The Roman Catholic Community of St. Bernard of Clairvaux 500 Route 22 East, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 October 8, 2017 - Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time “We are the Living Stones”, a family of Faith which strives to love God and our neighbors through the church. Served by: Rev. Msgr. Randall J. Vashon, Pastor Rev. Edmund A. Luciano III, KHS, Parochial Vicar Rev. Andrew Smith, O.S.B., Weekend Assistant Mr. Patrick Cline, Deacon Mr. Gerard Sims, Deacon Mrs. Christina Blalock, Director of Sacred Music Mrs. Karen Dill, Director, Office of Catechetical Formation Mr. Sean O’Brien, Youth Ministry Leader Mr. Mark LaFleur, Director, St. Bernard Cemetery
Transcript
The Roman Catholic Community of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
500 Route 22 East, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
October 8, 2017 - Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
“We are the Living Stones”, a family of Faith which strives to love God and our neighbors through the church.
Served by:
Rev. Msgr. Randall J. Vashon, Pastor Rev. Edmund A. Luciano III, KHS, Parochial Vicar
Rev. Andrew Smith, O.S.B., Weekend Assistant Mr. Patrick Cline, Deacon Mr. Gerard Sims, Deacon
Mrs. Christina Blalock, Director of Sacred Music Mrs. Karen Dill, Director, Office of Catechetical Formation
Mr. Sean O’Brien, Youth Ministry Leader Mr. Mark LaFleur, Director, St. Bernard Cemetery
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The Liturgical Week Today’s Readings
Bearing the Right Kind of Fruit
Readings for the Week
First Reading — The vineyard of the LORD is the house of Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7).
Psalm — The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel (Psalm 80).
Second Reading — God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-9).
Gospel — The kingdom of God will be given to those who will produce its fruit (Matthew 21:33-43)
Today’s readings focus our attention on vineyards. Isaiah’s song concerning his friend’s vineyard begins with inspiring and poetic images of an idyllic vineyard where the choicest harvest is expected. Instead, the vineyard yields wild grapes, which causes the owner to abandon it. The psalmist cries out to God, asking that God once again take care of the vineyard, which is the house of Israel. The parable told in today’s Gospel offers a stern warning that those who commit treachery in the hopes of attaining personal wealth will be “put . . . to a wretched death” (Matthew 21:41). Jesus warns his listeners not to act like the murderous tenants in the vineyard. Instead he exhorts them to produce the kind of fruit that will lead them to the kingdom of God.
Monday: Jon 1:1 — 2:2, 11; Jon 2:3-5, 8; Lk 10:25-37 Tuesday: Jon 3:1-10; Ps 130:1b-4ab, 7-8; Lk 10:38-42 Wednesday: Jon 4:1-11; Ps 86:3-6, 9-10; Lk 11:1-4 Thursday: Mal 3:13-20b; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 11:5-13 Friday: Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2; Ps 9:2-3, 6, 16, 8-9; Lk 11:15-26 Saturday: Jl 4:12-21; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Lk 11:27-28 Sunday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Phil 4:12-14, 19-20; Mt 22:1-14 [1-10]
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, Robert Kumbatovic, and Patricia Guzofski, mother of Rev. Jay Toborowsky.
Monday, October 9
St. Denis and Companions; St. John Leonardi
9:00 AM Bill Coscia, req. by his wife, Barbara
Tuesday, October 10
8:00 AM Hugh Boyle, req. by his wife, Helen 12:10 PM Rose Maureen Arts, req. by the Senatore family
Wednesday, October 11
St. John XXIII
8:00 AM Walter Weick, req. by Fran LaSala 12:10 PM Nicholas Marconi, req. by the Yarwood family
Thursday, October 12
8:00 AM Brian Fabiano (3rd ann.), req. by the Fabiano family 12:10 PM Cathy Zembko, req. by the Blanton family
Friday, October 13
8:00 AM Patricia Landmann, req. by her family 12:10 PM Zofia Dabrowski, req. by Rose Kaplan
Saturday, October 14
St. Callistus I; Blessed Virgin Mary
9:00 AM John M. Parisi (1st ann.), req. by his sister, Eva 5:15 PM (Vigil) Adelia Figueiredo, req. by her family
Sunday, October 15
Twenty-eighth Ordinary Sunday
7:30 AM June Federico, req. by the Cianfaro family 9:00 AM Daniel Santos, req. by his parents 10:30 AM People of the Parish 12:00 PM Rose Petrizzo, req. by Frank & Susan Tepedino
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This Week at St. Bernard
Sunday, October 8 – Twenty-seventh Ordinary Sunday
Social Concerns Sunday - Second Collection and FOOD & SHIP Collections
No CF Classes
10:30 am - Children’s Liturgy During Mass, Chapel 1:30 pm - Baptisms, Church
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Young Adult Adoration, Church 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Men’s Basketball, Gym
