Welcome to the website for St. Bernard Catholic Church in St. Bernard, La. A parish established in 1787 rich in history and tradition.
Through the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, life has been changed forever and another chapter of our lives have begun. People have been moved and scattered in all directions. Physical and Spiritual homes were destroyed. Some have had the opportunity to move back, others have decided to move on. Wherever we are in life, we are forced to look at the past and where we have been, asking the question, “Where is God?”, in every situation we find ourselves in. What can we learn from our past, to make us stronger and better people for the future? Although change is never easy and often not wanted, our faith allows a new ray of light representing the hope and faith of a resilient people, made in the image and likeness of Jesus. Our human nature calls us to seek concrete answers, yet we are called to live as people of faith, depending on God for the guidance and direction we need.
Church is the people of God, and that must be our focal point. Although we love our beautiful buildings, we must keep that in proper prospective. How have we and do we continue journeying with our brothers and sisters in faith? How do we stretch out our hands, taking the hand of a neighbor and walk through the ‘mess of life’, that often we have no control over? We are Jesus’ hands, feet, mind and heart.
As pastor of both St. Bernard and Our Lady of Lourdes, I look forward to many years as pastor, getting to know you and journeying as companions of faith. Let us continue drawing closer to the Lord in prayer, asking for the graces we need to be his faithful children, building on the foundation from the past, and creating a foundation for those who will come after us.
Black and Indian Mission Collection
July 17-18 Through the years, the funds from the annual appeal have been responsible for continuing the Church’s faithful in supporting the evangelization needs of the Black and Native American communities in the United States. Each year, Ordinaries appeal to the Black and Indian Mission Office for help in the tasks of parish support and evangelization. It is only through the constant generosity of Church members toward the Collection that such efforts are realized.
CCD News
Registration will be held on Thursday, July 22 at St. Bernard Church from 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm and at Our Lady of Lourdes on Saturday, July 24 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. St. Bernard and Our Lady of Lourdes Parishes will offer CCD classes beginning in the Fall. The exact start date still to be determined. Classes for those in Grades 1 – 5 will be on Tuesday’s from 6:30 till 8:00 and Grades 6 – 10 on Wednesday's from 6:30 till 8:00. 11th grade students will continue their formation at Our Lady of Prompt Succor with the Sacrament of Confirmation scheduled for November 8th.
TEC Retreat
Calling all High School Juniors and Young Adults! Fr. John, who is the Archdiocesan Spiritual Director for Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) Retreats, invites you to an upcoming retreat. Sponsored by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, TEC is a three-day retreat weekend of prayer, reflections/talks, discussions and activities based on the Paschal Mystery. TEC is a special experience with topics and an approach designed for older adolescents and young adults who have completed their first semester of their junior year of High School. It begins at 8:00AM on Saturday and ends about 8:00PM on Monday.
TEC weekends are filled with talks, group discussions, personal reflection, recreation and live music. Sharing, getting to know those around you and participation in activities are important aspects of the weekend. New Orleans TEC weekends are held at the Magnificat Center of the Holy Spirit which is located in the pine forests just outside of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Retreatants are offered transportation to and from New Orleans, at no additional cost, and are housed in dorm rooms with full access to washrooms and hot showers.
The next retreat will be July 31 – August 2nd. Candidates are required to attend all three days. For more information about the retreat and available Financial Scholarships, please contact Fr. John, so please don’t let finances keep you from this wonderful retreat experience. Applications can be printed from their website www.tecneworleans.com
Atlanta Fundraiser
Last month, Downwind Restaurant located in Atlanta held a fundraiser and has donated $600 to our St. Vincent DePaul account. Here’s an excerpt from there letter: “Our restaurant is in Atlanta and we are saddened by the stories and pictures we hear and see on the news about what is happening along the Gulf Coast. We hosted a night of ‘Themed Team Trivia-Cajun Night.’ The restaurant took 10% of the sales for the evening, and our trivia host matched it! Some people made additional contributions as well. We hope you are able to help families who are in need of food, clothing, or whatever is needed to get through these difficult times. We are going to try to continue to raise more money until the oil leak is fixed.’ –Let us offer a prayer of Thanksgiving for all those who assisted in this endeavor.
To Live As Jesus Lived
The Archdiocesan Spiritual Center invites you "To Live As Jesus Lived", Prayer, Study and Reflection on the mystery of our life and journey in to living in the love of God. Tuesdays, July 20, July 27, August 3 and August 10, 7:15 - 9:00 PM. St. Margaret Mary Evangelization Center, Slidell. Bonnie Chase, presenter, call 985-641-2286 or email
for information and to register. Registration required by July 16th.
