PARISH EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS – 17 May 2026, The Ascension of the Lord, The Seventh Sunday of Easter
The St. Lucy Spring Food Drive is coming up! The St. Lucy Food Project collect and distribute food where it is most needed in the Diocese. Our St. Lucy Food Drive will be held on May 16 & 17 at all Masses. Please drop bags BEFORE Mass.
The Knights of Columbus will be collecting donations on the 16th and 17th of May in support of KOVAR - Virginians with Intellectual Disabilities, is a nonprofit organization founded by the Knights of Columbus with a mission to improve access to affordable housing, job training, sports participation, and personal care for Virginians with Intellectual Disabilities. More information can be found on https://www.kovarva.org/
Join thousands of organizations and millions of Good Neighbors as we serve together this May 16 for a historic day of love and service. Kindness is contagious! Small acts of kindness reduce depression, anxiety, loneliness, social isolation, cortisol levels, chronic inflammation, and mortality risk. While increasing happiness, health, resilience, optimism, longevity, human connection and a sense of significance.
Please join us in supporting the St. Lucy Food Drive beyond our parish boundaries! Invite friends, family and neighbors to donate non-perishable food to the drive on Saturday May 16 from 9am-1pm (in addition to our collection at Masses). SMALL ACTS. BIG IMPACT. FULL STOP. Good Neighbor Day America learn more here.
Join the Filipino Catholic Community, with the diocesan Multi-cultural Ministries Office, invites you to join in celebrating the Flores de Mayo here, on May 16. The evening begins with a rosary procession at 6pm and Mass at 7pm, followed by a reception in the gym. For more information please email amaremusicministry.flores@gmail.com.
Our monthly Ecumenical Prayer Service is this Monday, 18 May at 8pm in the Church. Please plan to join us, bring friend and experience and evening of prayer and song in the Taizé tradition.
Join us on Pentecost Sunday, May 24 for Solemn Vespers, following the 5pm Mass at 6:15pm. A most beautiful way to close the Easter Season celebrating the birthday of the Church.
Save the date: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with Bishop Burbidge. Please plan to join church leaders and members from all over the MetroDC area as we come together to show unity in divided times! HERE at Saint Bernadette, Tuesday, May 26, 7pm followed by a reception. Invite your friends!
Please plan to join us as Concerts at Saint Bernadette presents a free event: Brazilian Music Immersion: “From the origins of Samba to Bossa Nova” with Dr. Luiz “Pepe” Barcellos, Friday, May 29 at 7:30pm. a light light reception follows.
FAITH FORMATION
Living the Liturgical Year:
Happy Feast of the Ascension of our Lord! Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, forty days after Easter. It traditionally fell on Thursday, but the majority of U.S. dioceses have moved it to the 7th Sunday of Easter. Watch a video about the Ascension here: https://youtu.be/UcFw8pLBSIo?si=VklSCzaUNz6Nycm0. Suggestions for other activities are here: https://www.asceticlifeofmotherhood.com/blog/celebrateascension
Mark your calendars! The First Communion Mass will be held on Saturday, May 15 at 5pm or Sunday, May 16 at 9 am or 11 am.
Registration will open in June for next year. Continue your child's growth in the faith by signing them up for classes in 2026-27! Our class sessions will be on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and we will again offer our Special Religious Development class on Saturday mornings for students with special learning needs and our Family Faith Formation classes once a month on Sunday afternoons (for grades K-5) where parents take a larger role in their child's faith formation. Registration information will be in the parish bulletin, on the website, and will be sent via Flocknote to all currently registered children in the first week of June. Who should register? All currently registered students, including all Confirmation 2026, Confirmation 2027, and students preparing to receive First Eucharist next school year. Classes will begin on September 1 & 2. Questions about your child's registration? Call the Religious Education Office or contact the staff via email.
Volunteers for 2026-2027 ~ We are still in need for volunteers (assistant catechists, teen catechists, and hall monitors). If interested, please contact the Religious Education Office or fill out the Volunteer Form on the website http://stbernpar.org/religious-education-volunteers/.
Upcoming Religious Education Activities
SPRED Classes: May 30
First Holy Communion: May 16 at 5pm (RE), May 17 at 9am & 11am (RE)
WOMEN'S MINISTRY
Come and enjoy warm fellowship and great food. No need to RSVP. For more information, please email us at women@stbernpar.org.
Tuesday, May 19 is our next Dinner with Friends at 5pm, at Saratoga Pizzeria, 8050 Rolling Road. We meet for this casual meal on the 1st and the 3rd Tuesday of every month. No need to RSVP.
YOUTH MINISTRY
High School
All high schoolers are invited to attend our Thursday night small group sessions. Guys’ Small Groups will be on 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 7pm in the Youth Room. Girls’ Small Groups will be on 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7pm in the Youth Room.
All adults of the parish are invited to consider volunteering for Workcamp. We can find a role for anyone willing to help. We are especially in need of contractors with skills in home repairs (no license necessary) and female crew leaders to serve alongside our teens during the week of Workcamp. Please contact our parish Stakeholder, Matthew Frey, for more information - matthew_c_frey@yahoo.com.
HS Girl’s Small Group
All high school girls are invited every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 7–8:30pm in the Youth Room for a night of fun games, fellowship, and small group discussions about the Faith. Our last meeting of the school year is May 28.
Middle School Youth Ministry
All 6th-8th graders are invited for games, snacks, and fun every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month! Meet in the school gym from 6:45-8pm. Wednesday, May 20 will be our last gathering for this school year.
To learn more about our middle and high school ministries,
please contact Grace Mee, gmee@stbernpar.org