The Roman Catholic Community of St. Bernard of Clairvaux 500 Route 22 East, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 March 20, 2016 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of The Lord “We are the Living Stones”, a family of Faith which strives to love God and our neighbors through the church. Served by: Rev. Msgr. Joseph G. Celano, Pastor Rev. Keith Cervine, Parochial Vicar Rev. Andrew Smith, O.S.B., Weekend Assistant Mr. Patrick Cline, Deacon Mr. Gerard Sims, Deacon Mr. Michael Wojcik, Deacon Mr. Paul Anderson, Deacon (Retired) Mrs. Christina Blalock, Director of Sacred Music Mrs. Karen Dill, Director, Office of Catechetical Formation Mrs. Barbara Turse, Director of St. Bernard Pre-School and Kindergarten Mr. Mark LaFleur, Director, St. Bernard Cemetery Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy December 8, 2015 - November 20, 2016
Transcript
The Roman Catholic Community of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
500 Route 22 East, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
March 20, 2016 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of The Lord
“We are the Living Stones”, a family of Faith which strives to love God and our neighbors through the church.
Served by:
Rev. Msgr. Joseph G. Celano, Pastor Rev. Keith Cervine, Parochial Vicar
Rev. Andrew Smith, O.S.B., Weekend Assistant Mr. Patrick Cline, Deacon Mr. Gerard Sims, Deacon
Mr. Michael Wojcik, Deacon Mr. Paul Anderson, Deacon (Retired)
Mrs. Christina Blalock, Director of Sacred Music Mrs. Karen Dill, Director, Office of Catechetical Formation
Mrs. Barbara Turse, Director of St. Bernard Pre-School and Kindergarten Mr. Mark LaFleur, Director, St. Bernard Cemetery E
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The Liturgical Week Today’s Readings
Passion
Readings for the Week
Gospel at the Procession with Palms — Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40).
First Reading — In spite of my sufferings I am not disgraced. I am not put to shame (Isaiah 50:4-7).
Psalm — My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Psalm 22).
Second Reading — Christ emptied himself, and God filled this emptiness with exaltation (Philippians 2:6-11).
Gospel — The account of Christ’s passion according to Luke (Luke 22:14 — 23:56 [23:1-49]).
The word “passion” connotes deep, focused engage-ment. It also relates to passivity, interestingly. The deeply passionate person in the Gospel narrative from Luke is Jesus. He appears passive, but he is not. He is wholly self-possessed and wholly present for the one day that begins on Thursday evening at his last meal with his apostles and ends with his burial before sunset the next day. Then follows the long Sabbath silence.
The narrative of the Passion is read whole and without pause on the Palm Sunday of the Passion. This story, found in each of the Gospels, is unchanging. We are the ones who change. Each year, we bring ourselves with another year’s history to hear and heed the story we so badly need. Life has its way with us, and we look again to the Passion narratives to learn to follow.
Monday: Is 42:1-7; Ps 27:1-3, 13-14; Jn 12:1-11 Tuesday: Is 49:1-6; Ps 71:1-6, 15, 17; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 Wednesday: Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34; Mt 26:14-25 Thursday: Lord’s Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15 Friday: Is 52:13 — 53:12; Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1 — 19:42 Saturday: a) Gn 1:1 — 2:2 [1:1, 26-31a]; Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35; or Ps 33:4-7, 12-13, 20-22; b) Gn 22:1-18 [1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18]; Ps 16: 5, 8-11; c) Ex 14:15 — 15:1; Ex 15:1-6, 17-18; d) Is 54:5-14; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; e) Is 55:1-11; Is 12:2-6; f) Bar 3:9-15, 32 — 4:4; Ps 19:8-11; g) Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28; Ps 42:3, 5; 43:3-4 or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 or Ps 51:12-15, 18-19; h) Rom 6:3-11; i) Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Lk 24:1-12 Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Lk 24:1-12 or (at an afternoon or evening Mass) Lk 24:13-35
In your kindness we ask you to remember all the sick members of our parish, as well as those who reside in nursing homes and senior facilities. We ask you also to pray for our beloved dead, among them Rita Moriarty, Eileen Himmer and Justin Levine.
