St. Bernard of Clairvaux St. Francis of Assisi Our Mother of Perpetual Help (A Secondary Mission Church) ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX CHURCH SEPTEMBERBRADFORD, 5, 2021 PA We may ask - what is the beauty of the Letter from Saint James? The answer is its simplicity and straightforwardness. The letter offers very practical lessons on how to live out our daily life as a Catholic Christian. From the reading today, we hear him talking about a common fault that we all have - that is to merely judge on outward appearances. You may ask yourself, why do we do this? The answer is quite simple. Because then you don’t have to get to know the per- son or even try to understand where that person is coming from. Let us hear the words from Saint James: “For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into the assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one who is wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Sit here, please,’ while you say to the poor one, ‘Stand there,’ or ‘Sit at my feet,’ have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs?” I like the letter of Saint James because he gives a simple and practical way to live out our faith on a daily basis. He does not go off on heavy theological discussions. Much like Joe Friday from the old TV series, Dragnet, who always started off his in- terviews with this line: “Just the facts Mam, just the facts.” Saint James tells us much the same thing. He simply gives us the facts on how to be a better disciple of Jesus. As Saint James starts off the passage that we hear today, I will conclude with the passage for our reflection: “My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.” On another subject, I would like to share some information with you. Monday is Labor Day, where we are reminded of the dignity of work and the right of everyone to have a decent job with a decent salary and benefits. Since this year is dedicated to Saint Joseph, the patron saint of workers, may he watch over and protect all workers. Also, Saturday is the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack on our country. So let us not forget that in our community there will TAKE NOTE: be a celebration to both remember and honor. Many activities September 11th, are located around the St. Bernard church area so the 5:15 5:15 PM Service is moving……. pm Mass that day will be celebrated at Saint Francis Church instead of Saint Bernard. Please note that on September 11th the 5:15pm Mass will NOT be held at St. One more tidbit: Both Fr. Jim and I are scheduled in September Bernard. It will be held at St. Francis due to to make our annual Priest Retreat. Fr. Jim will be away from BCPAC & the community using Festival September 13th until September 17th. I will be away from Sep- Way, Corydon St. and our parking lot for tember 20th until September 24th. the Fall Music and Arts Festival. God bless, Fr. Ray LAST WEEK’S COLLECTIONS St. Bernard Needed Weekly: $ 4,745 August 29 ..……. $ 4,225 2021 SB CSA Assessment……………$ 34,619 SB 2021 CSA Collected………$ 36,820 St. Francis of Assisi Needed Weekly: $ 3,952 August 29 .….….$ 2,318 2021 SF CSA Assessment……………$ 22,249 SF 2021 CSA Collected………$19,180 OUR PARISHES THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 UPCOMING MEETINGS Quotes found in Leah’s Notes Catholic Women: Cancelled until further notice Your mind is a garden Rosary Altar: Thursday, September 9th @ 6:00pm at SF Your thoughts are the seeds Tureen dinner - bring a dish to pass You can grow flowers K of C #403 : Tuesday, September 21 @ 7 pm - SB Office Or you can grow weeds Four things we can’t recover: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The stone after the throw The word after it’s said Are you interested in learning about the Catholic Faith? The occasion after it’s missed th On Monday, September 20 we will begin our RCIA clas- The time after it gone ses here at Saint Bernard. If you are interested in becom- ing Catholic and/or want to know more about the Catholic Bradford Catholic Community Members Faith please call the parish office 362-6825 to register ~ Looking for fellowship? and we will get back to you. ~ Want to see a familiar face? Then you will want to come to SPECIAL COLLECTIONS The Tri Parish Catholic Community Gathering Next weekend (September 11-12) we will have a second Once a month EVERYONE: Men, Women, and Families collection for the devastation in Haiti. Please use a plain are invited to spend less than an hour white envelope with your information on it if you would like REJOICING, REFLECTING credit