St. Bernard (Established in 1787)

DAILY MASSES Monday—Friday: 8:30 a.m. First Saturday 8:30 a.m.

WEEKEND MASSES Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m.

Sunday 10:00 a.m.

2805 Bayou Road St. Joseph Adoration Chapel: P. O. Box 220 Any Time St. Bernard, LA 70085

MISSION STATEMENT In the total love for Jesus through the Heart of Mary, We St. Bernard Catholic Church commit to BE BOLD—BE CATHOLIC—BE CHRIST And faithfully pass it on...Heart to Heart. I.M.

Office Hours: 9:30—1:00 Monday—Thursday Phone: (504) 281-2267 — Fax: (504) 281-2268 E-Mail: [email protected] www.stbernard-stbla.com

Rev. Hoang M. Tuong, Pastor St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery: (504) 421-9533 Cell Phone: 985-705-0357 Lynne, Parish Secretary, Cell: (504) 421-5969 Rev. Charles Caluda, Retired Lenore—Religious Ed Deacon Norbert Billiot, Jr. [email protected] Music Director: Bea Girard

Baptism: Parents are asked to call the office. Baptisms will be held the 3rd weekend of the month or by special arrangement. Sacrament of Reconciliation: Confessions are held before each Mass, or call for an appointment. Communion of the Sick: Please call when someone is ill or in the hospital. Sacrament of Marriage: Couples must contact the church at least six (6) months before the date of the wedding. Christian Burial: Please contact the funeral home to make arrangements they will contact church and cemetery. Pastoral & Finance Meeting - Pastoral Council meetings will be announced. Volume 53 Issue 37 24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 Saturday September 12, 2020 Rosary 8:00 p.m. Ministry Schedule 4:00 p.m. All Parishioners of St. Bernard For Next Week: Catholic Church; Bernard & Chase Naquin; Duke Collins; Donald Serpas, Sr.; Saturday, September 19, 4:00 p.m. William Ybarzabal; Tim George; Timothy Hoang George; Sal Gagliano; Mazie LaFond; Karen Smith; Donna Celebrant: Fr. Gonzales; Scotty Lopez; Beth Byrd Ruiz; Richie Byrd; Lector: Pat Ramona Ramos; Charles, Cornelia & Lori Robertson; Fr Ministers of Communion: John; and all on our Sick List especially Dwight Merkl Not at this time

Sunday, September 13, 2020 Rosary 9:30 a.m. Sunday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Charles L. Smith; Gauthé Family; Agnes & Wallace Serpas; Jerry Wheat; HJ & Harold Lind; Celebrant: Fr. Hoang Josephine & Reese Nunez; Mike, Rosie & André Colletti; Lector: Maureen Dickie Stander; Merle King; Louise M. Alphonso; Heuitt & Ministers of Communion: Alice Howard; Larry Gonzales, Jr.; Raymond Serpas; Not at this Frances Evans; Adam Serigne; Walter Guidry; Chester time Romero; The Romero Family; Joyce Frichter; Rudy Alphonso; Martin & Cecile Alfonso; Jerry, Vernon & Nathan Alfonso; Alfred Nunez, Sr. & Family; Jason Steele; Myra & Lisa Montelongo; Marlene Campo; Lindy LeBouef; Lorenza Acosta; Norbert Billiot, Sr.; and all Sanctuary Lamp Military Personnel & Families Beth Byrd Ruiz DAILY—Rosary 8 a.m.—Mass 8:30 a.m.: Monday For Our Youth Tuesday All Sick & Dying Marian Candle Wednesday All Souls in Purgatory All Sick & Dying Thursday All Parishioners Friday Deceased Priests Saturday (only First Saturday) 8:30 a.m. St. Joseph Candle All Parishioners

