Shrine Church of St. Bernadette

Upcoming Events

• “He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.” The gift of vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life requires an obedient response through prayer and action.  Talk to your pastor or contact the Vocation Office at 718-827-2454 or vocations@diobrook.org.
• On Wednesday evenings during the season of Lent, the parish will conduct Lenten Devotions.  The devotions will begin at 7:30 PM with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.  The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be prayed, followed by the Litany of Divine Mercy and a short reflection on the season of Lent and the Divine Mercy Devotion.  The evening will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  Please join us this Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM.
• Stations of the Cross all Fridays of Lent at 7:30 PM.
• St. John Vianney Statue and Prayer for Vocations –This weekend at the 11:00 AM Mass, we will continue our program of prayer for vocations.  A beautiful statue of St. John Vianney – the patron saint of parish priests – will be made available for any household that would like to take it home for a week.  During that week, the members of the household will gather around the statue and pray for vocations to priesthood and religious life.  On the following Sunday, the statue will be returned to the 11:00 AM Mass and another household will take it.  It is hoped that over several years each household of the parish will take the statue for prayer.  This program will be sponsored and organized by the vocation committee of the parish.
• Give the Gift of Education – Be an angel to a student!  As an angel, you enable a student, who is at-risk financially, to remain in his or her Catholic school.   100% of your contribution is directed to the tuition, with the parents or guardians contributing their part.  Your tax-deductible contributions can be made in honor or in memory of someone you hold dear, while assisting a child who might not otherwise be able to afford the benefit that a Catholic school education offers.  For further information, please contact St. Bernadette School principal, Sr. Joan at 718-236-1560 or e-mail her at stbernadette83@yahoo.com.  You may also contact the Futures in Education at 718-965-7340 or find further information at www.furturesineducation.org.
• St. Bernadette’s has an urgent need for more ushers.  If you are willing to serve in this ministry, please call the Rectory and leave your name and telephone number.  Someone will contact you shortly.
• Lenten Soup Supper – Save the Date – This year the Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights Cluster of Parishes will join with Our Saviors Lutheran Church in holding the annual Lenten Soup Supper.  The event will be held on Monday, March 30, 2009 at 6:00 PM  St. Andrew the Apostle Church, along with Our Saviors Lutheran Church, will host the Soup Super in the Parish Hall at 80^th Street and 4^th Avenue in Bay Ridge.  More details will be announced.
• Given some recent unfortunate events, ladies are encouraged to take their pocketbooks with them while going up to Holy Communion.
• If you have arranged to have a mass offered on a Sunday and you would like to carry the gifts to the altar at the Offertory, please inform the ushers upon your arrival at church so they know where you are seated and they will not pick someone else.  Please help us to avoid embarrassment and hard feelings.  If we do not know where you are seated, the ushers will select two other people.
• We remind parishioners that the New Directions for Receiving Holy Communion are to be followed.  When you are the next person to receive, you are asked to make a bow of your head in reverence to the Blessed Sacrament.  When it is your turn to receive let the host be placed on the palm of your hand, step aside, and with your free hand pick up the host and consume it.
• Parish Registration – We ask all new parishioners to stop by the rectory and register their families.  If you are not registered and using your weekly envelopes we cannot issue letters in connection with sponsorship for Sacraments or give recommendations for positions, schools, etc.  When moving out of the parish, please notify the rectory.
• Reminder – When you are reading the bulletin this week, take some time to look at the names of the many advertisers that support our church.  These businesses show their support by advertising in our Sunday bulletin.  We should return the favor by letting them know how much we appreciate it.  When you are shopping or looking for a business – look to our advertiser pages and let them know where you saw their ad and be sure to thank them for their support.
• Prayer for Vocations – Loving God, you chose Jesus as your beloved servant to bring justice to the world.  Through baptism you also call us to be your chosen servants.  Show us the path to follow and be with us on our journey.  May your Spirit guide women and men to serve the church.  Bless us with your grace now and forever.  Amen.
• Please note:  When you are attending our week-end liturgy and it is for the intention of your loved one, please approach one of our ushers, before Mass, so that you may present our offertory gifts to His Table.
• Reconciliation Monday – In compliance wit the Diocesan Day of Reconciliation Monday, April 6^th, St. Bernadette’s will have Confessions:  9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
• Flower Club – The Flower Club of St. Bernadette’s is now accepting donations for the Easter decoration of our church.  The offering is $25.00 per plant and may be brought to the rectory Monday through Friday during the usual office hours.  We will publish a list of donors and you will be remembered in the Masses and prayers of the parish during the Easter season.  Personal acknowledgements of your contribution will also be sent.  In this time of rising costs, the parish counts, even more on your generosity to continue our tradition of a beautifully decorated church.
• Super $10,000.00 Raffle – Please, help support our school.  The St. Bernadette Home School Association is sponsoring another Super Raffle.  Take a chance at winning $10,000.00 for just $50.00 per ticket.  Winner need not be present.  Raffle date is April 23, 2009.  Call Cathleen at 718-256-1109.
• The Shrine Church of St. Bernadette Adult Choir – If you enjoy praising god through song, consider joining our choir.  We sing at the 11:00 AM Mass on Sunday and meet weekly for rehearsal on Tuesday at 8:00 PM.  There is a need for all voices, especially tenors, baritones and basses.
• HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE:  Palm Sunday – April 5^th – Vigil Mass, Saturday, April 4^th at 5:30 PM.  Sunday, April 5^th Masses 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM – 11:00 Am and 12:30 PM Palms distributed at all Masses.
• Parish Penance Service – Wednesday, April 8^th at 7:30 PM – We will have the ancient service of “Tenebrae.” Confessions will be heard immediately afterward.  This will be the only time for confession before Easter.  No confession on Holy Saturday.
• Holy Thursday – April 9^th – Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM.  Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 PM – The church will be opened until Midnight.
• Good Friday – April 10^th – Passion Play at 12 Noon (performed by St. Bernadette 8^th Graders.)  Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 PM.  Stations of the Cross at 7:30 PM.
• Divine Mercy Devotion – Please join us as we offer a Holy Hour of Prayer on Good Friday and Holy Saturday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 Am to Jesus, King of Mercy.  It will include recitation of the rosary and the Caplet of Divine Mercy, as well as a reading from Saint Faustina’s diary.  On Holy Saturday, Monsignor Caserta will preach the special (loneliness sermon) – a traditional meditation on the Blessed Mother’s view of her Son’s suffering and death.
• Holy Saturday – April 11^th –  The Church will open at 9:00 AM and close at 12 Noon – Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00 PM
• Easter Sunday – April 12^th – Masses:  8:00 Am – 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM.
• The Holy Name Society of St. Bernadette invites all parishioners to join His Excellency, Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D.,DD and the thousands of other faithful from our neighboring parishes, in The Solemn Candlelight Good Friday Procession.  Our Bishop will lead us in prayer, while the states of “The Dead Christ” and “Our Most Sorrowful Mother” are carried from PS 48 (18^th Avenue and 62st Street) to The Church of St. Mary Mother of Jesus (23^rd Avenue and 85^th Street) where a closing ceremony will be held in Italian.  Candles and bus service to PS 48 and from St. Mary Mother of Jesus will be provided, for free, by the Holy Name Socity.  Meet in front of St. Bernadette Rectory on April 10, 2009 at 7:00 PM.  Bring your family and friends, young and old, for a traditional and prayerful walk on this Most Solemn Night.  If you are interested, please write your name on the sign-up sheet in the back of the church.

