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 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

When Are We Going To Start To Do Good?

A story of St. Philip Neri (1515-1595), who earned the title “Apostle of Rome”, is an example of the missionary zeal demanded by today’s Gospel. Philip came down to Rome in 1533 as an immigrant from Florence and a layman. When he arrived, he was horrified by the physical and moral devastation of the city. Rome had been sacked in 1527 by the Germans who had left much of the city in ruins. The Gospel wasn’t being preached, and many priests and cardinals were living in open defiance of Christ’s moral teachings. Philip prayed to God to learn what he might do.

  He read the letters that St. Francis Xavier had sent back to Europe from India, where he had been converting tens of thousands. Philip thought that God was calling him to follow the great Basque (Spanish) missionary to India, to give his life in proclaiming the Gospel. When Philip went to his spiritual director and told him what he thought God was asking of him, the wise old priest affirmed his desire to serve and bear witness to Christ. However, he told Philip to focus his attention on re-evangelizing those around him, declaring, “Rome is to be your India!”

  This was quite a task for one man. But Philip, relying on God’s help, started — first as a layman, then as a priest — to convert Rome, one person at a time. He would cheerfully go to street corners and say, “Friends, when are we going to start to do good?” He developed various entertaining social and religious activities to give the people, especially the young people, better alternatives for their hearts and time than those offered by the wicked culture around them. His impact was enormous, and when he died in 1595, much of Rome had been reconverted.

  The same God who spoke to Philip almost five hundred years ago challenges each one of us today through the Scriptures, “Your home and your family, your workplace and your parish are your mission field!”

  Many of you in the pews have very difficult time with your children who are not practicing their faith. And there are some who are our neighbors do not consider Sunday is Lord’s Day. It is the need of the hour that we realize to bring change in our own children. We may not be able to attend to all at a time; may be just one person or one family at a time. We can follow the example of St Philip Neri.

  Seventy-five percent of the new adult converts to the Catholic Church reported that they were attracted by a personal invitation from a Catholic who had a lively relationship with Christ and his Church.  As faithful Catholics, we will attract others to the Catholic Church—just as a rose attracts people by its beauty and fragrance. It’s our job.  It’s our responsibility. We must not miss the current opportunities to be apostles in everyday life by our words and deeds. Let us start doing something good!

Bible Quiz 21-The Gospel according to Luke - Chapters 9 to 11

1. What are the three solemnities celebrated after Pentecost in Ordinary Time?
2. Verse 16 of chapter 9 foretells what action of Jesus at Last Supper?
3. Who were conversing with Jesus at the time of Transfiguration of Jesus?
4. What did John tell Jesus when someone was casting out demons in Jesus’ name?
5. What the apostles will have to do first, when they enter a household?
6. What was the report of the seventy-two after their mission?
7. Who was the neighbor to the robber’s victim?
8. Who chose the better part?
9. What was the comment made by some after Jesus drove out demons from a mute person?
10. Why did Jesus pronounce words of woes to Pharisees and scholars of the law?
    
    Responses due by July 21st

A/C Repair & Maintenance

Some unexpected expenses have recently come up in our parish. Aging equipment has caused the need for both the adoration chapel air conditioning repairs and the replacement of a larger unit in the hall. In addition, a smaller air conditioning unit on the opposite side of the hall needs replacement. These repairs alone come to just over $20,000.
As a safeguard against further issues with the air conditioning/heating system on the entire property, we’d like to have maintenance performed on all units biannually. This is projected to cost approximately $1,500 a year. Hopefully in doing this, we can keep our current equipment in good repair making it last longer.
These current needs are the basis of our asking for your help. We know that you already support St. Bernadette parish in many ways and with a generous heart. That being said, we must again turn to you. Please call the office or see Father Thainese if you are able to donate to this cause. You may also place an envelope in the collection marked “Air Conditioning” during any of our Masses. Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration of this matter

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.

  Pope Benedict XVI
  2005—2013

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The Beatitudes - Matthew 5:1-12

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...

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. We 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

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.

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.

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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.
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Catholics Come Home

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. 
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