Latest Announcements
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Watch this short video to learn more about our Work of Mercy Meal Packing Event November 13-15th. You are invited to support the event with your prayers, your financial support or your gift of time.
Our Rise Against Hunger Meal packing event is FULL! We are looking forward to serving together to feed the least of these.
The Parish Office will be closed on Monday November 11th in observance of Veteran’s Day.
There will be NO Religious Education Classes on Tuesday, November 11. Classes will resume, Wednesday, November 12.
After all Masses this weekend there will be a display of beautiful olivewood handmade carvings from the Holy Land. These carvings are made by the Christians of Bethlehem who use them as their main source of income. Please see today’s bulletin for more information on how we can support our brothers and sisters in Christ who are enduring hardships at due to the volatile situation in their home country.
Join us for Taizé Prayer Service on Monday, November 17, at 8 pm. Come pray for unity in our community and the world. All are invited.
Please plan to join us for the 42nd Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service on Tuesday, November 25 at 7pm. Saint Bernadette will host the event. Interested volunteers are invited to contact the parish office. Details are on page 9 of today’s bulletin.
Keep Christ in Christmas! The Knights of Columbus will be selling Christmas cards in the vestibule after all Masses the weekends of November 22-23 and November 29-30. You may inquire at the office to get more information or arrange another opportunity to view/purchase cards.
There will be only one Mass at 10 am on Thanksgiving Day. To thank God for the many blessings in our lives, please help those experiencing food insecurity by bringing non-perishable food items to Mass, to be brought up to the altar at the offertory procession. All donations will benefit the Catholic Charities St. Lucy Food Project.
All new families who have registered in the parish since September are invited to our first Discover Saint Bernadette Information session on Sunday, November 16 following the 9am Mass. Learn from our Ministry Leaders what makes Saint Bernadette special. A Q and A will follow the brief presentation. Please plan to join us.
All women are invited to an Advent Evening of Reflection on December 7, from 7-9 pm in the school Gym. This event is free, and registrations are not required, but greatly appreciated. Watch the bulletin for more information.
+ Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates!
42nd Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service, Tuesday, November 25 at 7pm
Thanksgiving Day Mass, Thursday, November 27, please bring non-perishable food items to Mass, 10am"
Advent Day of Reflection, SAVE THE DATE for Saturday, December 6, 2025, 7- 9pm
FAITH FORMATION
Living the Liturgical Year:
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. Why this particular basilica? The Lateran Basilica, otherwise known as the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, is the oldest and highest-ranking basilica in Rome. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome. Each bishop has a cathedral church for his diocese. Like Bishop Burbidge has the Cathedral of St. Thomas More, the Pope has the Lateran Basilica. It is considered the mother church of all of Catholicism, so we celebrate the feast of for the whole Church on November 9. Did you know? There is no Saint named John Lateran... The Laterani family gave the land and their palace to Constantine when Christianity became legal, who in turn gave it to Pope Miltiades in 313 AD, who dedicated it to Christ the Savior, as well as to John the Evangelist, and John the Baptist.
Volunteers for 2025-2026 ~ 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 https://stbernpar.org/religious-education-volunteers/.
Upcoming Religious Education Activities:
Regular Classes: November 12, 18-19
SPRED Classes: November 8, 22
Family Faith Formation: November 9
Family Mass Learning Weekend, November 8-9 after all Masses
Sunday Donut Social: November 23 after the 9am Mass
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.
November 11 is our General Meeting at 7pm in the Bradican Room.
NOTE CHANGE IN DAY: Tuesday, November 18 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 Tuesday of every
month.
YOUTH MINISTRY
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.
All high school boys are welcome to attend a fun trivia night on Thursday, November 20th, 7-8:30 pm in the youth room. Please contact JP McLaughlin jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org if you have questions.
All High Schoolers are invited for dinner, games, and fellowship on Saturday, November 8. Meet in the Bradican Room from 6-8:30pm!
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.
To learn more about our middle and high school ministries,
please contact JP McLaughlin jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org, or Grace Mee, gmee@stbernpar.org
Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,
As you will read on page 9 of this bulletin, those who wish to receive Eucharist under both forms will have the opportunity starting on the First Sunday of Advent, November 30, at the Saturday 5pm Vigil Mass, and the 9am and 11am Masses on Sunday.
Four ministers of the cup will stand in front of the altar at the step facing the assembly. Those who wish to receive the Precious Blood of Christ are asked, from wherever they are seated in the church, to come up the diagonal aisles (where Hosts are offered) so as not to have two-way traffic in the center aisle. Ushers can help with direction.
