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 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Our Gospel today tells us about the disciples' discovery of the empty tomb. It concludes by telling us that they did not yet understand that Jesus had risen from the dead. Thus, the details provided are not necessarily meant to offer proof of the Resurrection. The details invite us to reflect upon a most amazing gift, that is faith in Jesus and his Resurrection.
First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 10:34a,37-43
Peter preaches about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 118:1-2,16-17,22-23
Rejoice in this day of the Lord.
Second Reading
Colossians 3:1-4
Having been raised by Christ, be concerned with what is above.
Gospel Reading
John 20:1-9
Mary of Magdala finds that the stone has been removed from Jesus' tomb.
On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
"They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don't know where they put him."
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead.
John 20:1-9
The rituals/ceremonies taking place in this Holy Week
March 30 - Holy Monday 12:10 pm MASS
March 31 - Holy Tuesday 12:10 pm MASS
April 1 - Holy Wednesday 12:10 pm MASS
April 2 - Maundy Thursday
✞ At 10 am Bishop Deshotel celebrates the Chrism Mass with all priests of the diocese at the Cathedral of St. John.
✞ At 6 pm we begin the Paschal Triduum, the three day remembrance of the Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of the Lord. Primarily, today the Lord's Supper is celebrated. We follow the command of Jesus to wash feet of disciples as well as reposed and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the side altar until 11 pm.
✞ All parishioners are welcome to spend time in adoration from 7 pm - 11 pm.
✞ Ministry Adoration Schedule:
7 - 8pm: Come, Lord Jesus!
8 - 9pm: Ladies Altar Society
9 - 10pm: Men's Ultreya
10 - 11pm: Knights of Columbus
April 3 Good Friday 3 pm - Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
✞ the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ.
✞ Praying Stations of the Cross
✞ Liturgy of the word - Passion Narratives from the Gospel of John
✞ Solemn Intercessions
✞ Veneration of the Cross (Offerings taken at this time will be sent to the Holy Land.)
✞ Communion Rite
April 4 Holy Saturday 8 pm - Celebrating the Risen Lord ritually This is the most sacred night. In the ancient days, the
catechumens who fasted and prayed all the Lenten days were baptized at the Easter Vigil.
✞ Blessing of the fire and preparation of the Easter candle.
✞ Easter Proclamation
✞ Liturgy of the Word - 3 readings from the Old Testament, one from St. Paul's epistle, and the Gospel.
✞ Preaching/Sermon message
✞ Blessing of water
✞ Renewal of Baptismal Promises and sprinkling of Holy Water on the people.
✞ Liturgy of the Eucharist
April 5 Easter Sunday ✞ Masses at 7:30 am and 10:30 am
At the Easter Vigil and on Easter Sunday, we as a community of Jesus' disciples celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in which he conquered death itself and opened the gates of heaven
to all of us. And so we proclaim with great joy on this day:
"The Lord is Risen. He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia!"
A WORD FROM THE PASTOR
"We Believe!"
There is a beautiful story told about a woman named Rosemary who worked in the Alzheimer's Unit of a nursing home. One Good Friday afternoon, she and her colleague Arlene gathered the residents to watch Jesus of Nazareth. They wondered if the patients-many struggling with memory and awareness-would even understand what they were seeing.
As the film played, something remarkable happened. The room grew still. The residents watched quietly, attentively. Then came the scene of Mary Magdalene discovering the empty tomb. Breathless, she runs to the disciples proclaiming, "He's alive! I saw Him, I tell you! He's alive." But when she sees their doubt, her voice falters: "You don't believe me... You don't believe me!"
And then, from among the residents-those whom the world might assume had forgotten so much-came a clear, strong voice. Esther, one of the patients, called out: "WE BELIEVE YOU! WE BELIEVE YOU!"
In that moment, something extraordinary was revealed. Even where memory fades, faith can remain. Even where understanding is limited, truth can still be recognized. Even in weakness, hope can speak with clarity and strength.
This is the message of Easter.
