At Saint Bernadette, we strive to provide the best possible religious education for our parish community. Together, our programs work as a resource, preparing our children, young adults, and adults for the sacraments and continuing to nourish our communities’ faith formation. The Parish Council Education Committee Chair is Barbara Dalmut, education@stbernpar.org.

We hope to provide the best possible religious education for our parish community. Together, our programs can work as a resource, preparing our children, young adults, and adults for the sacraments and continuing to nourish our community’s faith formation.

In addition to our core Religious Education program for parish children, this past year we offered:

• Wednesday morning Bible studies
• OCIA/RICA (Spanish) – for all interested in joining the Catholic Church, 7-8:30pm Mondays in the Bradican Rm or Cafeteria
• Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) for children three-to-six years old during the Sunday 9am Mass
• Day(s) of Reflection - Advent and Lent
• Parish 40 Hours Lenten Retreat with nightly conferences

 

Adult Faith Formation
Mission: To provide ongoing, life-long, faith formation for adults within our parish community. This includes bible studies, parish missions, guest speakers, educational series, retreats, or days of reflection for parishioners.
Time: Meet regularly, varies by program activities
Coordinators: Lynn Jones, Director of Faith Formation, ljones@stbernpar.org, and Fr. Don Rooney, frdonrooney@stbernpar.org

 

Religious Education (Kindergarten through Eighth Grade and Sacramental Preparation of for High School students)
Mission: Mission: To partner with parents, the first and best educators of their children, in order to provide ongoing faith formation for all the children in the parish who are not enrolled in a Catholic School. There is a large range of responsibilities undertaken by the parish in hoping to serve the over 2,300 registered children in their faith formation and sacramental preparation needs.
Time: Weekly commitment (if possible), plus initial training, including VIRTUS certification with a background check, and on-going catechist formation in the parish, while obtaining certification in accordance with the requirements of the bishop. As much or as little time as you can give is appreciated.
Talent: A love of Jesus Christ, our Catholic faith, and the children is foremost, and a desire to fill a needed role in an environment where Christ is our focus. Training and certification are made available to all to ensure that we are educated in the faith we teach. Volunteer opportunities include; catechists, assistant catechists, prayer aides, office and clerical volunteers, teen helpers, and hall/door monitors. There are also specific areas to help with during the course of the year.
Director of Faith Formation: Lynn Jones, ljones@stbernpar.org
Coordinator of Religious Education: Arlyn Agasen, aagasen@stbernpar.org

 

Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Mission: To celebrate the Liturgy of the Word during the 9am Mass with children three to six years old at a level they can understand to more fully live their growing faith.
Time: Sundays 8:45am-10:15am includes setup of classroom, Mass, and cleanup of classroom. Additional lesson preparation time prior to Sunday morning on your own. You will attend Mass except for the Liturgy of the World.
Talent: An ability to share your love of Christ and the Catholic faith with small children with well-designed lessons. OPCYP (Virtus) Background check and compliance are required.
Coordinators: Kathryn Melton, yanezka@gmail.com; Lynn Jones, 703-451-8576, ljones@stbernpar.org

 

OCIA/RICA: Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Team
Mission: To facilitate the process of initiating new members into our Roman Catholic community of faith through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Providing personal presence which seeks to accompany Inquirers throughout the process of coming to the Sacraments.
Time: Mondays, 7-8:30pm, weekly meetings and some other weekend activities throughout the year.
Talent: An ability to share your love of Christ and the Catholic faith with those seeking to become Catholic. Some teaching and leading of discussion groups is possible, along with priests and other faculty.
Coordinators: Fr. Don, frdonrooney@stbernpar.org and, in Spanish, Fr. Jeb Donelan, frjebdonelan@stbernpar.org

 

Saint Bernadette Catholic School Volunteers

It is a great blessing to see our children grow in their awareness of the Spirit working through them and in them as well as learn. Catholic Education allows us to discuss what a blessing it is to use these God’s gifts in a life dedicated to his service. It is our prayer that many priestly and religious vocations have been awakened in the souls of our children this year.

