PARISH EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS – 30 August 2026
Rise Against Hunger / Saint Bernadette Dining Nights Out
Monday, 31 August, McAlister's Deli Rolling Road, 4-8pm
present our flyer or mention Saint Bernadette when ordering!
ANNOUNCEMENTS for the 21st Week in Ordinary Time
Mark your calendars! Our parish multicultural observance of the bishops’ National Prayer Service “Honoring the many paths that shaped America” is Wednesday, September 2 at 7:30pm – consider bringing food unique to your culture for our light potluck reception following.
Watch your mailbox! All registered parishioners will be receiving our Parish Renewal Handbook, Ministry Catalog and Annual Report, probably beginning September 7. We will celebrate Parish Life Weekend September 12-13, and Commitment Sunday the following weekend. Please review the book and consider how you might get involved in parish life!
Our parish offices will be closed on Monday, 7 September, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Please note: NO 7am Mass on Monday only
Our parish thrives because of the gifts and generosity of its members. We invite you to explore the many volunteer opportunities available and consider how you might share your time and talents in service to our parish community. Whether you want to just stick your toe in or jump in the pool, there is an activity that can bring out the best in you! Discover where God may be calling you to serve. Please visit the parish website for more information or complete an interest form HERE.
We are pleased to introduce Tap to Give, a convenient and secure way to make electronic donations through our ParishSOFT Giving platform. To use the Tap to Give feature, simply tap your NFC-enabled smartphone or smart-watch on the Tap to Give device. Make sure NFC is enabled on your device. (Bluetooth is not required for NFC payments.) ParishSOFT Giving supports both Apple Pay and Google Pay, making your donations fast, secure, and convenient. Thank you for your continued generosity and for supporting the mission and ministries of Saint Bernadette Parish.
Please plan to join us for our Rise Against Hunger Dining Out Nights. Participating restaurants include Silver Diner, Malek’s Pizza Palace, McAlister’s Deli, Delia’s, Milano’s, El Paso, and Saratoga Pizzeria. Each restaurant will generously donate a portion of their proceeds from meals purchased by our parish families. A complete Dining Nights calendar and flyers which you will need to take with you are available in the church vestibule and on the parish website.
FAITH FORMATION
Religious Education First Day Information - There will be a mandatory parent information meetings on the first day of classes, either Tuesday, September 1 or Wednesday, September 2, covering communications, disciplinary rules, and attendance expectations. Parents must attend this first-day meeting! Arrive no later than 6pm to the church with your child. We will start with prayer and the students will go to class with their catechists. Parents will remain in the church for the meeting. Students will be dismissed at the normal time and place: 7:15pm, from Door 1-- the main school door under the canopy.
Volunteers for 2026-2027 ~ If you feel called to help with the Religious Education program, we are in DIRE need of volunteers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7:15pm (arrive by 5:45pm). For Tuesday: Confirmation Second Year Lead (7th and 8th grade), First Communion First Year Lead (1st and 2nd grade), First Communion Second Year Lead (2nd and 3rd grade), three hallway helpers, and four aides for various classrooms. For Wednesdays, Fourth Grade Lead, First Year First Communion Lead (3rd through 6th grade), one hallway monitor, and three aides for various classrooms. Feeling called to help? Need to know more? Please contact Lynn Jones at Ljones@stbernpar.org or 703-451-8576 ext 136. Training is scheduled this week, so call now!
This week on September 3 we celebrate the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great. Named a Doctor of the Church, he lived in sixth century Rome and is the patron of educators, students, musicians, singers, and masons. (He might even have originated Gregorian chant!) Read about Gregory here https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-gregory-the-great/, then learn a little about Gregorian chant here https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/gregorian-chant/.
WOMEN'S MINISTRY
Come and enjoy warm fellowship and great food. For more information, please email us at women@stbernpar.org
Tuesday, September 1, is our next Dinner with Friends at 5pm, at Saratoga Pizzeria, 8050 Rolling Road. We meet for this casual meal on the 1st and the 3rd Tuesday of every month. No need to RSVP.
YOUTH MINISTRY
High School
High School Tuesday Socials begin August 25
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. Contact Grace Mee for more information!
High School Trivia Night - September 12 - Calling all high schoolers! Join us for Trivia Night on September 12th from 6-8:30 pm! Meet in the Bradican Room for a fun night of dinner, trivia, and fellowship.
Middle School
Middle School Youth Ministry begins September 2
All 6th-8th graders are invited for games, snacks, and fun every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, beginning in September! 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
Watch your mailbox! All registered parishioners will be receiving our Parish Renewal Handbook, Ministry Catalog and Annual Report, probably beginning September 7. We will celebrate Parish Life Weekend September 13-14, and Commitment Sunday the following weekend. Please review the book and consider how you might get involved in parish life!