Monday, March 21 Monday of Holy Week
8:00 AM Neil Sanderman, req. by Msgr. Joe & the Parish Staff 12:10 PM Carmella Ford (3rd ann.), req. by Marilyn Fabiano & family
Tuesday, March 22 Tuesday of Holy Week
8:00 AM Sai Mui Wong (1st ann.), req. by John & Jo Casey 12:10 PM Ralph Annucci (30th ann.), req. by Lella, Jimmy & grandchildren
Wednesday, March 23
Wednesday of Holy Week
8:00 AM Anna Dutchick, req. by the Gerlock family 12:10 PM George J. Defuria (1st ann.), req. by the Sharkey family
Thursday, March 24
Holy Thursday; Paschal Triduum begins
8:00 AM Morning Prayer, Chapel 7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper - People of the Parish
Friday, March 25 Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday); Fast and Abstinence
8:00 AM Morning Prayer, Chapel 1:00 PM Carrying of the Cross 3:00 PM Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord
Saturday, March 26 Holy Saturday; Vigil of Easter
9:00 AM Morning Prayer, Chapel 7:30 PM (The Great Vigil of Easter) People of the Parish
Sunday, March 27 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of The Lord
7:30 AM Lisa Sanford, req. by Tom & Judy Wisniewski 9:00 AM Josephine & Edward Kleine, req. by their daughter, Edwina 10:30 AM Louis Crisa, req. by family 12:00 PM Chris Coppola, req. by family
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord March 20, 2016
The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced.
— Isaiah 50:7a
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This Week at St. Bernard
Sunday, March 20 -
Palm Sunday of the Passion of The Lord
Second Collection for the Retirement Fund for Diocesan Clergy,
No Catechetical Formation Classes, No Children’s Liturgy
10:30 am - Procession of Palms at Mass 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Youth Choir Rehearsal, Church
1:00 pm - 6:00 pm - RCIA Sedar, Cafeteria 1:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Private Group Day of Prayer,
7:30 pm - 9:15 pm - Parish Choir Rehearsal, Church
Wednesday, March 23
No Catechetical Formation Classes, No Basketball, No Divorce Group
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm - Open Music Rehearsal, Church 8:00 pm - New Visions AA, Cafeteria
Thursday, March 24 - Holy Thursday
School Closed, No Basketball, No RCIA,
Parish Office Closing at 1:00 pm
8:00 am - Morning Prayer, Chapel 7:30 pm - Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Church
Friday, March 25 - Good Friday, Fast and Abstinence
School Closed, Office Closed No Basketball, No Mass at Riversedge,
Collection for the Holy Land
8:00 am - Morning Prayer, Chapel 1:00 pm - Carrying of the Cross from North Branch Reformed
Church 3:00 pm - Liturgy of the Passion of The Lord, Church
Saturday, March 26 - Holy Saturday
9:00 am - Morning Prayer, Chapel 9:00 am - 11:00 am - RCIA Retreat Chapel
12:00 pm - Blessing of Easter Food, Cafeteria
Easter Vigil Mass
7:30 pm - Great Vigil of Easter, Church
Sunday, March 27 -
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of The Lord
Masses at 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am and 12 Noon,
No Children’s Liturgy, No CFC
Stewardship Thought
“Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy.”
- Pope Francis
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Msgr. Joe’s Corner
The Triduum Holy Week should take on a new significance and depth during this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. It is in the death and resurrection of Jesus that the mercy of the Father is fully revealed to the world.
The liturgical climax of holy week is found in the Triduum, a word that means “three days”. These three days, of course, are Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday-Easter Sunday (The Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday being considered the same
liturgical day). Strictly speaking, these days are not holy days of obligation, save for Easter Sunday. However, these three days stand at the heart of our faith – the saving death and resurrection of Jesus – and so we should make every effort to celebrate each day of the Triduum by participation in each of the liturgies. If work or other reasons prevent this, then honor each day by making a little time for prayerful reflection on the Word and some act of penance.
