An updated Adoration Schedule is in the vestibule. We have many open hours available for you to spend time alone with Jesus. Call the office to let us know what time you are choosing.
Welcome!
Thank you for visiting us at Saint Bernadette Church, which is a Roman Catholic parish located in Bayou Vista - between Patterson and Berwick, Louisiana,
in the Diocese of Lafayette . St. Bernadette Church continues the Sacramental Traditions of Jesus Christ as handed down by the Apostles, we strive to live lives of Communion and Participation as we seek to fulfill the mission bestowed upon us by Christ.
Our Pastor is Father Connor Poirrier.
The Liturgy of the Word for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In today's Gospel reading Peter asks Jesus how many times one ought to extend forgiveness to another. Peter proposes a reasonable number of times, perhaps seven. Jesus replies by extending Peter's proposal by an enormous amount; not just seven times should one forgive, but 77 times. The parable of the unforgiving servant is Jesus' elaboration of his initial reply to Peter. Through the parable we come to understand the depths of God's mercy toward us and the results of our acceptance of God's forgiveness.
The king in the parable decides to settle accounts with his servants. We are told that one servant in particular owes the king an enormous sum of money. Despite the promise of the servant, it is unlikely that he would ever be able to repay the debt that he owes. The king is moved by the humility of the pleading servant and mercifully forgives the debt. Rather than displaying gratitude for this forgiveness, the servant confronts a fellow servant who owes him a small debt-a pittance when compared with the amount that was owed to the king. The unmerciful servant refuses the pleas of his fellow servant and sends the servant to prison.
A few other servants tell the merciful king about the actions of the unforgiving servant. The king punishes the servant because he refused to show the kind of mercy he had himself received from the king. Jesus concludes by indicating that this is how it will be with God and those who refuse to forgive one another.
There is a temptation to quantify forgiveness as Peter tried to do, but Jesus' point is that forgiveness is not about quantity-the number of times we extend forgiveness to another. In the parable the king's forgiveness is like God's forgiveness, and it transforms us, helping us to be as forgiving as God. The lesson is clear: If we hoard God's mercy while showing no mercy to others, we risk forfeiting the effects of God's mercy in our lives.
First Reading
Sirach 27:30-28:9
Those who seek God's mercy must be merciful toward others.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 103:1-4,9-12
A song of praise to God who is kind and merciful.
Second Reading
Romans 14:7-9
We belong to the Lord.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 18:21-35
Jesus teaches that we must forgive one another as God has forgiven us.
Matthew 18:21-35
Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
"Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive?
As many as seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be sold,
along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,
'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.'
Moved with compassion the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a much smaller amount.
He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,
'Pay back what you owe.'
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,
'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
But he refused.
Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison
until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master
and reported the whole affair.
His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant!
I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?'
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers
until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart."
Matthew 18:21-35
A Message from Father Poirrier
Grace and peace in Jesus Christ, my name is Father Poirrier and I am glad to say that I am the new pastor for St. Bernadette! I was ordained a priest on June 5, 2021 for the Diocese of Lafayette, and Bishop Deshotel has graciously placed me here to serve this community of Bayou Vista.
Originating from Scott, I went to high school at Acadiana High after which I discerned the priesthood, entered the seminary, and graduated from St. Joseph's Seminary in 2017 and from Notre Dame Graduate Seminary in 2021. Eight years of schooling and mission work has helped prepare me for my life as a priest.
Some of my favorite hobbies are hunting, cooking, and being with people. I am blessed to have the opportunity to get to know you all and be involved in the many ministries that are here and thriving already. Being present to you all is something I am very much looking forward to.
I am glad that God has placed me here to walk with you all in your relationship with Him. If there is one thing that I wish to communicate in this writing, it is this: I would like to be a bridge between you and Jesus. I will do my best to get to know as many of you as possible while being here, and I will try to deliver my best in regards to preaching, teaching and living the faith. Please feel free to reach out to me whenever you would like. Be assured that I am here for you, Father Poirrier is your priest.