To make it easier still, if you plan to receive under both forms, please sit in the front pew sections of the church.
It has been a while since we have done this, COVID shut down a lot of things and many were slow to return. We have recently added some new Eucharistic Ministers and I think we can start again. If, for some reason, we do not have enough ministers or we don’t consecrate enough wine for a certain Mass, please be patient. We will figure it out.
For a while we have been thinking this would be a solution for people who are not gluten tolerant, to receive the Precious Blood. As we have thought this through, however, we realize that a gluten intolerant person can’t receive from a cup that has been used by people who have just consumed a Host with gluten.
A word about the hosts we use - they are not gluten free, but are called low gluten. I don’t know how they do it, but they make a host that has a gluten content below 20 parts per million. Very low. Unless you actually have a celiac condition, I am told these should not pose a problem.
The best solution we have come up with is that once the presider of the Mass has distributed Communion to the front two sections of pews nearest the ambo (known in other churches as the pulpit), he will purify his fingers and then distribute low gluten hosts from a separate ciborium and cup at that Communion station. At this time anyone who needs a low gluten host or to receive from the cup can come forward. People will also have the option of receiving from the cup only. One of the other ministers of the cup will come over and assist the priest when available.
You can find more details on page 9.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption and sanctification” (CCC 1360). Catholics actively participate in the Eucharist as the source and summit of their Christian life. This active participation manifests itself by :
• gathering with a community of believers each Sunday and holy day,
• praying together at Mass in word, gesture and song,
• listening together to God’s Word,
• giving thanks and praise to God together for the gifts of creation, and in a special way, for the gift of Jesus – his life, death and resurrection, and
• sharing in and becoming the Body of Christ through reception of Holy Eucharist at Mass.
Catholics believe that through active participation in the Mass and, in a special way, through the reception of Holy Communion at Mass, they become the real presence of Christ, and are therefore sent to be Christ’s presence in the world until he comes again in glory. St. Augustine, bishop of Hippo, put it this way in the 5th century: What you see…is bread and a cup. This is what your eyes report to you. But your faith has need to be taught that the bread is the body of Christ, the cup the blood of Christ…If then, you wish to understand the body of Christ, listen to the Apostle as he says to the faithful, ‘You are the body of Christ and his members’…You reply ‘Amen’ to that which you are, and by replying you consent… Be a member of the body of Christ so that your ‘Amen’ may be true… Be what you see, and receive what you are.”
Special thanks to all our ministers of Holy Communion for their unique service to the Body of Christ, helping us to become begotten sons and daughters by adoption.
The Lord be with you,
Watch this short video to learn more about our Work of Mercy Meal Packing Event November 13-15th. You are invited to support the event with your prayers, your financial support or your gift of time.
All Saints Day: Saturday November 1st is not a Holy Day of obligation this year. Because it is still an important feast, we will add a 10 AM Mass on Saturday morning.
The All-Souls Day Masses on Sunday, November 2 follow our regular Sunday Mass schedule. Our All Souls Novena of Masses envelopes are in the vestibule of the church and the parish office. Please return them by October 31st.
Please plan to join us for on Monday November 3rd for our final Saint Bernadette Dining Night out at our local Springfield restaurants. These dining nights out support our Parish Work of Mercy, Rise Against Hunger. This week, McAllister’s (11/3) is on the menu and they will donate a portion of their proceeds for meals purchased. Remember to mention Saint Bernadette when dining in, ordering delivery or take-out.
This will be the final weekend to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win Fr. Don’s beautiful, framed prints; Both prints are of Piazza San Marco, #18 and #20 of editions of 50 both from 2002 Watercolors. Raffle tickets are $ 10 each, 3 for $ 25, 6 for $ 50, 9 for $ 75 or 12 for $100 and are available after all Masses. Tickets are sold separately for each print. All proceeds will support Rise Against Hunger.
Our Rise Against Hunger Meal packing event is now OPEN. This meal packing event is free and will require a large contingent of volunteers, please select a shift and job that is right for you. Please visit the Rise Against Hunger link on parish website for job descriptions. Signup to volunteer here. Please join us! We could use a few extra hands at the 8pm shifts Thursday and Friday evenings, and second shift 10:30am Saturday morning.
Please plan to join us for the 42nd Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service on Tuesday, November 25 at 7pm. Saint Bernadette will host the event. Interested volunteers are invited to contact the parish office. Details are on page 9 of today’s bulletin.