“Commemorating” the death and resurrection of Jesus does not mean we are simply remembering a past event. Christ’s death and resurrection “timeless” in their benefit to the human race. What Christ achieved for us once and for all are given to us today in the sacraments of the Church, and what we possess now in sacrament will come to its’ completion in heaven. It is important to remember this as we celebrate the Triduum.
We veil the statues in the church for one important reason, that nothing should distract us from the primacy of the cross and the hope of salvation that it brings.
Holy Thursday Today, we remember two sacraments instituted by Christ at the Last Supper; sacraments that are intrinsically joined together – the Eucharist and Holy Orders. It is Christ, made truly and substantially present on the altar through his priest, who gives himself to us for our salvation and life. We remember the call to selfless service that is reflected in the washing of the feet, which itself is an image of the passion, and receive the holy oils, blessed by the bishop at the Chrism Mass, that will be used for the administration of the sacraments in our parish. The Blessed Sacrament is transferred from the tabernacle at the conclusion of the liturgy and will remain in its tent of reposition until Holy Saturday night. The church will remain open until 11:00 pm for prayer on Thursday night.
Good Friday Good Friday is like no other day in the Church. No Mass may be said. The day has a feeling of “starkness” and “emptiness” as we contemplate the mystery of the cross. The Liturgy of the Passion is celebrated at 3:00 pm, the traditional hour of the Lord’s death and is celebrated in 3 parts: The Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and the Rite of Holy Communion Apart from Mass. This is a day of fast and abstinence. All unnecessary work should be set aside. Consider the gift of love reflected in the cross, and whose life it is being poured out to shatter sin and death and open the way to heaven for you.
Holy Saturday-Easter Sunday The fathers of the Church referred to Holy Saturday as the “harrowing of hell”, a term used to describe Christ’s descent into hell to claim victory over Satan and his works and to lead the just to heaven. It is a good image to think about as we proclaim the resurrection of Christ and the hope of our rising with Him from the grave. The Easter Vigil begins after sunset. This Mass is sometimes referred to as the mother of all liturgies and is the chief celebration of the entire year. It begins with the lighting of the new fire and the preparation of the paschal candle, which is the image of the Risen Christ. We listen as 9 readings tell the story of salvation history, from creation to the Lord’s resurrection. We lead men and women to participation in the new life of grace through the sacraments of initiation and celebrate the Eucharist in which we proclaim the death and resurrection of the Lord until He comes again. While the Easter Vigil is a lengthy Mass, it is well worth participating in if you have never done so.
The early Church Fathers called Easter Sunday, the Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord, the eighth day of creation, the day that completed the old order of creation and begun the new. In Christ, the reign of sin and death are destroyed. Everything is now pledged to be made new again in the kingdom where we will “see God face to face” and “He will wipe away the tears from our eyes” (Rev.).
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MONTHLY “MERCY CHALLENGE”
Corporal Works of MerCy
“Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters,
you do for me” - Matthew 25:40
“The Old Testament (Isaiah 58:6-10) and the New Testament (Matthew 25:34-40) are the biblical origins for the Corporal Works of Mercy. These charitable actions for the common good and basic human welfare reflect the Church’s teachings on Catholic social justice. Pope Saint John Paul II reminds us in his encyclical, Rich in Mercy: ‘Jesus Christ taught that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but that he is also called to practice mercy toward others: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.’” “The Holy Spirit inspires our commitment to the Corporal Works of Mercy and our commitment defines our relationship with God. As His hands on Earth, the faithful are not only called to care for the less fortunate, but also to respect and care for the goods of God’s creation, intended for the whole human race.” - Maryknoll In an effort as a parish to embody the Pope’s call to live out God’s mercy in our daily lives, throughout this Jubilee year, we will call out a monthly challenge to our parishioners that speak to the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. We ask you to sign the challenge poster in the Narthex as an acknowledgement of your participation and as an individual or family, carry out the challenge within the designated month.
