PARISH EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
a message from Bishop Michael Burbidge
Bishop Burbidge has invited all parishes in our Diocese to participate in a special Week of Service this November. Saint Bernadette Church and School will partner with Rise Against Hunger to raise $ 75,000 to purchase the raw ingredients and pack 150,000 meals, here at Saint Bernadette that will support educational programs around the world—a true Corporal Work of Mercy in action. To make this life-changing event possible, prayers, financial gifts and volunteers are needed. Just the cost of one venti cup of coffee can provide six nutritious meals for a hungry child! Please see this week's bulletin or visit our parish website for more details. Sign-up opportunities will be shared in the coming weeks. It starts with a meal—together, we can make a world of difference.
Fr. Iacona will be visiting our parish this weekend to speak at all the Masses on behalf of Cross Catholic Outreach, which was founded to forge a stronger and more supportive link between parishes in America and the priests and nuns serving the poor in the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America.
On Saturday, October 4, bring your beloved pets for a special Blessing of the Animals in honor of Saint Francis’ feast day. We will meet at 10am in the front parking lot in front of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Sunday, October 5 is Respect Life Sunday. Join us as we participate in the 38th annual Life Chain, praying and quietly standing in public witness to the sanctity of human life! Our parish meets at Key Middle School on Franconia Rd., 2pm.
Come as you are - you are welcome here! Walking with Purpose Women’s Bible Study ministry returns October 14 and 16 for a 22 week study. Please see today's bulletin page 7 for more information about the program and this years' theme "Touching the Divine"
Thank you to all who have responded to our request to reduce our parish envelope costs. If you are receiving offertory envelopes but don’t use them or no longer wish to receive them, please contact our parish office so that we can remove that service from your registration file. Remember Second and Special Collections can be done electronically through Faith Direct.
You are invited to join Bishop Burbidge in praying and fasting every Friday in October before the Nov. 4 elections that will decide the next governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, along with all 100 seats in the House of Delegates. For more information regarding election resources please visit the Virginia Catholic Conference 2025 Resource hub at vacatholic.org.
Don’t forget, if you haven’t, to return your commitment card for parish ministry – Pray, serve and give, for the coming year. Please drop it in the mail or bring it by the office.
+ Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates!
El Señor de los Milagros/Lord of the Miracles Mass, procession and dinner: Saturday, October 11
Parish Family Picnic, Saturday, October 18
Silver Diner Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, October 20, 5-8pm
Malek's Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, October 27, 4-9pm
ECHO Yard Sale, Saturday, November 1
FAITH FORMATION
Living the Liturgical Year:
Happy October! October is the month dedicated to the Rosary. The Rosary is a powerful prayer given by the Virgin Mary to St. Dominic. It draws people closer to God and strengthens their spiritual lives. We celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. It commemorates the naval victory of the Christian fleet over the Muslim Turks at the Battle of Lepanto with the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. An activity you can do with your children is by making rosaries and saying the rosary as a family. You can find instructions to different rosary crafts at this link: https://www.catholicicing.com/celebrating-month-of-rosary-html/.
Volunteers for 2025-2026 ~ As we prepare to plan for the upcoming Religious Education school year, please discern if you would like to help. We are in need of Lead Catechists and aides. If interested, please contact the Religious Education Office or fill out the Volunteer Form on the website. You will also find the QR Code at the bulletin board.
Upcoming Religious Education Activities:
Regular Classes: October 7-8,14-15,21-22,28-29
Saturday SPRED Class: Oct. 18
Family Mass Learning: Oct. 4-5 at all Masses except the 7am Mass
Sunday Family Faith Formation Class: Oct. 5
Confirmation 2025 Session 2: Oct. 5, 6-15-7:30pm at the school
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. Monday, October 6 is our next Dinner with Friends at 5pm, at Saratoga Pizzeria, 8050 Rolling Road. This casual meal is one of our normal dinners on the 1st the 3rd Monday of every
month.
Our next monthly meeting will be Tuesday, October 14 at 7pm in the Bradican Room. Our theme is month is “Making a Difference.” We will hear from Deb Beard of Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington and a member of St Bernadette parish. She will provide information about how we can each help make a difference in the many good works of Catholic Charities.YOUTH MINISTRY
High School Socials
All high schoolers are invited to join us for Tuesday Socials every Tuesday from 7-8:30pm! Meet in the youth room (in the parish office) for games, ice cream, and a discussion on the faith.
High School Youth Diocesan Rally - Sunday October 26, this annual event is an opportunity for the young Church in the Diocese of Arlington to gather each year to for fun, entertainment, prayer, and to celebrate the Catholic faith. RALLY includes Mass with Bishop Burbidge, Eucharistic Adoration, inspirational speakers and entertainers, breakout sessions, inflatable games, music, and more! The cost is $25, and adult volunteers are needed. Contact Grace Mee at gmee@stbernpar.org for information on how to register.
Middle School Youth Ministry - our next gathering is 15 October
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.
To learn more about our middle and high school ministries,
please contact Grace Mee, gmee@stbernpar.org