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Fr. Don's Weekly Letter ~ 24 October 2021

Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

In my homily last weekend I was reflecting on what a bishop friend of mine had said, how as a church we have lost sight of what is truly central to our faith, the proclamation of God's love and our salvation history, and we focus too much on the institutional aspects of law, observance, compliance. Please don't misunderstand me – I'm not saying we should not be concerned about sin and its devastating effects, but a single focus on compliance naturally leads to a sense of entitlement, somehow earning the favors we believe we deserve by good behavior (or despair because of evil we have done).  This leads to a positive or negative judgment on those who do or don't follow the law.  We naturally begin to compare, and the result is division.  You're in, or you're out. In today's world of personally defined freedoms, compliance is understood as oppression.

Rather, if our starting point were the proclamation of God's saving love seen in Jesus Christ, we place the emphasis on what God is doing, not what we are doing.  Our inspiration is the resulting gratitude and the desire to live faithfully to the image of ourselves he has revealed to us. Religious practice becomes adherence, something we choose proactively – not something we are required to do, but something we want to do because that is who we are.

bell blessingI made the observation that people aren't leaving Christ-ianity, but they are leaving the institutions of Christianity.  For a while we heard people using the phrase, "I'm spiritual but not religious."  I now believe this is what they were talking about, because they have continued to live with Christian values, but are suspicious of division and hypocrisy which too often tarnish the institution.  How can some thing so imperfect demand perfection of me?

This is precisely why Pope Francis' call to synodality today is desperately needed in our world.  A church which listens to the Holy Spirit's voice emanating from the Body of all the baptized, listening to those who often have been ignored.  The process of dialogue necessarily requires a heart open to discovering, learning something new and open to ongoing conversion.  As I said, if we do not believe that the Holy Spirit speaks in the entire Church, greatest to the least, why have the institution?

I recently met with a person who had been away from the Church for many years.  It took a lot of courage for this person to call, but had heard one of my homilies on the parish website and decided to reconsider the Church. Some of this person's perspectives weren't exactly in alignment with Church teaching, and their life arrangement was such that they felt judged and rejected.  I listened for a couple of hours.  At the end of the meeting I said: I can't begin to know what it feels like to be you, and I don't judge.  Just know that God can't love you more than he does right now, and he can't love you less.  We are all on a journey together to grow closer to God, and if you like, I would like to walk with you.  The silence ended. This person has reconsidered belonging to a synodal Church.

The Lord be with you.

Streaming Masses and Announcements for the week of 17 October 2021

STREAMING SUNDAY AND WEEKDAY MASSES

Today's Live-Streamed Mass(this link will also be used for the 40th Anniversary of the Dedication of Saint Bernadette Mass at 7pm)
Worship Aid for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Worship Aid for the 40th Anniversary of the Dedication of Saint Bernadette Church

fleur cross logo Join us Monday night for our monthly Taizé Prayer Service, October 18th at 8pm. Come pray for Christian unity in our community and in the world. All Christians are warmly invited; invite your friends! 

fleur cross logo You are invited to join Bishop Burbidge to mark this "Year of St. Joseph" at the diocesan Marian pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, October 30. See today’s bulletin for more information.

fleur cross logo ECHO's popular Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, October 30 from 9am-noon in the school gym.  Proceeds of the sale benefit ECHO whose mission is to help local people who are experiencing an emergency as well as those who have long-term low-income needs.

fleur cross logo All Saints’ Day Masses (not a holy day of obligation this year):  November 1 Masses at 7 and 9am, Noon, and a 7:30pm Mass. The All Souls’ Day Mass schedule includes 7 and 9am, and a 7:30pm bilingual Mass for all our deceased.  All are encouraged to bring photos of deceased family and friends which will be placed before the altar at the evening Mass.