To learn more about the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy visit the United States conference of Catholic Bishops website at www.usccb.org
MARCH CHALLENGE
FEED THE HUNGRY
Ideas/Suggestions (but not limited to this list):
Donate food to our local food bank or contribute a bag of food to our Social Concerns Collection on March 13th
Cook a casserole for SHIP Serve a simple family supper on a Friday of Lent and donate the amount
saved to a charity that serves the homeless Volunteer to serve a few hours in a local soup kitchen or shelter
Avoid wasting food
SIGN THE POST-IT NOTES ON THE BACK TABLE IN THE NARTHEX AND AFFIX TO THE DISPLAY BOARD TO ACKNOWLEDGE
We acknowledge with appreciation the following Liturgical Ministers who will serve at next weekend’s Masses:
March 26th and 27th
7:30 pm Vigil Mass
Eucharistic Ministers: RCIA Team 7:30 am Mass
Eucharistic Ministers: Rich Brancato, Jerry Nugent, Ian Carmody, Felice O’Hara
9:00 am Mass
Eucharistic Ministers: Margaret Batkowski, Lynn Ruezinsky, Vince Riello, Amy Ciarletta, Mary Haikes, Pat Mattia
10:30 am Mass
Eucharistic Ministers: , Mary Ann Stevens, Dana Lauducci, Luis Alves, Jim Alaimo,
Christine & Mike Macchiarola 12:00 pm Mass
Eucharistic Ministers: Joyce & Dominick Coppola, Chris & Greg Madlinger, Ann Mulroy, Denise Pachuta
Holy Week at St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Palm Sunday of The Lord’s Passion
Saturday, March 19 Vigil Mass at 5:15 pm
Sunday, March 20 Masses at 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, and Noon Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sunday March 20 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Holy Thursday
Thursday, March 24
Morning Prayer in the Chapel - 8:00 am
Mass of The Lord’s Supper in the Church - 7:30 pm
Holy Saturday
Saturday, March 26
Morning Prayer in the Chapel - 9:00 am Blessing of Food in the Cafeteria - 12 Noon
The Resurrection of the Lord
Saturday, March 26
The Great Vigil of Easter -
7:30 pm
Sunday, March 27
Easter Sunday
Masses at 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, and 12 Noon
Good Friday of The Lord’s Passion
Friday, March 25 Morning Prayer in the Chapel - 8:00 am Carrying of the Cross from North Branch Reformed Church to St. Bernard - 1:00 pm Solemn Liturgy of The Passion of The Lord in the Church - 3:00 pm
Daily Masses for the Octave of Easter will be celebrated at 8:00 am in the Church.
There will be no 12:10 pm Daily Mass during the Octave (March 28th - April 1st.) (The 12:10 pm Daily Mass will resume on Monday, April 4th.)
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Commission for Catechetical Formation Activities
From The Office of Catechetical Formation
IMPORTANT DATES FOR MARCH
Sunday, March 20th – Wednesday, March 30th:
No CF Classes, Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter
The Oremus study program teaches you the essentials of an effective and fruitful prayer life. Over the course of eight weeks you will discover how God speaks to you, even in the smallest encounters. Following the Tradition of the Catholic Church and the wisdom of the saints, you will learn how to express yourself to God in prayer, and how to hear his voice.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submit registration forms via either:
Online Registration at http://goo.gl/forms/3ZDiORWFW7 or Mail to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Oremus Registration, 500 Route 22, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Drop it off in the parish office, place in the collection basket at any weekend Mass or email to: [email protected].
If you have any questions, please call us at 908-725-0552 or email us at [email protected]
Time:
Thursdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Rooms A/B Dates: April 21, 28
May 12, 19, 26 June 2, 9, 16, 23
Fee: (cost of materials)
$17, cash or check made payable to St Bernard of Clairvaux
St. Bernard SHIP (Samaritan Homeless Interim Program) would like to invite you to participate in this month’s mercy challenge by joining us in providing casseroles/veggies/drinks for collection on the second Sunday of each month, or volunteering with the Mobile Soup Kitchen to deliver hot cooked meals to those who are hungry. This is a very concrete and immediate way to practice this Corporal Work of Mercy! Please see the website under “Ministry at St. Bernard” for more information about the SHIP program.