Again, I am excited about being here and hope to be able to walk with you all. Be assured of my love and prayers for you and your families. Please remember me in yours. God Bless!
There is one word that is very easy to pronounce but sometimes very difficult to practice: "Forgiveness."
We can say, "I forgive you," but when we remember what happened, the wound becomes fresh again. We may forgive with our lips, but our hearts continue to carry anger, resentment, and pain.
Today Jesus teaches us one of the most difficult-and most beautiful-lessons of Christian life: we must learn the language of forgiveness.
Let me begin with a powerful story.
The Forgiveness of Gladys Staines
Graham Staines was an Australian missionary who devoted his life to serving people suffering from leprosy in Orissa, India. On January 23, 1999, Graham Staines and his two young sons, Philip and Timothy, were brutally burned alive in their jeep by a group of Hindu fundamentalists led by Dara Singh.
It was a terrible tragedy. A husband was killed. Two young children were killed. A family was shattered.
But what happened afterward touched the conscience of the nation.
Mrs. Gladys Staines, the wife and mother who had lost everything, did not respond with hatred or revenge. She prayed that Jesus would forgive the murderers. She expressed the hope that Christ would touch their hearts so that they would never again do such a terrible thing to another family.
Think about that for a moment.
Hatred said, "Take revenge." Faith said, "Forgive."
The murderers had power over her family's life, but they did not have power over her heart.
That is the victory of forgiveness.
The tragedy showed us the ugliness of hatred; her forgiveness showed us the beauty of Christ.
"A vocation is not a fixed point, but a dynamic process of maturation sustained by intimacy with our Lord. To grow in one's vocation means being with Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to act in our hearts and in the circumstances of life, and reinterpreting everything in light of this gift."
✞ Pope Leo XIV
Everyone Has a Divine Vocation
"Jesus has a specific task in life for each and every one of us. Each one of us is hand-picked, called by name by Jesus! There is no one among us who does not have a divine vocation! Some are called audibly by God, but the usual kind of call is internal, through the inner working of the Spirit."
✞ Homily by Pope Saint John Paul II
I KEEP ROSARIES TUCKED AWAY IN SEVERAL PLACES - IN MY CAR, IN MY DESK DRAWER, IN THE POCKET OF MY COAT - READY WHEN I NEED THEM.
Each mystery of the rosary calls us not just to remember the life of Christ, but to be transformed by it. When I pray the rosary, I'm reminded of our faith's call to mercy, to humility, to sacrifice. And that doesn't stay in the chapel or the car - it moves into daily life.
This year, with our 2026 Bishop's Services Appeal theme Holding the Faith: Decades of Prayer & Service, we reflect on how our collective acts of charity form a powerful chain, much like the rosary itself.
Every act of generosity is like a bead on the rosary, creating the chain of prayer and service that is the Diocese of Lafayette. Your gift becomes more than a donation - it becomes a whispered prayer that links us in an unbroken circle of faith. In this, you bring the Mysteries of the Rosary to life.
Honoring the Queen of Heaven: The Tradition of May Crowning
In May, a month of renewal-of new life and new beginnings-blossoms return and creation awakens. This is when the Catholic Church turns with love and reverence to the Blessed Virgin Mary-our Mother and Queen. Among the most cherished devotions of this season is the May Crowning, a time-honored tradition that lifts our hearts toward heaven through Mary, who always leads us to her Son.
For generations, parishes, schools, and families around the world have marked the month of May with processions, hymns, and flower offerings in honor of Mary. At the heart of these celebrations is the crowning of a statue of the Blessed Virgin-a visible sign of our love for the one who is both Mother of God and Queen of Heaven. We crown Mary because she is, in every way, a queen-not in the worldly sense, but in the kingdom of God. As the Mother of Jesus, the King of Kings, Mary holds a unique and exalted place. Her perfect discipleship, her faithful "yes" to God's will, and her enduring presence with the Church make her the crown of all creation. ✞ St. John's Seminary Blog
Hail, holy Queen enthroned above, oh Maria.
