What is an Oratory?

An oratory, in the tradition of St. John Bosco, is a community space dedicated to the holistic development of the youth, particularly those marginalized or at risk.

The oratory model emphasizes the importance of meeting the spiritual, educational, social, and recreational needs of young people.

The St. Joseph Oratory & Cafe at St. Bernard Parish will emphasize these same core values, based on four pillars:

1. Church

2. Home

3. School

4. Recreation

The oratory model emphasizes four pillars that contribute to the holistic development of the youth:

1. CHURCH | Offering faith-building experiences for religious education and devotion.

2. HOME | Creating a welcoming, family-like atmosphere where young people feel safe, loved, and valued.

3. EDUCATION | Providing young people with access to life-skills enhancement and intellectual development.

4. RECREATION | Giving young people opportunities to experience the joy of Christ through recreational activities and social interaction.

As part of our outreach efforts to the youth and our community as a whole, the Oratory & Cafe is a multi-use facility that will be a welcoming space for Bible studies, small groups, catechesis, games, after-school tutoring, social gathering after Mass, coffee and refreshments, and more.

It will serve as an “extension” to the existing Borel Center as a space that will facilitate the continued growth of St. Bernard Parish.

We need your skills, gifts, and talents to ensure the future success of the Oratory & Cafe!

We wish to personally invite you to fill out our Works of Mercy Survey and let us know how you wish to share your gifts and talents for serving our parish community, youth, and surrounding areas.

Thank you.

The St. Joseph Oratory & Cafe is one of the many blessings that have come to our parish as a result of the 175th Anniversary Campaign in 2022.

Thanks to your dedication to St. Bernard and incredible generosity, our parish has been able to execute numerous necessary endeavors, including the purchase and renovation of the "building across the street" — now the St. Joseph Oratory & Cafe of St. Bernard Church, the latest development in parish outreach.

Answering Christ's call to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19), the St. Joseph Oratory & Cafe is St. Bernard Church’s response to the growing needs of the youth of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana — especially those most in need.

The Oratory & Cafe is a reflection of our dedication as a church parish to expand outreach efforts to those in our wider community.