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 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.
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Starting on March 9, the Archdiocese of New Orleans will be airing thousands of powerful ads on TV in English designed by the non-profit charity: Catholics Come Home. These will appear on daily on local network and cable stations throughout Lent. There is also a series of Spanish radio ads that will air during the same time period. Each ad points English-speaking viewers to CatholicsComeHome.org and Spanish-speaking viewers to CatolicosRegresen.org. All parishioners are encouraged to visit this website, where the ads may be viewed online. This initiative means that many inactive Catholics will be returning home to the Church, and many non-Catholics will be inquiring into our Catholic Faith. This promises to be an exciting time of evangelization for our parish family, and we encourage you to help us welcome returnees and new parishioners with enthusiasm, love, and joy.
Catholics Come Home (CCH) is dedicated to presenting the honest truth about even very difficult subjects. CCH wants to share with you the beautiful, historical and miraculous aspects of the Catholic Church. People who have taken the time to explore CCH are surprised to find out that there is much more to Catholicism than they ever realized. Read more > |
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Golden Wedding Anniversaries |
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If you will be celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary during 2012, please call the parish office. You will be invited to an Archdiocesan celebration to be held on June 3rd, and each couple will be presented a commemorative scroll from Archbishop Aymond. All names must be received by February 21st. |
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Seperated, Divorced and Widowed |
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Applications are now being taken for the next Beginning Experience Weekend, to be held February 10-12, 2012 at Lumen Christi Retreat Center. Beginning Experience is a powerful, positive and spiritual weekend program designed to help separated, divorced and widowed people make a new beginning in their lives. For more information please call Lisa (810-0055) or Sharon (835-7907). |
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The Krewe of Lourdes will host its annual 62nd Carnival Ball on Saturday, February 4th, 2012 at 8pm. The KoL Carnival Ball will be held at the Frederick J. Sigur Auditorium and the Supper Dance will follow immediately in the Grand Ballroom. Tickets to the Supper Dance can be purchased by calling Lena Nunez: 504-491-5266. Tickets are $65.00 per person. |
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In the year 1787, St. Bernard Catholic Church was established. That means during this calendar year, they will celebrate the 225th anniversary. Various events will be planned throughout the year to elebrate this milestone. |
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Volunteer Appreciation Party |
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 Oyster Festival Thank You Party!
All those who assisted with the Oyster Festival are invited to a Volunteer Appreciation Party on Saturday, January 28th beginning at 6:00. The Pot-Luck gathering will be held in Iverson Hall on the campus of St. Bernard Catholic Church. We look forward to announcing how much money was raised at the 2011 Festival. It will also be a great opportunity to share your favorite food for the dinner. Please help us spread the news as we anticipate gathering for a wonderful evening. |
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As of December, we are up to 80 families receiving food monthly from the pantry. The Food Pantry continues to grow and is staffed by volunteers from both Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernard Churches. (If you would like to help, please call Mary 281-2267). Although we receive food through Second Harvest, donations of non-perishable items are still needed, and may be dropped off in the back of Church. |
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Thank you to everyone who placed money in the poor box in Church or used your monthly pink envelope. Because of your generosity in 2011, $23, 535 was used to assist 132 families right here in the St. Bernard area. These donations are crucial to Gospel call of caring for our brothers and sisters in need. Please continue to support this important ministry. |
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Why do Catholics light prayer candles? |
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According to A Handbook of Catholic Sacramentals, the practice of lighting candles in order to obtain some favor probably has its origins in the custom of burning lights at the tombs of the martyrs in the catacombs. The lights burned as a sign of solidarity with Christians still on earth. Because the lights continually burned as a silent vigil, they became known as vigil lights.
Vigil Lights (from the Latin vigilia, which means "waiting" or "watching") are traditionally accompanied by prayers of attention or waiting. Another common type of candle offering is the votive light. Such an offering is indicative of seeking some favor from the Lord or the saint before which the votive is placed. Lighting a candle is a way of extending one's prayer and showing solidarity with the person on whose behalf the prayer is offered. |
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 Our December Baptisms
St. Bernard Catholic Church
Cohen Roger Guerra
Analeigh Michelle Serigne
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
Caden Ellis Esponge
Amelia Lauren Franatovich
Ashtyn Parker Wehmeyer
Avery Jane Wehmeyer |
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Teens Encounter Christ (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. 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.