All new families who have registered in the parish since September are invited to our first Discover Saint Bernadette Information session on Sunday, November 16 following the 9am Mass. Learn from our Ministry Leaders what makes Saint Bernadette special. A Q and A will follow the brief presentation. Please plan to join us.
This week we sent an email invitation to participate in our online giving platform ParishSOFT eGiving (formerly FaithDirect). If you’d like to sign up, you can do so easily clicking here to access our simple, secure online enrollment form. For questions, you can contact ParishSOFT Donor Support at donorsupport@parishsoft.com or call #866-930-4774 option 6 to speak with a representative. For those already enrolled, thank you for your ongoing participation in ParishSOFT Giving! Your commitment ensures that our parish can continue its mission in the most cost-effective way possible.
Next week households who have not yet taken the opportunity to complete this years' annual Commitment Card appeal will receive a reminder letter and card in the mail. Please take a moment to prayerfully discern how you and your family might share your gifts of time, talent and treasure. It's possible, if you have completed a card it may have crossed in the mail, please disregard should you receive a second one. Those who have already submitted your commitments, acknowledgement letters will be forth coming in the coming weeks. Ministry leaders will be provided contact information for existing and new members to their respective ministry groups. Please do not hesitate to reach out them the interim so that you may get involved!
+ Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates!
ECHO Yard Sale, Saturday, November 1
McAlister's Deli Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, November 3, 4-8pm, mention Saint Bernadette when ordering!
Rise Against Hunger - Work of Mercy, Thursday, November 13 thru Saturday November 15, Please sign up today!
42nd Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service, Tuesday, November 25 at 7pm
FAITH FORMATION
Living the Liturgical Year:
Happy November! The month of November is dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory, the Church Suffering. Today, November 2, we commemorate All Souls’ Day and remember those who have died, especially those who have not reached heaven. You can teach your children to honor our beloved dead by praying at Mass for their intention and prayers. A prayer you can recite daily with your family during November is the Traditional prayer used by the Church in the Rite of Christian Burial:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. All: Amen.
All: May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Volunteers for 2025-2026 ~ 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 https://stbernpar.org/religious-education-volunteers/.
Upcoming Religious Education Activities:
No Classes: November 4-5, 11
Regular Classes: November 12, 18-19
SPRED Classes: November 8, 22
Family Faith Formation: November 9
Family Mass Learning Weekend, November 8-9 after all Masses
Sunday Donut Social: November 23 after the 9am Mass
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. NOTE CHANGE IN DAY: Tuesday, November 4 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.
YOUTH MINISTRY
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.
All High Schoolers are invited to take advantage of the FCPS student holiday and join us for 9am daily Mass, followed by donuts and fellowship in the youth room until 10:30am.
All High Schoolers are invited for dinner, games, and fellowship on Saturday, November 8. Meet in the Bradican Room from 6-8:30pm!
Middle School Youth Ministry - our next gathering is November 5th
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 JP McLaughlin jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org, or Grace Mee, gmee@stbernpar.org
Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,
The last month has been absolutely nonstop, one big event after another and weekends packed with a crazy number of duties. For any emails I have failed to return or anyone I didn’t get to thank sufficiently (because we can’t do any of this alone), my apologies.
One of the things I haven’t gotten to express sufficiently is how beautifully you sing at Mass recently. Maybe it’s because we are using more piano lately – that organ pumps out a lot of sound to reach the back pews of the church and it is literally six feet behind me – but you sound really good. Some churches, even some Catholic parishes, think of the choir as entertainment, something that is there to enhance the experience of the assembly. We have worked really hard to show that the choir is not there to replace your singing, but to encourage your singing. It seems to be working! Especially that triple, Great Amen at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer which is entirely yours (it isn’t sung by the priest) is beautiful. I’m holding up the hosts and the chalice and sometimes I just have to smile: Your singing is very satisfying and I feel like we’ve done something very right.
Of course, we choose music carefully according to the text and context of the Mass so that they really become a substantial part of the prayers that you pray during the Mass. A couple of weeks ago we sang Dan Schutte’s “These Alone are Enough,” which is based on one of my favorite prayers of St. Ignatius Loyola:
Take my heart, O Lord, take my hopes and dreams.
Take my mind with all its plans and schemes.
Give me nothing more than your love and grace.
These alone, O God, are enough for me.
Take my thoughts, O Lord, and my memory.
Take my tears, my joys, my liberty.
Give me nothing more than your love and grace.
These alone, O God, are enough for me.
I surrender, Lord, all I have and hold.
I return to you your gifts untold.
Give me nothing more than your love and grace.
These alone, O God, are enough for me.
