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 Connor Poirrier.
The Liturgy of the Word for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In today's Gospel, Jesus offers three parables to describe the Kingdom of Heaven. He also explains why he speaks to the crowds in parables and interprets the parable of the sower for the disciples. This reading is a continuation of Jesus' discourse that we began reading last Sunday.
All three parables use commonplace experiences to describe aspects of the Kingdom of Heaven. The first parable is longer and more detailed than the next two, and it alerts us to the two-fold reality of the Kingdom of Heaven. The beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven can be found in this world. The fruition of the Kingdom of Heaven, however, will not be realized until the final judgment. In the meantime, as Jesus' explanation to the disciples cautions, any effort to judge the progress of the Kingdom of Heaven is premature. Only God, in the final judgment, will distinguish the fruit of the Kingdom of Heaven and offer its reward.
The second and third parables call to our attention the abundance that will result from the small beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven. Just as a mustard seed-the smallest of all seeds-will become a large bush, so too God will bring his Kingdom to full bloom. As a small amount of yeast will leaven the entire batch of bread, so too God will bring about the expansion of his Kingdom. In each case the image is of the superabundance that God brings out of even the smallest of signs of the Kingdom.
Contained within these parables are words of caution as well as words of consolation. In the parable of the sower we are warned against judging others. To judge and uproot the "weeds" prematurely will harm the wheat; final judgment rests with God. In the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast, we are consoled by the message that God can work wonders and produce abundance from even the smallest beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven.
First Reading
Wisdom 12:13,16-19
God has shown himself to be a God of justice and mercy.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 86:5-6,9-10,15-16
A prayer to God for mercy.
Second Reading
Romans 8:26-27
The Spirit intercedes for us with God.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 13:24-43
Jesus offers parables about the Kingdom of Heaven and explains them to his disciples.
Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying:
"The kingdom of heaven may be likened
to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
While everyone was asleep his enemy came
and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.
When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.
The slaves of the householder came to him and said,
'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
Where have the weeds come from?'
He answered, 'An enemy has done this.'
His slaves said to him,
'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds
you might uproot the wheat along with them.
Let them grow together until harvest;
then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,
"First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;
but gather the wheat into my barn."'"
He proposed another parable to them.
"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed
that a person took and sowed in a field.
It is the smallest of all the seeds,
yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants.
It becomes a large bush,
and the 'birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.'"
He spoke to them another parable.
"The kingdom of heaven is like yeast
that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch was leavened."
All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables.
He spoke to them only in parables,
to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:
I will open my mouth in parables,
I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation
of the world.
Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house.
His disciples approached him and said,
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the evil one,
and the enemy who sows them is the devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."
Matthew 13:24-43
A Message from Father Poirrier
Grace and peace in Jesus Christ, my name is Father Poirrier and I am glad to say that I am the new pastor for St. Bernadette! I was ordained a priest on June 5, 2021 for the Diocese of Lafayette, and Bishop Deshotel has graciously placed me here to serve this community of Bayou Vista.
Originating from Scott, I went to high school at Acadiana High after which I discerned the priesthood, entered the seminary, and graduated from St. Joseph's Seminary in 2017 and from Notre Dame Graduate Seminary in 2021. Eight years of schooling and mission work has helped prepare me for my life as a priest.
Some of my favorite hobbies are hunting, cooking, and being with people. I am blessed to have the opportunity to get to know you all and be involved in the many ministries that are here and thriving already. Being present to you all is something I am very much looking forward to.
I am glad that God has placed me here to walk with you all in your relationship with Him. If there is one thing that I wish to communicate in this writing, it is this: I would like to be a bridge between you and Jesus. I will do my best to get to know as many of you as possible while being here, and I will try to deliver my best in regards to preaching, teaching and living the faith. Please feel free to reach out to me whenever you would like. Be assured that I am here for you, Father Poirrier is your priest.
