Dear Saint Bernadette Family,
Thank you to everyone who joined us in our LiveStream of the Mass this past Sunday (and thanks for your patience with our technical difficulties on Saturday). I look forward to seeing all of you again in person, but during this time as we consider the health of our community, we keep vigil together from our homes. As we approach Holy Week, I want to recommend that we all set an intention this week to fully prepare to receive Christ into our homes so that we can worship Him there.
We are excited to gather with you virtually, along with others from the Archdiocese of Louisville, through the Cathedral of the Assumption's Livestream of the Palm Sunday Mass, which we will be at 12pm on Sunday, April 5. Here’s the link to access the Livestream: https://www.cathedraloftheassumption.org/
But first, let us remember that the Church teaches that our families' homes are the Domestic Church. “The Church is nothing other than ‘the family of God.’ From the beginning, the core of the Church was often made of those who had become believers 'together with all their household' (CCC, 1655).” This means that Saint Bernadette is built up of many domestic churches — because each of your homes is a Domestic Church.
So I want to encourage all of us to make our homes sacred starting this week.
So I want to encourage all of us to make our homes sacred starting this week.
Live in the Light
Designate a spot in your home to become your “home altar” around your viewing device (computer, phone, tablet). Decorate the area with items like icons, candles, or rosaries that will lift your mind and heart to God. If you’d like ideas on how to do this, you can use this guide from Blessed Is She.
Take 10 minutes and make a small home altar today. As Catholics, we believe God gave us this physical world to experience physically. Once you have made a home altar, gather around your new home altar together as a family, and invite God into the physical spaces you will be spending much of your time in over the next few weeks.
We encourage you to share your photo of your "home altar" on our Facebook Page or email us the picture at pictures@stb2008.org.
Fr. Jeff’s Tip for Preparing for Holy Week
Once you have a sacred space set up in your home, you can use this space to honor the Sabbath this weekend! Here are the readings for this weekend. I recommend that you take some time with your family together to read through them and reflect on them before Mass on Sunday. This way, when we join the Cathedral for Mass via Livestream, you are spiritually ready!
Tune in Saturday night at 5pm (April 4) as Fr. Jeff and Dr. Sharon Schuhmann break open the Palm Sunday Gospel with a Preaching Encounter. www.stb2008.org and https://www.facebook.com/SaintBernadetteLouisville.
Then on Sunday at 12pm, join us for Mass via Livestream through the Cathedral of the Assumption's Livestream, https://www.cathedraloftheassumption.org/
We invite you to join with your family at home and participate as much as you are able during the Livestream, bringing your concerns, your loved ones, and your intentions for the world to the altar.
I am with you in spirit and in prayer. We will get through this together.
Fr. Jeff
I am with you in spirit and in prayer. We will get through this together.
Fr. Jeff
Please consider donating online so that we can continue to support our community during this time of need. Click here to donate: https://stb2008.weshareonline.org/