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.
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 of Easter
Today's Gospel reading is taken from the middle of the Last Supper discourse. Jesus speaks about his relationship to his disciples. In his metaphor of the vine and the branches, Jesus is referencing the Hebrew Scriptures. In the Hebrew Scriptures, Israel is the vineyard, and Yahweh himself tends the vineyard. One of the primary themes of John's Gospel is to show Jesus to be the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.
In this passage, Jesus teaches his disciples that his relationship with them will not end after his death; he will remain with them always. This unity between Jesus and his disciples is the basis for their ability to continue to do the work that he began. Similarly, Jesus' presence with us through the Gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to continue the work of love and reconciliation that he began.
First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31
Paul is accepted by the apostles at Jerusalem.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 22:26-27,28,30,31-32
The whole world shall praise the Lord.
Second Reading
1 John 3:18-24
God commands us to believe in Jesus Christ and to love one another.
Gospel Reading
John 15:1-8
Jesus teaches that he is the vine and that his disciples are the branches.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."
John 15:1-8
A WORD FROM THE PASTOR
Four Names of Christians
Out of all our Savior's names, there is one which is commonly used by every one, the blessed name: 'Christ'. The word 'Christ' originates from the Greek word Christos meaning the anointed one. The term Christ represents Jesus' divinity and his power to offer salvation from sin. It is a powerful and transformative title that inspires faith and hope in the hearts of believers.
I suppose this is the reason the believers are known as Christians. What a great honor to us Christians! Followers of Christ were first called 'Christians' in Antioch (Acts 11:26). Who is a Christian? One who is incorporated into Christ by the virtue of Baptism. All those who accept Christ as their Savior are members of the Body of Christ.
Further, helped by the Scripture, we can describe Christians by four names. Christians are 'saints', on account of their holiness (Ref Acts 9:13; Eph 5:3). Holiness is the driving ambition of Christians. Holiness is their everyday business. To be holy, they have to live in this world as in a boat. A boat is useful in the water, but not when the water is in the boat. Similarly, we must live in the world but not of the world in us.
Christians are 'believers', on account of their faith in Christ. They believe in what Jesus claimed to be: "Lamb of God (Jn 1:29); "I am the bread that came down from heaven"; "I am the good shepherd" (Jn 10:11); "I and the Father are one" (Jn 10:30); "the only Son of God" (Jn 3:16). Therefore, to understand what God is, one has to study Christ. St. Jerome said, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." A believer should know the Bible so that he/she will know Christ. Precisely this is the reason that I encourage you all to participate in the Bible Quizzes.
Christians are 'disciples' on account of their knowledge of their Master. True Christians are not satisfied with knowing Christ's teachings, rather they are attached to the person of Christ. What the sun is to the day, what the moon is to the night, what the dew is to the flower, such is Christ to the Christians. The first stage in their Christian journey may start 'without Christ', but in the second stage they are 'in Christ', and in the third stage 'with Christ.'
Christians are 'brethren' on account of their love for one another. They consider their neighbor as brothers and sisters in Christ. St Paul addressed Christian communities that he formed and later wrote to them as "brethren." He taught that every baptized Christian is a member of the Mystical Body of Christ. And all are members of the same Body of Christ. Remember how the priest addresses his congregation in the Church. Imitating their Master's own love, they never ask, "How much must I do?" but "How much can I do?" That is the kind of love they have for others (Ref Acts 4:32). Their distinct way of living was a witness to address them as brethren.
Do I live my Christian life witnessing to these four names: saints, believers, disciples and brethren?
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus compares himself to a vine and his followers to the branches on that vine. Branches get their nourishment from the vine. We are all one family - ONE Body of Christ - sharing the same life as Christ. We need and depend on one another because we never want to be separated from Christ - our true vine.
Our classes have come to an end. In order for us to remain as ONE, we must commit to remaining in Christ so that we can bear the fruit of love, compassion, and holiness. We grow in our faith and receive Christ's guidance by keeping His Third Commandment — Keep the Sabbath Holy. This commands us to go to church on Sundays and holy days of obligation and forbids us from missing church through our own faults. Our last Faith Formation Family Mass is next Sunday, May 5th, at 10:30 am.
God Bless! Becky Wiggins, DRE
Are you desiring to become Catholic and participate in the Sacraments instituted by Christ?
Already baptized Catholic but have not completed all of the Sacraments for Initiaton?
Would you just like to know more about the Sacraments?
Reach out to Father Thainese this week to begin your Journey of Faith
The Mass Explained
This week we continue our series called The MASS Explained.
When someone wants to show you their affection and friendship, they invite you to their home. There are two important things which occur next: conversation and a meal. In the celebration of the Mass, it is Jesus who invites us to participate in his friendship, during which we also encounter these two important moments: conversation, which is when Jesus speaks to us through his Word and we respond with our prayers; and a meal, when Jesus offers us the Eucharistic banquet giving us his Body and Blood.