READINGS OF THE WEEK

Monday: 1 Tm 2:1-8; Ps 28:2, 7-9; Lk 7:1-10 Tuesday: 1 Tm 3:1-13; Ps 101:1b-3ab, 5-6; September 5—7, 2020 Lk 7:11-17 Attendance: 39 Wednesday: 1 Tm 3:14-16; Ps 111:1-6; Lk 7:31-35 Thursday: Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Ps 19:2-5; Mt 9:9-13 Collection: $1,210.00 Friday: 1 Tm 6:2c-12; Ps 49:6-10, 17-20; Lk 8:1-3 Hurricane: $ 625.00 Saturday: 1 Tm 6:13-16; Ps 100:1b-5; Lk 8:4-15 Sunday: Is 55:6-9; Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18; Thank you for your support Phil 1:20c-24, 27a; Mt 20:1-16a The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Feast day September 14 The one symbol most often identified with Jesus and his Church is the cross. This feast was observed in Rome before the end of the seventh century. It commemorates the recovery of the Holy Cross, which had been placed on Mt. Calvary by St. Helena and preserved in , but then had fallen into the hands of Chosroas, King of the Persians. The precious relic was recovered and returned to Jerusalem by Emperor Heralius in 629. The lessons from the Breviary tell us that Emperor Heraclius carried the Cross back to Jerusalem on his shoulders. He was clothed with costly garments and with ornaments of precious stones. But at the entrance to Mt. Calvary a strange incident occurred. Try as hard as he would, he could not go forward. Zacharias, the Bishop of Jerusalem, then said to the astonished monarch: "Consider, O Emperor, that with these triumphal ornaments you are far from resembling Jesus carrying His Cross." The Emperor then put on a penitential garb and continued the journey. Historically today is also the feast of St. Notburga, a peasant who lived in the Tyrol, Austria and St. Maternus, Bishop of Cologne.

Triumph of the Cross This day is also called the Exaltation of the Cross, Elevation of the Cross, Holy Cross Day, Holy Rood Day, or Roodmas. The liturgy of the Cross is a triumphant liturgy. When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent over the people, it was a foreshadowing of the salvation through Jesus when He was lifted up on the Cross. Our Mother Church sings of the triumph of the Cross, the instrument of our redemption. To follow Christ we must take up His cross, follow Him and become obedient until death, even if it means death on the cross. We identify with Christ on the Cross and become co-redeemers, sharing in His cross. We made the Sign of the Cross before prayer which helps to fix our minds and hearts to God. After prayer we make the Sign of the Cross to keep close to God. During trials and temptations our strength and protection is the Sign of the Cross. At Baptism we are sealed with the Sign of the Cross, signifying the fullness of redemption and that we belong to Christ. Let us look to the cross frequently, and realize that when we make the Sign of the Cross we give our entire self to God — mind, soul, heart, body, will, thoughts. O cross, you are the glorious sign of victory. Through your power may we share in the triumph of Christ Jesus. Symbol: The cross of triumph is usually pictured as a globe with the cross on top, symbolic of the triumph of our Savior over the sin of the world, and world conquest of His Gospel through the means of a grace (cross and orb). The Wednesday, Friday and Saturday following September 14 marks one of the Ember Days of the Church. See Ember Days for more information. Things to Do: Study different symbols and types of crosses, history and/or significance. Then have an art project — creating own crosses, using different media, including paper. • Learn and pray the prayer to Christ Crucified; pray the Stations of the Cross. Point out particularly the phrase repeated at each station: We adore You, O Christ, and praise You, Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world. • Study the history of St. Helena and Constantine, especially St. Helena’s quest for finding the relics of Jesus. • Make sure that crucifixes are displayed prominently throughout your home. Point out the crucifix in every room even to the smallest ones. Your child's first word may be "Jesus"! • Explain the meaning of the Sign of the Cross to your children and be sure that even the little ones are taught how to make it. Encourage your children to make reparation for sin; read about sacramentals. • Teach your children a short ejaculatory prayer such as "Through the sign of the Cross deliver us from our enemies, O our God!". • Make a dessert in the form of a cross, or decorated with a cross. Although usually made on Good Friday, Hot Cross Buns would be appropriate for this day. Make a cross cake, either using a cross form cake pan, or bake a sheet cake (recipe of choice). Once cool, cut the cake in half, length ways. Then cut one of these sections in half width ways. This makes three sections - one long and two short. Lay the long section onto a serving plate. Set the two small sections next to the long section forming a cross. Frost and decorate as desired. • Tradition holds that sweet basil grew over the hill where St. Helena found the Holy Cross, so in Greece the faithful are given sprigs of basil by the priest. Cook a basil pesto, tomato basil salad (with the last of the summer tomatoes) or some other type of recipe that includes basil, and explain to the family. More Ideas: Women for Faith and Family and Catholic Encyclopedia. Folklore has that the weather on the Ember Days of this month (September 15, 17, and 18) will foretell the weather for three successive months. So Wednesday, September 15, will forecast the weather for October; Friday, September 17, for November; and Saturday, September 18, for December WHEN SOME FISH RESCUED THE HOLY EUCHARIST

