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.
The Liturgy of the Word for The Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading Amos 6:1,4-7
God will judge the complacency of the people and their leaders.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 146:7-10
Happy are those who find solace in God, the help of the poor.
Second Reading 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Paul exhorts Timothy to stay faithful to God in all things.
Gospel Reading Luke 16:19-31
Jesus tells the parable of the reversal of fortunes between the rich man and the poor man, Lazarus.
Jesus said to the Pharisees: "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'" Luke 16:19-31
Riches okay, but not hard-heartedness
In this week's Gospel passage, Jesus directed a parable to those who turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. In His story, a rich man ignored a desperately hungry man, Lazarus, lying in misery at his gate. The rich man feasted daily and lived in luxury. The poor man hoped for scraps and dodged dogs. After their deaths, the men experienced a reversal of fortunes. Lazarus rested with Abraham and the patriarchs – the closest thing to heaven prior to Jesus’ Resurrection. The rich man was in agony. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus to alleviate his suffering but Abraham refused. He asked Lazarus to warn his brothers but was denied again. Jesus’ parable isn’t condemning wealth, but the hard-heartedness of the rich man. The rich man knew Lazarus by name but was insensitive to his plight. He wasn’t evil, but he knew what God asked him to do and didn’t do it. When we live our faith, we transform our prayers into deeds of love as Jesus asked. The reward for doing what Jesus asked will be eternal joy. Growing in Faith, Sept. 2022
A WORD FROM THE PASTOR
Reorganizing Our Priorities!
A young lawyer was called in to represent a large railroad company that was being sued by a farmer. It seems that the farmer's prize cow was missing from his field through which the railroad passed, and the farmer was suing for the value of the cow. Before the case was to be tried, the lawyer cornered the farmer and convinced him to settle out of court for half of what he originally wanted. The farmer signed the necessary papers and then accepted the check.
The young lawyer could not resist gloating a bit about his success. He said to the farmer, "You know, I couldn't have won this case if it had gone to trial. The engineer was asleep, and the fireman was in the caboose (wagon) when the train passed through your farm that morning. I didn't have a single witness to put on the stand!" With a cynical smile, the old farmer replied, "Well, I was a little worried about winning that case myself because that cow came home this morning."
Both the farmer and the lawyer are like the shrewd crook Jesus told in today’s gospel.
Dan was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business. He found out that he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, so he decided he needed a wife with whom to share his fortune. One evening at an investment meeting he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away. "I may look like just an ordinary man," he said to her, "but in just a few years my father will die, and I'll inherit 20 million dollars." Impressed, the woman obtained his business card and three days later she became his stepmother.
This man is also like a shrewd crook Jesus told in today’s gospel.
We live in a society that considers the accumulation of material wealth to be a worthy goal. In trying to serve both God and mammon, are we becoming more concerned about earning more money and improving our standard of living than in building up our spiritual wealth and growing closer to God? This is Jesus’ question to us. Will we recognize where our true wealth lies, the wealth that God gives freely to all, and reorganize our priorities in this light?
We began our 2022-2023 Faith Formation year this past 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.
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.
Bible Quiz # 23The Gospel according to LukeChapters 16 – 19
1. “What is this I hear about you” Who said this to whom?
2. Why did the Pharisees sneer at Jesus?
3. What is the netherworld?
4. What happened in the days of Noah?
5. When the Son of man comes.…………. (Complete the sentence).
6. Why did Jesus praise the tax collector’s prayer?
7. What did Jesus tell the rich official to inherit eternal life?
8. What was the reaction of the people when Jesus told Zacchaeus that he wanted to stay at his house?
9. What did the noble man tell to his servants before he went to obtain his kingship?
10. What is the special occasion this gospel passage “Entry into
Jerusalem” (19: 28-40 is read out?
Answers Due: September 28th
Managing Sticky Situations, Gracefully
When we find ourselves in a difficult situation, it can be tough to know how to respond. We want to take action that comes from our faith prospective and is effective at the same time. Try these tips to manage sticky situations with grace:
Stay Calm. We are more likely to make regrettable decisions when we’re anxious, afraid, or angry. We make it worse by raising our voices, storming around, saying whatever comes into our heads. Instead take deep breaths, pray a calming prayer, invoke your guardian angel. Staying calm is key.
