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. Our Pastor is Father Thainese Alphonse.

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

A Message of Warning and Hope

The Church begins the Advent season of Liturgical Cycle C by presenting the second coming of Christ in glory, in order to give us a vision of our future glory in heaven and to show us the preparation needed for it.  The Church reminds us that we are accountable for our lives before Christ the Judge. 

Today’s readings invite us to assess our lives during Advent and to make the necessary alterations in the light of the approaching Christmas celebration. Advent gives us time for improving of our lives and for deepening the sincerity of our religious commitment.  It is a call to “look up” to see that Christ is still here.  We must raise our heads in hope and anticipation, knowing that the Lord is coming again. 

Luke, in today’s Gospel passage, reminds us to trust in Jesus amid the tragedies that sometimes occur in our daily lives.  Our marriage may break up; we may lose our job, discover that we have cancer or some terminal illness or become estranged from our children.  In all such situations, when we feel overwhelmed by disaster and feel that our lives have no meaning,

Jesus says: "Stand up, raise your heads, because your salvation is near" (Lk 21:28).

Two significant Advent values are Hope and Humility – and it can’t be coincidental that they are listed consecutively in the Glossary to the Catechism (p.882). Hope enables us to desire and expect eternal life with God (CCC #1817), as we humbly and trustingly await the return of the Lord Jesus in glory (CCC #840).

A story is told of a photographer taking a picture. He says to the woman, "Smile pretty for the camera." A moment later, "OK, madam, you can resume your usual face." Whether you and I will have a successful Advent these next four weeks will depend on the attitude or “face” we bring to it today. We must stay awake, as Jesus advises us in the Gospel and practice self-control.  The Greek philosopher, Plato, who lived out his life several centuries before Christ, wrote, "The greatest victory in the world is the victory of self-conquest."

Have a fruitful Advent!

Schedule for Advent and Christmas Season

	First Sunday of Advent (Hope)	Sunday, Nov. 28th	Weekend Mass Schedule
	Second Sunday of Advent (Peace)	Sunday, Dec. 5th	Weekend Mass Schedule
	Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary	Wednesday, Dec. 8th	12:10pm, 6:00pm
	Third Sunday of Advent (Joy)	Sunday, Dec. 12th	Weekend Mass Schedule
	Fourth Sunday of Advent (Love)	Sunday, Dec. 19th	Weekend Mass Schedule
	Christmas Vigil	Friday, December 24th	4:00pm,6:00pm and 9:00pm
	Christmas Day	Saturday, December 25th	9:00am
	Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph	Sunday, Dec. 26th	Weekend Mass Schedule
	Solemnity of Mary Mother of God -Vigil	Friday, December 31st	5:00 pm
	Solemnity of Mary Mother of God	Saturday, January 1st	9:00am
	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

Today marks the beginning of Advent, a time of watchfulness, waiting and renewed hope, as we get ready to welcome the Lord into our hearts and lives this Christmas.

This week as we wait for the Lord, we may like to spend some time each day prayerfully taking stock of how ready we are to receive Jesus, however, wherever and whenever he comes to us.

To all the Faithful of the Diocese of Lafayette

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has called for a world-wide consultation of all the Catholic Faithful to help prepare for the XVI Synod of Bishops scheduled for 2023.  This consultation of all the Baptized, guided by the light of the Holy Spirit, will help the Church prepare for answers to the many challenges facing the Catholic Faith today.

From November 2021 until April 2022, this consultation will take place in all our parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette.  The pastor of every parish will meet with one of the parish organizations to hear  their thoughts on a wide range of topics. These will be collected, sent to the National Conference of Bishops who in turn will forward them to the Vatican for preparations for the Synod of Bishops.

I ask for your prayers and cooperation in this process requested by the Holy Father.  Since the first years of the Church, Synods have been assembled and guidance of the Holy Spirit has been prayed for that the Church may bring the light of the Gospel to the world in every age.  May the Holy Spirit, given to the Apostles at the beginning of the Church guide the process of the XVI Synod of Bishops.

