Believing in the presence of God in our midst, we proclaim the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the person by sharing in the mission of Jesus given to the Church. To this end, Saint Bernadette Church works with individuals, families and communities to help them meet their needs, eliminate oppression, and build a just and compassionate society.Believing in the presence of God in our midst, we proclaim the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the person by sharing in the mission of Jesus given to the Church. To this end, Saint Bernadette Church works with individuals, families and communities to help them meet their needs, eliminate oppression, and build a just and compassionate society.

Catholic Advocacy Committee
Our Advocacy Committee attends Catholic Advocacy Day in Richmond in January and promotes the annual Virginia Catholic Conference email registration drive, and works to raise awareness among the community to social justice issues and Catholic teachings.
Mission:  To serve as liaison to the Virginia Catholic Conference in coordinating parish activies to promote Catholic values in the public square according to the guidance of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The Committee organizes our attendance at the annual Catholic Advocacy Day in Richmond and coordinates parish awareness on issues such as protecting life, care for the poor, predatory lending, human trafficking and immigration reform.
Time:  Periodic meetings and events as they occur.
Talent:  A passion to bring awareness to the parish and to actively participate in the promotion of Gospel values in society.
Seeking a Coordinator:  In the interim, Fr. Don, frdonrooney@stbernpar.org

ECHO: Ecumenical Community Helping Others
ECHO is a non-profit, all-volunteer private agency whose purpose is to help people in need in our community.  Since 1968 when it first started ECHO’s base of support has been religious congregations in Burke and Springfield.  Those congregations appoint members to ECHO’s board of directors and support its mission with donations of food, clothing, money, and work by volunteers. Saint Bernadette is one of the ECHO board member congregations.  Through congregational donations as well as civic groups, charitable foundations and individuals ECHO is able to help needy people.
Mission: Assist people with food, clothing, household items, and financial assistance who suffer the effects of long-term poverty as well as people who are experiencing an emergency need.
Time: This varies depending on what you volunteer to do at/thru ECHO, as much or as little as you can spare.
Talent: Sort clothes, cashier, pick-up and deliver furniture.  Ability to interact with applicants seeking financial assistance.  Friendly demeanor and compassion for those in need of help.
Coordinator:  Terry Arndt, Saint Bernadette Church ECHO representative, tamar81@verizon.net 

ECHO: Can-A-Week
Mission: For all parishioners to contribute non-perishable food (a can a week) and/or time in gathering it for ECHO on a weekly basis. Our goal is 1,000 cans a week and often we do it, but we know we can do more.
Time: Just bring your contribution (staples, also high-protein items) when you come to Mass.  Drop off and pick-up is from the vestibule.  Volunteers are asked to come 15 minutes before Mass and stay 10 minutes after to help put the food in the closet.
Talent: A desire to help provide people who have little with sustenance.
Coordinator:  Tom Nally, liontomnally@gmail.com

Ecumenical/Interreligious Commission
Mission: To organize and promote unity among people of Christian faiths and between world religions represented in the community.
Time: Periodic meetings and events as they occur.
Talent: A desire to bring unity to those separated by religious profession.
Coordinators:  Fr. Don, frdonrooney@stbernpar.org and Rick Caporali, rcaporali@stbernpar.org

Catholic Charities Volunteers
Throughout the year Saint Bernadette is active in working for the initiatives of Catholic Charities in our diocese.  We respond to programs and requests for food (Lucy Project) and clothing (Christ House), and many organizations in the parish are involved independently.  If you would like to know more about how our parish is involved, please contact our liaison.
Mission: To serve as a volunteer with any of the many programs offered by Catholic Charities.
Time and Talent: Depending on need, volunteer service could be at the parish or off-site.
Liaison: Rich Davis, richarddavis465@hotmail.com

Jail/Prison Ministry
Fairfax Prison Aftercare Ministry is a multi-denominational Christian program coordinated by Truro Church, working in cooperation with the Chaplains at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.  Its purpose is to assist inmates at the Center to improve their opportunities to grow spiritually, to access available resources in the community and to build more constructive lives following their release from prison.  Inmates accepted into the program will not have had a conviction for a violent crime.
Mission:To bring the redeeming and transforming love of Jesus Christ to men and women incarcerated, and to remain with them for spiritual support upon their release, by pairing an individual care giver to a care receiver and by supporting care givers through corporate prayer and education.
Time: Completion of an eight-part training course.  Attend monthly meetings at Truro Church in Fairfax.
Talent: Adults 21 years of age or older with an intentional prayer and discernment leading to a call to participate in this ministry. Commitment to be paired with a care receiver—men with men, women with women— upon completion of training.  Acceptance of accountability, help and support in all care giving experiences, including when necessary, intervention of clergy.
Coordinator:  Kathy Marchetti, kathmarc@yahoo.com 

Refugee Assistance
Mission:To assist in providing furnishing and household supplies for new arrivals through the refugee resettlement office of the Diocese.
Time: Whatever time may be available; volunteers may also contact the office of Migration and Refugee Services for other opportunities in helping the refugee population with daily needs.
Talent: Willingness to meet needs of clients.
Coordinator: Rick Caporali, rcaporali@stbernpar.org