Again, I am excited about being here and hope to be able to walk with you all. Be assured of my love and prayers for you and your families. Please remember me in yours. God Bless!
When we look at the world today, one thing becomes very clear-there is both good and evil all around us. We've all experienced moments where something good we've done or witnessed gets overshadowed or even destroyed by evil. And when that happens, it's natural to feel frustrated, even angry.
Often, our instinct is to act quickly. We want to fix things. We pray to God and expect Him to step in immediately and set everything right. But today's readings remind us that God doesn't always work that way. He deals with evil in His own time and in His own way-and that requires patience on our part.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses three parables to describe the Kingdom of God: the weeds among the wheat, the mustard seed, and the yeast. Each one shows how God's Kingdom grows quietly and steadily, even in the face of difficulty, resistance, and disappointment. But for now, let's focus on the parable of the weeds among the wheat.
The Wheat and the Weeds: In this parable, Jesus makes a clear distinction between two kinds of people-the righteous and the evildoers. The wheat represents those who live according to God's will. Their actions are sincere and selfless, done not for personal gain but out of love for what is right.
The weeds, on the other hand, represent those who follow their own selfish or harmful desires. They ignore what is right and can sometimes seem to dominate, especially when goodness is not actively protected or nurtured.
What makes this parable so interesting is that the wheat and the weeds look very similar-especially in the early stages. It's not easy to tell them apart. In fact, even those who seem good on the outside may not always be what they appear to be. Their lives are intertwined, growing side by side.
Please go to thaisprings.info to read the entire sermon.
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Ample Opportunities:
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Learning to Live Side by Side:
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Learning from the Past:
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Patience in the Kingdom:
"A vocation is not a fixed point, but a dynamic process of maturation sustained by intimacy with our Lord. To grow in one's vocation means being with Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to act in our hearts and in the circumstances of life, and reinterpreting everything in light of this gift."
✞ Pope Leo XIV
Everyone Has a Divine Vocation
"Jesus has a specific task in life for each and every one of us. Each one of us is hand-picked, called by name by Jesus! There is no one among us who does not have a divine vocation! Some are called audibly by God, but the usual kind of call is internal, through the inner working of the Spirit."
✞ Homily by Pope Saint John Paul II
I KEEP ROSARIES TUCKED AWAY IN SEVERAL PLACES - IN MY CAR, IN MY DESK DRAWER, IN THE POCKET OF MY COAT - READY WHEN I NEED THEM.
Each mystery of the rosary calls us not just to remember the life of Christ, but to be transformed by it. When I pray the rosary, I'm reminded of our faith's call to mercy, to humility, to sacrifice. And that doesn't stay in the chapel or the car - it moves into daily life.
This year, with our 2026 Bishop's Services Appeal theme Holding the Faith: Decades of Prayer & Service, we reflect on how our collective acts of charity form a powerful chain, much like the rosary itself.
Every act of generosity is like a bead on the rosary, creating the chain of prayer and service that is the Diocese of Lafayette. Your gift becomes more than a donation - it becomes a whispered prayer that links us in an unbroken circle of faith. In this, you bring the Mysteries of the Rosary to life.
Honoring the Queen of Heaven: The Tradition of May Crowning
In May, a month of renewal-of new life and new beginnings-blossoms return and creation awakens. This is when the Catholic Church turns with love and reverence to the Blessed Virgin Mary-our Mother and Queen. Among the most cherished devotions of this season is the May Crowning, a time-honored tradition that lifts our hearts toward heaven through Mary, who always leads us to her Son.
For generations, parishes, schools, and families around the world have marked the month of May with processions, hymns, and flower offerings in honor of Mary. At the heart of these celebrations is the crowning of a statue of the Blessed Virgin-a visible sign of our love for the one who is both Mother of God and Queen of Heaven. We crown Mary because she is, in every way, a queen-not in the worldly sense, but in the kingdom of God. As the Mother of Jesus, the King of Kings, Mary holds a unique and exalted place. Her perfect discipleship, her faithful "yes" to God's will, and her enduring presence with the Church make her the crown of all creation. ✞ St. John's Seminary Blog
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
Transformed by God's Word He spoke to them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened."
