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 Second Sunday of Lent
For the second Sunday of Lent, we move from Jesus' retreat to the desert to his Transfiguration. Each year on the first Sunday of Lent, our Gospel tells the story of Jesus' temptation in the desert. On the second Sunday of Lent each year, we hear the story of Jesus' Transfiguration. The Transfiguration follows Jesus' first prediction of his death and his teaching about the costs of discipleship. Jesus' Transfiguration is a promise of Jesus' glory, his Resurrection.
On a mountain in today's reading, a voice affirms that Jesus is God's Son in words reminiscent of the voice at Jesus' baptism. In addition, the appearance of Moses and Elijah on the mountain connects this story with God's relationship to the people of Israel. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, respectively. Together with Jesus, they represent God's complete Word.
The Transfiguration occurs in the presence of just three of Jesus' disciples: Peter, James, and John. In Matthew's Gospel, those disciples are among the first whom Jesus calls. The three men are identified as an "inner circle" among Jesus' disciples when Jesus asks them to accompany him to the Garden of Gethsemane just before his arrest.
First Reading
Genesis 12:1-4a
God promises Abram a great blessing.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 33:4-5,18-20,22
God's mercy is upon those who trust in God.
Second Reading
2 Timothy 1:8b-10
Through God's grace we are called to holiness.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 17:1-9
Jesus is transfigured on the mountain in the presence of Peter, James, and John.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
"Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him."
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
"Rise, and do not be afraid."
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
"Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
Matthew 17:1-9
A WORD FROM THE PASTOR
Five Finger Prayer For Lent
During Lent, the Church invites us to deepen our life of prayer. One simple and beautiful way to remember whom to pray for is the "Five Finger Prayer." Your own hand becomes a guide, reminding you that prayer is always within reach.
1)
The Thumb - Pray for Those Closest to You The thumb is the finger nearest to you. Let it remind you to pray first for those who are closest to your heart - your family, friends, and loved ones. They are often the easiest to remember, yet sometimes we forget to intentionally place them before God. Praying for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis called it, a "sweet duty." Lent is a perfect time to lift them up daily in prayer.
2)
The Pointing Finger - Pray for Those Who Guide You The next finger is the pointing finger. It directs, instructs, and shows the way. Let this finger remind you to pray for those who teach, guide, heal, and counsel others - teachers, doctors, ministers, catechists, and mentors. They carry great responsibility in shaping minds and hearts. Ask God to grant them wisdom, patience, and compassion as they lead others in the right direction.
3)
The Tallest Finger - Pray for Leaders The middle finger is the tallest. It stands above the others and can remind us of those who stand in positions of leadership. Pray for national and local leaders, for presidents and public officials, for leaders in business and industry, and for administrators in our communities. These individuals help shape society and influence public life. During Lent, ask God to guide them with integrity, justice, and humility.
4)
The Ring Finger - Pray for the Weak and Suffering The fourth finger is the ring finger. It may surprise many to learn that this is often the weakest finger - something pianists know well. Let it remind you to pray for those who are weak, struggling, sick, lonely, or burdened. Pray for those who carry hidden pain, those facing trials, and those who feel forgotten. They need our prayers constantly. In this Lenten season of compassion and sacrifice, hold them especially close to your heart.
5)
The Little Finger - Pray for Yourself Finally comes the smallest finger, the little finger. It reminds us of our place before God - small, dependent, and in need of grace. The Bible teaches us, "The least shall be the greatest among you." After praying for others, turn your heart toward your own needs. By this time, your concerns will likely be in proper perspective. Pray for humility, conversion, and a deeper love for Christ during Lent.
A Lenten Reminder: This simple prayer method teaches us something important: prayer begins with others and ends with ourselves. It forms a heart that is less self-centered and more Christ-centered.
As you journey through Lent, let your hand be your guide. Each time you look at it, remember:
✞ Pray for your loved ones.
✞ Pray for those who guide you.
✞ Pray for leaders.
✞ Pray for the suffering.
✞ And finally, pray for yourself - that your heart may grow closer to God.
Change Direction! In today's complex, contemporary world, many enticements focus primarily on improving externals, failing to address the truly important things - those that deal with improving our spiritual lives. A true understanding of change involves examining the spiritual, intellectual, and physical aspects of our being, in that order of priority. This weekend's liturgical readings offer us a way of making true and meaningful changes in our lives. Let us consider three ways by which we can improve our spiritual well-being.
Go to thaisprings.info to read the entire sermon.
✞ Change by God's Direction:
✞ Change by Prayer:
✞ Change by Listening:
✞ Move On for Change:
Faith Formation 2025 - 2026
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.
Today is the Second Sunday of Lent. The Gospel focuses on the Transfiguration of Jesus, offering a glimpse of divine glory to strengthen faith for the Lenten journey. It highlights the themes of listening to God's Son, trusting in God's promises, and transforming our lives through prayer and fasting, moving from the desert to the mountain.
Family and Personal Activities: Visit the Blessed Sacrament: Spend time in quiet prayer, listening to Jesus.
Discuss the Mountain: Reflect on moments in life that felt like a "mountain top" experience of God's presence.