When the darkness falls on my final days,
take the very breath that sang your praise.
Give me nothing more than your love and grace.
These alone, O God, are enough for me.
I find 7am Masses frustrating because with few people spread out to all corners our massive church, it is mostly hard to hear responses to the prayers. It is hard to see who is even in that back row.
Active participation, as you know, was the principal goal of the liturgical reforms of Vatican II. The Mass belonged to the priest and most of “his” prayers were prayed at a level of voice which was not meant to be heard by the assembly, not even the Lord’s Prayer. Imagine the time before microphones! I am so glad that this is no longer the case.
But silence is also important. The Opening Prayer of the Mass is called the “Collect” because when the priest presider says “Let us pray,” there is a pause. This is when you offer your intentions and petitions privately, and after the pause the presider says the prayer that literally collects all of your prayers and presents them to God. In that silence you are still active, perhaps doing a most important part of the Mass, pouring your hearts out to God so he can pour his into you.
Gestures, too, are important. I have been meaning to speak about genuflecting for a long time. It is often forgotten today but it is still an important part of the Tradition. When you genuflect, you touch your right knee on the floor, back straight, as a gesture of reverence to the Presence of Jesus in the tabernacle. This is done before entering the pew at the beginning of Mass, and again as you leave the pew at the end. Many forget to do this, perhaps because they aren’t thinking much about how Jesus is truly present here. You could think of it as a hello coming to Mass, and a goodbye at the end. When you see a friend, you always have a greeting, nobody just ignores a friend. It’s like that.
If you are like me and have knees and feet ready to go bad at any minute, the Church teaches a profound bow may be substituted for genuflecting. This is more than just a bow of the head, it is a bending at the waist. It is an equally good reverence.
Sometimes you see people genuflecting after receiving Communion. This is a misunderstanding. For one thing, Jesus isn’t present in the tabernacle at that moment. He is in you.
The Lord be with you,
Watch this short video to learn more about our Work of Mercy Meal Packing Event November 13-15th. You are invited to support the event with your prayers, your financial support or your gift of time.
All Saints Day: Saturday November 1st is not a Holy Day of obligation this year. Because it is still an important feast, we will add a 10 AM Mass on Saturday morning.
The All-Souls Day Masses on Sunday, November 2 follow our regular Sunday Mass schedule. Our All Souls Novena of Masses envelopes are in the vestibule of the church and the parish office. Please return them by October 31st.
The Knights of Columbus are asking for your support in filling a Box of Joy with presents like small toys, toiletries, and more perfect for children in need. You are also encouraged to mail a $9 check separately for each box to cover international shipping costs. Boxes will be distributed after Mass this weekend and collected for delivery in November 8/9.
Please plan to join us for the next three Mondays (10/28, and 11/03) for Saint Bernadette Dining Nights out at local Springfield restaurants. These dining nights out support our Parish Work of Mercy, Rise Against Hunger. Malek’s Pizza Palace (10/28), and McAllister’s (11/3) will donate a portion of their proceeds for meals purchased. Remember to mention Saint Bernadette when dining in, ordering delivery or take-out.
For the next two weekends we are excited to be raffling a chance to win Fr. Don’s beautiful, framed prints; Both prints are of Piazza San Marco, #18 and #20 of editions of 50 both from 2002 Watercolors. Raffle tickets are $ 10 each, 3 for $ 25, 6 for $ 50, 9 for $ 75 or 12 for $100 and are available after all Masses. Tickets are sold separately for each print. All proceeds will support Rise Against Hunger.
Our Rise Against Hunger Meal packing event is now OPEN. This meal packing event is free and will require a large contingent of volunteers, please select a shift and job that is right for you. Please visit the Rise Against Hunger link on parish website for job descriptions. Signup to volunteer here. Please join us!
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.
This week we sent an email invitation to participate in our online giving platform ParishSOFT eGiving (formerly FaithDirect). If you’d like to sign up, you can do so easily clicking here to access our simple, secure online enrollment form. For questions, you can contact ParishSOFT Donor Support at donorsupport@parishsoft.com or call #866-930-4774 option 6 to speak with a representative. For those already enrolled, thank you for your ongoing participation in ParishSOFT Giving! Your commitment ensures that our parish can continue its mission in the most cost-effective way possible.
Next week households who have not yet taken the opportunity to complete this years' annual Commitment Card appeal will receive a reminder letter and card in the mail. Please take a moment to prayerfully discern how you and your family might share your gifts of time, talent and treasure. It's possible, if you have completed a card it may have crossed in the mail, please disregard should you receive a second one. Those who have already submitted your commitments, acknowledgement letters will be forth coming in the coming weeks. Ministry leaders will be provided contact information for existing and new members to their respective ministry groups. Please do not hesitate to reach out them the interim so that you may get involved!
+ Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates!
Malek's Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, October 27, 4-9pm, mention Saint Bernadette when ordering!
ECHO Yard Sale, Saturday, November 1
McAllister's Deli Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, October 20, 5-8pm, mention Saint Bernadette when ordering!
FAITH FORMATION
Living the Liturgical Year:
Did you know that Halloween has its roots in Catholicism? Halloween is also called “All Hallow’s Eve.” The word “hallow” means “holy.” The word Halloween is a contraction word of “hallows” and “e’en” which refers to the evening (vigil) before All Saints’ Day. It is part of three days dedicated to our dead known as Allhallowstide which is All Hallow’s Eve (Halloween, Oct 31), All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1), and All Souls’ Day (Nov.2). Celebrate All Saints’ Eve/Day by having a All Saints’ party, dressing up as saints or visiting the blessed sacrament and praying to a saint. You can find a more Saint Day activities here: https://www.elizabethclareblog.com/16-ways-to-celebrate-all-saints-day/.
Volunteers for 2025-2026 ~ 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 https://stbernpar.org/religious-education-volunteers/.
Upcoming Religious Education Activities:
Regular Classes: October 21-22, 28-29, November 12, 18-19
Confirmation Mass: October 25,10am
Sunday Donut Social: October 26 after the 9am Mass
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. NOTE CHANGE IN DAY: Tuesday, November 4 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.
YOUTH MINISTRY
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 November 5th
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
Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,
After our picnic last Saturday I sent a thank you email to our primary leaders/volunteers who made the picnic such a success. It was truly beautiful to see so many people really invested in our community life with their time and hard work.
This is what I wrote to our parish leaders:
“Several people mentioned to me as the carnival features were leaving the parking lot last night how amazing it was to watch so many from so many different ministries come together and make such a beautiful afternoon possible. Thanks, Rick Caporali, for your organization and tireless commitment to building our community, and to all of you who gathered the flock, broke the loaves and fed the 3,000. It was a remarkable, holy gathering. Last evening I was thinking of one of my favorite songs’ third verse says:
All our meals and all our living
make as sacraments of you,
that by caring, helping, giving,
we may be disciples true.
Alleluia, alleluia!
we will serve with faith anew.
I think we can say that this was one of the happiest, most vibrant days that Saint Bernadette has ever seen in building community and witnessing kindness and goodness. Thanks to you.”
But it was also all of you who came with side dishes, and set up games and crafts for the kids, and spent the afternoon building friendships. So much of the logistics and grilling covered by our Knights of Columbus. Our school teachers and staff who came on a non-school day to see all the kids. I do believe it was one of the best things that has ever happened at Saint Bernadette and it is thanks to all of you who came and enjoyed the beautiful afternoon together. There are a few photos on pages 10 and 11 of today’s bulletin.
________
I have been working my way slowly through Pope Leo’s new Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te (“I have loved you”) and am happy to say he tells things like it is and says it well.
I was asked the difference between and apostolic exhortation and an encyclical so I checked with my new friend A. I. Overview. Here is what he says: An encyclical is a formal, pastoral letter from the pope to the entire Church on matters of faith and morals, while an apostolic exhortation is a papal reflection that urges the faithful to take a specific course of action or address a particular spiritual matter. Encyclicals have greater doctrinal weight, while exhortations are less formal and are often a response to a significant event...
Clearly, however, the Pope has a lot on his mind about the way the poor are being treated in today’s world, and he finds it remarkably troubling. The news seems just to be getting worse, and my resolve for us as a parish to do something about it is much stronger. We need, right now, to be attentive to the situation people are finding themselves in this government shutdown. If SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) stop being issued, there will be a great need for food. If people are unable to afford health care... I don’t even know what that would look like.
It was very sobering to read in a recent study that, because our nation has stopped providing financial assistance to the poor of the world, by the year 2030 14 million people will die that would not have died otherwise with our assistance.
It is almost too hard to watch. I’m grateful we have Pope Leo and I hope that the leaders of the world are listening, and will experience the personal and spiritual conversion God desires to bring an end to these senseless wars and destruction.
We’re still planning our Burke/Springfield Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and have chosen the title “Kindness is our path forward.” We can’t let such division and negativity pull us apart at the seams in our community. May we stay attentive to what we know to be true and commit to making our world grow in goodness and beauty through acts of kindness and forgiveness, extending the good will of our picnic into the days ahead.