Easter is not just a story from long ago-it is a living proclamation. It is the same message Mary Magdalene carried to the disciples: Christ is alive. And like those first disciples, we too may struggle at times with doubt, fear, or uncertainty. Yet Easter calls us beyond those doubts to a deeper trust.
The voice of Esther echoes for all of us today. In a world often filled with confusion and skepticism, her words become our response: We believe.
✞ We believe that love is stronger than death.
✞ We believe that light overcomes darkness.
✞ We believe that Christ is risen and remains with us always.
This Easter, may we carry that same bold faith in our hearts. May we proclaim it not only with our words, but with our lives-through acts of kindness, compassion, and hope. And when the world questions or doubts, may we, like Esther, answer with confidence and joy:
Hope Against Hope! Today we celebrate the greatest truth of our faith: Jesus is risen! And because he lives, we too have hope-hope against hope.
The Passion narrative, according to Matthew, unfolds step by step, revealing the depth of Christ's love. At the Last Supper, he gives us the Eucharist, offering his body and blood as a lasting gift. Yet even in that sacred moment, betrayal is already at work-Judas hands him over, and Peter, one of his closest companions, denies even knowing him.
In life, we are constantly pulled by two opposing powers: the power of death and the power of life. The power of death reveals itself in jealousy, anger, revenge, selfishness, and despair. The power of life shines through love, forgiveness, peace, compassion, and faith.
At times, it may seem that the power of death is winning. We see it in our struggles, in broken relationships, in suffering, and even within our own hearts.
But Easter proclaims something different: death does not have the final word-life does.
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.
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
Understanding the Resurrection On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."
John 20:1-2
Have you ever misunderstood something, even when your intentions were good? We all experience moments when we act with love but still get things wrong. Even our good actions are rarely perfect.
On that first Easter morning, before the sun rose, Mary Magdalene offers an example of this. She got some things right-her love and devotion to Jesus were sincere-but she did not yet understand the full reality of what she witnessed. Though the other Gospels mention other women at the tomb, John highlights Mary. Saint Augustine suggests that this is because she was "undoubtedly the most fervent in love" with Christ.
When Mary Magdalene saw the stone rolled away, her love compelled her to act immediately. Saint John Chrysostom says she "ran to the disciples with all the speed of love." Her fervor drove her to tell Simon Peter and John what she had seen, showing us how love urges us to seek God without delay.
Despite her deep love, Mary misunderstood the meaning of the empty tomb. Her emotional response-"They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him"-reveals her struggle to grasp the mystery unfolding before her. Like many of us, she was driven by emotion rather than a deeper trust in God.
Jesus was certainly not displeased with her misunderstanding, as Scripture identifies her in John 20:11-17 as the first to whom He appeared. When she encountered the risen Christ, she initially mistook Him for the gardener, indicating that her understanding of the Resurrection was still unfolding. Despite that, Jesus met her where she was and guided her toward deeper faith. This reminds us that our emotions, though good, must be purified by faith, allowing love to mature into greater trust and understanding.
Reflect today on Mary Magdalene's experience on Easter morning. Like her, we are called to seek our Lord with fervor, even when our understanding is incomplete. And like her, we can trust that Jesus will meet us where we are, gently leading us into deeper faith. As we celebrate the Resurrection, pray that your love, with all its emotions, may be more fully purified by grace, so that you, too, will encounter Christ with renewed understanding and joy.
My resurrected Lord, I love You deeply but acknowledge that my love must be further purified by faith so that I will understand You and Your will more clearly. As I grow in understanding of the many divine mysteries You reveal to me, help my love to grow so that I may more perfectly imitate the pure love You desire of me. Jesus, I trust in You. Source: mycatholic.life
An Easter Prayer
On this day, loving and gracious God, we once again sing Alleluia. We praise You and bless You for raising Your Son, Jesus, from the dead. We praise You for all the times You have raised us up through Your loving grace.
When we are weak and unable to make good decisions, when we are stubborn and refuse to forgive others, when we are afraid or uncertain and forget that it is You who strengthens us, raise us up, loving God, raise us up.
Thank You for giving us new life in Your Son and for His presence among us at Eastertime and always. Amen!
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. 
