PARISH EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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