A group who responds to the spiritual needs of families by representing the parish attending funerals and vigils, if possible.

Mission:  To pray for the deceased members of our parish at funerals, and be present as parishioners to the families in mourning.  Arimatheans stay after the funeral and pray a rosary for the deceased.

Time:  As needed, when funerals are scheduled, weekdays or Saturday mornings.

Talent:  A desire to help people know that we are present in grief, to comfort them and pray for them.

Coordinator:  Trish Pirowski, al_trish@verizon.net

 

This program begins the process of becoming Intentional Disciples in our community life of spirituality and ministry.   The workshop spurs a parish to move out of maintenance mode into mission.  This program is for anyone in the parish who would like to discern gifts and seek answers to how God is calling you.

Mission:  To assist in the continued development of the Called and Gifted Program at Saint Bernadette Parish by establishing an organized process for implementation and fostering opportunities for small groups for discernment beyond the completion of the formal program.

Time:  On-going commitment; primarily based on larger programmed events planned throughout the year.

Talent:  Must have completed the Called and Gifted Workshop, organized, good communication skills and attentiveness to detail; have a good sense of our parish community, been involved in ministry(ies) and comfortable with both short/long timelines and event planning.

Coordinator:  Rick Caporali, rcaporali@stbernpar.org

 

All organizations / ministries in the parish are encouraged to sponsor a Sunday (or Sundays) to foster this feeling of community and to be in a position to answer questions about its ministry.  For example, for the youth in our parish, service hours can be earned by assisting with Coffee and Donut Sunday.  As another example, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts might sponsor the Coffee and Donut Sunday on Scout Sunday, ECHO might be the sponsor when a second collection is for the support of ECHO, Saint Bernadette School can be the sponsor for Catholic School Week, etc.  All parishioners (e.g., a family or group of families) are welcome / encouraged to volunteer.  Groups who sponsor may keep whatever donations they may receive.

Mission:  To set up and serve coffee and donuts on Sunday morning in the vestibule after the first three Masses: assist in establishing, encouraging, and maintaining a sense of community and belonging among the parishioners and as a welcome for newcomers and visitors.

Time: Sunday mornings, two shifts (7:10-10:15am and 10:10-1:15pm).  The order for the donuts is placed by the Parish Secretary on Thursdays, based on input from the coffee and donut team leader or coordinator

Talent:  Gifts of helping, hospitality, service.

Coordinator:  Myra Musialkiewicz,mmusialkiewicz@cox.net

 

Mission:  To provide recreation and leisure activities for those 55 years of age or older, and who reside in the Springfield area. Socials, pot-luck lunches, restaurant visits.

Time: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at noon.

Talent:  A desire to build community and enjoy time together.

Coordinator:  Margaret Norton, 703-244-4144

This is a committee restored in the past year by many long-time parishioners who wish to be friends to anyone in need.

Mission:  To provide support for individuals or families in need of a meal or a ride.  The group seeks to lend a helping hand wherever they are able.

Time: As needed when needed.

Talent: :  Gifts of helping, encouragement, service.

Coordinator:  Kathy McAndrew,mommc7905@aol.com

 

Mission:  To provide support for families in grief by setting-up and serving receptions held in the Bradican Room following funerals.

Time: As needed when funerals occur.  Weekdays or Saturdays.

Talent: :  A desire to support a family in grief.

Coordinator:  Kathy McAndrew, mommc7905@aol.com

 

Hospitality: Parish Receptions 

This is a new ministry to provide friendly receptions for parishioners, guests, visitors.

Mission: To provide food and volunteers to set-up, clean-up and serve the food at various parish events.

Time: The time commitment depends on how often you volunteer to prepare food and/or serve at the various events throughout the year.

Talent:  enjoy preparing and sharing food and a willingness to serve others.

Coordinator:  Kathy Marchetti, kathmarc@yahoo.com

 

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s organization designed to assist parishes through charity, unity and fraternity.  Springfield Council 6153 supports St. Bernadette in many ways throughout the year.

Knights are Catholic men committed to charity in action.  You will find the Knights participating as ushers, choir members, extraordinary ministers of communion, lecturers, greeters for new family welcome as well as some lesser known, but very important ministries.

The Council also helps those in need through parish referrals and support family, youth, community and Church in prayer, treasure and action.

Mission:  To live by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism within the community of St. Mary Parish.  The Knights of Columbus has the potential of being one of the most profound presences of charity and leadership in the parish, with your membership.

