April 2019

Dear St. Bernadette Parish Family member(s),

There is a two-fold purpose to this letter.  First, I would like to encourage you to look through the enclosed new St. Bernadette Parish Phone Directory for 2019.  Look to see if your name is entered correctly.  Call or email if it is not.  And then browse through the first part of the directory to review the good number of activities and ministries of our parish.

Secondly and more importantly, I want to give you the schedule of services for Holy Week which are almost here:

+ Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession times):

                Sat. Apr. 13, 1-2pm & 2:30-3:30pm

                Tues. Apr. 16, 4:30-5:30pm & 6:30-7:30pm

                Wed. Apr. 17, 8:30-9:00am

+  Palm Sunday, Apr. 13-14, usual weekend Mass schedule, with the Blessing of the Palms outside the front doors of church to begin the Mass and then process into church. 

+  NO morning Masses on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, Apr. 18-20

+ The Sacred Triduum ( the most “Holy Three Days” of the liturgical year as we celebrate                            and make present the Paschal Mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection.)

1. HOLY THURSDAY, Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7pm, Apr. 18

The Mass ends with a procession to a side altar with the Blessed Sacrament.      

You are encouraged to stay or come back for some prayer time up until 12 midnight.

 GOOD FRIDAY, Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, 7pm, Apr. 19

This service includes the Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.

3. EASTER VIGIL, Celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection, 7pm, Apr. 20

This is the most exciting liturgy of the year:  a vigil with great Old Testament readings,                    the lighting of the new fire and the Easter Candle, the blessing of the water and renewal                                    of Baptismal promises, and then the Eucharist.

            + Easter Sunday, Masses at 8:00am & 10:30am, Apr. 21  {NO Sat. ev. 4pm Mass}

As your pastor, I encourage you to give yourself a great Easter gift and participate in all three parts of our Sacred Triduum celebration.   It will make Easter more special for you.

                                                                                                                                                     Father Bob Reiker

https://www.archstl.org/communications/press-releases

https://www.archstl.org/pope-francis-lenten-message-for-2019-3712