunday takes place at the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, where he spent his time teaching, proclaiming God's Kingdom, and healing the sick. Galilee is situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee, and many people who lived there were fishermen. Jesus invited his new friends to leave their nets and follow him. He promised them that they would now be fishing for people instead of fish.
Jesus still invites us all to follow Him today - to be "Fishers of Men." Take some time this week to share how Jesus calls your family. What are some ways your family answers Jesus' call to follow him? How can you help each other be better followers of Jesus?
Here's a daily prayer for discerning God's will for you.
Lord Jesus,
You know my heart, my struggles, my desires.
Speak to me clearly, quietly.
Let me not be led by fear, pride, or confusing.
Show me what You want me to do today
And give me the grace to do it.
Amen.
Classes throughout the year will be held on Wednesdays from 5:45pm - 7:00pm for ALL GRADE LEVELS (Kindergarten - 8th).
Our next Family Mass is January 25th
Bible Quiz # 53 The Book of Judges (Chapters 11-15) ANSWERS
How does Jephthah try to resolve the conflict with the Ammonites at first? - He sends messengers to reason with the king of Ammon, attempting a peaceful diplomatic solution
What vow does Jephthah make to the Lord? - He vows that if God grants victory, he will offer as a burnt offering whatever comes out of his house to meet him when he returns.
How long did Jephthah judge Israel? - Six years.
What was unique about Samson's birth? - His mother was barren until an angel of the Lord announced she would bear a special child.
What does it mean that Samson was a Nazirite from birth? - He was set apart to God, and three restrictions applied: 1. No cutting his hair. 2. No drinking wine of strong drink. 3. No touching anything unclean.
What is the significance of the angel ascending in the flame of the altar? - It revealed that the messenger was no ordinary man but a divine being, leading Manoah to fear they had seen God.
What does it mean that Samson's desire was "from the Lord"? - God intended to use the situation to create conflict with the Philistines and begin Israel's deliverance.
How does Samson kill the lion? - The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands.
Samson destroyed the Philistines' crops by using: - A torch in foxes' tails
Samson was allowed to cut his hair because he was a Nazirite only temporarily. - False, He was a Nazirite from birth.
Thank you to the following for participating:
Michelle Tholen, Judy & Roland Brannon, Susan Legendre, Carlo Streva,Jr., Kenny Zimmer, Julia Hepler, Barry Clark, Alberta LeBlanc, Theresa Babin, Brenda Nelson, Sammy & Cindy Viola, Lois Bosworth, Christina Wallace, Geneva Alcina, M. Hebert, and Mary Jo Beadle
Hail, holy Queen enthroned above, oh Maria.
Hail, mother of mercy and of love, oh Maria.
Triumph all ye cherubim, Sing with us ye seraphim.
Heaven and earth resound the hymn.
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina.
The beautiful tradition of May Crowning reflects the beauty of the 5th Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary which it evokes. Honoring Our Lady, Queen of Heaven and Earth, honors her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ Who first crowned her as His Queen. Adorning Our Lady with a crown of flowers is a custom of great devotion to Our Holy Mother and recalls the beauty of her love for us during difficult times in the world.
Our Lady always guides as a loving Mother. Her Immaculate Heart and her maternal beauty will always triumph over the ugliness of sin and suffering.
As we crown the Blessed Virgin on Mother's Day, we ask that she intercede for us to her Son.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Holiness demands a constant effort, but it is possible for everyone because, rather than a human effort, it is first and foremost a gift of God, thrice holy. The Apostle John remarks: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. It is God, therefore, who loved us first and make us his adoptive sons in Jesus. Everything in our lives is a gift of his love: how can we be indifferent before such a great mystery? How can we not respond to the heavenly Father's love by living as grateful children? In Christ, he gave us the gift of his entire self and calls us to a personal and profound relationship with him. Consequently, the more we imitate Jesus and remain united to him the more we enter into the mystery of his divine holiness. We discover that he loves us infinitely, and this prompts us in turn to love our brethren. Loving always entails an act of self-denial, "losing ourselves," and it is precisely this that makes us happy….
In truth, the blessed par excellence is only Jesus. He is, in fact, the true poor in spirit, the one afflicted, the meek one, the one hungering and thirsting for justice, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemaker. He is the one persecuted for the sake of justice.