Be realistic. Accept that you can’t fix everything. Instead, focus on what you can do. Leaning on prior experience and advice from experts or trusted friends, pick the best course of action. Surrender the outcome to Gad.
Learn. God often allows difficulties to bring about a greater good. Maybe the experience helped you grow in virtue, taught you a new skill, gave you a new perspective. It’s okay to ask God, “why?” Keep what you learn for the future.
Growing in Faith, September 2022
Four tools for spreading the Good News
Before He ascended, Jesus told His disciples, “Go...make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). We are all called to preach the Gospel, sometimes by words, but always by the holiness of our lives. Jesus gave us four must-haves for this task:
Peace: The confidence that all things, even our greatest sufferings, will be for our good is peace. Living a Gospel-centered life brings peace and sets us apart in what we choose: music, recreation, dress. These choices are counter cultural and testify to our faith. Be at peace: our security is in the Truth, not others’ opinions of us.
Simplicity: We can’t give what we don’t have. To give Christ to others, we must make room for Him in our own hearts. For example, buy only what’s necessary and limit time on social media. Frequent the Sacraments and Mass. Pray daily.
Charity: Jesus uses us to communicate His love to others. In addition to acts of mercy for the poor, charity requires treating others with dignity, respect, patience, and kindness—even when it’s challenging.
Joy: We experience joy when we receive God’s love. This means keeping our hearts open to accepting the Good News, not giving into bitterness and resentment, reminding ourselves of the ways God has shown His love for us. Don’t keep it to yourself. Tell others.
Growing in Faith, September 2022
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...
Roe v. Wade Overturned
Washington D.C., June 24, 2022
The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade in a historic 6 - 3 decision released Friday that brings a sudden and dramatic end to nearly a half-century of nationwide legalized abortion in the U.S.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called the decision a “historic day in the life of our country, one that stirs our thoughts, emotions, and prayers.”
"We give thanks to God for this decision … This just decision will save countless innocent children simply waiting to be born.”
- New York Catholic Bishops
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
Pulpit to Pew Books- Cycle C
We have some copies of the Pulpit to Pews- Cycle C books available at the office for a donation of $10. Call the office (985-395-2470) for your copy.
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..
How can I get over my fear of Confession?
For many Catholics, going to Confession is unsettling. Facing and admitting our faults to another person—even in a confidential setting—is uncomfortable, even painful. In this case, the priest is acting in the person of God and it takes courage and humility to present ourselves before God. In Confession we say to God, “Please forgive me for intentionally rejecting You and Your love.”
If you feel uncomfortable while waiting in the Confession line, it’s a good sign. It means your conscience is healthy and working. Remember that God sees us standing in line and He is ready to welcome us back. He isn’t angry or brooding, or smug because your poor choices proved He was right. In fact, when we are sincerely repentant, He and all of heaven celebrate because we’re returning to Him (Luke 15:10) . When the priest says the words of absolution, imagine God embracing you, saying, “My child, your sins are forgiven you...Go and sin no more.” We receive powerful graces, and are asked to make amends where possible. Rejoice in the chance to start again.
St. Michael Prayer
Why do some parishes pray the St. Michael Prayer after Mass? The Leonine prayers were first promulgated by Pope Leo XIII in 1884, for recitation after Mass but not as part of Mass itself. They consisted of the Hail Mary (three times), Hail, Holy Queen, O God our Refuge and strength, the Prayer to St. Michael, and the invocation to the Sacred Heart (three times) and were said kneeling at the foot of the altar. Although abolished in 1964 they are still sometimes used after Masses in the extraordinary form. Other popes have invoked St. Michael’s protection. Pope St. Gregory the Great invoked St. Michael’s protection during a plague. Pope St. John Paul II recommended saying the St. Michael prayer daily to protect the family. And Pope Francis, in the light of recent crises, recommended all Catholics recite the prayer. Some bishops have joined the call by recommending Catholics pray it after Mass. St. Michael led the faithful angels in overthrowing Satan and his rebellious angels (Revelation 12:7). Scripture tells us he is tasked with protecting God’s people against the devil. Growing in Faith, September 2022
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.
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.” 
The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade in a historic 6 - 3 decision released Friday that brings a sudden and dramatic end to nearly a half-century of nationwide legalized abortion in the U.S.
Regular attendance at Mass is an essential part of showing your child what being a Catholic is about.
