St Bernadette Church
6543 - 132nd Street V3W 4L4 Surrey, BC, Canada

I had hoped, sincerely hoped, that we would not all be tried once again in body and spirit by such a severe second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The restric...tions placed on banning congregations, even limited ones, from attending Holy Mass are, of course, a matter of grave concern to us both as Catholics and as citizens of British Columbia. The faithful of the Archdiocese have been exemplary in respecting the health orders of the provincial government because they care for the well-being of their neighbour, especially the most vulnerable among us. It must be recognized that we are making a great sacrifice and observing a Eucharistic fast which, I pray, will bring us the Lord’s blessings. Certainly we must pray that the situation will soon change, so that we can return to Mass with a congregation, even if reduced in number. It is important to point out to the authorities, who are struggling valiantly in so many ways to maintain public health, as is their mandate, that for the past six months we have kept our churches open for Mass, all the while scrupulously observing all the precautions put in place. In fact, not one of 78 parishes has been the location of a community outbreak of the virus. No evidence has been forthcoming to help us understand why worship in Catholic churches must be curtailed from its current status so as not to put a strain on our health-care system, a system that certainly needs to be protected for the common good. In light of this record within the Archdiocese, it is puzzling, to say the least, to comprehend why our facilities can be used and we are delighted that they are for meetings such as AA in the basement, while not even limited worship can take place upstairs in the church. As I mentioned in the letter written last Thursday: From today’s order it seems that religious institutions are not being treated with the same consideration regarding the number present at religious gatherings compared to that at secular indoor gatherings. The reason why gathering for worship in limited numbers where all safety precautions are met is not allowed, while bars and restaurants and gyms can remain open with measures that are no more safe, is simply baffling. That is why the new provincial health order is hard to understand, and why I hope that a further explanation from the provincial government now that there has been time for further reflection will be forthcoming. To limit the religious freedom of believers to worship is a very serious matter, since such freedom is specifically protected in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We all want to protect the health of British Columbians, but that burden should not must not fall unjustifiably or unequally on communities of faith. Our Catholic churches, of course, will remain open for prayer, adoration and individual Confession. Even without a congregation present, Mass will be offered daily for the faithful. The Church can not and does not stop the theme we coined in the early days of the pandemic. The Psalm proposed for today’s Mass is the well-known and comforting one that in times such as these we do well to bear in mind: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. . . . Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me (Ps 23:1.4).

Some insight from our Shepherd.

Please take note of what these new public health orders mean for our parish community. Share with those who may not have access online. And stay safe!!

Our parishioners are encouraged to once again participate in St. Bernadette Surrey’s annual Lights of Hope. Donations can be made online this year on our parish website under Donate.

Information in this post indicates we will not be allowed to exceed the 50 person limit until phase 4. We will continue to register our parishioners; please contact us by email or telephone before Wednesday to be on the rotating list of attendees for your preferred weekend Mass time.

Our deepest condolences are extended to Lois' family! Funeral Mass is by invitation only and parishioners are invited to view the live stream Funeral Mass on Tuesday, July 14 at 1pm on the St. Bernadette YouTube page. Condolences may be offered on the obituary page at https://www.bakerviewcrematorium.com/obitu/lois-charlebois/

Our deepest condolences are extended to Doreen's family! Parishioners are invited to view the live stream funeral mass on Saturday, June 27 at 11am on the St. Bernadette YouTube page. https://www.bakerviewcrematorium.com/obituary/doreen-junk/

As protests against racism, injustice, and violence are taking place in the United States, Canada, and around the world, I invite the faithful of the Archdioces...e of Vancouver to recognize the serious problems that the protesters are raising and to contribute to the dialogue with earnest prayer and active participation. Although the protests over the tragic death of George Floyd began in the U.S., the underlying issues have to be faced head-on with an individual and collective examination of conscience in light of Sacred Scripture. All humans share a common origin; all are created in God’s image (Gen 1:27); and all are brothers and sisters. In the Gospel, Jesus ministered to everyone, regardless of race, sex, political affiliation, or social or economic status. The Apostle Paul wrote, we are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28). As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it, all men and woman share a basic equality and any kind of social or cultural discrimination in basic personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, colour, social conditions, language, or religion, must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design (n. 1935). Humanity exists as a single human family, within which any claim to racial superiority has no place. Last week Premier John Horgan likewise addressed discrimination: Hate has no place in British Columbia, he said. In recent days, thousands have gathered in Vancouver peacefully to protest racial injustice in its many forms. These protests reflect justifiable anger and frustration because racist attitudes and discrimination have been tolerated for far too long. We are hearing from people who have been discriminated against and persecuted because of the colour of their skin. The number of reported anti-Asian hate crimes has risen in Metro Vancouver during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are fully aware of the racism and substandard living conditions faced by many Indigenous Canadians. And every year, hundreds of religious hate crimes occur in our country, particularly against Muslims and Jews. Racism still affects our culture, often in hidden or unconscious ways. The wound of racial injustice keeps returning to poison human relations. It causes great harm to its victims and corrupts the hearts of its perpetrators. Racism is an evil that erodes the core of society. The Second Vatican Council put it this way: Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and peoples of the one human race is a source of scandal and militates against social justice, equity, human dignity, as well as social and international peace (Gaudium et Spes, n. 29). God demands that we work with vigour and courage to end racism by fostering structures and policies of economic and social justice. The fight against racism requires a personal change of heart. What is needed is a genuine interior conversion the long road of a conversion that will compel personal change and systemic social reform. The faithful have an obligation in charity to address the suffering and injustice experienced by any of our brothers and sisters. As Pope Francis said, We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life. Fortunately, we are witnessing peaceful dialogue taking place in Canada, making it possible for rational discussion of critical issues, from racism to excess use of force by police. Let us bring a Christian voice to the discussion, while praying for peaceful dialogue and for all those who, in recent days, have died or suffered from violence and the sin of racism.

"Had I been forgetting a word in my Hail Marys? Was I not sitting still enough during silent prayer? I can remember attending eucharistic Adoration, witnessing people next to me with tears streaming down their faces... And then I would sit there, doing my best to pray but there was nothing. Was I just not any good at it?" God desires to speak with us daily but that doesn't mean hearing His voice is always easy.

This video touches on a few key elements on what to expect when returning to Mass. Enjoy!

We are open for weekend Masses! PLEASE REGISTER by contacting the parish office by phone or email. At this time, it is still recommended that children and persons over the age of 65 do not expose themselves to the risks of participating in groups settings such as a public Mass. For those who are not able to participate in public Mass, we will continue to live stream our 10am Sunday Mass until the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass has been lifted. (ht...tps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ57CwGGP5KLW14cYLVIMZA) If you wish to attend Mass, please contact the parish office BEFORE WEDNESDAY (604-596-0566 or [email protected]) to register for your preferred Mass time. Public Masses at St. Bernadette Parish will only include the four weekend Masses at this time, as per our regular schedule: Saturdays at 5pm, Sundays at 8:30am, 10am, and 11:30am. Ushers will be at the entrance to the church to check in attendees against the registration list to ensure that we don’t exceed the limit of 50 people in the building, and so we can provide provincial health authorities the ability to track should a case occur in our parish. In order to allow everyone an opportunity to attend Mass, we may need to rotate to every three weeks. Your ability to attend will be confirmed at the time that you contact the parish office. A few things to notesocial distancing will be required at all times, both in the church and in the parking lots; Mass will be shortened; the washrooms will be closed; gloves and masks are to be disposed of upon exiting the church in the bin provided. If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the parish office. Blessings and stay safe, The St. Bernadette Parish Team