The Beatitudes show us the spiritual features of Jesus and thus express his mystery, the mystery of his death and Resurrection, of his Passion and the joy of his Resurrection. This mystery, which is the mystery of true blessedness, invites us to follow Jesus and thus to walk toward it. To the extent that we accept his proposal and set out to follow him—each one in his own circumstances—we too can participate in his blessedness. With him, the impossible becomes possible and even a camel can pass through the eye of a needle; with his help, only with his help can we become perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect.
One of the greatest graces for our parish is Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in our chapel.
To quote Pope John Paul II; "We come here to meet the Heart of Jesus pierced for us, from which water and blood gush. It is the redeeming love, which is at the origin of salvation, of our salvation, which is at the origin of the Church. Now still today, the living Christ loves us and presents His Heart to us as the source of our redemption… We are called not only to meditate and contemplate on this mystery of Christ's love; we are called to take part in it. It is the mystery of the Holy Eucharist, the center of our Faith, the center of our worship of Christ's merciful love manifested in His Sacred Heart, a mystery which is adored here night and day. In the Eucharist – this is also the meaning of perpetual adoration – we enter the movement of love from which all interior progress and all apostolate efficacy springs."
Mother Teresa taught "When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now."
This examination of conscience is not intended merely as a checklist to be used prior to confession. The purpose of this examination is to help souls to know what actions or attitudes are sinful and the gravity of the particular sin. The hope is that this knowledge will serve to keep people from committing these sins.
* Three things are necessary for a sin to be mortal: 1. Serious matter (things listed on this sheet); 2. Knowledge or firm belief that the act is seriously wrong prior to committing the act; 3. Full consent to the will.
All three of these conditions must be present simultaneously for a sin to be mortal. This means that if you did not know the act was seriously wrong, then you are not guilty of having committed a mortal sin. If you did not will the act, e.g., if you were forced or if it was in a dream, you are not guilty of having committed a mortal sin.
All mortal sins committed since your last confession must be confessed by both type and number, i.e., the title of the sin and how many times it was done. If there is a mortal sin from the past that was forgotten and has not been confessed, it should be confessed at your next confession. It is not necessary to confess venial sins, but it is a good and pious practice.
There's an old saying that goes, "Once a Catholic, always a Catholic." Maybe you have been away from the Church for a little while or quite some time, but somehow you now feel a tug at your heart calling you back home to the Catholic Church. That's why we're here.
Whether or not you know you want to return to the Catholic Church, we're here to help you take that second look. That mysterious pull inside you, driving you to look into your faith once more, comes directly from God. Your Heavenly Father is yearning for a relationship with you again, in the Church founded by Jesus 2000 years ago. He's waiting for you with open arms. Please Read More...
The Mass Explained
When someone wants to show you their affection and friendship, they invite you to their home. There are two important things which occur next: conversation and a meal. In the celebration of the Mass, it is Jesus who invites us to participate in his friendship, during which we also encounter these two important moments: conversation, which is when Jesus speaks to us through his Word and we respond with our prayers; and a meal, when Jesus offers us the Eucharistic banquet giving us his Body and Blood.
Laws that permit or promote abortion, infanticide, human cloning, destructive embryo research or physician-assisted suicide ignore the sanctity of each human life and undermine the foundation of a just and healthy society. As citizens and people of faith, each of us should actively advance our convictions in the public square in every legitimate and ethical way. We should rededicate ourselves to upholding the sanctity of human life, and hold those elected to represent us to the same standard. Please Read More...
Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics
This voter's guide helps you cast your vote in an informed manner consistent with Catholic moral teaching.
This voter's guide identifies five issues involving "non-negotiable" moral values in current politics and helps you narrow down the list of acceptable candidates, whether they are running for national, state, or local offices. Please Read More...
Weekly Reflection
God's Permissive Will When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Matthew 4:12, 17
When John the Baptist was arrested, his followers were likely overcome with fear and grief. The man they revered as a prophet, who fearlessly proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and called for repentance through baptism, had been imprisoned. John was arrested by Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, infamous for ordering the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. Like his father, Herod Antipas was ambitious and morally corrupt. As tetrarch of Galilee and Perea under Roman authority, Herod's political survival depended on maintaining Roman favor. He often used religion to secure legitimacy among the Jewish people, though his actions routinely violated Jewish law.
