Ministries
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Adult Faith Formation
Provides programs for the adults in the parish, such as Bible Study, Parish Missions, and specific workshops to educate and inform the members of our faith community. Activities will be advertised through the bulletin and website.
Contact: Deacon Kevin Ryan
Phone: 708-301-3020
Altar ServersAll children of our parish family are called to this special ministry in assisting the priest at the celebration of Mass. Boys and girls in 4th grade and up are encouraged to become altar servers. Training is provided. Each server will be asked to serve 1-2 Masses each month. Most of the time it will be at the Mass your family usually attends; but a few times throughout the year, servers will be asked to help out at another Mass.
This is an excellent way to get your children involved early in learning how to be an important part of our parish family by becoming an altar server. All of us are called to minister in our church, even the young. Adults are also welcome to become Altar Servers!
Contact: Deacon Kevin Ryan
Phone: 708-301-3020Charitable Action
This organization meets one Tuesday each month and is devoted to helping those in need in our Parish and surrounding community.
Contact: Chris Knop or Kathy Birch
Phone: 708-301-3020Council of Catholic Women (Women's Club)
Meet the 1st Tuesday of the month at the Pastoral Center at 6:30 pm to discuss and plan upcoming events
Open to all women of the parish
There is something for everyone’s interest be it social, spiritual or educational at the events
Contact: Pat Serafini
Phone: 708-610-0593Dinner Club
This is a casual group that meets for good food, meeting new friends and having a fun night out. Groups of 8-10 meet on Saturday evenings five times a year. Singles as well as married couples are welcome. Similar to a "progressive dinner format," each couple or single brings an assigned dish (appetizer, salad, vegetable, dessert). The host provides the location, main course and beverages. It's a great way to meet, and get to know, fellow parishioners.
Contact: Sue Sebranek
Phone: 708-301-3020Eucharistic Ministers
The ministry of those serving as Eucharistic Ministers should be an outgrowth of a personal spirituality and community service. We are all called to serve our parish community in some way. By being a Eucharistic Minister, one helps to bring Christ to others in a special way.
All who are a part of this ministry are appointed for a three year term. You aid in the distribution of the Eucharist at weekend and Holy Day Masses. You also extend a sign of welcome and blessing to all those who approach the Table of the Lord at Communion time but who do not receive the Eucharist. Training is provided.
Contact: Deacon Kevin Ryan
Phone: 708-301-3020Garden Club
Did you notice the beautiful plants/flowers this past growing season outside St. Bernards? The Gardening Ministry had many Gardening Angels who tirelessly maintained the gardens from Spring to Fall. A big thank you to everyone who worked in all kinds of weather. Also, thanks go out to everyone who dropped a little something in our donation container. Because of your generosity, we were able to buy plants, top soil, and mulch. As well, thanks to everyone who noticed the improvement in the gardens and mentioned it. It's a great affirmation that all our hard work is paying off. The first informational meeting of the season will be the end of March. Watch the bulletin for the exact day.
Contact: Parish Office
Phone: 708-301-3020Grief Support Group
While we have experienced a loss of our loved ones, recently or over time, there will be times when we struggle with that loss. Most recently more and more people have asked for St. Bernard’s to have a Support Program where we can come together to be with one another as we deal with our grief. If you wish to reach out to your family & friends who may not see this invitation, please do so with a kind heart. Please see the Calendar for meeting dates.
Upcoming Meetings: March 21st and April 4th (1pm at St. Bernard's)
Contact: Deacon Kevin Ryan
Phone: 708-301-3020
Email: deaconkib@comcast.netHands of Care
This is a caring, confidential group of trained Lay Ministers available to make hospital and home visits. They are commissioned also to bring Communion to those who are unable to get to Mass because of illness, handicap or related circumstances which keep one confined to home. Training is provided.
Contact: Deacon Kevin Ryan
Phone: 708-301-3020Happy Hours
Our Seniors meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Pastoral Center from 11:30-2:30 for food and fellowship.
Contact: Deacon Kevin Ryan
Phone: 708-301-3020Hospitality & Welcoming
Hosts & Hostesses welcome you for "coffee & donuts fellowship" after our weekend liturgies once a month. Members of this ministry also help welcome new parishioners.
Contact: Leticia Roppo
Phone: 708-301-3020Knights of Columbus
The Knights was originally formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.
Contact: Deacon Kevin Ryan
Phone: 708-301-3020Men's Club
The Men’s Club Ministry of St. Bernard’s meets the first Tuesday of the month at Church at 7:00pm. They organize Friday Fish Fry; Trunk-or-Treat; Cookies with Santa; Fishing Derby; Chili Tasting; and donate to as many of the parish ministries as possible throughout the year. Consider joining them!
Contact: John Callaghan
Phone: 708-301-4674Ministry of Compassion
The members of this ministry visit the local funeral homes during wakes or memorial services on behalf of St. Bernard Parish Family to pray for the families, the beloved deceased & to offer comfort at this time of loss. Training is available to anyone that feels called for this ministry.
Contact: Rectory
Phone: 708-301-3020Music Ministry
The gift of music may be given back to the Lord and shared with our parish community in several ways.
The Adult Choir meets for rehearsal on Thursdays and leads the assembly in song at one of the weekend liturgies. They also sing for special liturgies throughout the year. The choir especially needs a few male voices
The Children’s Choir meets for rehearsal on Thursdays. A permission slip can be obtained through Religious Ed or Julie Kane. The children’s choir is open to singers in grades 1– 8.
Our gift of music comes from the Lord. He has not created all of us to be professional musicians. Use the unique gift He has given you to praise His Holy Name!
Contact: Julie Kane
Phone: 708-301-3020Proclaimers/Lectors
The role of proclaimer dates back to the early days of the Church. The lay ministry of the Word is one of the earliest and richest traditions of the Church. Jesus, Himself, was a forerunner of the Christian proclaimer. And in the early Church, Ministers of the Word were sent by their Christian community to proclaim the Good News of salvation in Jesus. The call to proclaim the Word of God is an honor and a responsibility. Those serving in this ministry are enriched through their study of Sacred Scripture. The proclaimer gives public witness to his/her fundamental beliefs.
Men, women and teens of the parish are called to proclaim the Scripture readings at our weekend liturgies. They are a part of the procession in and out, carrying the Book of Sacred Scripture. They also lead the assembly in the Prayers of the Faithful. You may volunteer anytime to be a proclaimer. Training is provided.
Contact: Deacon Kevin Ryan
Phone: 708-301-3030
Ushers
Ushers are special people because they are the first people the parishioners meet as all gather for the celebration of the Eucharist. Their duties include welcoming people as they arrive for Mass, assisting in seating, ringing the bell before Mass, taking up the collection, arranging for the gifts to be brought to the altar, aiding in the flow of parishioners receiving communion and passing out bulletins after Mass. Men, women and couples are urged to participate in this ministry of hospitality.
Contact: Deacon Kevin Ryan
Phone: 708-301-3020