In a special appeal, we are looking for additional people to join us in dropping off the SHIP cooler and then picking up/delivering the collection to SHIP after the Masses on the 2nd Sunday. This is an activity which takes about an hour in total, and (depending on the number of volunteers in our collection group), only comes up every 2-4 times a year. For more info or to be added to a monthly 'no obligation' reminder email list for making casseroles, please email Margie McFadden. If you might be interested in helping with the collection, you are welcome to join us on 4/10 to see what is involved! For more info, please contact:
SHIP Collections - Margie McFadden [email protected] or 908-722-7293 SHIP Mobile Soup Truck Volunteering - Marie Cinque [email protected] or 908-252-3744
Social Concerns Update
An incredibly generous donation weekend for March with 82 bags and boxes for delivery to the Somerset County Food Network.
The next collection will be during the weekend of April 10th. Please consider putting a donation together and note that our NEW COLLECTION location is in the CRY ROOM. Thank you for your generosity.
Appalachian Mission
SAVE THE DATE
Please note that this year’s Appalachian Mission will take place beginning June 12 and go through June 18. Anyone wishing to participate is welcome, and must be 16 years or older. No experience is necessary. This is an excellent opportunity to “shelter the homeless” in this year of The Jubilee of Mercy! We will be providing additional information in the weeks to come. Should you have any questions, please reach out. Thank you
Art Sanford Ted Bell Phil Guastella
If you want information, please feel free to contact us:
Building a culture of life in our community through education, pastoral care, advocacy and prayer
Feed the Hungry. . .Our Monthly Mercy Challenge
Please consider donating baby formula or cereal!
Respect for Life
Mark Your Calendars
April 29:
NJRTL Banquet Dinner (New Jersey Right to Life) 6:30 pm Hyatt Regency New Brunswick June 10:
Life Choices Annual Live and Silent Auction, 6:00 pm Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. For information contact Joan Fasanello at 908-454-2066 Ext. 4 or via email at [email protected] October 1:
“20/20 Vision Conference: Keeping Our Goals in Sight” A non-denominational assembly of pro-life citizens designed to dramatically advance the cause of the unborn child in New Jersey. For more information go to www.LikeUandMe.com
KEEP FILLING OUR CRIB!
(The crib is located in the usher’s closet next to the pamphlet rack in the Narthex)
Your continued support is truly appreciated! Items frequently needed include formula, baby cereal, diapers and wipes, baby shampoo, baby lotion, and layette items. The items will be delivered to Pregnancy Aid and Information Center in Raritan.
Thank you for your generosity.
“Every life is Worth Living!”
Respect for Life Theme 2015-2016
“Follow the Cross”
Ecumenical Good Friday Cross Walk
Please join our fellow area Christians in our annual Good Friday Cross walk. The congregations of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, North Branch Reformed Church and Evangel Chapel invite all people of faith to join and “Follow the Cross” on Good Friday, March 25th beginning at 1:00 pm.
The processional starts at the North Branch Reformed Church on Route 28, and continues to St. Bernard Church at which time we will worship at 3:00 pm. All are invited to attend.
A healing ministry for anyone who is experiencing the loss of a spouse through separation, changes in family dynamics, emotional turmoil of change, and grieving a marriage.
The journey of divorce is rocky and filled with unexpected challenges. This ministry welcomes all who want to begin the healing process of forgiveness. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, this ministry will be most helpful for anyone who desires a deeper relationship with Jesus while on this journey.
Weekly meetings are on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm in the Library.
For more information and to register please contact the Parish Office or email [email protected]
The Parish Prayer Chain is a group of Parishioners that regularly pray for your needs. It consists of two groups, those who pray during the daytime and those who pray in the evening.