Parish Meetings & Committee News

• Altar Rosary Society will be meeting on Tuesday, April 7^th at 7:00 PM in the Church for  our annual Spring Cleaning.  Our regular monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 21^st at 7:30 PM in the Cafeteria.  We will be preparing for our Spring Festival Baskets.
• Holy Name information to follow.
• Evangelization Committee meeting information to follow..
• The St. Bernadette Evangelization Committee invites you to join them for their weekly prayer group on every Monday night at 7:00 PM in the Rectory. The lectionary readings will be studied and reflected upon. Everyone is welcome.
• Outreach Committee more information to follow.
• Worship Committee more information to follow.

Cluster News

• Diocesan Alcohol and Substance Abuse Assistance Program
  The Diocese of Brooklyn has created a program to provide confidential ongoing assistance to parish and community families who suffer from the effects of alcohol and substance abuse. The program provides counseling, support, treatment and care to those seeking assistance. To connect to a network of services that will help you and your family in addressing this concern, please make a confidential call to the Diocesan Alcohol and Substance Abuse Assistance Program Hotline: 1-800-659-1603. Any one with depression can also call the hotline. For general information, please visit Catholic Charities’ website: www.ccbq.org.
• Help the Needy Program
  Knights of Columbus John Hughes Council has created the Help the Needy Program in order to collect food clothing and toys to help the less fortunate. Items must be in good condition. Items can be brought to the council between the hours of 10am to 4:30pm and 7:30pm to 10pm, seven days a week. For more information, call John Adesso at (718) 614-2689 or Frank Marzigilano at (718) 533-0491
• Italian Board of Guardians
  Located at 7808 18 Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214 offers Home Companion Services, Counseling Services, Psychological Evaluations and Tutoring Services. Please call 718.232.4242 for more information.
• Make your Voices Heard
  The New York State Catholic Bishops have formed a statewide Catholic Advocacy Network of concerned Catholics who want to put their faith into action. Together, we can speak out in support of the poor and vulnerable, the sick and elderly, the unborn, children and families. Our parish encourages you to join this network. There is no cost. The easiest way to join is to go to www.nyscatholic.org to sign up. Or you can send your name, address, phone number and e-mail address to Catholic Advocacy Network, New York State Catholic Conference, 465 State Street, Albany, NY 12203-1004. Be sure to mention you are a member of St. Bernadette parish in the Diocese of Brooklyn. For more information, see the flyers in the back of the church.
• Our Lady of Angel’s Third Order Lay Carmelite chapter meets every first Saturday of the month.  Do you sense that God might be calling you into a deeper relationship with Him?  Men and women in every age identified themselves with the Carelites as members of the Third Order.  We invite you to se the answers to your questions and discern whether or not you may have a vocation as a Lay Carmelite.  We meet every first Saturday of the month from 2-4pm in the Cavanaugh Room at Our Lady of Angels Church, 7320 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.  For more information call: 718-788-5290, or 917-841-1403.
• Caregivers Support Group – Our Lady of Angels Human Service Center will be forming a new Caregivers Support Group.  We want you to be a part of our group!  Every 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday of the month, 3:30PM to 5:00PM (Time and dates may be changed upon group’s request).  To sign up please contact:  Rudy A. Nieves, Our Lady of Angels Human Service Center, 336 – 73^rd Street, Brooklyn, NY  11209, 718-680-6344.  You are not alone!!!
• Mercy First – Angel Guardian Guild – Gift and Thrift Shop, 6301-12^th Avenue Brooklyn, NY, Open every Thursday from 10:30AM to 3:30PM and all proceeds to benefit the Youth Scholarship Fund..
• Catholic Cruise to the Western Caribbean -  Come and sail away on an 8-Night Catholic Western Caribbean Cruise with Fr. Brendon Murphy, April 30^th to May 8^th, 2009 on the Carnival Miracle out of New York City, NY.  Ports of call:  San Juan, P.R., St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.and Tortola, B.V.I.  Prices begin at $1,778.00 for two offered.  Deposits of only $50.00 per person will reserve your cabin.  Space is limited.  For further information or to register, contact Doug or Eileen at 860-399-1785, or dpayttc@aol.com.