The Lord be with you,
Watch this short video to learn more about our Work of Mercy Meal Packing Event November 13-15th. You are invited to support the event with your prayers, your financial support or your gift of time.
All Saints Day: Saturday November 1st is not a Holy Day of obligation this year. Because it is still an important feast, we will add a 10 AM Mass on Saturday morning.
The All-Souls Day Masses on Sunday, November 2 follow our regular Sunday Mass schedule. Our All Souls Novena of Masses envelopes are in the vestibule of the church and the parish office. Please return them by October 31st.
The Knights of Columbus are asking for your support in filling a Box of Joy with presents like small toys, toiletries, and more perfect for children in need. You are also encouraged to mail a $9 check separately for each box to cover international shipping costs. Boxes will be distributed after Mass this weekend and collected for delivery in November 8/9.
Please plan to join us for the next three Mondays (10/28 and 11/03) for Saint Bernadette Dining Nights out at local Springfield restaurants. These dining nights out support our Parish Work of Mercy, Rise Against Hunger. Malek’s Pizza Palace (10/28), and McAllister’s (11/3) will donate a portion of their proceeds for meals purchased. Remember to mention Saint Bernadette when dining in, ordering delivery or take-out.
For the next two weekends we are excited to be raffling a chance to win Fr. Don’s beautiful, framed prints; Both prints are of Piazza San Marco, #18 and #20 of editions of 50 both from 2002 Watercolors. Raffle tickets are $ 10 each, 3 for $ 25, 6 for $ 50, 9 for $ 75 or 12 for $100 and are available after all Masses. Tickets are sold separately for each print. All proceeds will support Rise Against Hunger.
Our Rise Against Hunger Meal packing event is now OPEN. This meal packing event is free and will require a large contingent of volunteers, please select a shift and job that is right for you. Please visit the Rise Against Hunger link on parish website for job descriptions. Signup to volunteer here. Please join us!
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.
This week we sent an email invitation to participate in our online giving platform ParishSOFT eGiving (formerly FaithDirect). If you’d like to sign up, you can do so easily clicking here to access our simple, secure online enrollment form. For questions, you can contact ParishSOFT Donor Support at donorsupport@parishsoft.com or call #866-930-4774 option 6 to speak with a representative. For those already enrolled, thank you for your ongoing participation in ParishSOFT Giving! Your commitment ensures that our parish can continue its mission in the most cost-effective way possible.
Next week households who have not yet taken the opportunity to complete this years' annual Commitment Card appeal will receive a reminder letter and card in the mail. Please take a moment to prayerfully discern how you and your family might share your gifts of time, talent and treasure. It's possible, if you have completed a card it may have crossed in the mail, please disregard should you receive a second one. Those who have already submitted your commitments, acknowledgement letters will be forth coming in the coming weeks. Ministry leaders will be provided contact information for existing and new members to their respective ministry groups. Please do not hesitate to reach out them the interim so that you may get involved!
+ Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates!
Malek's Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, October 27, 4-9pm, mention Saint Bernadette when ordering!
ECHO Yard Sale, Saturday, November 1
McAllister's Deli Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, October 20, 5-8pm, mention Saint Bernadette when ordering!
FAITH FORMATION
Living the Liturgical Year:
On October 22, we celebrate the Feast Day of Pope St. John Paul II. He was known for his warmth, wisdom, and deep love for humanity. He encouraged the laity to “Be Saints in the World,” to “Open Wide the Doors to Christ,” and to become agents of Christian Unity and interreligious dialogue. He was an inspirational Pope who sought to bring his papacy to the laity, especially the young people. Help your children get to know St. Pope John Paul II by watching this link: https://youtu.be/y9lYvkmY874. Celebrate his feast day with a Polish feast with pierogis and polish sausages.
Volunteers for 2025-2026 ~ 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 https://stbernpar.org/religious-education-volunteers/.
Upcoming Religious Education Activities:
Regular Classes: October 21-22, 28-29
Confirmation Mass: October 25,10am
Sunday Donut Social: October 26 after 9am Mass
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. NOTE CHANGE IN DAY: Tuesday, October 21 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.
YOUTH MINISTRY
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 November 5th
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
Watch this short video to learn more about our Work of Mercy Meal Packing Event November 13-15th. You are invited to support the event with your prayers, your financial support or your gift of time.
All Saints Day: Saturday November 1st is not a Holy Day of obligation this year. Because it is still an important feast, we will add a 10 AM Mass on Saturday morning.
