Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

We chose to change the theme of Phase 2 of our Capital Campaign from “Make All Things New” previously to “Behold, I make all things new.” These are Jesus’ own words in the 21st chapter of the Book of Revelation. After a time of great trial and difficulty, victory and peace are restored to all God’s creation. By changing the title, we have shifted our focus from ourselves and toward Jesus, through whom all things are possible:

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away.” 5 The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.”

It is one of my favorite passages of all of Scripture; it speaks of fulfillment and completion and gives us hope for the peace we all desire so much. God is with us, always! He will dwell with us in our place. The old order of sin, pain, and death is no more. All things are new.

Last weekend members of the parish spoke at all the Masses, and personalized, informative campaign packets were available to be picked up by all parish families. For those of you who spoke at the Masses and helped distribute packets, Thank You! Thanks also to the over 500 parish families who picked up their campaign packets.

This weekend we will continue the process of distributing packets. Be sure to stop by the counters in the vestibule, where you will find bins with everything in alphabetical order to speed up the process. If you are not registered, ask for a packet that has not been personalized.

This critical second phase of our campaign will raise a minimum of $3M+ in gifts and pledges for our Parish Life Center, which will put us over the top of our projected $7M+ budget. Once complete, this center will provide the space we already need and allow for expanded and new ministries. Our fellowship opportunities will be plentiful as our parish family will have more space to gather, grow friendships, and build community.

Please pray for the success of the campaign and prayerfully consider your gift/pledge to the campaign. Once you have decided upon your commitment, please return your pledge card to the office, return it by mail, or place it in the offertory basket at Mass. Pledges are counted as cash! If we have all our pledges in by the end of May, our goal is to present our financial plan and project to the Diocese in June.

The Lord be with you,

Today's Live-Streamed Mass

Worship Aid for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

 The second collection next week is for Parish and Facilities Maintenance. 

 Unfortunately, there will be no 7 am Masses for the first, second, and fourth weeks of May. During the first week, Fr. Rich and Fr. Don are at priests’ convocation, and in the second and fourth weeks, Fr. Don will lead the National Workshop on Christian Unity and retreat.

 Phase II of our parish Capital Campaign, “Behold, I Make All Things New,” began last weekend. We have a packet for every registered family in the parish in the vestibule after Masses. If you haven’t already done so, please go to the bins arranged alphabetically by last name. Please don’t leave without picking up your packet!

 Mothers’ Day Novena Mass cards are available for remembering moms, grandmothers, and anyone who has been a mother to you – living or deceased. All intentions will be included at all Masses for nine days beginning on Mothers’ Day. Envelopes are available in the vestibule and the office and enclosed in the offertory envelopes.

 The St. Lucy Spring Food Drive is coming up! The St. Lucy Food Project collects and distributes food where it is most needed in the Diocese. Our St. Lucy Food Drive will be held at all Masses on May 20 & 21. The blue bags and lists of required items will be handed out the weekend of May 13 & 14.

 Just a reminder that our school and Religious Ed. Students will receive their First Holy Communion next Saturday at 5 pm and Sunday at 9 and 11 am.

 The Summer Theatre Program is back for its 28th exciting summer. Announcing auditions for the Wizard of Oz! Auditions are on Monday and Tuesday, May 15 & 16, at 7 pm in the gym. Join Dorothy and her friends on their exciting journey with witches, munchkins, good friends, lions, tigers, and bears (Oh my!) in this summer's production of The Wizard of Oz. Auditions are open to all current 6th-12th grade students. Students who cannot attend in-person auditions can submit a video audition on or before Wednesday, May 17. No experience is required. Please consider joining this great community of young people throughout our parish and the region. For more information about the program, auditions, and the summer ahead, please visit our website at www.summertheatreprogram.org or email info@summertheatreprogram.org. Wizard of Oz is produced through a special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

Last weekend I presided at a wedding Mass for friends in Fredericksburg. You may have heard me mention it in a homily. The bride and groom met as altar servers when we celebrated the dedication of the new altar at Saint Mary in Fredericksburg. I was a proud Father for participating in their getting to know each other 12+ years ago. It was a beautiful wedding.