We Catholics firmly believe that Jesus is truly present with all his body, blood, soul and divinity in the Holy Eucharist. And it seems that God also likes the rest of his creation to know about this wonderful miracle. Even the fish! It is said that in 1384 a parish priest from Valencia (Spain) went to take the sacred communion to a dying man. Even though a storm was coming, the priest knew that he had to do everything possible so that that poor soul that would soon find God could depart in grace. Once his mission was completed - and on his way home - a strong storm began that forced the priest to hold tightly to his chest the ciborium with three consecrated hosts . He had already gone far enough and the darkness of the night made it impossible for him to return to a safe place. He only had to run until he reached the Church! When passing through the gully of Carraixet he noticed that the water was very high and had to contrive to use a board as a bridge. Unfortunately when trying to cross lost balance and dropped the ciborium with the consecrated hosts to the river. In the midst of his despair the priest threw himself into the river to rescue the ciborium, but he did not succeed. The river current took everything away! With great sadness, the pastor informed the community of what had happened and they offered to start the search. They worked during the whole morning but only the next morning they found the empty ciborium. How sad! The priest had only to organize acts of reparation. But the Lord was moved to see the love that that community and his parish priest had for him, so he decided to give them a wonderful miracle. In the middle of the sadness for what happened, the villagers saw how 3 fish stood erect on the current of the river while holding on their mouths the 3 consecrated hosts that they had given for lost. All fell on their knees, moved by that miracle and sent for the parish priest. The fish did not move until the priest arrived who, clad in his sacred ornaments, approached the bank of the river excited. Upon seeing the priest, the fish also approached the riverbank and placed the Body of Christ on their consecrated hands while the faithful sang praises to our good God. Those consecrated hosts were consumed that day in a Solemn Mass, but today that ciborium rescued that day is still preserved and in it the following phrase has been recorded: "Who will deny the Mystery of this Bread, when a dumb fish preaches to us? Faith?" ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH—PHASE 2

We are in Phase 2 and we have opened the church to all who feel safe and/or want to come. With that there are a few things to keep in mind: You will be coming to a small area with a large number of people and the social distancing might not be maintained. You will be coming to a small area where people may or may not be wearing masks. We will leave that up to each individual. Remember that wearing a mask does not protect you, but keeps your germs to yourself. Also by wearing the mask for a period of time you are breathing in much CO2 which can cause some to pass out. You will be coming to this small church that we all love and care about to receive our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and this may take some strong faith that you will stay safe in doing so. If anyone is not comfortable attending there is no judgment it is understood. We ask that if you feel bad in anyway the day before and/or the day of Mass please stay home. If you have any of the underlying conditions that will make getting sick with the virus or anything else harder on you, please stay home. Probably the majority of St. Bernard’s parishioners fall into the category of being over 65 and we know some have other health issues and some do not. This is a time to use your faith to pray and listen to the Lord to make your decision along with medical advice hopefully from your physician. If you do not want to be in church with a lot of people but still want to physically attend a mass, please remember we are having daily Mass at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and rarely is there more than 4 people. We hope in the near future we can continue with the home visits to our shut-ins when all parties are comfortable. Continue to do your best to socially distance from others, but remember it is not a guarantee it can happen in the church. Please keep this in mind when you come up to receive the Eucharist and try to give a little space. Upon receiving the Eucharist you will not hear Fr Hoang say the Body of Christ he will just make a small sign of cross with the host and place in your hand.