Should a need for prayer arise, please call Joan Dobrosky at 231-9545 to initiate your request. Your intention will be prayed for by both Chains and kept strictly confidential.
If you have an interest in becoming a member of the Prayer Chain, please call Joan.
Singles Alive in Christ
Game Night and Upcoming Get-Togethers
St. Bernard’s singles group invites all unmarried adults to our annual game night on Saturday, April 9th. We’ll meet in St. Bernard’s cafeteria at 6:30 pm. We’ll start with a few minutes of bagel sale prep work. Then it’s time to bring on the pizza and the games! Favorites include Taboo and Befudium. Everyone is asked to contribute towards the cost of the meal, and to RSVP by Friday, April 8th.
Want to know more about our group? We typically gather once a month, usually the second weekend of the month. We welcome unmarried adults of all ages. We try to offer a mix of spiritual, social, and service-oriented activities. Other upcoming get-togethers include dinner and vespers, a day of service, and our annual barbecue. Membership at St. Bernard Church is not required. If you or someone you know is interested or would like to be added to our email distribution list, please email us at [email protected] or call Lynn at 908-251-4054. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome new friends soon!
As at our last five outings, it should be a wonderful day of golf, prizes, food and fun for all.
LOOK FOR MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION SOON!
SAVE THE DATE!
The Sixth Annual St. Bernard Golf Classic will be held on Monday, May 9, 2016,
at Raritan Valley Country Club in Bridgewater.
Diocesan News
LET’S NOT FORGET
COLLECTION FOR RETIRED PRIESTS
The second collection this weekend is for the Fund for our Retired Diocesan Priests. This collection is exclusively for the benefit of our 28 retired priests, as well as, our active priests upon their retirement.
May your generosity to this collection reflect your gratitude and love for our retired priests who have been dedicated and faithful to their priesthood over the years. Let’s not forget.
CHRISM MASS AT CATHEDRAL OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, METUCHEN
On Monday, March 21, 2016, at 7:30 pm, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski will celebrate the Chrism Mass with the priests of the Diocese. At this Mass, the Bishop will bless the Holy Oils which each parish receives for the rites of anointing. Saint Ambrose [340-397] began this custom – which we now call the Chrism Mass – in his Cathedral in Milan. These Holy Oils, which are used to sanctify the faithful, have been channels of holiness for centuries!
The Oil of Catechumens is used to anoint the chest of infants and hands of adults before their Baptism; The Oil of the Sick is used on the forehead and hands of the infirm in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick; and Sacred Chrism is used to anoint the head of the newly baptized, the foreheads of confirmandi, the hands of a priest at his ordination, the head of a bishop at his ordination, and the altar and walls of new churches.
At the Mass, all priests make a Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service, recommitting them-selves to their Bishop and to their ministry to God and His People; the Bishop and all Priests then ask the people for a pledge of their prayerful support. All are strongly encouraged to join in the ancient, grace-filled Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen at 7:30 pm.
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Finance Council Update (Continued)
Report of Sunday Offerings in Support of our Parish
July, 2015 to June, 2016 Financial Year
Remember that money is a resource for ministry.
Thank you for making ministry possible at St. Bernard.
When writing or changing your will, please consider remembering your parish of St. Bernard. For more information, please contact Margaret Guellich at 732-562-2436 or [email protected].
Weekly Offertory Collection
(March 13, Week 37) Weekly Budget Need $ 22,650.00
Weekly Plate Contributions $ 12,569.00
ParishPay/Other Contributions $ 8,300.00
Surplus/(Deficit) $ ( 1,781.00)
Year to Date Offertory Collections
Weekly Budget Need $ 838,050.00
Actual Weekly Plate Collections $ 507,109.68
ParishPay/Other Contributions $ 307,100.00
Surplus/(Deficit) $ ( 23,840.32)
Scrip Parish Vendor Contributions
C & R Construction $ 6,551.00
Kerith Brook Financial $ 330.00
Distinctive Landscaping $ 2,949.00
Accounting Alternatives $ 377.00
Other $ 1828.00
TOTAL: $ 12,035.00
Scrip Update --- Week 279 (March 13, 2016)
Scrip Income
* July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016
Current Week: $208.60
Current Year(*): $ 9,094.69
Cumulative: $ 67,759.51
It’s almost Spring Think Scrip!