The All-Souls Day Masses on Sunday, November 2 follow our regular Sunday Mass schedule. Our All Souls Novena of Masses envelopes are in the vestibule of the church and the parish office. Please return them by October 31st.
The Knights of Columbus are asking for your support in filling a Box of Joy with presents like small toys, toiletries, and more perfect for children in need. You are also encouraged to mail a $9 check separately for each box to cover international shipping costs. Boxes will be distributed after Mass next weekend and collected for delivery in November 8/9.
Please plan to join us for the next three Mondays (10/20, 10/28, and 11/03) for Saint Bernadette Dining Nights out at local Springfield restaurants. These dining nights out support our Parish Work of Mercy, Rise Against Hunger. Silver Diner (10/20), Malek’s Pizza Palace (10/28), and McAllister’s (11/3) will donate a portion of their proceeds for meals purchased. Remember to mention Saint Bernadette when dining in, ordering delivery or take-out.
For the next two weekends we are excited to be raffling a chance to win Fr. Don’s beautiful, framed prints; Both prints are of Piazza San Marco, #18 and #20 of editions of 50 both from 2002 Watercolors. Raffle tickets are $ 10 each or 6 for $ 50 and are available after all Masses. Tickets are sold separately for each print. All proceeds will support Rise Against Hunger.
Our Rise Against Hunger Meal packing event opens this weekend. This meal packing event is free and will require a large contingent of volunteers, please select a shift and job that is right for you. Please visit the Rise Against Hunger link on parish website for job descriptions. Please join us!
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.
+ Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates!
Taizé Ecumenical Prayer, October 20
Silver Diner Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, October 20, 5-8pm, mention Saint Bernadette when ordering!
Malek's Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, October 27, 4-9pm, mention Saint Bernadette when ordering!
ECHO Yard Sale, Saturday, November 1
McAllister's Deli Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, October 20, 5-8pm, mention Saint Bernadette when ordering!
FAITH FORMATION
Living the Liturgical Year:
On October 22, we celebrate the Feast Day of Pope St. John Paul II. He was known for his warmth, wisdom, and deep love for humanity. He encouraged the laity to “Be Saints in the World,” to “Open Wide the Doors to Christ,” and to become agents of Christian Unity and interreligious dialogue. He was an inspirational Pope who sought to bring his papacy to the laity, especially the young people. Help your children get to know St. Pope John Paul II by watching this link: https://youtu.be/y9lYvkmY874. Celebrate his feast day with a Polish feast with pierogis and polish sausages.
Volunteers for 2025-2026 ~ 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 https://stbernpar.org/religious-education-volunteers/.
Upcoming Religious Education Activities:
Regular Classes: October 21-22, 28-29
Confirmation Mass: October 25,10am
Sunday Donut Social: October 26 after 9am Mass
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 20 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.
YOUTH MINISTRY
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 November 5th
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
Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,
If you didn’t have a chance to join with our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters in last week’s celebration, I thought I would print a shortened text of my homily:
Today, we gather to celebrate one of the most profound and moving devotions in the Catholic world — El Señor de los Milagros, the Lord of the Miracles. This feast, born in the heart of Lima, Peru, centuries ago, has become a symbol of unity, hope, and faith that transcends national borders. It is a devotion that speaks powerfully not only to the Peruvian people but also to all who know what it means to endure suffering, to search for belonging, and to trust in God amid uncertainty — especially our brothers and sisters who have journeyed far from their homeland to seek a better life.
The story of the Lord of the Miracles begins in the mid-17th century in the humble neighborhood of Pachacamilla, on the outskirts of Lima. This was a community of Afro-Peruvian slaves — people without power or wealth, but rich in faith. One of them, whose name history has not preserved, painted an image of the Crucified Christ on a mud wall — not as a famous artist, but as a servant of God. He depicted Jesus nailed to the cross, with the Holy Spirit above and the Father’s presence radiating from heaven. Beneath the cross stood the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, mourning yet believing.
In 1655, a massive earthquake struck Lima, destroying much of the city. Buildings crumbled, walls fell — but that painted wall with the image of Christ remained standing, untouched by the devastation. People saw in this a sign — a miracle — and began to gather there to pray. Later, when attempts were made to remove or repaint the image, it could not be erased. The devotion grew, especially after more earthquakes confirmed what the faithful already knew: God was present in this image, offering comfort and hope to the afflicted.
Over time, a chapel was built, and each October, processions began through the streets of Lima. The faithful carried a large copy of the image on their shoulders, dressed in purple habits of penance and devotion. Even today, October in Peru is known as the “Purple Month,” a time when millions walk through the streets in prayer, incense, and song — honoring Christ crucified as the Lord of the Miracles, the God who does not abandon His people.