fleur cross logo Remember loved ones in the All Souls’ Day Novena of Masses.  All Masses November 2 -10 will be offered for those included in the novena. Remembrance envelopes in which you may include the names of your deceased family or friends are available in the vestibule of the church and parish office. To participate please fill out one of the envelopes with your donation and return them to the parish office before November 2.

fleur cross logo The Virginia Catholic Conference has published Bishop Knestout’s and Bishop Burbidge’s joint letter to the faithful, regarding Voter Education Resources, with side-by-side comparisons of the candidates. PDF versions of the documents are available in both English and Spanish. Please see our parish website's announcements page for more information.

fleur cross logo Based on updated guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we recommend that everyone, including individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19, wear a mask in public indoor settings.

Fr. Don's Weekly Letter ~ 17 October 2021

 Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

Last week I was driving down Indian Head Highway in Maryland being very careful not to get a ticket.  The way they seem to be trying to control the crazy traffic is by multiple speed cameras, red light cameras, and a greater presence of the highway patrol with radar.  It still isn't working.  I'm probably going about 60 in a 55 mph limit and cars are literally flying around the cars on the highway, weaving in and out, racing each other so fast that it felt like I was crawling.

faith and blueI was listening to a podcast of an interview with Maria Reza, one of this year's Nobel Laureates for journalism and how she has struggled with the autocratic leadership of the Philippines who have charged her with many crimes and denied her travel because she insists on telling the truth despite who is in power.  The lawlessness on the highway is only a glimpse of the lawlessness of power in the world.  She was explaining that there are now more autocratic governments in the world than democratic governments, and that the future doesn't promise improvement.  I don't know if she is Catholic or not, but her message was very much like the Gospel:  She said that the world is watching us now, and that this is the time to shine a light of hope.

When facts are taken away, she said, the truth becomes undiscern-ible.  With no truth, there is no trust.  With no trust, there is no social order.  We have become so accustomed to a relativism that exalts personal opinion that facts themselves seems to be arguable. Despite proof, facts are denied - whether with regard to human life or freedom, events or even elections.  If a lie is told often enough, she said, people will begin to believe it.  This is why we find ourselves confronted with a social disorder today that no one has experienced before.  But remember:  we carry a light that is not from ourselves that we must not hide.  The world is watching.

The Lord be with you

 

Streaming Masses and Announcements for the week of 10 October 2021

STREAMING SUNDAY AND WEEKDAY MASSES

Today's Live-Streamed Mass (this link will also be used for the 40th Anniversary of the Dedication of Saint Bernadette Mass at 7pm)
Worship Aid for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Worship Aid for the 40th Anniversary of the Dedication of Saint Bernadette Church

fleur cross logo Join us on Thursday, October 14 when Bishop Burbidge will join us for our Mass celebrating the 40th Anniversary of this church dedication. Bishop will bless our newly installed bells. Mass begins at 7pm. All are invited.

fleur cross logo Please plan to join Christ Church and other area houses of worship to purchase, pack and distribute 165k life-changing meals. In the midst of much change, we want to continue be a shining light for the world’s most vulnerable. See today’s bulletin for more information or signup here.

fleur cross logo Join us Monday night for our monthly Taizé Prayer Service, October 18th at 8pm. Come pray for Christian unity in our community and in the world. All Christians are warmly invited; invite your friends! 

fleur cross logo Please mark your calendar for our next St. Lucy Project.  Please mark your calendar for our next St. Lucy Project drive-thru/drop-off food drive on Saturday, October 23 from 9am - 1pm.  Be sure to pick up your blue Saint Lucy food bags at Masses Oct 16-17 and bring them back filled.

fleur cross logo Cub Scout Pack 995 will be selling popcorn after Masses next weekend, October 16-17. We greatly appreciate your support of our Cub Scout Pack here at Saint  Bernadette! As much as 35% of the proceeds go directly to support our programs here at the parish

fleur cross logo You are invited to join Bishop Burbidge to mark this "Year of St. Joseph" at the diocesan Marian pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, October 30. See today’s bulletin for more information.

