Office Hours: 9:30—1:00 Monday—Thursday Phone: (504) 281-2267 — Fax: (504) 281-2268

E-Mail: stbernard@arch-no.org www.stbernard-stbla.com

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

WEEKEND MASSES Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m.

St. Joseph Adoration Chapel: Any Time

Rev. Hoang M. Tuong, Pastor Cell Phone: 985-705-0357

Rev. Charles Caluda, Retired Deacon Norbert Billiot, Jr.

Music Director: Bea Girard

St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery: (504) 421-9533 Lynne, Parish Secretary, Cell: (504) 421-5969

Lenore—Religious Ed stbchurch.reled@arch-no.org

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.

St. Bernard Catholic Church

(Established in 1787)

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.

2805 Bayou Road P. O. Box 220

St. Bernard, LA 70085

Volume 52 Issue 52 THE HOLY FAMILY DECEMBER 29, 2019

Saturday December 28, 2019 Rosary 3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. All Parishioners of St. Bernard Catholic Church; Bernard & Chase Naquin; Duke Collins; Donald Serpas, Sr.;

Tim George; Timothy George; Sal Gagliano; Mazie LaFond; Karen Smith; Donna Gonzales; Scotty Lopez; Beth Byrd Ruiz; Richie Byrd; Ramona Ramos; Charles, Cornelia & Lori Robertson; Fr John; and all on our Sick List

Sunday, December 29, 2019 Rosary 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Charles L. Smith; Gauthé Family; Agnes & Wallace Serpas; Jerry Wheat; HJ Lind; Josephine & Reese Nunez; Mike, Rosie & André Colletti; Dickie Stander; Merle King; Louise M. Alphonso; Larry Gonzales, Jr.; Raymond Serpas; Jason Steele; Adam Serigne; Walter Guidry; Chester Romero; The Romero Family; Rudy Alphonso; Martin & Cecile Alfonso; Jerry, Vernon & Nathan Alfonso; Alfred Nunez, Sr. & Family; Karen Smith; Weshe Melerine; Adam & Evelyn Gonzales; Flora Calabrasi; Celie Robin; Jake Loyacano; Lisa Montelongo; Healing of Sylvia Guillot; Linda Gagliano and Phillip Acosta; and all Military Personnel & Families DAILY—Rosary 8 a.m.—Mass 8:30 a.m.: Monday For Our Youth Tuesday All Sick & Dying Wednesday All Souls in Purgatory Thursday All Parishioners Friday Deceased Priests Saturday (only First Saturday) 8:30 a.m.

Sanctuary Lamp Beth Byrd Ruiz

Marian Candle All Parishioners

St. Joseph Candle All Deceased Priests

Published before info available December 21—22, 2019

Attendance:

Collection:

Thank you for your support

Readings For The Week

Monday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Wednesday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Friday: 1 Jn 2:29 — 3:6; Ps 98:1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34 Saturday: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-42 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

Ministry Schedule For Next Week:

Saturday, January 4, 4:00 p.m. Celebrant: Fr. Hoang Lector: See Schedule

Ministers of Communion: Lucy

Sunday, January 5, 10:00 a.m.