Spring is on its way. Think Scrip for all your Spring clothing purchases.
Also, think about using our Scrip Vendors for all of your landscaping, home improvement/maintenance, income tax preparation and investment planning needs. Thank You Kerith Brook Financial!
The Parish Finance Council wishes to thank Kerith Brook Financial Services for its recent contribution to the Scrip Program as a result of work done for our Parishioners.
Available Child Care Position
Parishioner seeking childcare. Position would involve early mornings (5:00 am – 9:00 am), 2 to 3 days per week with primary focus on managing morning routine for two young children. Position intended to be long-term. If interested please call Michele at 917-656-9836.
The Finance Council – an advisory or consultative body to the Pastor in matters pertaining to the ordinary and extraordinary matters of financial administration. The Council shares, with the Pastor, the responsibility for prudent administration of financial affairs and the formation of its policies and procedures in service to effective management of parish assets.
The Stewardship Council – provides a systematic way of infusing the theology and practice of Stewardship into the life of the parish, identifying opportunities for members to exercise their gifts for the betterment of the parish and community.
The Pastoral Council – devoted to prayer and the study of church documents and other sound resources, as well as parish centered reflection on that study; collaborates with the pastors, clergy and staff in the work of ministry. From the Pastoral Council evolved five commissions and their ministries:
Commission for Christian Service
Appalachian Mission Pro-Life Awareness Bereavement Ministry SHIP Mobile Soup Kitchen
Blood Drive Social Concerns Collections Guatemala Partnership Interfaith Hospitality Network
Commission for Christian Community
Christian Word Ministry Doughnut Sunday Divorced/Separated Support Group Golden Stewards Hospitality Committee Singles Alive in Christ Men’s Ministry Small Faith Community Parish Events Committee Young Builder’s Club Prayer Shawl Ministry Youth Basketball
Commission for Evangelization
Cursillo Retreat Public Relations Committee Ecumenical Board Women’s Prayer Group Parish Retreat (Beloved)
Commission for Liturgy and Worship
Altar Servers Adult Altar Servers Care Facility Visitation Ministry Children’s Liturgy of the Word Choir & Instrumental Readers Eucharistic Ministers Right of Christian Initiation Liturgical Environment Sacristan Ministers of Hospitality Visitors to the Homebound
Commission for Catechetical Formation
Adult Spirituality/Scripture Study Baptism Preparation
Catechetical Formation Fr. Barton Parish Library Senior High Youth Group
If you are interested in finding out more about a particular council, commission or ministry, please call the Parish Office.
The Councils and Ministries of St. Bernard Parish Directory St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church
500 Route 22 East, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Telephone: (908)725-0552 Fax: (908)725-4524
Website: http://stbernardbridgewater.org / Also on Facebook All emails are @stbernardbridgewater.org
Bulletin articles are due no later than Noon Sunday for publication in the upcoming Sunday’s bulletin.
Please submit article requests to Christine Yarwood at [email protected] or drop off in the Parish Office.
