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 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Following upon the teaching of the Beatitudes, Jesus uses the now familiar metaphors of salt and light to describe the life of discipleship.
Jesus' call to be salt for the earth and light for the world powerfully states our mission as Church and as Christians.
First Reading Isaiah 58:7-10
In the work of justice, light shall break through darkness.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 112:4-9
The just person will be a light in the darkness.
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Paul shows that he came to Corinth preaching Christ crucified.
Gospel Reading Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus teaches that his disciples are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father."
Matthew 5:13-16
A WORD FROM THE PASTOR
You Are Not Sugar Of The World !
The story of EWTN is the story of a brave woman who had the courage of her conviction that she should be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. She is Mother Angelica who, in 1981, started broadcasting Catholic TV for just a few hours a day from the garage of her Poor Clare Monastery in Irondale, Alabama. Initially she earned some money to run her shows by selling peanuts! The project grew and grew, and now, after more than forty years, the Eternal Word Television Network is available twenty-four hours a day all over the world by cable and satellite. She specifically took the Eucharist and Mother Mary to the homes of TV watchers and the people welcomed it lovingly.
Mother Angelica is an example of a true Christian who lived out her faith as salt to preserve Christian values in this modern world. She kept putting her lamp on the lampstand, so that Christ's light will shine for everyone in the modern global village. Though she died on March 27, 2016, she continues to be an instrument to shine Christ's light on everyone.
Like Mother Angelica, every baptized Christian is commissioned by Christ to shed light on others and preserve Christian values. If you doubt that your "light" matters to others, take this little quiz:
Who fed and clothed you when you were helpless?
What was the name of your 1st grade teacher?
Who is the first friend you would call in an emergency?
Who was your faith formation teacher?
Who advised you when you went wrong?
If you know the answers to these questions, they are the salt and light to you - to your life. You need to be like that.
Today, there is a new view of Christianity that is non-irritating nor offensive to others. Wanting to be a nice person among some nice guys is not effective. Sometimes their mind voice is: "I don't want to hurt them; religion is a private matter; I don't have time; it's not my business." Ah, but dear friends, Jesus didn't call us to be the "sugar of the world." He called us to be the "salt of the earth."
Someone whispered into my ears long ago: "The greatest threat to Christianity is not communism, atheism, materialism, or humanism. It is Christians trying to sneak into heaven by concealing their true identity as Christians and avoiding their mission to share Christ to others. Without ever sharing their faith, without ever living out the Christian life as salt of the earth and light of the world, they wish to go to heaven." I am sure you will agree with me that this is the real threat to Christianity. Let us be salt and light, not choosing to be sugar!
It's no surprise that salt is valuable. It makes a difference to flavor, and it stimulates thirst. But did you know that Christians who are living their lives according to God's plan are equally valuable for the same reasons? On his podcast,
The Salty Catholic, Anas Kesto said that we should "add flavor to an otherwise bland attitude of life." He asked us to "sprinkle in a little bit of flavor" by defending our faith as Salty Christians.
We should be Salty Christians because salt:
Purifies - It keeps infections away and has healing properties. In a dark and diseased world, a salty Christian can keep away infections, decay, and corruption.
Preserves - As salty Christians, we should preserve God's word by sharing it wherever we go through our actions so that others will see us as examples and get to know God through us.
Produces Thirst - Like salty foods make us thirst for water, being a salty Christian aids in evangelization by causing others to have such a thirst for the living water, Jesus.
Don't lose the desire to be salty with God's love. You ARE the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13).
St. Peter says to be ready to "account for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). Consider using this simple, five-point explanation when explaining your hope as a believer.
Thumb: (hitchhiker, free ride) Hitchhikers point their thumbs to ask, "Are you going my way?" Likewise, our call to heaven is a free gift. God invites, "Come MY way?"
Pointer: (points at everyone) Jesus' call is universal, yet personal. He chooses us to follow Him; only we can give Jesus our "Yes" – in word and deed.
Middle finger: (Greatest Being in the universe) Jesus was raised up on the Cross for sins, then rose from the dead. We attend Confession and receive His saving graces in hope to be raised to eternal life.
Ring finger: (Bridegroom) To save us, Jesus took on our human nature and "wedded" Himself to us. At Sunday Mass, we worship God and become one with Him in Holy Communion.
Pinky: (faith of a mustard seed) We recall our weakness and need of faith by trusting in Jesus Christ alone for our eternal life.
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.”
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?
God takes repentance so seriously that He sent His Son Jesus, born at this Christmas season to die for our sins. He's being patient. But someday that patience will be exhausted and Jesus will return for those who came to repentance and His forgiveness will cover them. Have you repented?
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.
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...
Mass Schedule Change
There will be NO MASSES on Wednesday, February 8th & Thursday, February 9th.
Fr. Thainese will be attending the Diocese of Lafayette 2023 Presbyteral Study Days.
There will be Mass on Tuesday, February 7th at 12:10 pm.
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.
Bishop Services Appeal 2023- Living a Legacy of Faithfulness and Purpose
Through acts both large and small, we bring positive change into our own lives and the lives of others. We have only to look to the examples of 12-year old Charlene Richard, the young Fr. Verbis Lafleur, and the humble "Nonco" Auguste Pelafigue. Holiness is not a lofty ideal. It is born of generous hearts. It is love lived to the full in service to others. We are all called to everyday sainthood. It is in the striving that we build and Live a Legacy of Faithfulness and Purpose. The ministries supported by the Bishop's Services Appeal are part of how we answer God's call.
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
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. 
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? 
Regular attendance at Mass is an essential part of showing your child what being a Catholic is about.