Monday, October 9 - Columbus Day
Daily Mass at 9:00 am only in the Chapel, Parish Office Closed,
No CF Classes
Tuesday, October 10
10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Staff Meeting, Room C 10:30 am - 12:00 pm - AFF Study - Wisdom: God’s Vision for
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
- Albert Einstein
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time October 8, 2017
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God
— Philippians 4:6
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Commission for Liturgy and Worship
Ministers of the Liturgy
We acknowledge with appreciation the following Liturgical Ministers who will serve at next weekend’s Masses:
October 14th & 15th
5:15 Mass Altar Servers: John-Paul Renieris, Emily Sanchez, Luke Tesoriero
Readers: Tony Tarullo, John Shanagher
Eucharistic Ministers: Kathy Deleski, Evelyn Arena, Jo Ann Fabiano, Maureen Shackelton, Gina & Teo Gonzales
7:30 Mass Altar Servers: Connor Lynch
Readers: Evelyn Mutek, Priscilla Weick
Eucharistic Ministers: Jill Cenzano, Lynn Ruezinsky, Lori Vitello, Ian Carmody
9:00 Mass Altar Servers: Melissa Ramirez, Spenser
Russo, Michelle Thomas
Readers: Ron Haikes, Dan McDonald
Eucharistic Ministers: Greg Bielat, Pat Mattia, Vince Riello, Margaret Batkowski Carol Goett, Margaret Blood
10:30 Mass Altar Servers: Joanna Coppola, Rocco Coppola, Ria Jeyapal
Readers: Maria DaSilva, Jim Alaimo
Eucharistic Ministers: Lisa Holley, Luis Alves, Nancy Mombay, Paula Lindberg, Dominick Batkowski, Katie Ollis
12:00 Mass Altar Servers: Gabby Mouridy, Taryn
Ross, Emily Sanchez
Readers: David Gallo, Joe Filep
Eucharistic Ministers: Joyce & Dominick Coppola, Laura Felegi, Karen Dill, Laura Curcio, Janetta Buckmire
ATTENTION
all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who serve at Mass, Skilled Nursing Facilities and Visitors to the Homebound.
You are cordially invited to attend this special time with Msgr. Randy to review and tweak our current procedures and to answer any questions you may have.
We will begin right after the 9:00 am mass on Saturday, October 14th. It will be held in Rooms A & B (in the lower level of the Church) from 9:30 am - 10:30am.
Please make every effort to attend this most informative session.
Questions? Call me 908-923-4160 or email me [email protected] This is a very special Ministry that we are privileged to serve in and it is always good to gather together.
St. Bernard’s Youth Choir
St. Bernard's Youth Choir began rehearsals on Sunday, October 1st. Their next rehearsal will take place on Sunday, October 15th, immediately following the 12:00 noon mass. New members (singers/instrumentalists are welcome!
The Youth Choir is comprised of both singers and instrumentalists. We welcome 8th graders, high school and college students, as well as young adults.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Chrissy Spodnick, Youth Choir Director, via email at [email protected].
Please join us on October 14, 2017 at the 5:15 pm Mass,
when Bishop James F. Checchio will install Msgr. Randall J. Vashon
as the new Pastor of St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
The Installation Of A New Pastor
On Saturday, the 14th of October 2017, the family of St. Bernard jubilantly welcomes the chief shepherd of our local Church that is in Metuchen, the Most Reverend James F. Checchio. Together we will give thanks to Almighty God on this 163rd anniversary of the parish’s legal incorporation. On this occasion, Bishop Checchio will further expresses his paternal care addressing us with these words, “My dear friends, because I am aware of your pastoral needs and I am confident of Msgr. Vashon’s qualifications for the office of pastor, I present him to you as your new pastor.” This confidence comes after the discernment of our needs alongside the many names submitted by priests themselves or nominated by the personnel board.
The Rite of Installation of a pastor takes place in the presence of the bishop or his delegate. After the introduction of the new pastor to the faithful the bishop gives the homily followed by the presentation of the parish clergy, staff, councils, and trustees to the new pastor instructing him to “share this ministry in a spirit of mutual trust, common prayer, and genuine concern”. The Rite concludes with Monsignor leading us in the profession of faith and then making an oath of fidelity. Since we know Msgr. Vashon comes to us from his well served tenure as pastor of Immaculate Conception School in Annandale, you may be curious why the Holy Mother Church requires a pastor to make a profession of faith and oath of fidelity before taking canonical possession of his new assignment.