Mission: To provide support for the Catholic education of our children.
Time: Weekly commitment (if possible), plus initial training, including VIRTUS and ongoing formation, as needed. As much or as little time as you can give is deeply appreciated.
Talent: A love of education and children is foremost and a desire to fill a needed role in an environment where Christ is our focus. A full spectrum of opportunities are available.
Principal: Dr. Kathleen Burgess, Principal, 703-451-8696, kburgess@stbernschool.org

 

Bible Study
Mission: To grow in your spiritual walk with Christ by spending time with his Word in prayer and fellowship.
Time: Wednesday mornings, 9:45am-11:30am
Coordinator: Maggie McKinley (mornings), office@stbernpar.org

 

Youth Ministry
Mission: Saint Bernadette Youth Ministry is made up of those adults who have been called by God to help young people experience the transforming love of Christ and become missionary-disciples. We do this by providing a wide range of opportunities to be formed in the Catholic faith for 6th-12th grade teens in Springfield, VA. Our ultimate goal is to provide an avenue for every single teen in the parish to enter more deeply into their faith and parish community. Several current opportunities to facilitate our youth programs are listed below. However, we are always looking for new adults who are willing to step up and use their gifts to inspire teens in the faith. If you have a gift or passion that you are excited to share please reach out to the Office of Youth Ministry. We would love to work on developing your idea for a new youth program.
Coordinator: Grace Mee, Director of Youth Ministry, gmee@stbernpar.org, and Assistant Director, JP McLaughlin, jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org

Note: The Diocese mandates that all CYM adult volunteers (18+ years of age) be compliant with OPCYP Programs. Contact Grace Mee for more information.

 

Youth Ministry | Confirmation Team Leaders
Mission: To serve as a team leader to 10-12 sixth, seventh and eighth graders who are preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. Leaders serve as spiritual mentors and coordinators of corporal and spiritual works of mercy projects which lead candidates into serving in the life of the Church, reflect on their involvement and connect. Loving adults are needed to witness their own faith and commitment to the Church and inspire our young people to grow in their faith.

Time: A two-year commitment. A minimum of six meetings with candidates to complete spiritual and corporal works of mercy and accompany them to the Confirmation retreat. Several formation meetings with staff and other Team Leaders.
Talent: An ability to act as a mentor, witnessing your love of God and our life in the Church. Able to share freely and appropriately, and inspire faith.
Coordinator: Grace Mee, Director of Youth Ministry, gmee@stbernpar.org and Assistant Director, JP McLaughlin, jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org

Youth Ministry | High School Tuesday Socials 
Mission: To provide the opportunity for all 9th-12th grade teens in the parish and Springfield to come together for fun, fellowship and formation in the faith.
Time: Every Tuesday evening throughout the school year.
Talent: : Adults with an ability to act as a mentor, witnessing your love of God and our life in the Church. Able to share freely and appropriately, and inspire faith.
Coordinator: Grace Mee, Director of Youth Ministry, gmee@stbernpar.org, and Assistant Director, JP McLaughlin, jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org

Youth Ministry | Middle School Youth Ministry
Mission: To provide an opportunity for all 9th-12th grade teens in the parish and Springfield to share a meal together at the parish. This is to model the community described in the book of Acts, “Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoyed favor with all the people” (Acts 2:46-47).
Time: One Saturday evening a month
Talent: We are in need of adults with the gift of hospitality. We also need adults who are willing to prepare, serve, and clean up a meal for the teens.
Coordinator: Grace Mee, Director of Youth Ministry, gmee@stbernpar.org, and Assistant Director, JP McLaughlin, jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org

 

 

Mission: Single-sex events for high school guys and girls, that promote their spiritual, emotional, and social development in an atmosphere of Christian values and friendships. Events include outings, social events, praying together, and more. The goal of these groups is to grow into a consistent girls and guys weekly bible study or community of prayer.

Time: Varies, based on the schedules of the teens and adults – typically twice monthly.

Talent: An ability to act as a spiritual, emotional, and life mentor to high school teens.

Coordinator: Grace Mee, Director of Youth Ministry, gmee@stbernpar.org

Mission: We provide an opportunity for 6th-8th grade boys and girls to come together for an evening of fun, fellowship, and faith formation. Our main focus is to build community among the middle school youth in the parish.

Time: Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday evening of the month throughout the school year.

Talent: Gifts of joy, care, and presence, modeling St. John Bosco’s style of relational ministry. Therefore we are looking for leaders who are willing to give talks, lead games, and simply be present with the teens throughout the program.

Coordinator: Grace Mee, Director of Youth Ministry, gmee@stbernpar.org;

Mission: To assist in the preparation, coordination and participation of our youth’s WorkCamp experiences.

Time: Varies based on area of support. Can include volunteering the week of camp, weekend fundraising activities or planning meetings.

Talent: Many opportunities are available such as: contractor, team leader, fundraising coordinator, stakeholder, security, lunch prep, etc. All share in the coordination and execution of a powerful week-long service oriented WorkCamp experience —we need you! No experience necessary but a willingness to witness Christ through your example to our youth is a must!

Coordinator: Stakeholder/Coordinator, Matthew Frey, matthew_c_frey@yahoo.com, Grace Mee, gmee@stbernpar.org