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 up us by Christ.
Our Pastor is Father Thainese Alphonse.
Schedule for Advent and Christmas Season
First Sunday of Advent
Sunday, Nov. 27th
Weekend Mass Schedule
Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday, Dec. 4th
Weekend Mass Schedule
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thursday, Dec. 8th
12:10pm
Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, Dec. 11th
Weekend Mass Schedule
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday, Dec. 18th
Weekend Mass Schedule
Christmas Vigil
Saturday, December 24th
4:00pm and 8:00pm
Christmas Day
Sunday, December 25th
9:00am
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Friday, Dec. 30th
12:10 pm
Solemnity of Mary Mother of God -Vigil
Saturday, December 31st
4:00 pm
Solemnity of Mary Mother of God
Sunday, January 1st
7:30 and 10:30 am
The feasts of Immaculate Conception, Christmas and Mary Mother of God are holy days of obligation.
The Liturgy of the Word for The First Sunday of Advent
As Christians, we know that our Lord is coming even if we cannot know the precise timing. Jesus calls us to be watchful and vigilant, like the homeowner. If we become lax in our Christian living, we may be caught unprepared.
First Reading Isaiah 2:1-5
Isaiah describes his vision in which all nations are gathered together by God in peace.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 122:1-2,3-4,4-5,6-7,8-9
Rejoicing, let us enter the house of the Lord.
Second Reading Romans 13:11-14
Be prepared, salvation is near.
Gospel Reading Matthew 24:37-44
Jesus tells his disciples that the coming of the Son of Man will catch many people unprepared. Jesus tells his disciples that they are to always be ready for the day of the Lord.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." Matthew 24:37-44
A WORD FROM THE PASTOR
Need of a Savior
Advent matters because Jesus Christ is a Savior, not just a teacher. If he is only a teacher, then you can read him any time you want and collect things from him, like any other teacher. He is a savior that means you have to feel the need for him. If someone is trapped, or held captive, or in a swamp, they don't need a teacher; they need a savior. So we need to understand that space - how stuck we are and how needy we are.
When someone is addicted to drink or pornography, you are stuck and you can't save yourself. You feel that ache and the helpless yearning; really and truly you hit bottom. Then what do you do? Either you go into depression and end your life or take steps to make progress or surrender to a higher power, who can help in this regard. The same is true in the spiritual order. Advent is about moving into that space, taking steps to make progress to feel the need of the savior.
We don't need a Savior unless we're deeply convinced there is something to be saved from. For example, what postpones a timely treatment of a sickness? It is either denial ("I don't have a problem") or the conviction that one can solve this on his own ("I can stop drinking any time I want" or "I can stop gambling whenever I decide "). Our culture, in a million ways, tells us, "You're fine! You're great! Assert yourself and don't let people tell you what to do!" But all of that is a lie, because a sickness has to be treated.
Deep down our whole existence here on earth is characterized by some attitudes: waiting, expecting, hoping and anticipating. Underneath every sin or sickness, these attitudes somehow speak to the deepest desires of our heart. So Advent is the time we get deeply in touch with the desire of our heart that we need a savior. Let us prepare ourselves to receive the Savior.
Meaningful Preparation for Advent- Catholic discipline of Eucharistic Adoration
To spend a half-hour or an hour in the presence of the Lord is not to accomplish or achieve very much, but it is a particularly rich form of spiritual waiting. As you keep vigil before the Blessed Sacrament, bring to Christ some problem or dilemma that you have been fussing/confusing/ worrying over, and then say, "Lord, I'm waiting for you to solve this, to show me the way out, the way forward. I've been running, planning, worrying, but now I'm going to let you work." Ask yourself, " What part of my life most needs the light of Jesus?" Then, throughout Advent, watch attentively for signs, the changes taking place in you.
*From Fr. Thainese's talk.
Don't be afraid, do be prepared-
Matthew 24:37 - 44
The Church calendar is a gift to help us mark the seasons of joy and sorrow, work and rest. We can withdraw from the pattern of the world and remember that we wait in joyful hope for Jesus to come.
The season of Advent is a time of warning and a time of preparation. Next month, we celebrate Jesus coming at Christmas. But he will come twice more: at our own death, and at the end of time. This Gospel reading reminds us that we will never know ahead of time just when he will come for us. Advent is the time to ask, "What do I need to do to be ready to greet the Lord?"
Start by examining your conscience and pick one or two sinful practices you want to eliminate. Then try to spend more time in prayer, attend Sunday Mass weekly, try to attend daily Mass sometimes, and go to Confession.
Finally, spend a few extra minutes each day in prayer. Then when Christmas comes, you will know you are ready to greet the Lord with joy.