Yours in Christ,
Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel, D.D.
Bishop of Lafayette

Year of St. Joseph

Our diocesan year of St. Joseph was scheduled to take place from March 19, 2020 to May 1, 2021. Because of the pandemic, that year did not begin until August 16, with its conclusion remaining on May 1, 2021. Pope Francis then declared a worldwide year of St. Joseph, from Dec 8, 2020 to Dec 8, 2021.

St. Joseph often slips under the radar because of his quiet demeanor and hidden life. However, he has much to teach us about growing in holiness.

St. Joseph Models Fatherhood for Us
God the Father chose St. Joseph from all men to be the foster-father of Jesus. That truly says something about his character, for he was entrusted with leading, providing for and protecting the Son of God and God’s greatest creature, Our Lady. Joseph faithfully served the Holy Family and protected them from danger so that they could fulfill God’s mission.

St. Joseph taught Jesus in his humanity how to be a man. No doubt he taught him how to be a faithful Jew, as well as the trade of carpentry. He models well for us fathers how to be the spiritual leaders of our families. Like St. Joseph, we are called to show the love of God the Father to our wives and children.

 St. Joseph was a Man of Silence
We never hear a word from St. Joseph in the Bible for he was a man of great silence. Because of this silence, he was able to hear God’s voice and discern his will for the Holy Family. In an age of noise and many words, Joseph reminds us that if we wish to hear God’s voice, we must quiet our hearts and enter into the silence.

St. Joseph was an Obedient Man
Every time God asked him to do something, Joseph was eager to say yes. Whether that was taking Mary as his wife, going to Bethlehem for the census, or fleeing with his family to Egypt, Joseph always followed God’s will immediately. In an age where we are told to do things our own way, Joseph is a great reminder that true greatness is found in following God’s will, not our own.

St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of Workers.
As men work takes up a great portion of our lives. Often we struggle to work in a way that honors God. St. Joseph can teach us how to work well if we ask him. One way to do this is start your work day with a prayer to St. Joseph. St. Joseph is also good to invoke if you are having difficulty finding a job.  He was commissioned to provide for the Son of God, so he fully understand the pressure men face to provide for their families.

St. Joseph's Intercession is Powerful.
A seminarian once told me the powerful intercession of St. Joseph. He explained that whenever he needed something, he asked for St. Joseph’s help, and his needs were met. St. Joseph’s intercession is so powerful to other saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succor us in some of our necessities, but of this glorious saint is that he succors us in them all, that the Lord wishes to teach us that, as He was Himself subject to him on earth, (for being His guardian and being called His father, he could command Him) just so in Heaven He still does all that he asks.

St. Joseph Most Prudent
Prudence is the mother of virtues which depends upon the practical wisdom gained by experience matched with an agile mind to make decisions in the here and now. Each time Joseph knew the will of God he acted decisively, swiftly, and accurately. He acted neither rashly nor timidly, but prudently.

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

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.”

The Adoration Chapel in our parish, which is a spiritual power house, was closed for three months due to CoVid-19. We are glad Bishop Deshotel has granted us permission to reopen the Chapel.

I would like to draw your attention to certain things for the safety of the adorers.

• At this time, only the scheduled adorers are allowed to come in.
• It is recommended to enter and exit with the face mask. When you are inside the chapel you are not required to wear it.
• Please use hand sanitizer before and after your hour.
• The one who takes up the next hour could enter only five minutes before his/her time.
• It is encouraged to be just one, except the spouse/family.
• If you feel like coughing or sneezing, please come out of the chapel and you could return when you feel alright.
• The church door (wooden door) will be locked at 7.00 pm and unlocked at 8.30 am.

If you would like to participate in adoration please contact Jenny at the rectory or Murray for more information.
Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association

Examination of Conscience for Adults

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.

Please read the full article....