Celebrant: Fr. Hoang Lector: See Schedule

Ministers of Communion: Rhonda

Philomene

Calesticus, these too are deemed by the holy council to be deposed.” According to A Short History of the Catholic Church by Jose Orlandis, “By the first half of the 5th century the patriarchate of Alexandria had grown in power and many of its bishops took an active part in the internal affairs of the church of Constantinople itself. It also happened that after the death of St. Cyril extremist tendencies gained the upper hand in Alexandria. The Alexandrian theologians were unhappy about the Ephesus teaching on the two natures in the one person of Christ, due to their understanding two natures as being equivalent to two persons: they claimed that there was only one nature in Christ, because in the incarnation the human nature had been absorbed in the divine. When this doctrine – monophysitism – was preached in Constantinople by the archimandrite Eutyches, Flavian the patriarch deprived Eutyches of his office. The patriarch of Alexandria, Dioscorus, then intervened, with the support of Emperor Theodosius II. An unruly council was held at Ephesus (449) under the presidency of Dioscorus; the patriarch of Constantinople [Flavian] was deposed and exiled; a dogmatic letter sent to Flavian by the pope, by the hand of two papal legates, was prevented from being read, and the doctrine of the two natures in Christ was condemned. The pope, Leo the Great, gave this council a name which was passed into history – the ‘latrocinium [robber synod] of Ephesus.’” Flavian died on the way back to Constantinople as a result, it is said, of injuries received in the synod. As a result, Pope Leo excommunicated Dioscorus and with the cooperation of Theodosius II’s successor, Marcian, two years later (451) the Council of Chalcedon, an ecumenical council, nullified the decrees of the robber synod and, upholding Pope Leo’s position, expounded with admirable clarity the Catholic doctrine of the two natures in the one Divine Person of Christ. Pretty fast work for those days.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God January 1 Introduction According to The Compact History of the Catholic

Church by Alan Schreck, “The Bishop of Alexandria, Nestorius, denied that Mary could be called theotokos, meaning “God bearer” or Mother of God. He was part of a theological group called the school of Antioch, which did not want to risk any confusion between the divine and human. Calling Mary the Mother of God threatened to mix up God and man since Mary did not bring God into existence. However, another noted group called the school of Alexandria, led by the bishop of Alexandria, Cyril, saw no problem in calling Mary the Mother of God since this way of speaking safeguarded the unity of Jesus’ human and divine nature. The issue was settled in A.D. 431 by the Council of Ephesus, an ecumenical council of Catholic bishops which declared Nestorius wrong and affirmed the long-standing tradition of Christian prayer in which Mary was honored as Mother of God in his human nature, the mother of “God made man,” and not the mother of Jesus’ divine nature. Mary is the mother of a person Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully man. “This initial dispute concerning the natures of Christ gave rise to another controversy in the middle of the century. Without examining the political rivalry behind the scenes between the patriarch of Constantinople and the patriarch of Alexandria, there was a serious theological debate about whether Jesus possessed one nature as a person – the divine nature – or two distinct natures, divine and human. The resolution finally came at the Council of Chalcedon in A.D. 451, which brought together and balanced the legitimate beliefs about Christ from the school of Antioch and the school of Alexandria. The council declared that Jesus exists in two natures, the divine and the human, which come together “without confusion or change, without division or separation to form the one undivided person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God incarnate.” Nestorius was deposed at the Council of Ephesus. Canon 4 of the Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431) says: “If any of the clergy apostatize and dare either privately or publicly to accept the [views] of

Gospel - Luke 2:16-21 16 So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, The shepherds respond eagerly to the message. and the infant lying in the manger. The sign the angel had given them. Recall that a manger is a feeding trough, a food box; which introduces the Eucharistic theme (sustenance of His people). The sign does not just attest the angel’s truthfulness, it bears out and exemplifies the message that Jesus is Savior (verse 11) “A savior has been born to you, the Messiah and Lord”. 17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. The shepherds told others, including Mary and Joseph, about the good news, which is complimentary to that announced to Mary in Luke 1:31-33; by Mary in Luke 1:46-55; and by Zechariah in Luke 1:68-79. 19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Mary does not capture the full significance of God’s action in Jesus immediately. Mary’s journey of faith is shown in Luke 8:19-21; 11:27-29; and Acts 1:14. Mary is the model believer. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 21 When eight days were completed for his circumcision, The covenant with Abraham required circumcision at the age of 8 days (Genesis 17:12). Baptism now replaces circumcision (Colossians 2:11-12) and puts the mark of the covenant on the soul rather than the flesh. he was named Jesus, “Jesus” means “the Lord saves.” This name is the Greek version of the Hebrew Yeshua (Joshua). For the Jews of Jesus’ time His name alone would indicate His mission. Like Joshua (Moses’ successor who led the Israelites into the promised land), Jesus will be the instrument of God’s saving action among His people. the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. The name is given in Luke 1:31. According to The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, “In biblical thought a name is not a mere label of identification; it is an expression of the essential of its bearer. A man’s name recalls his character ... Hence to know the name of God is to know God as He had revealed Himself.”