There will be no passing of the collection basket. Please drop your donation in the basket by the bulletins. For the sign of peace, please just wave or nod to others. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION “I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow On this date in 335 two churches and a shrine erected servant, as I had pity on you?” by Constantine over the empty grave of Jesus and over the place of the crucifixion were dedicated. After these O my God I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I were destroyed by the Persians in 614, the Church of the detest all my sins because of your just punishment, but most of Holy Sepulcher, which still stands, was erected by the all because they offend You my God who are all good and Crusaders in 1149. Today also commemorates the event deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your that led to the building of the churches dedicated in 335: grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Remember saying that? Remember when? Senior members of the discovery of the “” by St. Helena, the Catholic Church recognize it as the Act of Contrition said Constantine’s mother, in 326. at the end of our confession we made every week, whether we According to one legend, St. Helena traveled to needed it or not. It has fallen into disuse, but it has the Jerusalem on pilgrimage, in search of the true cross. elements essential to the reception of the Sacrament of Workers she hired dug through a pagan temple that had Reconciliation - awareness of how we have damaged our been erected on the site of the Crucifixion by Hadrian relationship with God and others; sincere sorrow for our sin; a and found three crosses. A dying woman was brought in, firm determination to change. Jesus challenges us to be and touched by each cross in succession, the last of responsible for the state of our relationship with God and which healed her. Helena ordered that this cross be others by treating others as we want God to treat us. If we are not willing to forgive others, should we expect God to forgive divided in three parts, one to be kept in Jerusalem and the us? Is it time for a good Act of Contrition? other two to be sent to Constantinople and Rome. The pieces in Jerusalem and Constantinople were ultimately lost. Slivers were taken from the portion that went to Rome until eventually it was scattered around the world. Please Pray for Our Sick Of course, the significance of the true cross lies not Manuel Alfonso; Debbie Gonzales; Charles Duhe; Aiden Smith; in the wood itself but in the burden that it bore. As a Madeline Colletti Cimino; Gene Perez; Patricia Fincher; Donald faithful Christian, what crosses do you accept in your life Campo; Edna O’Rourke; Bernard Naquin, Jr.; Dorothy Easley; Devin Dimadigo; Kylie Gritter; David Naquin; Sheri Fernandez; Christina today? Landry; Brett Gagliano; Brendan Graf; Emile Evans; Landon Ansardi; —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. Kayla Vogelaar; Mindy Casanova Dardar; Wilmoy & Florine Shows; Brett Bergeron; Allen Nunez; Eleanore Erato; David Casanova; Danny Morales; Riley Richards; Hyacinth Serpas; Jerrilee Odinet; Karley Phase 2—Continuing Draper; Hailey Martin; Lorraine Daroca; Barbara Simpson; ALL VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS should continue to Michael George; Joy Fernandez; Marianne Marks; shelter in place. Members of households with vulnerable Kimberly Mones; Avery Cantrelle; Rita Bauer; Sandy residents should be aware that by returning to work or other Thurman; Talor Gutierrez; Erica Stewart; Maggie Serigne; environments where distancing is not practical, they could Valerie Wheat; Hunter Hoffmann; Christina Gardner; AJ Arnone; Evis; Michelle Matthews; Fr. Charley; Don Clark; carry the virus back home. Precautions should be taken to Thelma Lee; Janey Yates; Connie St. Pierre; Tino Mones; Patrick isolate from vulnerable residents. Campo, Sr.; Michael Fernandez; SE Kreiger; Pasqual Alfonso; Henry All individuals, WHEN IN PUBLIC (e.g., parks, outdoor Dietrich; Sidney Evans, Jr.; Hope Serigne; Mr. & Mrs. Caesar; Mary recreation areas, shopping areas), should maximize physical Barker; Bob Couch; Linda Gagliano; Rhonda Riley; Lisa and distance from others. Social settings of more than 50 people, Samantha; Paul Remick; Justin Serpas; Rene Poche; Lisa Montelongo; where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be Bobbie Schmitt; Barbara Robin; Becky Couture Riker; Linda avoided unless precautionary measures are observed. Melerine; Stephen Lobre; Barney Koons; Romona Lucas; Paul LARGE VENUES (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, Serigne; Taylor Tycer; Dan Assevado; Wendy Walls; Kaleah Kate Ma; sporting venues, places of worship) can operate under moderate Robert Oalmann; Noah Campo; Arley Jarammillo; Robert Burns; Peter Peterson; Anna Morales; Elsie Smith; Philip Deogracias; Beverly physical distancing protocols. Bachemin; NS; Ryan Peltier; Lonny Becnel; Kerry Robertson; Pat Cassagne; Jimmy & Dolly Brien; Margie Palmeri; Misty Morales; ADORATION CHAPELS Esther Gonzales; Katie Caluda Sanpart; Carol Morales; Michele Morales; Kim Juminias; Charlotte Luna; Elba Quiles; Branden David; The Deanery Adoration Chapel located at OLPS invites you to come Ralph Ziegler; Sylvia Guillot; Ryan Guerra; Hillary Miller; Phillip spend a little time with the Lord in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Come for a few minutes or consider becoming a “committed adorer” Acosta; Sherrie & John Graf; Linda Barrett; Stanley Alfonso; Steve for a particular hour. OLPS 8 am to 8 pm Monday-Friday. If anyone Navarre; Marie George; Frances Edwards; Michael Pizzuto; Alfred would like to be on the committee at OLPS please contact them. Pizzuto; Alexis Binschul; Jeff Meche; Jordan Serigne; Ms Birdie; OLPS is need of adorers if you can commit please call them. Our Lady Arnold & Earline Serigne; Carolyn Serpas; Dwight Merkl; Ella Butler; of Lourdes has Adoration on the first Wednesday of the month. St. Barbara Perez Bernard has Adoration on Thursday. Please consider spending an Call the office to add or remove someone from list. hour with the Lord. cisco’s If You Live Alone You Need MDMedAlert! 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