Time: Meetings held monthly.  Additional charitable and community events are held throughout the year.

Talent:  Catholic men over 18 years of age seeking fellowship and having a desire to grow in their faith and community outreach.

Coordinator:  Grand Knight Don Howell, dhowell788@aol.com

 

The Legion of Mary is a lay Catholic organization whose members give service to the Church on a voluntary basis in almost every country.  Weekly meetings are held where prayer and instruction are intermingled with reports and discussion.  Additionally, every legionary completes a weekly apostolic work.  These works include religious education, and visitation of families and the sick, in their homes, hospitals, and nursing facilities. The Legion also collaborates in apostolic and missionary undertakings sponsored by the parish

Mission:  To magnify the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in the Church’s work, under the guidance of a priest.

Time: Weekly meetings with additional apostolate works, about a four-hour weekly commitment.

Talent:  Commitment to prayer and service.

Monday 7pm Coordinator: Seeking a Coordinator

Friday 7pm Coordinator: Teresita Martinez, terelaw@aol.com

 

Mission:  To develop and encourage small groups to gather weekly during Lent 2020 to share their faith and build community.  “Affinity” Groups will be invited to meet in their homes or at work, or after work, and if they are comfortable doing so, participants may take turns acting as facilitator. “For where two or three are together in my name, there I am in the midst of them”(Mt 18:20).  Small groups are a great way to make big churches feel smaller. Our Faith is very relationship oriented. Christ taught us that when we are present to each other, know one another, share what we have, support and encourage each other in love and faith, God will be with us in extraordinary ways.

Time: Groups will meet weekly throughout the season of Lent, (six weeks), approximately one or one and one-half hours per session.

Talent:  Roles to fill include Coordination, Group Leaders and Communication/Promotion to the Parish. Willingness to explore faith in a small group setting—open to sharing. Groups are suggested to gather around common interests as a means collegiality but not required (affinity groups) and committed to the six-week program.

Coordinator:  Rick Caporali, rcaporali@stbernpar.org and Fr. Rich Miserendino, frrich@stbernpar.org

 

The Life in the Spirit Prayer Seminars were hosted in March 2018 and March 2019 teaching the renewed Catholic Life in the Spirit.

Mission:  To praise, pray and open our hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ and the movement of the Holy Spirit, including His gifts and charisms.  All are welcome to attend and participate in these gatherings.

Time: The 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month (check the bulletin, dates may change from month to month) at 7:30pm.

Coordinator: Tracy Pham, tracy_pham@msn.com

 

Mission:  To promote pro-life and pro-family values, facing trends in today’s culture with mercy, action and support.  To help organize parish attendance in the March for Life and Life Chain.  This year we hope to promote new initiatives for education and the dignity of the person, with emphasis on a culture of support and adoption.

Time: Flexible, as able.

Special Skills:  An ability to reach out to others in a spirit of love and forgiveness, an intention to heal and transform hearts.

Currently seeking a Coordinator

Mission:  To encourage Saint Bernadette parishioners to heed the command of Jesus to “Pray the Father to send laborers into the field” and to inspire those who are being called to respond generously to the invitation to serve God as priests, permanent deacons, and consecrated religious brothers and sisters.

Time: Flexible.

Special Skills:  Volunteers (individuals or families) are needed in two areas:  (1) helping with recruitment of each week’s crucifix recipient, and (2) bringing the vocations crucifix home for a week of prayer for vocations (no requirements for amount of time or specific prayers during the week).

Currently seeking a Coordinator

Mission:  To organize a 5th Sunday evening pot luck dinner to welcome and inform our new parishioners about the many ways in which they can get involved, to grow and develop their faith and feel a part of the family that is St. Bernadette parish.

Time: Several times a year, Sunday evening.

Talent:  A warm and welcoming spirit.

Coordinator: Kelly Smith, tomandkellysmith@verizon.net

 

Mission:  The Boy Scouts of America provides a programming for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.

Cub Scouting is a program of the Boy Scouts of America—so in that sense, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are both members of the same organization. However, they are entirely different programs: Cub Scouting is a family-oriented program designed specifically to address the needs of younger boys.

Time: Please contact listed leaders for each group’s schedule.

Cub Scout Pack 995:  Sean Lenahan, slenahan@nahb.org 

Boy Scout Troop 995:  David Flaherty, dpmflaherty@aol.com