PARISH EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Watch your mailbox! All registered parishioners will be receiving our Parish Renewal Handbook, Ministry Catalog and Annual Report. Please read it! We are celebrating Commitment Sunday this weekend. Please review the book and discover how you might get involved in parish life!
Bishop Burbidge has invited all parishes in the Diocese to participate in a Week of Service this coming November 9-15, Saint Bernadette Church will be partnering with Rise Against Hunger to purchase and pack 150k meals to support educational programs throughout the world. The cost of just one venti cup of coffee can provide 6 life-changing meals for a child! Please see page 12 of today’s bulletin and watch for more details and signup opportunities in the coming weeks. It Starts with a Meal.
The Knights of Columbus will be collecting donations for the Coats for Kids program this weekend and next weekend. Their goal is for no child to go without a coat during this winter season.
On November 4, Virginians will be selecting candidates for all 100 seats in the House of Delegates as well as for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General. We will host a nonpartisan voter registration event after the 9am, 11am and before the 1pm Mass in Spanish next Sunday 21 September. The registration deadline for the general election is Friday, October 24. All materials will be bilingual.
Sunday, October 4 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.
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.
All couples celebrating a Golden or Silver Anniversary are invited to a Wedding Anniversaries Mass on Sunday, October 19, 2:30pm at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. Please call the parish office to register no later than Monday, October 3.
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.
FAITH FORMATION
Living the Liturgical Year:
Please remember that the Confirmation kick-off meetings are this month! It is a mandatory meeting for both parents and children held at the church from 6:15-7:15pm. Confirmation 2027 kick-off will be on September 14 and Confirmation 2026 kick-off will be on September 28.
On September 23, we celebrate the feast day of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. He started his service to the church as a 5 year-old altar server, eventually devoting his life to God at the age of 15 as a Capuchin Friar. He had a special relationship with his Guardian Angel, showing us that our Guardian Angels protect us and nudge us to do what is right. You can watch this video about St. Padre Pio with your children to help them learn about the saint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLOIx_ux400. To honor St. Padre Pio, you can teach your children the Guardian Angel prayer:
Angel of God, my Guardian dear
To whom God’s love, commits me here.
Ever this day (night) be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
Family Donut Social ~ Mark your calendars! Plan to join us Sunday, September 28, in the school cafeteria for fellowship, hospitality, and kids’ activities after the 9am Mass! Come visit with other parish families while you enjoy coffee, juice, and donuts while your children do some fun activities with volunteers!
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.
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 13 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, September 14 at 7pm in the Bradican Room. 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.
All High schoolers are invited for dinner, games, a fellowship on Saturday, September 13. Meet in the Bradican room from 6-8:30pm!
All 9-12th grade boys are invited to join us for a bonfire, s’mores, and games on Thursday, September 25th from 7-8:30pm. Meet on the rectory patio. Contact JP McLaughlin for more information (JPMcLaughlin@stbernpar.org)
Daily Mass and Donuts - September 23 - 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 10:30.
Middle School Youth Ministry - our next gathering is 1 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