• Dominican Village is a not-for-profit Independent and Assisted Living Retirement Community sponsored by the Sisters of St. Dominic located in Amityville, NY.  Should you have any questions, please contact:  Emily – at 1-631-842-6618.
• Holy Family Nursing Home – Volunteers are needed to transport residents from their unit to the chapel, especially from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  We are also in need of Eucharistic Ministers to administer our Jesus to our residents.  Please contact Sister Teresita at 718-232-3666 Ext. 254.  – Pastoral Care Department.
• Franciscan Spirit Tours – The Franciscan friars, Fr. Michael Marigliano and Fr. Michael Sevigny will be leading the following pilgrimages to Holy sites around the world this winter, spring and summer.  Holy Land – April 22^nd to April 29^th, Franciscan Italy – March 30^th to April 6^th, Great Women of Faith – April 14^th to April 21^st, Journey to Peace – March 25^th to April 2^nd, Footsteps of John Paul II – April 16^th to April 23^rd, Fatima – May 11^th to May 16^th.  Please contact Franciscan Spirit Tours at 646-736-7964 or 646-861-3634 or info @FranciscanSpiritTours.com.
• Camp Bernadette – Camp Fatima for boys and Camp Bernadette for girls are now accepting registrations for the 2009 summer season.  The camps located in the Lakes Region of NH , offer 2 week overnight sessions for children, 6 to 15 years of age.  Round trip bus transportation is also available from Long Island.  For more information, contact Michael Drumm at 603-364-5851 or email mdrumm@diocamps.org. or visit on web at www.diocampos.org.
• Irish Dance Program for children meets at St. Patrick’s located at 9511 4^thTuesdays 3:30PM and at Holy Name, Windsor Terrace on Fridays. At 5:00 PM.  Classes are taught by Bernadette Buckley Kash, TCRG (Member Irish Dance Teachers Association, NA and Irish Dance Commission, Dublin, Ireland) For more information call:  718-965-9424. Avenue on
• Office of Faith Formation invites all couples celebrating their 25^th, 30^th, 40^thth anniversary to the annual Diocesan Wedding anniversary, on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Immaculate Conception Church, 86-45 Edgerton Boulevard, Jamaica, NY  11432 at 11:00 AM.  The donation is $30.00 per couple.  Should you wish to partake in this beautiful celebration of love and fidelity, please register at St. Bernadette’s Rectory. and 50
• Senator Golden offers Free Tax Preparation Service Appointments are availablebeginning February 5^th through April 11^th on Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 Am to 12:00 PM.  The program is available to only residents of Senator Golden’s District wh9 earn less than $42, 000.00.   An appointment is necessary and must be scheduled by calling Senator Golden’s Office at 718-238-6044 located at 7408 5^th Avenue.
• Parents keep your kids safe – Visit the following websites for valuable information regarding your ability to protect your children against pornography and solicitation.  The information provided will alert you to filtering and parental control systems, as well as free resources to be downloaded.  www.icarecoalition.org – click resources  www.nationalcoalition.org.
• Please note:  Parishioners are kindly requested not to leave personal refuse behind in the pews.  This is especially true for items such as tissues and other personal refuse that might be health risk for those who come after and particularly for those who clean the church.  Your cooperation is appreciated.
• Adult Confirmation Cluster Program – 2009 – The neighboring parishes of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights have collaborated to offer a program for adults, high school age and older, who desire the Sacrament of Confirmation, thereby completing initiation into the Catholic Church.  Baptized Catholics who have received First Holy Communion are invited to prepare for Confirmation.  Sunday sessions from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Anselm.  Register in your home parish.
• Cluster Penance Prayer Service – Saturday, April 4, 2009, 1:00 PM at St. Anselm, 4^th Avenue and 82^nd Street.