Hail, mother of mercy and of love, oh Maria.
Triumph all ye cherubim, Sing with us ye seraphim.
Heaven and earth resound the hymn.
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina.
The beautiful tradition of May Crowning reflects the beauty of the 5th Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary which it evokes. Honoring Our Lady, Queen of Heaven and Earth, honors her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ Who first crowned her as His Queen. Adorning Our Lady with a crown of flowers is a custom of great devotion to Our Holy Mother and recalls the beauty of her love for us during difficult times in the world.
Our Lady always guides as a loving Mother. Her Immaculate Heart and her maternal beauty will always triumph over the ugliness of sin and suffering.
As we crown the Blessed Virgin on Mother's Day, we ask that she intercede for us to her Son.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Holiness demands a constant effort, but it is possible for everyone because, rather than a human effort, it is first and foremost a gift of God, thrice holy. The Apostle John remarks: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. It is God, therefore, who loved us first and make us his adoptive sons in Jesus. Everything in our lives is a gift of his love: how can we be indifferent before such a great mystery? How can we not respond to the heavenly Father's love by living as grateful children? In Christ, he gave us the gift of his entire self and calls us to a personal and profound relationship with him. Consequently, the more we imitate Jesus and remain united to him the more we enter into the mystery of his divine holiness. We discover that he loves us infinitely, and this prompts us in turn to love our brethren. Loving always entails an act of self-denial, "losing ourselves," and it is precisely this that makes us happy….
In truth, the blessed par excellence is only Jesus. He is, in fact, the true poor in spirit, the one afflicted, the meek one, the one hungering and thirsting for justice, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemaker. He is the one persecuted for the sake of justice.
The Beatitudes show us the spiritual features of Jesus and thus express his mystery, the mystery of his death and Resurrection, of his Passion and the joy of his Resurrection. This mystery, which is the mystery of true blessedness, invites us to follow Jesus and thus to walk toward it. To the extent that we accept his proposal and set out to follow him—each one in his own circumstances—we too can participate in his blessedness. With him, the impossible becomes possible and even a camel can pass through the eye of a needle; with his help, only with his help can we become perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect.
One of the greatest graces for our parish is Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in our chapel.
To quote Pope John Paul II; "We come here to meet the Heart of Jesus pierced for us, from which water and blood gush. It is the redeeming love, which is at the origin of salvation, of our salvation, which is at the origin of the Church. Now still today, the living Christ loves us and presents His Heart to us as the source of our redemption… We are called not only to meditate and contemplate on this mystery of Christ's love; we are called to take part in it. It is the mystery of the Holy Eucharist, the center of our Faith, the center of our worship of Christ's merciful love manifested in His Sacred Heart, a mystery which is adored here night and day. In the Eucharist – this is also the meaning of perpetual adoration – we enter the movement of love from which all interior progress and all apostolate efficacy springs."
Mother Teresa taught "When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now."
This examination of conscience is not intended merely as a checklist to be used prior to confession. The purpose of this examination is to help souls to know what actions or attitudes are sinful and the gravity of the particular sin. The hope is that this knowledge will serve to keep people from committing these sins.
* Three things are necessary for a sin to be mortal: 1. Serious matter (things listed on this sheet); 2. Knowledge or firm belief that the act is seriously wrong prior to committing the act; 3. Full consent to the will.
All three of these conditions must be present simultaneously for a sin to be mortal. This means that if you did not know the act was seriously wrong, then you are not guilty of having committed a mortal sin. If you did not will the act, e.g., if you were forced or if it was in a dream, you are not guilty of having committed a mortal sin.
