PARISH EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Celebrating the Christmas Season
Dec 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE VIGIL MASSES
4:30pm, 8:30pm (preceded by Choir Prelude at 4 and 8pm)
Midnight Mass • 12am (preceded by Choir Prelude of Carols at 11:15pm)
Dec 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES
Midnight Mass
7, 9, 11am & 1pm (en español)
Note: There is NO 5pm Mass
Dec 28 - FEAST of the HOLY FAMILY
Regular Saturday Vigil / Sunday schedule
Jan 1 - MARY, MOTHER of GOD
(IS a Holy Day of Obligation this year)
Regular Holy Day schedule: Wednesday, Vigil 7:30pm
Thursday, 7 & 9am, Noon, 7pm (bilingual)
Jan 4 - EPIPHANY of the LORD
Regular Saturday Vigil / Sunday schedule
Jan 11 - The BAPTISM of the LORD
The Christmas season ends today with our regular Saturday Vigil / Sunday schedule
Mark your calendars NOW - our Parish Advent Penance Service is December 16 at 6:30pm, your best bet for Reconciliation before Christmas.
Everyone is encouraged to participate in our Parish Bake Sale this weekend, December 13-14 by contributing baked goods, helping with setup and cleanup, or shopping during the sale. Baked goods should be dropped off in the church vestibule starting Saturday December 13 after 9am. All proceeds support our Capital Campaign.
The Springfield Council of the Knights of Columbus will be selling Christmas trees in the lower parking lot from November 29 through December 20. Please support the charitable work of the Council by purchasing your tree from the Knights. The lot is open from 5pm to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to 9pm on weekends. The Knights of Columbus are also selling Christmas cards after each Mass the weekends of November 22-23 and 29-30. Proceeds will support WorkCamp and the Saint Bernadette School. You may contact Mike Candalor at mcandalor@cox.net to get information or arrange another opportunity to view/purchase cards.
Please keep in your giving plans for the holidays the annual Catholic Charities’ Christmas Collection this weekend, December 13/14 which provides a large portion of the annual budget for diocesan charitable works.
No Taizé this Month. We will resume next month, Monday, January 19th at 8pm in the Church. Please plan to join us!
Please join us for our annual Filipino celebration of Simbang Gabi, Saturday, December 20 at 7pm - a reception will follow in the school gym.
FAITH FORMATION
Living the Liturgical Year:
Happy 3rd week of Advent! This Sunday we celebrate Gaudete Sunday. It is the only Sunday we light the rose or pink candle. “Gaudete” means “rejoice!” The pink candle on the Advent Wreath is known as the shepherd’s candle. It represents the “joy” that the shepherds experienced when they received the news about Christ’s birth.
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 http://stbernpar.org/religious-education-volunteers/.
Upcoming Religious Education Activities:
Sunday Donut Social: Dec. 14 after 9am Mass
Regular classes: Dec. 16-17, resuming Jan. 6-7
Family Faith Formation: Jan. 11
SPRED Classes: Jan. 10 and 24
Family Mass Learning: Jan. 10-11 after every 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.
Tuesday, December 16 is our next Dinner with Friends at 5pm, at Saratoga Pizzeria, 8050 Rolling Road. We meet for this casual meal on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays.
YOUTH MINISTRY
High School 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.
Christmas Saturday Dinner - December 13th - All High schoolers are invited for dinner, gingerbread house making, Christmas Caroling, and fellowship. Meet in the Bradican Room from 6-8:30pm!
Volunteers for High School Program - We are looking for adults who share a deep passion for their Faith and want to help disciple high school teens. All adult volunteers must be VIRTUS certified and undergo a background check. If you are interested, contact JP McLaughlin at jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org.
All highschoolers are welcome to an overnight retreat at Summit Lake in Emmitsburg, MD, January 30 - February 1. We are in collaboration with the youth ministries of St. Leo’s and Our Lady of Good Counsel. Registration has opened. Please visit our website to register for the retreat. For any inquiries, contact JP McLaughlin at jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org
Work Camp 2026 registration is open - Please visit our website to register for Work Camp. Our second interest meeting for teens and adults who might want to attend Work Camp is on January 15, 7-8:15 pm in the Cafeteria. For inquiries, contact Matthew Frey matthew_c_frey@yahoo.com or JP McLaughlin at jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org for any inquiries.
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.
YOUNG ADULTS Group
All young adults ages 18-35 are invited to a Christmas Caroling night on Saturday, December 20 at 6pm. After the 5pm vigil Mass, we will meet in the vestibule, and then go to Carrleigh Pkwy. For any questions, contact JP McLaughlin at jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org Looking to join the Saint Bernadette’s Young Adults? Scan the QR code at the left to request to join the Saint Bernadette Young Adults Group Chat.
Looking to join the Saint Bernadette’s Young Adults? Scan the QR code to join the Saint Bernadette Young Adults Group Chat.
To learn more about our middle and high school ministries,
please contact JP McLaughlin jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org, or Grace Mee, gmee@stbernpar.org