fleur cross logo ECHO's popular Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, October 30 from 8am-noon in the school gym.  Proceeds of the sale benefit ECHO whose mission is to help local people who are experiencing an emergency as well as those who have long-term low-income needs.

fleur cross logo All Saints’ Day Masses (not a holy day of obligation this year):  November 1 Masses at 7 and 9am, Noon, and a 7:30pm Mass. The All Souls’ Day Mass schedule includes 7 and 9am, and a 7:30pm bilingual Mass for all our deceased.  All are encouraged to bring photos of deceased family and friends which will be placed before the altar at the evening Mass.

fleur cross logo Remember loved ones in the All Souls’ Day Novena of Masses.  All Masses November 2 -10 will be offered for those included in the novena. Remembrance envelopes in which you may include the names of your deceased family or friends are available in the vestibule of the church and parish office. To participate please fill out one of the envelopes with your donation and return them to the parish office before November 2.

fleur cross logo Based on updated guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we recommend that everyone, including individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19, wear a mask in public indoor settings.

Fr. Don's Weekly Letter ~ 10 October 2021

Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

Last week on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi a number of us gathered out in front of the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and we asked God's blessing on our pets.  A lot of dogs, one cat and a guinea pig became the cause of our praise and thanks for the way that animals make our lives better.  It gave us an opportunity to pause and remember that God's blessings come to us in many forms, not the least of which is the companionship we can know through the animals of his creation and our care for them.

Please look through the bulletin carefully this week.  There are a lot of things coming up in the next few weeks!  Despite our continued caution, it feels great to hear those words.  Bishop Burbidge comes on Thursday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our church dedication:  come hear the bells ring for the first time, come and hear our choir sing in the new choir "loft" for the first time, and celebrate as we light our new church dedication candles for the first time!  

Blessing4Next weekend pick up your blue bags for the Saint Lucy food drive being held on Saturday October 23.  ECHO's yard sale in the gym is Saturday, October 30.  Because All Saints' Day is on a Monday this year, it is not a holy day of obligation, but we will have Masses on that Monday like a holy day anyway:  7 and 9am, noon, and a bilingual Mass in the evening at 7:30pm.  All Souls' Day is Tuesday Nov. 2, and we will have the usual
morning Masses at 7 and 9am, and a bilingual Mass in the evening at 7:30pm.  Anyone who would like to bring a photo of a loved one who has died is welcome to place them on the steps in front of the altar at this Mass. 

Please join us as we remember all our beloved dead during our novena of nine days of Masses Nov. 2-10.

The Lord be with you.

Streaming Masses and Announcements for the week of 3 October 2021

STREAMING SUNDAY AND WEEKDAY MASSES

Today's Live-Streamed Mass 
Worship Aid for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time


fleur cross logo Today is Respect Life Sunday. Join over 1,500 communities across North America as we participate in the 34th annual Life Chain, praying and quietly standing for the lives lost to abortion. LIFE CHAIN - a public witness to the sanctity of human life!  We will form a chain along Franconia Road from 2:30-3:30pm. Our parish is assigned to gather in front of Key Middle School. Signs will be provided. 

fleur cross logo Join us on Thursday, October 14 when Bishop Burbidge will join us for our Mass celebrating the 40th Anniversary of this church dedication. Bishop will bless our newly installed bells. Mass begins at 7pm. All are invited.

fleur cross logo You and your families are invited to support Faith and Blue Weekend, our Fairfax County Police and Sherriff’s Departments on Saturday, October 9 from 9am until noom at Saint Bernadette Church parking lot in front of  the Parish Office. Please see this weekend's bulletin for more information.

fleur cross logo The Confirmation Retreat for those to be confirmed in November will take place virtually on next Saturday morning, October 9.