Matthew 13:33
Yeast is small-invisible once it is worked into the dough. And yet, its influence is pervasive and powerful. This simple image-yeast worked into three measures of flour, causing it to slowly rise-reveals that the Kingdom of Heaven is built quietly, almost imperceptibly, from within. Like leaven silently transforming dough from the inside, so too does God's grace operate-hidden yet active-in the heart, in the Church, and in the world.
Patiently watching dough rise can be a small wonder, especially for children. In this brief parable, the yeast symbolizes the Word of God, and the wheat flour, the human soul. When God's Word is welcomed by faith, it possesses the power to transform the entire soul. Just as yeast elevates and expands flour into bread, so God's Word elevates human nature and conforms it to Himself. How awe-inspiring it is to behold the gradual transformation of a soul animated by divine grace!
Saint Augustine offers several interpretations of the "three measures" of wheat flour. He suggests they can represent the threefold interior life of the human person: heart, soul, and mind (cf. Matthew 22:37); or the three degrees of fruitfulness described in the parable of the sower-"a hundredfold, sixtyfold, and thirtyfold" (cf. Matthew 13:23); or even the three righteous men mentioned in Ezekiel-Noah, Daniel, and Job (cf. Ezekiel 14:14), each representing a distinct path of fidelity under trial. Each of these interpretations reveals how God's transforming Word is at work not only in the individual soul, but within the Church and throughout all humanity.
Though "three measures" might not sound like much, it was in fact a substantial amount. According to ancient Jewish and Roman measurements, three measures (or satons) could equal nearly fifty pounds of flour-enough to feed more than a hundred people. The parable, therefore, is about abundance-the superabundant fruitfulness of God's Word when it is thoroughly received-penetrating deeply into the individual soul, the Church, and society. Like leaven in dough, this transformation takes time. Though not immediate, it is steady, enduring, and complete.
Consider your own life: Has the Word of God been thoroughly mixed into your whole being-into your heart, your soul, and your mind? Has it leavened your interior life so completely that even your smallest actions are touched by grace? Has divine love taken hold of you-not in part, but in whole?
Furthermore, do you see your interconnectedness with the Church and rejoice in the many ways God is at work within Her and Her members? Do you gaze upon the world and, with wonder and awe, perceive God's hidden activity? It is easy to focus on the worldly chaos and to be drawn into the sensationalism of evil. But it takes a truly perceptive soul-like a child watching dough rise-to behold the quiet, steady work of God, who is ever bringing His Kingdom to life-quietly, steadily, and far and wide.
Reflect today on the quiet ways God is at work within you, within the Church, and throughout the world. Though you might not always perceive the movement of grace, trust that it is active-like yeast in dough-gently transforming, sanctifying, and preparing hearts for the glory to come. Resist the temptation to measure your spiritual growth by visible signs or immediate results. Instead, remain faithful to prayer, attentive to the Word, and docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. God's Kingdom unfolds in time, and its rising is certain. Even when the world seems overwhelmed by sin or division, remember that the leaven is at work. The final loaf is being prepared for the eternal banquet-and you are being made ready, one hidden grace at a time, until you are fully prepared to share in the joy of the eternal feast.
Most Holy Word of God, speak to me, enter my heart, and transform me by Your grace. Send forth Your Word into Your Church on earth. Make Her holy, that She may reflect the beauty and strength of the Body of Christ. Use me and all the members of Your Body to witness to the world-especially to those who do not yet know You-so that they may be drawn into the wonder and awe of Your transforming power and come to partake in the superabundant Banquet to which we are all called. Jesus, I trust in You.
Source: mycatholic.life
Youth Faith Formation
2026-2027 Faith Formation Classes Calendar, class schedule and Registration information coming soon!
Regular attendance at Mass is an essential part of showing your child what being a Catholic is about.
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. 