Growing in Faith, Nov. 2022
Faith Formation
We began our 2022-2023 Faith Formation year on Wednesday, September 21st . It was such a blessing to pray with so many beautiful, smiling gifts from God. This year we have 9 volunteers who will be leading 90 children who are registered in the following grades:
1st – Mrs. Jill Tabor – 6 children
6th – Mr. Roland Brannon – 9 children
2nd – Mrs. Becky Blanchard – 10 children
7th – Mrs. Jenny Guillot – 7 children
3rd – Mrs. Evelyn Clausen – 11 children
8th – Mrs. Elaine Landry – 11 children
4th – Mrs. Mona Thibodeaux – 11 children
9th – Mr. John Cart – 5 children
5th – Mrs. Judy Brannon – 6 children
10th/11th – Ms. Becky Wiggins – 14 children
Faith formation isn’t about education or about learning as many facts as possible about the Catholic religion. As the term implies, faith formation is not about information but formation. It is about forming us in our loving relationship with God. One way that we grow in our relationship with God is by developing and celebrating our faith at home. That development and growth continues for the children of St. Bernadette through our Faith Formation program. We invite our children to open themselves to learning more about our wonderful creator and His relationship with all of us. We will be working to better understand what happens in the liturgy. We will be guiding the children in reading of scripture, discussing its message, and its spiritual relevance in our lives.
Bible quiz #25 - Christmas Related Persons & Events
(Write short notes, not more than three or four lines)
Matthew started the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham, Luke from Adam.
Herod the great
Herod Antipas
Three Magi
Dreams of Joseph
Zechariah
Caesar Augustus
Bethlehem
Shepherds
Name Jesus
Answers Due - December 22nd
Immaculee Ilibagiza Retreat
December 9th - 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and December 10th – 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Franklin, LA.
Are you seeking an opportunity to grow in faith, hope, and love while waiting for the coming of Christ this Advent? Please join us for the Immaculee Retreat, we are excited to host the Immaculee Retreat during Advent on December 9-10 at Church of the Assumption.
Immaculee is an author and motivational speaker who is a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Her testimony is one of love, forgiveness, faith, and hope. This retreat includes Immaculee's witness of the power of prayer, miracles of the Rosary, and inspirational music.
To register: go to www.immaculee.com. For questions or registration assistance: contact Heloise delaHoussaye at (337)578-8379 or Peggy Charpentier at (337)578-2525.
Strengthen your Faith in God
1. Be more prayerful. The more you talk to God like He is just sitting in front of you, the more you’ll know that He is really a person you can pour out to.
2. Read God’s Word. The Bible does not only give wise teachings on how we should live, but also gives a us a glimpse of how God revealed Himself to the people in the past.
3. Study the lives of the saints. You will realize that these people were as imperfect as we are, so you can relate and learn from them.
4. Surround yourself by people who are passionate about God. These people remain optimistic despite troubles and find their strength through praying.
5. Practice your faith through action. It is not enough that we believe in God. It should be seen in our actions. Apply what you learn about our faith in your daily life.
6. Be still and believe that God is in control. Whenever you feel like quitting and hopeless, just look up to the heavens and believe God is in control. Just be still—meaning, keep calm, do not be afraid– and trust that God will work in His ways.
Sharing in the Blessedness of Christ
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...
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...
New Daily Mass Times
Please note our new Weekday & First Saturday Mass schedule.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and First Saturday 8:00 a.m.
The Light is ON for You!
Confession will be heard in church on WednesdayDecember 7th & 14th - 6:00 - 7:30 pm
All parishioners as well as Catechism children are encouraged to make confession
* Please note that confessions will not be offered on the eve of Christmas and Christmas Day.
The sacrament of reconciliation figuratively wipes the slate clean in any liturgical season, but Advent provides a poignant time to experience the joy of reconciling with God and the Church while celebrating His First Coming in His birth and preparing for His Second Coming and all eternity. Reconciliation is a way not only to become more joyful but also to grow in virtue, to grow in Christ. How better to prepare ourselves for Jesus when He comes in all His glory than to truly be joyful and living His way in our lives?
Faith Formation
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.
Currently we have only 17 of our parishioners serving as a Sacristans, Lectors, and/or Ministers of Holy Communion for our three weekend Masses. Ideally, we’d like to be able to schedule each person once a month. We need your help to do this! Please prayerfully consider where God is calling you to serve and call the office to volunteer.
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. Faith in Action, Aug. 2022
Bishop Services Appeal 2022- Growing in Charity and Love
As Devoted Catholics, we know we honor the words of the psalmist when we humble ourselves in worship and service. “Let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us” (Psalm 95:6).In such a pose of humility, Jesus Himself demonstrated the heart of a servant at the Last Supper, our inspiration for the Bishop’s Services Appeal this year, Growing in Charity and Love.
Like all the faithful before us, we apply His lesson of servanthood when we focus on the concerns of other people. The annual Bishop’s Services Appeal is our opportunity to build one another up as we share Charity and Love.
Through your gifts to the Bishop’s Services Appeal, you lovingly provide for the future of our Church with seminarian and deacon formation. You ensure that the hungry receive food and that those in prison are lifted up by the Word of God. Each time we extend Christ’s compassion for others, we ourselves are Growing in Charity and Love.
The Lord calls us to follow His loving model and to do for others as He has done for us. The master became the servant as He washed the feet of His apostles. He reached out, and I am asking you to do the same. Embrace a servant’s heart and give to support the ongoing work of the BSA. Each and every day as your donation lifts up people throughout our diocese, you will be sharing the Charity and Love of Christ with those who truly need you. Make an online gift to BSA here..
USCCB - Pro-Life Activities
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...
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...
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.
Fiscal Year (July 2021 - June 2022) Annual Report for St.Bernadette
Bible quiz #25 - Christmas Related Persons & Events
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….
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.” 
Regular attendance at Mass is an essential part of showing your child what being a Catholic is about.