The Parish Clergy
Rev. Msgr. Joseph G. Celano, Pastor - ext. 803, Email: [email protected] Rev. Keith Cervine, Parochial Vicar - ext. 806, Email: kcervine@ ... Rev. Andrew Smith, O.S.B. Weekend Assistant Mr. Patrick Cline, Deacon, Email: [email protected] Mr. Gerard Sims, Deacon, ext. 805, Email:[email protected] Mr. Michael Wojcik, Deacon, Email: mwojcik@... Mr. Paul Anderson, Deacon (retired)
The Parish Office
Email: [email protected] Ms. Virginia (Ginny) Hayden, Office Mgr. & Adm. Asst. to the Pastor - ext. 802, Email: ghayden@... Mr. Brian Curtis, Finance & Business Mgr. – ext. 821, Email: bcurtis@... Mrs. Donna Blanton, Receptionist, Parish Registrar and Wedding Prep.– ext. 800, Email: dblanton@... Mrs. Christine Yarwood, Bulletin Editor, Parish Calendar and Website Management - ext. 818, Email: cyarwood@... Mrs. Evelyn Mutek, Sacristan Mr. Bill Chmielewski, Maintenance Supervisor – ext. 819
Welcome to the Parish Community of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Parish Life at St. Bernard
Sacramental Life at St. Bernard
Parish Membership
Welcome Newcomers! So that we might provide for all of your sacramental and pastoral needs, we would like to officially welcome and register you in the parish. If you haven’t already done so, please call the Parish Office to begin your registration process.
Parishioners are reminded that we can best serve you if we have accurate information in our Parish Census program. Please call the Parish Office with any changes in your ad-dress, phone number, family status, etc. or if you notice any misinformation in any correspondence you might receive from us.
Catechetical Formation
Students in grades Pre-K through 8 are provided Catholic instruction and sacramental preparation by our Catechetical Formation staff and parent volunteers. Parish membership is required for enrollment in our program. Please call our Office of Catechetical Formation to register your child for classes.
Youth Ministry
Our youth are an active part of our ministry here at St. Bernard. Our parish Senior High Youth Group welcomes all high school youth to our Sunday events and youth friendly Mass. Those who are looking to go deeper can join our Service and Leadership Team (SALT) which meets weekly for Bible study and planning. Meetings are held in The Lighthouse, our very own room on the third floor of the Parish Center. Please call Fr. Keith Cervine at ext. 806 for details. Join Us!
Young Builder’s Club at St. Bernard
As part of our Youth Ministry program, we offer our Young Builder’s Club one Saturday each month for children aged 3 to 10, with a parent. Using the K’nex build-ing toys, the group encourages teamwork and social interaction. Each meeting opens with prayer and song. Watch the bulletin for upcoming events.
Pre-School and Kindergarten at St. Bernard
Welcome to St. Bernard Pre-School and Kindergarten! Our programs are available to all! We are licensed by the state of NJ and offer a 3 half-day, a 5 half-day, or a 5 full-day program, which includes extended care. Our hours of oper-ation are 7:30 am – 5:30 pm for Extended Care and 9:00 am – 11:30 am for our half-day programs. Children must be 3 years old by December 31st of the school year in which they are enrolled to be eligible for our pre-school program.
We offer a challenging and exciting full-day Kindergarten Program. Our school is open from September through June.
Baptism
Expectant and adoptive parents are required to attend our Baptism preparation class. It is best to call the Parish Office at least four months before your child’s birth or in the case of adoption, upon completion of the adoption process. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Individuals who have never been baptized, baptized Christians from other denominations, and baptized Catholics who have never received the Sacraments of first Eucharist and Confirmation, and who are interested in becoming full participants in the Catholic faith are invited to call the Parish Office to begin the Inquiry process. The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, or by appointment The Celebration of the Eucharist
Monday— Friday (Chapel): 8:00 AM & 12:10 PM (12:10 PM suspended in July and August)
Saturday: 9:00 AM (Chapel); Vigil 5:15 PM
Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM and 12 NOON
Holy Days of Obligation: 8:00 AM, 12:10 PM and 7:30 PM The Celebration of Christian Marriage
Arrangements with the Church for a wedding should be made approximately one year prior to the desired date. Participation in a Diocesan Pre-Cana program will assist couples in their preparation for the sacrament of Matrimony. Catholics who have been away from the Church and the Sacraments need to re-establish their Church and Sacramental life as a pre-requisite for marriage. Sacrament of the Sick - Homebound
We encourage you to call the Parish Office to make arrangements for either the Celebration of the Anointing of the Sick or for the Eucharist to be brought to the sick, the elderly, and the homebound.
Please call the Pre-School / Kindergarten Office for further information and watch the bulletin for open-house, registration and enrollment information!