Holy Family and Holiness in Ordinary Families Michele Chronister

Have you heard the joke about the Holy Family? Poor Joseph. Whenever someone was at fault in the Holy Family, they always knew Joseph was the one to blame. (He was, after all, the only one who wasn’t without sin.) Of course, in our ordinary families, we are all Joseph (but worse, because we likely aren’t saints, at least not yet). Nevertheless, there is something holy about the family unit, or else Jesus wouldn’t have chosen to spend most of his life living in a family. For those of us who have experienced family life, we can’t deny that it does have great potential for saint making. I remember, prior to marriage, thinking that I wasn’t doing too bad in terms of trying to be holy. Then I became a wife. Then I became a mother. Suddenly, I realized I was a long way from sainthood. In fact, without God’s grace, sainthood wouldn’t even be a possibility. Being a wife and mother (wife to a kind and gentle man from an equally sweet family, and mom to the cutest kids I could ever ask for) has shown me how unworthy I am of so great a gift as my vocation. Yet, despite my unworthiness, God has giving me this little family. And I am so grateful for them. But no family is perfect, not even the Holy Family (ahem, St. Joseph, ahem). In the case of imperfections, dysfunction, or even history of abuse…how can we seek holiness in our families? The Model of the Holy Family Looking at the Holy Family shows us what family is meant to be. A healthy family should consist of people who are trying to love each other, and mutually grow in holiness. In the case of parents, there should be a selfless pouring out for the children (if there are any), and unconditional love (offered without demands for reciprocation and not withheld for any reason). This kind of love stirs children to honor and respect their parents. Parental love, when healthy and holy, is meant to point to the love of the heavenly Father. The spouses in a family are meant to lay down their lives for each other, wholly and mutually, imaging the love of Christ and His Church. Of course, the Holy Family depicts all of this beautifully. Mary and Joseph sacrifice all their previous plans and expectations in order to welcome and raise Jesus, and help each other grow in holiness. Again and again, they find themselves inconvenienced (labor and delivery in a stable), fleeing for their lives (flight to Egypt), or frantic with worry (finding in the Temple). Yet, not once do they try to make Jesus feel guilty for his needs or withhold their love for him. (There is no verse in which Mary says, “Do you know what I went through to give birth to you? I had to ride a donkey to Egypt when I was postpartum!”) In fact, there are times that Jesus throws up boundaries (i.e. asserting his need to follow the will of the Father, like in the Finding in the Temple and in his public ministry), and Mary and Joseph always respect that (even when they don’t fully understand it). They love him, and they know that he ultimately belongs to the Father, not them. Likewise, Jesus chooses to be obedient to them. He honors them and loves them, but that honoring doesn’t always equal doing what they want, especially not when it conflicts with the Father’s will. (Although, Mary and Joseph didn’t oppose the Father’s will, just didn’t always understand all the details right away.) He obeys them as a child and loves them as an adult. The Holy Family vs. An Ordinary Family How does this mirror life in an ordinary family, trying to be holy? No family is perfect, and no parents will be able to be as perfectly selfless as Mary and Joseph — but good and healthy parents will try to sacrifice for the well-being of their children. They will try to always love unconditionally, not using conditional love to manipulate their children, but rather showing their children love no matter what. They expect obedience from young children and respect from older children, but they will also love their children in a way that respects their own little personhood. They will acknowledge that God’s will for their children come before their own plans, keeping in mind that their children ultimately belong to Him.