fleur cross logo Please plan to join Christ Church and other area houses of worship to purchase, pack and distribute 165k life-changing meals. In the midst of much change, we want to continue be a shining light for the world’s most vulnerable. See today’s bulletin or speak to a representative after all Masses this weekend for more information or signup here.

fleur cross logo Please mark your calendar for our next St. Lucy Project Please mark your calendar for our next St. Lucy Project drive-thru/drop-off food drive on Saturday, October 23 from 9am - 1pm.  Be sure to pick up your blue Saint Lucy food bags at Masses Oct 16-17 and bring them back filled.

fleur cross logo Based on updated guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we recommend that everyone, including individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19, wear a mask in public indoor settings.

Fr. Don's Weekly Letter ~ 3 October 2021

 Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

This week Bishop Burbidge announced a new Strategic Plan for the Diocese which identifies our needs and establishes goals that will unite us.  It is a result of extensive consultation with clergy, religious and laity over the past 11 months, with 26 focus groups and three surveys.  Thousands of responses were received from parishioners across the Diocese.

With this input were established six focus areas, or pillars, and five corresponding goals for each, a total of 30.  These goals are applicable at the diocesan, parish, family and individual levels.  In the coming months they will be developed an action plan to implement them.

It is Bishop's hope that through these goals we will be united as a Diocese in a common focus of ministry that glorifies God and makes known the presence of his Kingdom on earth.

Vision:  The Catholic Diocese of Arlington will glorify God by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ through reverent worship, loving evangelization, and committed charity to all.

Mission:  In communion with the universal Church, we strive to be disciples of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the Kingdom of God in both Word and Sacrament throughout the Diocese, and by working together in the service of charity and mercy so that all may know the joy of the Gospel.

Pillars:
1.  Revitalize evangelization and faith formation.  We will empowerparishes to foster a culture of encounter that joyfully attracts people to the Life of Christ and the beauty of his Church.
2.  Cultivate authentic discipleship in Christ.  We will inspire and form parishioners to follow Jesus and the teachings of his Church so they actively engage in her apostolic mission.
3.  Invigorate Catholic education for all.  We will nurture students spiritually, intellectually and humanly so they can go out into theculture and positively transform it for the glory of God.
4.  Strengthen parish and family life.  We will build vibrant parish communities where people are welcomed and moved to engage in the sacramental and communal life of the Church.
5.  Foster one communion of many cultures.  We will foster understanding, respect and appreciation for the different cultural expressions of Catholicism so as to live as the one Body of Christ.
6.  Deepen our commitment to charitable works.  We will proclaim the Lord’s call to serve the poor so all are inspired to participate in theWorks of Mercy. 

Each has five goals which may be found at the first link you will find on the diocesan website, www.arlingtondiocese.org. 
 
The Lord be with you.

 

Streaming Masses and Announcements for the week of 26 September 2021

STREAMING SUNDAY AND WEEKDAY MASSES

Today's Live-Streamed Mass 
Worship Aid for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time


fleur cross logo Inviting all high school teens 9-12th grade to our Youth Ministry Kick-Off, next weekend, 26 September in the back parking lot behid the school. Join us for a cookout, games and fellowship. Parents are invited to stay for a brief talk discussion on how to make the program more effective and engaging for our young people. The kickoff follows the 5pm Sunday Mass - please join us.

fleur cross logo Please plan to join Christ Church and other area houses of worship to purchase, pack and distribute 165k life-changing meals. In the midst of much change, we want to continue be a shining light for the world’s most vulnerable. See today’s bulletin or speak to a representative after all Masses this weekend for more information or signup here.

fleur cross logo The second collection next weekend is for Parish Facilities and Maintenance. Thank you for your generosity.

fleur cross logo The Confirmation Retreat for those to be confirmed in November will take place virtually on Saturday morning, October 9.

fleur cross logo Sunday, October 3 is Respect Life Sunday. Join over 1,500 communities across North America as we participate in the 34th annual Life Chain, praying and quietly standing for the lives lost to abortion. LIFE CHAIN - a public witness to the sanctity of human life!  We will form a chain along Franconia Road from 2:30-3:30pm. Our parish is assigned to gather in front of Key Middle School. Signs will be provided. 

fleur cross logo Based on updated guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we recommend that everyone, including individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19, wear a mask in public indoor settings.