Pastors, seminary professors, candidates for Holy Orders, and men who upon their creation as Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church are some of the examples of those who must make professions of faith and take an oath of fidelity. With the beginning of new responsibilities these acts remind the new pastor and his congregation that his role as pastor is not a role of individual governance of the parish, but that his responsibilities are to “adhere with religious submission of will and intellect to the teachings which either the Roman Pontiff or the college of bishops enunciate when they exercise the authentic magisterium, even if they proclaim those teachings in an act that is not definitive.” He is servant and steward not lord and master himself. So, this responsibility and leadership is not of the individual whim of Randall Vashon but of the One, Holy Catholic, Apostolic Church that is present here in Bridgewater whom Msgr. Randy serves as priest and shepherd. On the role of the priest, the famed theologian Rev. Karl Rahner, S.J. reminds us that the faithful and loyal priest does not act nor speak as his own but is a man called and sent. He writes:
“The priest is not an angel sent from heaven. He is a man chosen from among men, a member of the Church, a Christian. Remaining man and Christian, he begins to speak of you the Word of God. The word is not his own. No, he comes to you because God has told him to proclaim God’s Word. Perhaps he has not entirely understood it himself. Perhaps he adulterates it. But he believes, and despite his fear, he knows he must communicate God’s Word to you. For must not some of us say something about God, about eternal life; about the majesty of grace in our sanctified being? Must not some one of us speak of sin, the judgement and mercy of God? So, my dear friends, pray for him, carry him, so that he might be able to sustain others by bringing to them the mystery of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ.”
So, let us give thanks to Almighty God for sending us a wise and charitable priest whose concern is not for himself but to “sustain others by bringing them the mystery of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ.”
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Commission for Catechetical Formation Activities
Youth Ministry News
“Trick or Treat Tricky Tray”
A Youth Group Fundraising Event
Sunday, October 29th, from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
in the Parish Center Cafeteria
There will be trick or treat goodies for kids, pumpkin decorating, and basket raffles for parents/families. Kids are more than welcome to come dressed up to the event in their Halloween costume.
Also, if any parishioner wants to sponsor a basket, please contact Sean O’Brien at [email protected] or via phone at 908-725-0552 x804.
From The Office of Catechetical Formation
Thank you for responding to our need for catechists and aides this fall. We are truly blessed with over 100 dedicated volunteers in the faith formation ministry for children.
We are still in need of an 8th grade aide on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm. If you can assist and/or want to learn more, please call the Office of Catechetical Formation at 908-725-0552 ext. 825.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR OCTOBER
Sunday, October 8th and Monday, October 9th: NO CFC CLASSES – Columbus Day Weekend
Sunday, October 22nd: Sunday Monthly PACT Session
Monday, October 23rd: 2nd GRADE PARENT MEETING, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Cafeteria
Tuesday, October 31st: NO CFC CLASSES
Social Concerns Collection Update
The Diocese has approved our request to reinstate the Social Concerns Collection on the second Sunday of each month. We are working with the envelope company to add the envelope in the contribution packets. We will continue to have the poor boxes and envelopes in the rear of the church available and you may choose which method of assistance you prefer to use. Please note that any envelopes which are put in the poor boxes that have your name on them, WILL BE recorded on your year-end contribution statement. Thank you for your understanding during the transition of pastors. Feel free to speak to Fr. Edmund or myself if you have any questions on this matter. ~ Msgr. Randy
RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Sessions will begin on Thursday, October 19th
at 7:30 pm in Rooms D/E in the Lower Level of the Church.
If interested in learning more about RCIA, contact Deacon Patrick Cline at [email protected] or 908-526-5019.
All are welcome to join us as we pray the Scriptural Rosary
for your special intentions each Thursday in October at 7:00 pm in the Chapel.
ONLINE/AUTOMATED GIVING CONVERSION
ParishPay to WeShare St. Bernard’s current electronic online giving provider, ParishPay, has been acquired by Liturgical Publications (LPI). All current ParishPay accounts will be transitioned to WeShare, LPI’s online giving platform, on October 9, 2017.
There is no action required by current users for this transition process. Information will be transferred electronically following the strictest security protocols. Once the transition is completed, users will be required to validate themselves the first time they access their account data under the new platform.
Current users should note the new access/login via the St. Bernard website. All online giving should be accessed via the “Online Giving” link on the right-hand side of the parish website homepage. Utilize the “Login” section, and you will be redirected to validate your user information.
Parishioners who are interested in online giving, should access the “ONLINE GIVING” link on the parish website and sign-up via the “start giving” button.