Likewise, children will strive to obey the just expectations of their parents. They will try to love and honor their parents, while still putting God’s plan for their lives first. In an ordinary family, the members of the family may get frustrated with each other. They may occasionally argue. But ultimately, the members of an ordinary family will strive to love each other and support each other. They will try to humbly serve each other, and be Christ for each other. They won’t do it perfectly, but they will try to be holy. When they fail, they will be open to criticism and humbly turn to the Sacraments for the grace to do better. Despite their failures and imperfections, there is hope that this kind of family can be like the Holy Family. The Holy Family vs. a Dysfunctional or Abusive Family Unfortunately, many families are dysfunctional (i.e. behave in a way that is unhealthy and/or unproductive) or abusive (physical/sexual/spiritual/emotional or some combination thereof). In the midst of the Christmas season, many people find themselves either faced with memories of dysfunction and abuse or faced with navigating relationships with unhealthy people. Yet, God calls these families to holiness, too. Often, the advice given to those in dysfunctional or abusive families is spiritually abusive. Sometimes, parents or older relatives will chide their children to “honor your parents,” trying to make a child or adult child feel unhealthy guilt and submit to abuse. Some people experience this from a spouse or a sibling. Sometimes, avoiding these unhealthy or abusive individuals is impossible, but it may be possible to limit your contact with them. Other times, a family may be so toxic or abusive that you may need to no longer be in contact with them. What should you do if you are in a family like this, and you still want to be holy? You can still honor and respect your parents, even if it might be from a distance. Sometimes, no longer allowing a parent, grandparent, etc. to abuse you is the closest you can get to honoring them (by no longer allowing them to be in a situation in which they may abuse). The same is true for abusive relationships with siblings or other family members. Sometimes, the best way to love is from a distance. Sometimes, the loving thing is no longer allowing the cycle of dysfunction or abuse to continue. This is, of course, a heartbreaking situation. Yet, praying for dysfunctional or abusive family members (and establishing whatever boundaries are necessary to keep yourself safe) is loving them. Praying for their healing (as many people who are dysfunctional or abusive are also mentally unhealthy or were victims of abuse themselves) may even help them to one day get to heaven. This kind of prayer and love is honoring (no matter what an abusive family member might tell you), and…you guessed it. There is even hope for a family like this to be like the Holy Family. We never know how God will work in the hearts of others, and praying for and loving family members can help them get to heaven; even if they aren’t safe or healthy to have in your own life right now. All Families Are Called to Holiness Holiness is not about “keeping up appearances.” It isn’t about feeling happy and having rosy memories. It is about love — the kind of love that is willing to suffer or die for the beloved. Part of our families being holy means that they need to try and be healthy. That doesn’t mean that our families need to be perfect. We will all fail in ordinary, daily ways, but it is important that we truly desire the good of the other person. It is essential that we treat the other members of our family with respect. And if anyone in our family doesn’t treat the rest of the family that way? It is important to establish healthy boundaries, and seek healing (whether for ourselves or for a difficult relationship). Mental health matters. Relationship health matters. Part of our families being holy is seeking out the resources we need to have healthy relationships. Regardless of your family’s situation, there is hope for you. You are called to holiness. Holiness will look very different, depending on the health of the family dynamics, but regardless, all families are called to holiness. The most powerful thing you can do is to daily entrust the health, healing (if necessary), and holiness of your family to God. God willing, we’ll all be saints like Joseph, too.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his way.

