PARISH EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS for the week of 8 March 2026
Lenten Observances
Fasting: Food equivalent to one regular meal, one small meal – Ash Wed/ Good Friday
Abstinence: No meat – ALL Fridays
Parish Soup Suppers: Fridays in Lent, 6pm
Stations of the Cross: Fridays, 7pm in English, 7:45pm in Spanish, in the church
Lent Confessions: Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm, Saturdays, 3:30-4:30pm (as usual). Please plan confessions early in the season to avoid running out of time.
Parish Penance Service: Tuesday, Mar. 24, 6:30pm
Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. We’re at 71% with 477 pledges. Just drop your pledge envelopes in the basket at Mass or at the office, or visit www.arlingtondiocese.org/BLA Please indicate you are a parishioner here and it will count toward our parish goal of $582,000.
Come one, Come all! Saturday, March 21 10am-2pm. Please come help spruce up the church in preparation for Easter. Many hands make light work. We will be working on pews, floors around the pews, candle areas, altar, and choir loft.
https://signup.com/go/BnogGhO
Additional Wednesday evening confessions during Lent begin this Wednesday from 6:30-8PM.
Lenten Soup Suppers are every Friday in Lent at 6:00 PM followed by the Stations of the Cross at 7:00 PM in English and 7:45 PM in Spanish.
The Knights of Columbus Springfield Council 6153 is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner/Trivia Contest Saturday, March 14 in the school cafeteria. Dinner is from 6–7:30pm followed by trivia until 9pm.
All women are invited to a Lenten Night of Reflection with a special talk given by Bea Frey. Saturday, March 21st from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Saint Bernadette School Gym. Invite a friend to join us. Registration is not required but helpful at: https://forms.gle/QrkMVJmawkrPXLXCA.
There are two containers of river stones near the altar. Your Lenten assignment is to choose a person you know that has left the Church or is no longer practicing their faith. Invite them to come back and tell them the parish is praying for them. As a sign of your prayer, take a stone and place it near the altar. We will see the field of stones grow over the season of Lent, and will be reminded, all of us, to pray for these people during this powerful season.
FAITH FORMATION
Living the Liturgical Year:
This Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of Lent. During Lent, we are asked to pray, fast, and give (almsgiving). Almsgiving is defined as giving your time, talent or treasure for those in need as an act of charity and justice for the love of Christ. Such acts include the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. You can find examples of the three marks of Lent here: https://www.looktohimandberadiant.com/2025/02/using-corporal-spiritual-works-of-mercy.html. There are also suggestions of Works of Mercy here: https://www.looktohimandberadiant.com/2016/02/from-kids-for-kids-practical-ideas-for.html
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
Family Mass Learning: Mar. 7 - 8
Regular classes: every week in March
SPRED Class: Mar. 21
Family Mass Learning: Mar. 8
Sunday Donut Social: Mar. 22
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, March 3 & 17 are 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.
Our next monthly meeting will be a Tea Party on Sunday, March 15 at 3pm in the Bradican Rm. Sign up for this special event is required. Go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F45A4AB2DA1FB6-62466730-its#/ to reserve your seat or to volunteer to bring goodies. Bring your favorite tea cup and the story that goes with it.
YOUTH MINISTRY
High School Youth Ministry
All high schoolers are invited to attend our Thursday night small group sessions. Guys’ Small Groups will be on 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 7pm in the Youth Room. Girls’ Small Groups will be on 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7pm in the Youth Room. For any questions, contact JP McLaughlin at jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org.
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.
Workcamp - Adult Volunteers Needed! All adults of the parish are invited to consider volunteering for Workcamp. We can find a role for anyone willing to help. We are especially in need of female crew leaders to serve alongside our teens during the week of Workcamp. No construction skills needed; must be 25 or older. Please contact our parish Stakeholder, Matthew Frey, for more information. matthew_c_frey@yahoo.com.
Middle School Youth Ministry - next gathering March 18
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 are invited to once-a-month Sunday night discussions and debates on key topics and mysteries about the Faith. Our next Faith Discussion will be on Sunday, April 19, 6-8pm in the Bradican Rm. For any inquiries, contact JP McLaughlin jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org for any inquiries.
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 Grace Mee, gmee@stbernpar.org
or JP McLaughlin jpmclaughlin@stbernpar.org,