Fund Raisers

• Memorial Funds
  Remember to support St. Bernadette memorial funds next time you need to memorialize a relative or friend. Arrangements can be made through the Rectory to memorialize with bread, wine, altar flowers, altar candle or sanctuary lamp for one week.
• Prayer Cards
  Available now in the Rectory Office is an assortment of prayer cards for different saints and various special donations. The selection of prayer cards will change depending on the Liturgical season and upcoming feast days. There is a small donation of 25 cents for each card.
• St. Bernadette Wall of Remembrance
  You can remember your beloved departed with a small cross. The donation for the first year is $200.00 and each additional year is $100.00 The crosses are made from imported wood from Belgium, with the name engraved on a metal plate. There are three ways that the engraving can be made on these plates - “John Doe”, “Mr. & Mrs. John Doe” or “The Doe Family”. Included in this donation will be remembrance each month at the Purgatorial Mass and a special remembrance on All Souls Day. If someone wishes not to re-enroll, we will give them the cross as a keepsake. The cross is placed on the wall with a temporary label, and when the metal plate is engraved, it will be put on the cross. Arrangements can be made through the Rectory Office Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
• Box Tops Education
  In the vestibule of the church, there is a large box where Box Tops can be dropped off. Find and clip 10¢ Box Tops coupon on hundreds of General Mills, Ziploc and Kleenex products to help St. Bernadette School can earn up to $60,000.00 per year.
• 2008 Annual Catholic Appeal
  If you have received the Appeal letter in the mail, please return it to the Diocese, making sure that you list St. Bernadette as the parish. If you will be making a pledge, please do so as soon as possible since the Appeal not only helps the Bishop, it also helps our Parish.  Please be as generous as your means will allow.