Please Pray for Our Sick Manuel Alfonso; Debbie Gonzales; Charles Duhe; Harold J. Lind, III; Aiden Smith; Madeline Colletti Cimino; Gene Perez; Patricia Fincher; Frances Evans; Donald Campo; Edna O’Rourke; Marlene Campo; Bernard Naquin, Jr.; Dorothy Easley; Devin Dimadigo; Kylie Gritter; David Naquin; Sheri Fernandez; Christina Landry; Brett Gagliano; Brendan Graf; Emile Evans; Landon Ansardi; 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 Draper; Hailey Martin; Lorraine Daroca; Barbara Simpson; Michael George; Joy Fernandez; Marianne Marks; Kimberly Mones; Avery Cantrelle; Rita Bauer; Sandy Thurman; Talor Gutierrez; Erica Stewart; Maggie Serigne; Valerie Wheat; Hunter Hoffmann; Christina Gardner; AJ Arnone; Evis; Michelle Matthews; Fr. Charley; Sandra Jones; William Ybarzabal; Don Clark; Fred Everhardt; Thelma Lee; Lela Weber; Janey Yates; Connie St. Pierre; Tino Mones; Mary Gagliano; Patrick Campo, Sr.; Joyce Serpas; Michael Fernandez; SE Kreiger; Pasqual Alfonso; Henry Dietrich; Sidney Evans, Jr.; Hope Serigne; Mr. & Mrs. Caesar; Mary Barker; Bob Couch; Linda Gagliano; Rhonda Riley; Norbert Billiot, Sr.; Lisa and Samantha; Paul Remick; Justin Serpas; Rene Poche; Lisa Montelongo; Bobbie Schmitt; Barbara Robin; Lorenza Acosta; Becky Couture Riker; Linda Melerine; Stephen Lobre; Barney Koons; Romona Lucas; Paul Serigne; Taylor Tycer; Dan Assevado; Wendy Walls; Kaleah Kate Ma; Robert Oalmann; Noah Campo; Arley Jarammillo; Robert Burns; Peter Peterson; Anna Morales; Elsie Smith; Philip Deogracias; Beverly Bachemin; Ryan Peltier; Lonny Becnel; Kerry Robertson; Pat Cassagne; Jimmy & Dolly Brien; Margie Palmeri; Misty Morales; Esther Gonzales; Katie Caluda Sanpart; Carol Morales; Michele Morales; Kim Juminias; Charolotte Luna; Elba Quiles; Branden David; Ralph Ziegler; Wayne Landry; Sylvia Guillot; Ryan Guerra; Hillary Miller; Phillip Acosta; Decker Landry; Sherrie & John Graf; Linda Barrett; Stanley Alfonso; Rachael Lemoine

Call the office to add or remove someone from list.

ADORATION CHAPELS The Deanery Adoration Chapel located at OLPS invites you to come spend a little time with the Lord in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Come for a few minutes or consider becoming a “committed adorer” for a particular hour. OLPS 8 am to 8 pm Monday-Friday. If anyone would like to be on the committee at OLPS please contact them. OLPS is need of adorers if you can commit please call them. Our Lady of Lourdes has Adoration on the first Wednesday of the month. St. Bernard has Adoration on Thursday. Please consider spending an hour with the Lord.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION We are in the season of the Incarnation, the mystery of God’s love poured out in Christ’s birth. The word derives from the Latin carnis meaning “flesh.” Throughout history, some Christians have distrusted the “flesh,” and stressed a hatred of this world and its pleasures. Perhaps they have not paid enough attention to how “embodied” the sacraments are. One third-century author put it plainly in an image that may alarm diet‑conscious Americans, explaining that we wash the body so the soul can be cleansed, that we anoint the body so the soul can be strengthened, and that we eat the body and blood of Christ so that “the soul can fatten on God.” Catholics “get” that God is revealed in this world. The sacraments use the “stuff” of creation: water and oil; the senses of the body, touch and taste and smell. We use the things of this world rightly. After all, God’s love poured out into human flesh means the world has eternal value. Why else would Jesus describe the kingdom to come as a teeming city or a marriage banquet? Catholics are realists, and nowhere is that more evident than when we gather for a sacrament. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

New Year’s Masses

New Year’s Eve: 4:00 p.m.

New Year’s Day: 8:30 a.m.

Remember January 1st is a

Holy Day of Obligation

A Prayer, for the Feast of The Holy Family Father in heaven, creator of all, you ordered the earth to bring forth life and crowned its goodness by creating the family of man. In history's moment when all was ready, you sent your Son to dwell in time, obedient to the laws of life in our world. Teach us the sanctity of human love, show us the value of family life, and help us to live in peace with all men that we may share in your life for ever. We ask this through Christ the Lord. Amen.

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