Spirituality & Faith Formation Ministries

Contact the rectory at 708-422-8995 for more information about any of the Spirituality and Faith Formation ministries.

Eucharistic Adoration
Every First Friday of the month beginning after 8:30 am Mass and continuing until 8:00 am Saturday you will have a chance to spend one hour of time in front of our Lord, truly present in the Eucharist, exposed in Fr. Laske Chapel. We also have an open committee position. Our main goal is to bring more people to Jesus.

Men’s Fellowship and Faith Sharing
Men’s Fellowship and Faith Sharing provides a way for the men of our parish to discover and awaken their spiritual lives in order to enrich their relationships at home, at work and in the community. Monthly gatherings provide the opportunity to re-examine personal priorities, goals, paths to spiritual happiness which lead to developing a deep relationship with Christ. Every gathering begins with prayer and a reading from Scripture which becomes the basis for discussion. The goal is for every participant to leave with a broader knowledge of his faith and perhaps a plan to apply this newfound knowledge in everyday life.

Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Every Wednesday at 7:30 pm devotees to our Mother of Perpetual Help from the Filipino-American parishioners of various parishes come to pray the novena in her honor. Mass is celebrated the first Wednesday of the month after which the novena follows. The novena to our Blessed Mother is a means of strengthening our faith and also to obtain perpetual help not only spiritually, but also for personal needs thru her intercession. The group was started twelve years ago. A weekly voluntary contribution is donated to the church of St. Bernadette.
Everyone is welcome to attend.

R.C.I.A.
Adults wishing to become Catholic are welcome to participate in the R.C.I.A. process. At weekly gatherings the team teaches, encourages, shares faith, and helps participants to grow in their relationship with God. Through special rites which are celebrated at the Sunday Mass, they are introduced and welcomed into the parish community. The process culminates with the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation –Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist – at the Easter Vigil celebration.

R.C.I.A. Sponsor
Sponsors accompany the candidates through the R.C.I.A. process by attending weekly sessions with them supporting and encouraging them and giving witness to their moral character, journey of faith, and intention to become Catholic.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)
CLOW takes place during Sunday Mass time. It gives children the opportunity to go with Catechists during the Liturgy of the Word part of the Mass. They hear the readings from the Children’s lectionary, adapted to be more easily understood by young people. The Catechists discuss the readings in language children can relate to. Children get a chance to take part in the discussion. A team of two Catechists is assigned each Sunday during the school year.

Wedding Rehearsal Coordinators
Share the joy of a bridal couple by guiding the bridal party through the wedding rehearsal. You are teamed with another person. Training is provided. Generally rehearsals are held on either Thursday or Friday evening. Total time for each rehearsal is about 75 minutes. This is a ministry that has been serving our parish for over ten years.

Youth Ministry
All teens who are entering 8th grade to those who have graduated high school are welcome to join St. Bernadette's Youth Ministry.  Youth Ministry engages in various service and ministry projects, seeking to respond to Christ’s call in the Gospel: “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” Youth Ministry has facilitated service work with organizations like Southwest Chicago PADS; Misericordia; Harmony, Hope, and Healing; Evergreen Park’s Village Garden; and Evergreen Health Care Center. Bernadette Youth also facilitates social events like softball, volleyball, summer barbecues, and open gyms.