Thank you for your continued support to the parish!
IMPORTANT UPDATE
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Commission for Christian Service News
UPDATED INFO
Once again in conjunction with the Community Visiting Nurse Association in Somerville we will have a
Flu Shot Clinic
on Sunday, October 15th from 8:30 am - 12 pm
in the Parish Center Cafeteria. This year the flu vaccines are quadrivalent, meaning there are 2 strains of “A” viruses and two strains of “B” viruses. Flu shots are free for Medicare Part B participants and $25 for all others. No need to register ahead of time.
Questions? Call Jane McElroy, RN at 908-923-4160 or contact her via email at [email protected]
Commission for Christian Community Activities
Men’s Ministry
Octoberfest On Friday, October 27th, the Men’s Ministry of St. Bernard will be hosting a get together to celebrate Octoberfest.
This is a BYOB event, so let’s see who can bring the most interesting festive brew. We will be serving pizza. If you would like to bring your favorite munchies, that would be great!
The event will take place in the lower level of the Church, in Rooms A/B, from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Please join us for some good times!
This event is for the men of the Parish, 21 and older.
The Diocese of Metuchen requires that everyone interacting with children, in any parish ministry, must attend a Virtus / Protecting God's Children Awareness Training session and be fingerprinted & have a State Police background check.
On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, a session is scheduled at St. Bernard Church. It will be held at 6:00 pm in Rooms A & B in the church basement. In addition to those who must attend, the session is open to anyone interested in child safety.
On line registration will be available on the diocesan web site after October 1st. Go to www.diometuchen.org. In the bottom right corner Click on ‘Sign up for Virtus Registration”. Scroll down to St. Bernard Parish & complete personal information to register for the October 10th session. Refer any questions to Walt Steele 908-537-9868 or [email protected].
Commission for Christian Service News (Continued)
Building a culture of life in our community
through education, pastoral care, advocacy and prayer
Respect for Life
Mark Your Calendars Oct 12 Life Choices annual Fundraiser Banquet Please join me at my table. Contact: Carolyn Alaimo 908-575-7857 Oct 14 Critical Life Issues Conference St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane
Piscataway NJ 08854 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, $25, To register or for more info, contact Angela Marshall 732-562-1990 ext. 1543, [email protected]
Oct 14/15 New Jersey Right to Life Raffle Ticket Sales. Volunteers needed to sell tickets. Can you lend a hand? Contact Carolyn Alaimo 908-575-7857.
October is Respect Life Month!
Keep filling our crib!
Please know that the Mothers in need are truly grateful for the support they receive from the St. Bernard Community. So please keep the donations coming. The crib is located in the Cry Room. Currently, there is a need for baby wipes, baby shampoo, and girls and boys toddler clothes sizes 2 and 3. Diapers, formula, gently used cloth-ing; toys and children’s books are always welcome.
Let’s remember to keep our diocesan seminarians in prayer.
Introducing one of the newest seminarians:
Michael Wood Attending: Immaculate Conception Seminary, Seton Hall Hometown: Scotch Plains, NJ / Age: 41
Michael received a BA in Mathematics from Rice University, TX, and a MS in Computer Science from Rutgers University. After growing more in his intentional discipleship as a Catholic Christian during his college and post-college years, Michael prayerfully began to discern religious life. Drawn by his attraction to sacred art and architecture and his love of the liturgy, Michael entered the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius in Chicago. After living in this religious community for a year, Michael returned to the work force in the Tri-State area. He remained very active in his local parish as a Lector, choir member, and was involved in Young Adults ministry.
Over time in prayer and spiritual direction, Michael began to feel the call to diocesan priesthood. He began attending discernment events offered by the Diocese of Metuchen and was accepted as a seminarian to begin formation at Immaculate Conception, Seton Hall. Regarding his vocational call, and the vocational call given to every Catholic, Michael reflects, “We need to be a lively sign of contradiction to the emptiness of secularity, proactively showing the world who we are in Christ.”
St. Bernard Cemetery Fall / Winter Visitation Hours
8:00 am - 4:00 pm; Seven Days A Week Please note that the gates close automatically at closing time.
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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 908-231-9545 to initiate your prayer 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.
The 2017 SAT CLASS ~ REGISTRATION is now open
In loving memory of Chris Coppola, lifetime parishioner and altar server at St Bernard’s of Clairvaux Church, the CHRIS COPPOLA CDUB FOUNDATION is proudly sponsoring the New SAT CLASS on Saturday, October 28, one week prior to the popular November 4 SAT exam, at St. Bernard.