Lenten Penance: Choose specific acts of charity, extra prayer, or fasting to strengthen faith.
Reflect on the Glory: Remember that the purpose of Lent is to share in God's glory.
Lenten Prayer Calendar 2026
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 March 22nd
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.
Bible Quiz # 54 The Book of Judges (Chapters 16 - 20) ANSWERS
How did Delilah finally discover the source of Samson's strength? - Delilah pressed Samson daily with her words until he was "vexed to death," and he finally revealed that his strength was tied to his Nazirite vow, symbolized by his unshaven hair (16:16–17).
How many people died when Samson pulled down the temple of Dagon? - Samson killed more at his death than he had in his life - specifically the lords and people inside the temple (16:30).
What motivated Micah to build his own shrine and hire a Levite as priest? - Micah believed that having a Levite as a priest would bring him God's blessing, showing Israel's confusion during a time without centralized worship (17:13).
What does Judges 17:6 reveal about Israel's spiritual condition? - "There was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (17:6). This shows moral chaos and lack of spiritual leadership.
Why did the tribe of Dan steal Micah's idols and priest? - They wanted religious symbols and a priest for their new settlement, believing it would secure divine favor (18:18–20).
Why did Israel go to war against the tribe of Benjamin? - Because Benjamin refused to hand over the wicked men of Gibeah who committed the atrocity (20:12–14).
Why did Israel suffer losses on the first two days even though God approved the battle? - God used defeat to humble Israel and lead them to fasting, weeping, and offering sacrifices before granting victory (20:18–28).
What finally caused Samson to reveal the secret of his strength to Delilah? - C. She pressed him daily until he was vexed to death (16:16-17).
What did Micah believe would happen when a Levite became his priest? - B. God would do him good (17:13).
What shocking action did the Levite take after his concubine died? - B. He sent her body in pieces to the tribes of Israel (19:29-30).
Thank you to the following for participating:
Judy & Roland Brannon, Sammy & Cindy Viola, Barry Clark, Kenny Zimmer, John Trevino, Sr., Galen & Jenny Guillot, Alberta LeBlanc, Susan Legendre, Mary Jo Beadle, Christina Wallace, Lois Bosworth, Julia Hepler, Brenda Nelson, Geneva Alcina, Kathleen Louviere, & Michelle Tholen.
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
Good and Bad Days "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Matthew 17:4
The Apostle Peter's reaction to the Transfiguration reveals that he was overwhelmed by his firsthand experience of a glimpse of Jesus' true glory. Not long before this moment, our Lord took His disciples north to Caesarea Philippi and asked them privately who they thought He was. Peter boldly proclaimed, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). In response, Jesus promised Peter that He would build His Church upon Peter's profession of faith and that Peter himself would be entrusted with the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. It was a good day for Peter.
Shortly after this, however, Jesus began to reveal to His disciples that He "must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised" (Matthew 16:21). In response, Peter pulled Jesus aside and said, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you" (Matthew 16:22). Jesus replied harshly to Peter's rebuke: "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do" (Matthew 16:23). It was a bad day for Peter.
Jesus then taught His disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24–25). Not only was Jesus soon to suffer greatly, but His followers, including the Twelve, were called to follow Him on this difficult path. This was hard news for them to accept.
In today's Gospel, we hear the story of the Transfiguration. Interestingly, Jesus allowed the disciples to reflect on His prediction of suffering for six days before taking Peter, James, and John up a mountain for prayer and solitude. Jesus, aware of their confusion and struggles, was transfigured before their eyes. "[H]is face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him" (Matthew 17:2–3). Peter exclaimed in this moment of glory, "Lord, it is good that we are here." It was another good day for Peter.
We all have good days and bad days. But what defines a good day versus a bad day? Was the day of Jesus' Crucifixion a bad one for Him? Certainly not. Though filled with intense suffering, it was the most glorious day in history because His perfect obedience to the Father's will was fulfilled. Similarly, Peter's good and bad days can be understood in terms of his willingness to obey Christ, especially when the demands were great.
In our lives, we must also define our good and bad days through the lens of obedience to God's will, especially when His will calls us to bear the Cross and practice sacrificial love. It's easy to love God when we are consoled, but it becomes much more difficult when we face trials. Peter's declaration, "Lord, it is good that we are here," is the perfect prayer for us to echo in every circumstance. When we are consoled, as Peter was at the Transfiguration, we must pray this prayer. But unlike Peter's earlier missteps, we must also say, "It is good," when we encounter opportunities for sacrificial love, even when difficult.
Reflect today on your own good and bad days. Use the lens of holy obedience and your call to live a life of sacrificial love. Do not hesitate to cry out to the Lord, "It is good!" Consider whether you view every cross and every invitation to love sacrificially as something good. This is what God desires for you; embrace His desire with determination and joy.
My sacrificial Lord, You embraced the Cross and saw it as truly good. You looked beyond the suffering and saw the fruits of Your sacrifice. Help me to imitate You by seeing every act of sacrificial love as the good I desire. I love You, Lord. Help me to love You and others with all my heart. 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. 