All mortal sins committed since your last confession must be confessed by both type and number, i.e., the title of the sin and how many times it was done. If there is a mortal sin from the past that was forgotten and has not been confessed, it should be confessed at your next confession. It is not necessary to confess venial sins, but it is a good and pious practice.
There's an old saying that goes, "Once a Catholic, always a Catholic." Maybe you have been away from the Church for a little while or quite some time, but somehow you now feel a tug at your heart calling you back home to the Catholic Church. That's why we're here.
Whether or not you know you want to return to the Catholic Church, we're here to help you take that second look. That mysterious pull inside you, driving you to look into your faith once more, comes directly from God. Your Heavenly Father is yearning for a relationship with you again, in the Church founded by Jesus 2000 years ago. He's waiting for you with open arms. Please Read More...
USCCB - Pro-Life Activities
Laws that permit or promote abortion, infanticide, human cloning, destructive embryo research or physician-assisted suicide ignore the sanctity of each human life and undermine the foundation of a just and healthy society. As citizens and people of faith, each of us should actively advance our convictions in the public square in every legitimate and ethical way. We should rededicate ourselves to upholding the sanctity of human life, and hold those elected to represent us to the same standard. Please Read More...
Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics
This voter's guide helps you cast your vote in an informed manner consistent with Catholic moral teaching.
This voter's guide identifies five issues involving "non-negotiable" moral values in current politics and helps you narrow down the list of acceptable candidates, whether they are running for national, state, or local offices. Please Read More...
Weekly Reflection
Exponential Mercy "That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt."
Matthew 18:23-25
Jesus tells this parable in response to Peter, who asked, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?" Peter likely thought he was being generous. But Jesus invited him to go far beyond what he imagined, responding, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times."
The context is helpful. Not long before this dialogue, Jesus had changed Simon's name to Peter-Petros-meaning "rock," the foundation upon which He would build His Church. He further promised Peter that the gates of hell would not prevail against it and said, "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19).
Soon after that, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where they were privileged to witness His Transfiguration-a glimpse of His divine glory. Peter had also witnessed many other miracles, some quite personal. For example, when asked by tax collectors whether Jesus paid the Temple tax, Jesus told Peter to go to the sea, cast a hook, and open the mouth of the first fish he caught. Inside, he found a coin worth twice the Temple tax-enough for both Jesus and Peter (Matthew 17:27).
Perhaps these recent events in which Peter played a privileged role left him feeling quite favored. He may have begun to think well of himself, sensing a special place in Jesus' mission. Wanting to demonstrate his spiritual maturity, Peter made what he thought was a generous offer: to forgive his brother up to seven times.
In Jewish tradition, to forgive seven times was seen as more than sufficient. The rabbinic teaching often suggested forgiving up to three times, based loosely on interpretations of the Prophet Amos (cf. Amos 1:3). So when Peter offered seven, he was doubling that and adding one for good measure-a symbolic act of exceeding piety.
But Jesus' response radically shifted the paradigm. Seventy-seven times-or, in some manuscripts, seventy times seven-is not a precise numerical limit. It's a symbolic expression that conveys the idea of limitless forgiveness, echoing God's own mercy toward sinners. Jesus was not simply raising the bar; He was inviting Peter-and all of us-into the boundless love of the Father.
The parable Jesus then taught illustrates this clearly: Because God has shown us immeasurable mercy, we must extend mercy to others. But it also begins with a shocking image. When the king began the accounting and the servant who owed a "huge amount" was brought before him-an amount so large he had no way of repaying-the master ordered that the servant, his wife, his children, and all his property be sold. This illustrates the incalculable debt we owe to God for our sins. Not only are we incapable of repaying it, but even everything we hold dear cannot cover the cost. At the heart of the parable is this truth: Unless we extend limitless mercy to others, we will be held accountable for our own unpayable debt before God. But if we imitate God's mercy and forgive from the heart, that enormous debt will be entirely wiped away.