There have been a lot of wedding questions lately, and I thought I would use this opportunity today to make sure everyone knows Church teaching and what we can do to help you if you find yourself in a difficult situation. Here are a few guidelines to start.

Valid weddings: 2 Catholics married in the Catholic Church; a Catholic and non-Catholic (Christian or unbaptized) married in a Catholic Church with the proper dispensation (permission) from the bishop; 2 non-Catholics married in any church or even civil marriage. Canon Law only applies to Catholics. If other churches recognize civil marriage, that marriage is valid.

Invalid weddings:  Any marriage of a Catholic outside of the Catholic Church unless the bishop gives a proper dispensation.

Catholics who are not married in the Church (“Lack of Form”) are not admitted to receive any sacraments (confession, Eucharist, confirmation) until the sacrament of marriage is celebrated according to the canonical form of the Church (called a “convalidation”). Contact us, and we can start the process.

What happens if my spouse or I was validly married before? The Church provides a process called a Formal Declaration of Nullity (annulment) which investigates the prior bond of marriage and determines if it was validly celebrated. It is not a divorce ending something that was, and it is a declaration that what was thought to be a valid marriage is actually null. This can happen for many reasons. People make honest mistakes or do not always have the right intentions, and this is the way to move forward.

The process takes about a year and a half and is free. There is considerable testimony requested, and former spouses are given the opportunity to speak and receive testimony, as is their right. The Declaration of Nullity only has to do with the sacrament of Marriage. Civil marriage and divorce is not affected, so any children from the marriage are most certainly legitimate.

There are also many misunderstandings about divorce. Anyone in a valid, sacramental marriage who is divorced is still considered married in the eyes of the Church until the Declaration of Nullity is complete. They are still fully Catholic and can celebrate the sacraments unless they remarry outside the Church.

I hope this helps. I would be happy to help you if you find yourself in any of these circumstances. Let’s set things right.

The Lord be with you,

Today's Live-Streamed Mass

Worship Aid for the Third Sunday of Easter

 Phase II of our parish Capital Campaign, "Behold, I Make All Things New," begins THIS WEEKEND! We have a packet for every active family in the parish in the vestibule after Masses this weekend. Please go to the bins, which are arranged alphabetically by last name. Please don't leave without picking up your packet! As you know, we hope to complete this $3M pledge process by the end of May, so we ask you to prayerfully consider what you can do for our new Parish Life Center. Our community life is in your hands!

 Join us for Taizé Prayer Monday, April 24, at 8 pm. Come pray for Christian unity in our community and in the world. All Christians are warmly invited; invite your friends!

 Monday, April 24, is our next Women's group Dinner with Friends at 5 pm at Saratoga Pizzeria, 8050 Rolling Road. We meet for this casual meal on the 4th Monday of every month. No need to RSVP; just come and enjoy the wonderful food and warm fellowship. For more information, please email us at women@stbernpar.org.

 Saint Bernadette will host "Mary Went in Haste," a Marian Symposium on Saturday, April 29, at 9 am featuring the Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for Military Services, USA, and president of the USCCB. This event is part of the preparation for Year II of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee. The theme of Year II is "Rejoice." Visit the Diocesan website for more information and to register for this free event. We are also looking for volunteers to help serve as ushers, greeters, etc. Please contact to parish office if you'd like to help.

 The Summer Theatre Program is back for its 28th exciting summer. Announcing auditions for the Wizard of Oz! Auditions are on Monday and Tuesday, May 15 & 16, at 7 pm in the gym. Join Dorothy and her friends on their exciting journey with witches, munchkins, good friends, lions, tigers, and bears (Oh my!) in this summer's production of The Wizard of Oz. Auditions are open to all current 6th-12th grade students. Students who cannot attend in-person auditions can submit a video audition on or before Wednesday, May 17. No experience is required. Please consider joining this great community of young people throughout our parish and the region. For more information about the program, auditions, and the summer ahead, please visit our website at www.summertheatreprogram.org or email info@summertheatreprogram.org. Wizard of Oz is produced through a special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.