Though nominally Jewish, the Herodian dynasty was of Idumean descent, tracing its lineage to Esau rather than Jacob. The Idumeans were forcibly converted to Judaism between 135–104 BC. While this history granted the Herods a claim to Jewish identity, their foreign lineage and collaboration with Rome made them unpopular with many Jews. Herod Antipas, like his father, prioritized political cunning and personal ambition over genuine adherence to Jewish law.
When John the Baptist emerged on the scene, he proclaimed his message with fearless conviction. His central call was one of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins, urging the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Yet John did not shy away from addressing the moral and spiritual corruption of his time. He famously denounced the Pharisees and Sadducees as a "brood of vipers," rebuking their hypocrisy and lack of genuine repentance. John also boldly condemned Herod Antipas for violating Jewish law by divorcing his wife and marrying Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, Philip. This marriage not only violated Mosaic Law but also reflected Herod's ambitions to consolidate power and status. John's fearless denunciation of sin, even among the powerful, ultimately led to his arrest and eventual martyrdom.
This historical context surrounding John's arrest is crucial because it helps us understand God's providence-how He permits certain evils to occur in order to bring about a greater good. Jesus Himself later affirmed John's greatness, saying, "Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11:11). If the Son of God declared John's greatness shortly after John's arrest, why didn't God miraculously free him from persecution? The answer lies in John's mission. He had fulfilled his primary role: preparing the way for the Lord, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Once John's mission was complete, God permitted him to seal his testimony with his own blood, offering his life as a martyr for the Lord and for the Truth that sets all people free.
Reflect today on John's arrest and consider how you might have reacted if you had been one of his disciples. From an earthly perspective, martyrdom is difficult to comprehend or accept, especially in our own lives or in the lives of those we love. Though John's arrest and subsequent martyrdom likely brought fear and grief to his disciples, shaking their sense of security, from an eternal perspective, John's martyrdom was his greatest act of witness. It fulfilled his mission by pointing his disciples-and all of us-toward the true Prophet and Messiah, Jesus Christ. John is forever glorified in Heaven, and in the end, that is all that truly matters. As we honor John's unwavering faith, seek to embrace God's permissive will in your own life. Even in the face of suffering or evil, trust that God, in His providence, can bring about a greater good if we surrender ourselves fully to Him.
My provident and loving God, You permit evil to touch the lives of Your faithful followers, knowing that in Your perfect Wisdom, You can bring forth a greater good. Grant me the heart of a martyr, filled with courage and trust, whenever I face injustice in my life. Help me to unite my every trial to Yours, in imitation of Saint John the Baptist and Your own Passion and Death. Jesus, I trust in You. Source: mycatholic.life
If you have any questions regarding Religious Education, please call Becky at 395-2470.
Get Involved-
Catholics have a long history of action - feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, caring for the poor, praying for souls. Are you doing all you can to help? If not, find out if there is a parish ministry that could use your time, talent, or treasure. Catholics are meant to make a difference.
Lay people who place their time and talent as acolytes (altar servers), lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, cantors, choir members, instrumentalists, and ushers become more fully in union with Christ and with each other.
Our current ministers are ready to partner up with any and all who are willing to say yes. At one time, we were all nervous and feared stepping into the sanctuary of the church - some of us are still nervous today. You don't have to do it alone. We will support and guide you.
Knights
of Columbus
Knights of Columbus Council 6211 is located in Bayou Vista, La. We are currently recruiting new members from the Parish.
Monthly Meetings for the Bayou Vista Knights Council are held on the 1st Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
Location for the meeting is at 113 Sunset Rd, Bayou Vista, LA 70380. KC Council 6211 Contact Info... Knights
of Columbus Info...
St. Bernadette Parsih Pastoral Council and Finance Committee
Holiness demands a constant effort, but it is possible for everyone because, rather than a human effort, it is first and foremost a gift of God, thrice holy. The Apostle John remarks: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. It is God, therefore, who loved us first and make us his adoptive sons in Jesus. Everything in our lives is a gift of his love: how can we be indifferent before such a great mystery? How can we not respond to the heavenly Father's love by living as grateful children? In Christ, he gave us the gift of his entire self and calls us to a personal and profound relationship with him. Consequently, the more we imitate Jesus and remain united to him the more we enter into the mystery of his divine holiness. We discover that he loves us infinitely, and this prompts us in turn to love our brethren. Loving always entails an act of self-denial, "losing ourselves," and it is precisely this that makes us happy….
One of the greatest graces for our parish is Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in our chapel. 