Reflect today on the mercy you have received from God. Has He not been patient with you, gentle with your faults, and generous with His grace? Now consider someone in your life whom you have found difficult to forgive. Does that person's offense compare to the debt God has forgiven you? Let this parable challenge you to a deeper conversion of heart, one that forgives as it has been forgiven, not seven times, but seventy-seven times, and more. Only then will the kingdom of Heaven truly reign in you.
Most generous Lord, You forgive more than seventy-seven times-more than seventy times seven. Your mercy is unconditional in its origin and limitless in its reach, yet it bears one condition: that I, too, show mercy to others. Grant me, dear Lord, a heart that is merciful like Yours, one that participates in and reflects Your Divine Mercy. May I forgive as I have been forgiven, so that the full debt of my sin may be wiped away and that others may be drawn to You through the witness of mercy in my life. Jesus, I trust in You. Source: mycatholic.life
This Sunday the liturgy invites us to reflect on what it means to
truly forgive from the heart. Jesus practically says that to forgive has no limit. Peter thinks he is being
generous when he asks the question: "Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother? As many as
seven times?" In Peter's world, seven was already an abundant number. But Jesus answers, "Not
seven times, but seventy-seven times" - in other words, stop counting; there is no limit in forgiving
for a disciple of Jesus.
To show why, Jesus tells the story of a servant who owes his king an impossible sum - a debt he
could never repay in ten lifetimes. The king forgives it entirely, out of pure compassion. But that
same servant turns around and grabs a fellow servant by the throat over a debt that's almost nothing
by comparison, refusing him any mercy at all. When the king hears of it, he's furious: "Should you not
have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?"
This parable serves as a mirror. Whatever anyone owes us - a hurt, a betrayal, an unkind word - it's almost always
smaller than what God has already forgiven in us. We ask for mercy freely, but we hold on tightly to our right to be
owed. Forgiveness doesn't mean pretending we weren't hurt, and it doesn't happen all at once. But Jesus asks us to
keep letting go, keep releasing the debt, the way we hope God keeps releasing ours.
This week, is there a "debt", a grudge, a resentment - that we've been holding onto? Let's ask God for the grace to
finally set it down.
Get Involved-
Catholics have a long history of action - feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, caring for the poor, praying for souls. Are you doing all you can to help? If not, find out if there is a parish ministry that could use your time, talent, or treasure. Catholics are meant to make a difference.
Lay people who place their time and talent as acolytes (altar servers), lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, cantors, choir members, instrumentalists, and ushers become more fully in union with Christ and with each other.
Our current ministers are ready to partner up with any and all who are willing to say yes. At one time, we were all nervous and feared stepping into the sanctuary of the church - some of us are still nervous today. You don't have to do it alone. We will support and guide you.
Knights
of Columbus
Knights of Columbus Council 6211 is located in Bayou Vista, La. We are currently recruiting new members from the Parish.
Monthly Meetings for the Bayou Vista Knights Council are held on the 1st Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
Location for the meeting is at 113 Sunset Rd, Bayou Vista, LA 70380. KC Council 6211 Contact Info... Knights
of Columbus Info...
St. Bernadette Parsih Pastoral Council and Finance Committee
Holiness demands a constant effort, but it is possible for everyone because, rather than a human effort, it is first and foremost a gift of God, thrice holy. The Apostle John remarks: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. It is God, therefore, who loved us first and make us his adoptive sons in Jesus. Everything in our lives is a gift of his love: how can we be indifferent before such a great mystery? How can we not respond to the heavenly Father's love by living as grateful children? In Christ, he gave us the gift of his entire self and calls us to a personal and profound relationship with him. Consequently, the more we imitate Jesus and remain united to him the more we enter into the mystery of his divine holiness. We discover that he loves us infinitely, and this prompts us in turn to love our brethren. Loving always entails an act of self-denial, "losing ourselves," and it is precisely this that makes us happy….
One of the greatest graces for our parish is Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in our chapel. 