for the donation. The following weekend (September AND RECONNECTING 18-19) the second collection will be for Catholic Education. With others from our parishes One half of this collection stays at the respective parish for our needs. You have special envelopes for this collection. DATE: September 12, 2021 Please plan to give generously. TIME: After 10:00 Mass PLACE: Fr Leo Social Hall PURPOSE: Rejoice, Reflect, Reconnect COVID CONCERNS Come see what this gathering This came from the Bishop’s Office dated August 11, 2021 is all about! The use of all pews is permitted. Sponsored by the Catholic Women’s Club. For their protection and that of others, the following are strongly encouraged to wear masks while in church: NEW PROGAM AT ST. BERNARD CHURCH a) those not fully vaccinated and those who are more St. Bernard parish is looking to pilot a Sunday School pro- comfortable doing so; gram this fall. Kids under 5 can gather during the 10 am b) everyone, regardless of their vaccination status, in mass and participate in a child-friendly Bible story, crafts, counties where the transmission rate is substantial or songs, and more. If you would consider using this service high, for as long as that situation persists. for your kids, or are a woman of the parish (moms, aunts, If you are still uncomfortable about attending Mass grandmas!) who would consider volunteering, please con- because of Covid, the Bishops of Pennsylvania have tact Ruby Morris at 740-632-4717. We are hoping for a come out with a joint statement. The statement reads: handful of parishioners to get started and will then schedule “Have serious anxiety or concerns about being in a an informational meeting. Note: all child-safety clearances large group setting due to COVID 19, you are excused.” will be in order before this program can commence. At this time, we are working on “live-streaming” the Sunday 10:00am Mass at Saint Bernard. We will let you know when it becomes available and how to access it. We will also keep you posted of any updates that may be forth coming. WRIGHT MONUMENTAL WORKS Fr. Ray Gramata PLEASE GIVE THEM YOUR SUPPORT! SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 FAMILY LIFE Deafness abounds not only when we cannot hear, but when we refuse to listen. Before Jesus can enter your home and heal, you must first recognize your deafness. Have trouble speaking your thoughts? Try choosing loving words, even if the message might be a difficult one to say. All things said in love are easier to hear and accept. Parenting Pointers Clutter can be toys, papers, or many misc. items left on the floor or table. But clutter can also be noise. Think TV, vide- os, crying, complaining. Try treating your family to a mo- ment, a minute, an hour of quiet. Agree to do it all at the same time. See what happens. MARRIAGE MOMENTS Sept. 8 is Grandparents Day. You may not be a parent or grandparent yourself, but you each have grandparents. Even if they are no longer alive, share one positive memory of them with your beloved. Do you have a quality or talent you learned from them? RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES REP classes will begin September 19, 2021 for grades 1 - 7 and meet at the Father Leo J. Gallina Social Hall on Sunday mornings from 11:00 am to 12:15 pm. REP classes for grades 8 - 11 will begin September 26, 2021 and also meet at Father Leo J. Gallina Social Hall ST. BERNARD Sunday evenings from 5:45 pm - 7:15 pm will begin Sep- CEMETERY tember 26, 2021. All flowers, pots and ornamentation, real or plastic, must be Registration packets are available in the parish office and removed from all grave sites by September 15th. Winter the back of the churches. Please be sure to take the appro- and holiday decorations are permitted after November 1st. priate grade packet. They are labeled for grades 1 - 7 or 8 - 11. Grades 1-7 need only one packet per family. Grades 8 - 11 you will need one packet for each student. REP Coordinator Kim VanHorn will be in the parish office on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm dur- ing the month of September to answer questions and hand out forms. SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 BULLETIN INFORMATION MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING BY NOON ON FRIDAY 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO BULLETIN DATE. Bright Alternatives walk for Life will be held Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Hamlin Lake MEMBERSHIP: All Baptized Catholics should be registered, practicing and supporting members of a in Smethport.