The MASS Explained #4
The Introductory Rite - Part 2
- Greeting:
The celebrant greets us in words from our Christian tradition such as "The Lord be with you," to which we respond, "And with your spirit."
- Penitential Rite:
We are called to pause, recall our sins, and place our trust in God's abiding mercy. The Act of Penitence includes the Kyrie Eleison, a Greek phrase meaning, "Lord, have mercy," recalling God's merciful actions (Mk 10:47).
- Glory to God:
On all Sundays, except during Advent and Lent, the Gloria is recited or sung. This hymn of praise, echoing the song of the angels at the birth of Christ and acknowledging God's greatness, infuses us with an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving. "Glory to God in the Highest!"
- Collect:
The Opening Prayer (Collect) gives the context for the celebration. This prayer literally "collects" the prayers of all gathered into one prayer led by the priest. It ends with us responding "Amen" in affirmation.
In conclusion, the Introductory Rites that precede the Liturgy of the Word, namely, the Entrance, the Greeting, the Penitential Act, the Kyrie, the Gloria, and Collect, have the character of a beginning, an introduction, and a preparation. The purpose is to ensure that we come together as one, establish communion, and dispose ourselves properly to listen to the Word of God and to celebrate the Eucharist worthily.
Bible Quiz # 36 The Book of Genesis Chapters 27-30
How did Jacob deceive his father to get blessings?
Who took away the birthright of Esau?
Where did Rebekah send Jacob to escape from Esau?
Who is Laban?
What is the name Jacob gave to the place where he had a dream?
Where did Jacob meet Rachel?
Who did Jacob want to marry, and who did he end up marrying?
Whom did Jacob love most?
Who is Joseph?
How and why did Jacob have large flocks?
Hail, holy Queen enthroned above, oh Maria.
Hail, mother of mercy and of love, oh Maria.
Triumph all ye cherubim, Sing with us ye seraphim.
Heaven and earth resound the hymn.
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina.
The beautiful tradition of May Crowning reflects the beauty of the 5th Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary which it evokes. Honoring Our Lady, Queen of Heaven and Earth, honors her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ Who first crowned her as His Queen. Adorning Our Lady with a crown of flowers is a custom of great devotion to Our Holy Mother and recalls the beauty of her love for us during difficult times in the world.
Our Lady always guides as a loving Mother. Her Immaculate Heart and her maternal beauty will always triumph over the ugliness of sin and suffering.
As we crown the Blessed Virgin on Mother's Day, we ask that she intercede for us to her Son.
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."
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...
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...
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. Please Read More...
Weekly Reflections
Pruning a vine is an important part of helping it to grow and produce not only more fruit but the best fruit. If left unpruned, a grape vine will eventually produce less fruit and poorer quality fruit. Good pruning helps to direct the nourishment of the vine to the new buds that are most fruitful.
Jesus' teaching above uses the imagery of pruning a vine to help us understand that faith must lead to charity. First, Jesus says that He is the "true vine." He is the only source of the nourishment we need for the new life of grace. He is the only way to Heaven and salvation. Knowing our Lord and being attached to Him firmly is faith. Second, our Lord says that He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit. This indicates that faith without the good fruit of charity is dead and is like a branch on a vine that produces nothing. Third, when Jesus finds a branch that bears good fruit, he doesn't leave it alone. Instead, He prunes it with loving attention so that "it bears more fruit."
Reflect, today, upon this holy imagery from Jesus. It's a lesson from nature that reveals the supernatural life of grace at work. Don't be deterred by the pruning God wants to do. Embrace suffering with love, respond to injustice with forgiveness, offer mercy when you don't feel like it, and seek to serve selflessly those who seem undeserving. Doing so will prune you so that God will be able to build up His Kingdom in glorious ways through you.
Jesus, most glorious Vine, You and You alone are the source of all nourishment in life. From You all good things come. Help me to have a firm faith in You and all that You have revealed, so that this faith will bud forth and bring about an abundance of good fruit for the glorious building up of Your Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen
To Our St. Bernadette Family -
At the end of February, Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel, D.D., issued a decree regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Diocese of Lafayette.
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 2024 - Uniting as the Body of Christ
"Take and eat; this is my body."
– Matthew 26:26
When the host is raised after its blessing as Jesus did at the Last Supper, there is that beautiful, mysterious and sacred moment when it becomes our Lord's Body right before our eyes and in our hearts. Imagine what happens when, with that same faith, we place our own personal treasure in Jesus's hands: it becomes transformed into something that transforms.
This faith is what we are called to in the Bishop's Services Appeal: to trust that with us and through us, God transforms our gifts into what the lost and broken need most.
We may not all be able to physically feed or shelter or care for or minister to all those who need to be served. What we can do is support life-giving ministries through prayer and a personal offering of resources. The BSA helps us to ensure that the most essential services continue to reach the most vulnerable in our Diocese.
Please join in Uniting as the Body of Christ so that the very Real Presence of Jesus is evident in you and your charitable works.
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...
St. Bernadette Parsih Pastoral Council and Finance Committee
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. 