Free Computer Classes
The St. Bernard Community Center in Arabi will offer its next round of free computer classes beginning on July 20th. To enroll, please phone the Community Center at 281-2512 on or after July 5. NO REGISTRATION WILL BE ACCEPTED BEFORE 9 A.M. ON JULY 5TH. Class size is limited to 8 for each class with a waiting list of 4.
Hurricane Preparedness
As we enter into another Hurricane Season, it's important to have a plan: A family plan and a community plan. Please take home a "Family Readiness Guide" which are located in the back of Church. It was prepared by the State to assist in our Emergency Response Plan.
Please Pray for Our Sick
Deacon Doug Strahan, Michael Strahan, Lawrence Guerra, Jr., Albert Acosta, Rita Bauer, Erica Gonzales, Paula Long, Aiden Smith, Ed Lee; Madeline Colletti Cimino, Brooke Salazar, Richard Melerine, Steve Gallodoro, Clarence Wallace; Felice Melerine, Raymond Serpas, Martha Nicosia, Fred Khoury, Sr., Elaine Dufour, Tripp Lopez, Henry Dietrich, Gene Perez, Loretta Mader, Loretta & Sidney Evans, Patricia Fincher, Hyacinth Serpas, Val Peralta, Angela Morales Evans, Kenneth Robin; Frances Evans; Mikey Oatis Thoulion; André Colletti; Douglas Hernandez, Sr.; Stella Mae Robino; Calvin Marerro, Jr; Veronica Serigne; Baby Joanna; Don McCloskey, Earl Dauterive; Elda Marrero; Calvin Marrero; Debbie Hernandez; Donald Campo; Charley Robin; Fr. William Blank of St. Hubert’s Church.
Oil Spill Assistance
As Christians, we are called to assist those in need, especially in our community. The Oil Spill has personally affected our lives in various ways and degrees. Archbishop Aymond has asked that all parishes in the Archdiocese have a special collection to assist those most in need. In lieu of an additional collection, Fr. John requests that donations be placed in the poor boxes, so assistance can be offered directly to those who live in our local community.
Harmony Hospice
Serves terminally ill patients and their families by providing physical, emotional and spiritual support at the endof-life.
If you can help or need help, please call Jo-Ann Moore at 832-8222
Vacation Bible School 2010
July 5-9 from 9 a.m. to 12 OLPS School Cafeteria Pre-K through 5th grade $25 For more info, call Georganna Alphonso at 985-381-9712
Thank You
On May 29th, Good Shepherd Parish in New Orleans hosted a One-Man-Play entitled “Damien”; the life of a priest in Hawaii who ministered and died in a Leper colony. We are grateful that they collected $1125 which has been donated to our “Poor Box” to assist those in our community who are in need, especially as a result of the Oil Spill. Let us offer a prayer of Thanksgiving to all who made that event a success and for choosing us to be the benefactor of their good works.
Save the Date
Our Lady of Lourdes Oyster Fesival
October 15-17, 2010
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities is in need of electricians. If you think you can be of service please contact them at 523-3755.
Rest in Peace
Willie Gutierrez Louise Maltese Lavegne Newton “Bubba” Degelos, Jr. Paul Schenck
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen
Zephyr’s Baseball Game!
Come join Fr. John and the Altar Servers as they cheer on the New Orleans Zephyr’s Baseball team. On Friday, June 4th at 7:00 the Z’s will take on Omaha. Stick around after the game for a spectacular fireworks show. Tickets are only $9 and must be reserved and paid for in advance. Please sign the sheet in the back of Church if you are interested. The deadline is May 30th.
Welcome to the website for St. Bernard Catholic Church in St. Bernard, La. A parish established in 1787 rich in history and tradition. 
Deacon Doug Strahan, Michael Strahan, Lawrence Guerra, Jr., Albert Acosta, Rita Bauer, Erica Gonzales, Paula Long, Aiden Smith, Ed Lee; Madeline Colletti Cimino, Brooke Salazar, Richard Melerine, Steve Gallodoro, Clarence Wallace; Felice Melerine, Raymond Serpas, Martha Nicosia, Fred Khoury, Sr., Elaine Dufour, Tripp Lopez, Henry Dietrich, Gene Perez, Loretta Mader, Loretta & Sidney Evans, Patricia Fincher, Hyacinth Serpas, Val Peralta, Angela Morales Evans, Kenneth Robin; Frances Evans; Mikey Oatis Thoulion; André Colletti; Douglas Hernandez, Sr.; Stella Mae Robino; Calvin Marerro, Jr; Veronica Serigne; Baby Joanna; Don McCloskey, Earl Dauterive; Elda Marrero; Calvin Marrero; Debbie Hernandez; Donald Campo; Charley Robin; Fr. William Blank of St. Hubert’s Church.