Upcoming retreat: January 14-16
For more information about the retreat and available Financial scholarships, please contact Fr. John. Please don’t let finances keep you from attending this wonderful retreat experience. Applications can be printed from their website www.tecneworleans.com. |
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In the spirit of giving, we will once again be collecting new socks and blankets to be given to the homeless and area Senior Citizen Residences. Consider picking something up to assist a neighbor this Christmas. |
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 Deacon Doug Strahan; Michael Strahan; Lawrence Guerra, Jr.; Albert Acosta; Rita Bauer; Erica Gonzales; Aiden Smith; Madeline Colletti Cimino; Brooke Salazar; Richard Melerine; Steve Gallodoro; Felice Melerine; Raymond Serpas; Fred Khoury, Sr.; Henry Dietrich; Gene Perez; Loretta Mader; Loretta & Sidney Evans; Patricia Fincher; Kenneth Robin; Frances Evans; Mikey Oatis Thoulion; André Colletti; Douglas Hernandez, Sr.; Calvin Marrero, Jr.; Baby Joanna; Don McCloskey; Earl Dauterive; Elda Marrero; Debbie Hernandez; Donald Campo; Frank Acosta; Charley Robin; Toni DuRapau; Edna O’Rourke; Msgr Don Byrnes; Marlene Campo; Wanda Kridler; Juanita Rusich; Brett Escher; Bernard Naquin, Jr.; Jonathan Bailey; Lionel Serigne; Bitzy Serigne; Merri Lee Deville; Betty Nicosia; Ruth Crespo; Lynn Mauney; Lydia DeJean; Lester Evans; Dorothy Easley; Floyd Fought, Jr.; Devin Dimadigo; Kris Gagliano; J.T. Henderson; Gene Alonzo; Zack Little; Msgr Louis LeBourgeois; Pearl Hernandez; Kylie Gritter; Lois Simmons; Maria Hernandez; Michael Fisher; Kelly Alphonso; David Naquin; Sheri Fernandez; Rocky Barrow; Elaine Neely; Christina Landry; Brett Gagliano; Brendan Graf; Emile Evans; Landon Ansardi; Addison & Mackenzie Nunez; Dorothy Blanchard; Ethel Naquin, Richard McCrocklin; Elizabeth Serigne; Harold Gourgues, Sr.; Dut Alfonso; Faith Gonzales; Carmen Knight; Kayla Vogelaar; Arlene Lemoine; Edna Johnson; Barry Melerine; Mindy Casanova Dardar; Patty Gardner; Jean Arnone; Georgie Anna Nunez; Carolon Craft; Wilmoy & Florine Shows; Brett Bergeron
Please call the parish office to add or remove a name. |
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As the Archdiocese embarks upon implementing a strategic plan for Catholic Schools in conjunction with Catholic University, we need information from you – our community.
Please complete the survey located at the website below pertaining to schools:
http://cua.neworleans.sgizmo.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AS WE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. |
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The 2012 Mass Intention Book is now open for requests.
~Weekday Masses can only have 1 intention per Mass
~Mass for the ‘Intention of Parishioners’ will alternate between the Vigil and 11:00 Mass. That is the only intention for that Mass.
The other weekend Mass can have multiple intentions. Suggested donation is $5 per Intention.
You can also reserve your special dates for the Sanctuary Lamp and Marion Candle to burn in memory or honor of someone. The suggested donation is $10. |
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Will you watch one hour with me?
Our beautiful deanery adoration chapel is still in need of “committed adorers” for each hour. We especially need adorers for:
Monday at Noon and 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.
Friday at Noon, and 2:00 p.m.
Please call 271-3441 to commit. The adoration chapel will be closed for Thanksgiving Holidays
on Thursday and Friday. It will reopen on Saturday morning for visitation only, no exposition.
“Our Lord can never be left unattended or alone for any reason. Every effort should be made to ensure that there are at least two (2) people present.” |
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We are in need of people to spiritually adopt members in our RCIA program. If you would like to pray for an RCIA candidate as they learn more about the Catholic Faith and journey towards the Easter Sacraments, please call the parish office with your name and phone number, or place a note in the collection basket with a notation: “RCIA-prayer partner”. |
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Sharing and Support Group |
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We are forming a Sharing and Support Group at The Educational Trailers located at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. The group will be for both church parishes, St. Bernard and Our Lady of Lourdes, and will be open to everyone. The purpose is to provide a safe place for people to express their feelings about the loss of family, friends, community, etc. and connect with others who have the same feelings and have had the same experiences. Please call the parish office at 281-2267 to register your preference for either a morning session 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. or evening session 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. When the day and time are decided there will be an announcement. For more info call Sr. Mary Keefe at 813-7774. |
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In continuing our commitment of support and healing, we invite and encourage people who have been sexually abused recently or in the past by clergy, religious or other employees or volunteers of the Archdiocese of New Orleans to call the Victims’ Assistance Coordinator: Sr. Carmelita Centanni, MSC, Ph.D, (504) 861-6253. |
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