Christ is not distant or detached, but suffering with his people. He is the Christ who stands firm even when the world shakes. His wall did not crumble, because his love does not crumble.
That is the message our world desperately needs today. We live in times of upheaval — not only from natural disasters, but from spiritual, emotional, and social ones. Families are separated, economies are unstable, and faith can feel fragile. Yet in the midst of this uncertainty, Christ remains. His cross still stands. His mercy still flows.
God is not absent from the lives of the poor, the migrant, the laborer, the mother struggling to raise her children in a new country. No — he is there, in the middle of it all, enduring with us, blessing our tears, and transforming them into hope. For so many immigrants, especially those from Latin America, the Lord of the Miracles has become a companion on the journey — a reminder of home, but also a reminder of God’s nearness. When one leaves one’s homeland, crosses deserts or oceans, learns a new language, and works tirelessly to provide for loved ones, it can feel as though everything familiar has been shaken — just like Lima in that earthquake. Yet, as in that story, the Lord’s image remains standing.
He is the Christ who walks with the migrant, the one who knows what it means to have no place to lay his head. He understands the pain of being misunderstood, the anxiety of providing for family, the longing for dignity and justice. But he also offers strength, hope, and solidarity.
The Lord of the Miracles invites us to solidarity. He calls the whole Church — not only Peruvians or Latinos — to recognize the face of Christ in every person who suffers, especially the immigrant and the poor. The miracle is not only that a wall did not fall — it is that a community was born around that image, a community that cared for one another and became a living sign of God’s mercy.
The Lord be with you,
Please plan to join us for our El Señor de los Milagros/ Lord of the Miracles celebration Saturday, October 11 beginning with Mass at 10am,
followed by the procession of the icon and a festive dinner celebration.
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.
Saint Bernadette Church is partnering with Rise Against Hunger in response to Bishop Burbidge’s invitation for all parishes to perform a corporal Work of Mercy. With your support, we will host a meal packing event at Saint Bernadette November 13-15, 2025. Our parish goal is to raise $75,000 to purchase the raw ingredients to pack 150,000 life-changing meals. Please support our parish’s effort to fight global hunger, with prayer, financial support or volunteer service. It starts with a meal. In collaboration with Saint Bernadette School, this act of solidarity reflects the Gospel’s call to “feed the hungry” and serves as a visible witness of the Church’s mission in action.
Next weekends' second collection will be for our corporal Work of Mercy ~ Rise Against Hunger. Please be generous.
Parish Offices will be Closed on Monday October 14 in observance of the Federal Holiday
Please join us for our Anniversary Mass for the Dedication of our Church on Tuesday, October 14 at 7:30pm in the Church.
All are invited to our Saint Bernadette Parish Picnic on Saturday, October 18th, from 1-5 p.m. There will be great music, food, and games for the whole family. Please check the bulletin to see what food you should bring. Volunteers are also needed!
All Saints Day (not a Holyday of obligation): No Vigil Mass October 31. On Saturday, November 1, an additional Mass will be celebrated at 10am.
The All Souls’ Day Mass schedule follows our regular Sunday Mass schedule for all our deceased. Remembrance envelopes, in which you may include the names of your deceased family or friends, are in the vestibule of the church and parish office. Please return them by October 31.
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.
+ Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates!
Parish Family Picnic, Saturday, October 18
Silver Diner Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, October 20, 5-8pm, mention Saint Bernadette when ordering!
Malek's Dining Night Out to benefit our RAH Meal Packing Event, Monday, October 27, 4-9pm, mention Saint Bernadette when ordering!
ECHO Yard Sale, Saturday, November 1
FAITH FORMATION
Living the Liturgical Year:
On October 13, we celebrate the anniversary of The Miracle of the Spinning Sun. In 1917, thousands of people witnessed the miracle of the dancing sun. This was the sign that Our Lady of Fatima had promised the shepherd children (Saints Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta) to confirm the authenticity of her apparitions. Witnesses had seen the sun spinning in the sky, changing its size and color, and evoking feelings of warmth and joy. One fun activity you can do with your kids is making a Miracle of the Sun Spinner. You can find instructions here: https://www.catholicicing.com/fatima-craft-miracle-of-sun-spinner/
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: October 18
Confirmation 2025 Confessions: October 16 6:30pm
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. 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 Saint Bernadette parish. She will provide information about how we can each help make a difference in the many good works of Catholic Charities.
Monday, October 20 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.
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