Fr. Don's Weekly Letter ~ 26 September 2021

Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

Having just turned 60 last week, I wouldn't recommend it.

I vividly remember my dad turning 60 and I cried for a while.  You know, one foot on the banana peel.  Of course, he lived a while beyond, but to this 30 year-old at the time, it seemed  o-l-d.

preKOne weird effect of the experience is to now realize that I am pretty much as old as everyone else.  People whom I believed quite older than I, I learn they are in their 60s.  It is an eye opener.  It has its good effect, too, because now I suddenly feel like the field has leveled and I might look up to myself as much as I look up to others.  It's may take a while getting used to the idea.  Please be patient while I settle back into the sixties.
There is a cute picture below of our preK kids singing happy birthday to me last week.  They put these yard letters up and then made 60 birthday candles and held them up.  Thanks to many of you for your well wishes and gifts, and cakes, and handmade cards, and even mangoes.  You made it a great birthday.

I also wanted to mention this week that despite our best efforts we still have 7 religious education classes that just won't happen because we don't have teachers.  We will have no choice but to simply ask these families to home school using our program materials.  It is a failure to these kids.

The one thing most important to any group–not to mention a Church– is to pass on what you have received to the next generation.  Our Tradition, our faith is so profound and beautiful!  I realize that probably most parents just don't have the time or bandwidth, or conviction to take on this role as teacher of the faith for their own children, but in 26 years I've never seen classes canceled this late in the year.  We are failing as a parish family.  This is not something that you can read about in a book and make it mean anything.  The practice of religion is passed from heart to heart by loving parents.  If not, then hopefully by loving parishioners.

The Lord be with you.

Streaming Masses and Announcements for the week of 19 September 2021

RESERVATIONS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED
Please see the COVID Response and Guide on the left for NEW COVID Protocols issued by the Bishop are effective Friday, 28 May 2021


STREAMING SUNDAY AND WEEKDAY MASSES

Today's Live-Streamed Mass 
Worship Aid for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time


fleur cross logo Join us for Taizé Prayer, Monday, September 20, at 8pm. Come pray for Christian unity in our community and in the world. All Christians are warmly invited; invite your friends!

fleur cross logo Inviting all high school teens 9-12th grade to our Youth Ministry Kick-Off, next weekend, 26 September in the back parking lot behid the school. Join us for a cookout, games and fellowship. Parents are invited to stay for a brief talk discussion on how to make the program more effective and engaging for our young people. The kickoff follows the 5pm Sunday Mass - please join us.

fleur cross logo Please plan to join Christ Church and other area houses of worship to purchase, pack and distribute 165k life-changing meals. In the midst of much change, we want to continue be a shining light for the world’s most vulnerable. See today’s bulletin or speak to a representative after all Masses this weekend for more information or signup here.

fleur cross logo The second collection next weekend is for those impacted in the devestating earthquake in Haiti. Thank you for your generosity.

fleur cross logo The Confirmation Retreat for those to be confirmed in November will take place virtually on Saturday morning, October 9.

fleur cross logo Sunday, October 3 is Respect Life Sunday. Join over 1,500 communities across North America as we participate in the 34th annual Life Chain, praying and quietly standing for the lives lost to abortion. LIFE CHAIN - a public witness to the sanctity of human life!  We will form a chain along Franconia Road from 2:30-3:30pm. Our parish is assigned to gather in front of Key Middle School. Signs will be provided. 

fleur cross logo Based on updated guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we recommend that everyone, including individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19, wear a mask in public indoor settings.