Over the past 7 years, nearly 190 college bound students have successfully participated in this program. The content of the course used by the teachers is continuously updated. The class itself has been amended to reflect the SAT exam revisions of 2016.
The Class is offered as a comprehensive review course, designed for students to improve their preparation and readiness for the various facets of the SAT Exam. The Class is comprised of two sessions.
MORNING SESSION: In the morning, the Reading/Vocab/English session is led by an experi-enced and knowledgeable high school English teacher, who specializes in SAT tutoring.
AFTERNOON SESSION: The afternoon session, Mathematics, is taught by a professional with substantial Math teaching experience and who also specializes in SAT tutoring.
Students and parents may avail themselves of the SELECT option which allows students to SELECT one of or preferably both the morning and afternoon sessions at time of registration. Students may register for the entire class or may elect to register for only the Math (afternoon) or the Reading/Vocab/English session (morning).
A donation of $85 is suggested for those attending both the morning and the afternoon sessions.
Joyce and Dom Coppola are very thankful to Monsignor Randy Vashon for all of his kind support. We are grateful to our teachers for volunteering their experience and time and everyone who supports the education, healthy life style and environmental goals of the CHRIS COPPOLA CDUB FOUNDATION.
Additional details and registration are now available at:
We recommend online registration option. One may also register by calling us at 732-723-8201 (732-7CDUB01) or 201-988-8309.
Other Items
IHN Fundraising Gala
IHNSC is celebrating 25 years! Our 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, honoring the Vollers Family Foundation, Temple Beth-El, Branchburg Rotary Club and William Jonat, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, will be held at the Basking Ridge Country Club 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, on Thursday, October 26, 2017. Tickets are $100 which includes a $40 tax deductible contribution. There will be a cash bar and silent auction. To purchase a ticket reservation, send a check to IHNSC at 98 West End Ave., Somerville, NJ with a confirmation email to: [email protected]. You can also purchase tickets online at www.ihnsc.org. No tickets will be distributed. Questions call 908-704-1920. Thank you for your continued support of IHNSC's mission.
The Parish Finance Council wishes to thank Distinctive Landscaping and Design for its recent contribution to the Scrip Program as a
result of work done for our Parishioners.
Please Consider using our Parish Scrip Vendors for all of your landscaping, home improvement/
maintenance, income tax preparation, investment planning and family fun.
General Scrip Information
Don’t forget that cards ordered by noon on Sunday are generally available for pick-up starting the following Thursday.
Order forms are available in the Parish Office, at the Scrip Table in the Narthex after masses, and on the Parish website.
Orders are accepted in the Parish Office during normal working hours or they can be placed in the Scrip Order Box after Weekend Masses.
Report of Sunday Offerings in Support of our Parish
July, 2017 to June, 2018 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
(October 1, Week 14) Weekly Budget Need $ 21,000.00
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 Art & Gardening Ministry 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. Randall J. Vashon, Pastor - ext. 803, Email: [email protected] Rev. Edmund A. Luciano III, KHS, Parochial Vicar - ext. 806, Email: eluciano@... Rev. Andrew Smith, O.S.B. Weekend Assistant Mr. Patrick Cline, Deacon, Email: [email protected] Mr. Gerard Sims, Deacon, ext. 805, Email:[email protected] 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 The Office of Catechetical Formation
Office: 908-725-0552 ext. 811 Fax: 908-725-9949, Email: [email protected] Mrs. Karen Dill, Director – ext. 825, Email: kdill@... Mrs. Mary Sullivan, Admin. Assistant - ext. 811 Mrs. Michele Godleski, Admin Assistant - ext. 810 The Office of Youth Ministry
Sean O’Brien, Youth Ministry Leader, ext. 804 Email: sobrien@... Lighthouse - ext. 816 The Office of Liturgy and Sacred Music
Mrs. Christina Blalock, Director of Sacred Music - ext. 807, Email: cblalock@... St. Bernard Cemetery and Mausoleums
Email: [email protected] Mr. Mark LaFleur, Cemetery Director, 908-725-8305 Mrs. Mary Beth Hansen, Admin. Assistant, 908-725-5566 Clergy Residence (For Emergency Only): 908-526-6859
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 address, 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. All high school teens are welcome to attend Tuesday youth group meetings in The Lighthouse, on the third floor of the Parish Center, from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm.
Please call Sean O’Brien at ext. 804 or email Sean at [email protected] for details. Please 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 building toys, the group encourages teamwork and social interaction. Each meeting opens with prayer and song. Watch the bulletin for upcoming events.
To learn about all the ministries at St. Bernard Parish, visit our parish website at
www.stbernardbridgewater.org
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 12:30 PM
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.
