Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.
Saint John XXIII Catholic School
The St. John XXIII School is a kindergarten through 8th grade elementary and middle school under the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Schools Office. The curriculum stresses academic achievement within a Catholic community where the child feels that he/she is loved and respected by his/her peers, as well as by the teachers.
Contact: saintjohnxxiii.org 480.905.0939
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
The St. Bernadette Children’s Faith Formation program brings children closer to Christ through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This program is meant to help children preschool through 5th grade - not attending the St. John XXIII School - develop a intimate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, while fostering a love for the Sacred Scripture, Liturgy, while experiencing the love of God. We accomplish this through evangelization and catechesis based on the four pillars of the Catechism: Creed (Scripture and Tradition), liturgy and sacraments, Catholic morality, and prayer.
Contact: Mindy Longwell 480.905.0221 x208
Vacation Bible School
As summer begins, over 100 children and volunteers gather at St. Bernadette to celebrate the Bible’s demonstration of God’s love at Vacation Bible School (VBS). Each year, we teach and learn through games, crafts, songs, and storytelling. We encourage all potty trained four-year-olds through incoming 5th graders to consider joining the experience!
Contact: Brittany Allen 480.905.0221
EDGE
We have many opportunities to get involved in Jr. High youth ministry, from our weekly programs. EDGE is a Catholic middle school youth ministry program held on Wednesday evenings at 6pm-7:30pm in the old Mass Chapel. It provides a safe, fun place for youth to find a solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. This is an opportunity for growth, fun, reflection, prayer, and identifying who we are through the eyes of God.
Contact: Julia McDonald 480.905.0221 x209
Rite of Christian Initiation for Children
RCIC is intended for children and youth not baptized as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age (ages 8 - 13). The Christian initiation of these children requires both a conversion that is personal and somewhat developed in proportion to their age.
Children above second grade who are baptized and have not celebrated their first Reconciliation or received first Holy Communion are also included in this process. After this year, they then move into their correct grade level in Children’s Faith Formation.
Contact: Mindy Longwell 480.905.0221 x209
LIFE TEEN
Sundays immediately following the 5:00p.m. Mass. Here high school students have many opportunities to get involved in youth ministry, from our weekly programs - to annual retreats, and to different high school adventures. We also offer opportunities for parents of the high school teens to build community with each other.
Contact: Sammie Carel 480.905.0221 x204
Lisieux Sorority
The purpose of the Lisieux Sorority is to bring middle school and high school girls together to create a community that develops “sisterhood” centered around the love of Christ and his Holy Church. The sisterhood is built on the pillars of Charity, Honesty, Purity, and Simplicity. The sorority offers a unique opportunity for sophomore through senior girls to grow in faith together. Girls join the sorority through an invitation process.
Contact: Julia McDonald 480.905.0221 x209
Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens
Based on the RCIA process, the RCIT program is the basic process where teens may learn about the Roman Catholic faith and, if they wish, begin their journey toward becoming a member of the Church.
Contact: Sammie Carel 480.905.0221 x204
Young Adults
Young Adult Nights are a great opportunity to gather with other young adults to praise God through fellowship, music, prayer, talks, and discussions. Antioch meetings are also a wonderful opportunity to make and foster friendships that will support you in your decision to follow Christ and his Church each year.
Contact: Sammie Carel 480.905.0221 x204
Bible Study
Bible Study is offered throughout the year, with both a morning and evening time option. The primary objectives of St. Bernadette Bible studies are to develop a stronger basis in the foundations of our faith; foster spiritual formation; and nurture a spiritual community to know, love, and serve God and our neighbor.
Contact: Deacon Al Homiski 480.905.0221
Blessed is She
This ministry offers women a rare opportunity to reflect on where you are now and where you are going in your relationship with God and others. Now is the time to come away for a morning or evening, and spend time with others who are on the same journey as you. The retreats are offered at different times throughout the year.
Contact: Sammie Carel 480.905.0221 x204
That Man is You
That Man is You! honestly addresses the pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture, especially those relating to their roles as husbands and fathers. The program harmonizes current social and medical science with the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of man fully alive!
Contact: Fr. Paul Avarez 480.905.0221
Exodus 90
The goal of Exodus 90 is spiritual freedom. We are all attached and/or addicted to sins or material things that are holding us back from being the men God created us to be. Going back to the roots of the Christian Faith through the ancient traditions of the Church of prayer, penance, and community helps us to free ourselves so that we can be the husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, and leaders that we are meant to be.
Contact: Fr. Don Kline, V.F. 480.905.0221 - exodus90.com
Fiat 40
Fiat 40 is designed to help you fully receive the life-changing graces being offered by God through a commitment in three areas: prayer, asceticism, sorority.
Contact: Fr. Don Kline, V.F. 480.905.0221 - fiat40.weebly.com
Into the Deep
Each monthly presentation provides an opportunity to take a deeper look at what we believe as Catholics and why we believe it. There’s no need to sign up, and each session will be a stand alone event meaning you don’t have to have attended a previous session to know what’s going on. These events are the perfect opportunities for inviting friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers who may be interested in Catholicism but not quite ready to make a significant commitment.
Contact: Fr. Don Kline, V.F. 480.905.0221
Life Groups
Life groups are small small Christian faith community, typically no more than 15 people, that meet in homes during the week to provide an opportunity to build community and grow in the faith. Each group has a host, either an individual or couple, that provides a welcoming atmosphere and helps facilitate the group.
Contact: Fr. Paul Avarez 480.905.0221
Into the Breach
Into the Breach is a study group is open to all men of faith. We take a deep dive into Bishop Olmsted’s incredible insights on what it means to be a Catholic man in today’s world.
Contact: Fr. Don Kline, V.F. 480.905.0221
Married4Life
The mission of Married4Life is to affirm and strengthen Christ-centered, Catholic marriages at St. Bernadette. This is done by sponsoring four events each year—three date nights and one retreat—to allow married couples at St. Bernadette to build relationships with others, find encouragement through sharing of marriage testimonies, and by learning practical tools to strengthen their marriages.
Contact: Brittany Allen 480.905.0221
Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS)
MOMS is an 8-session small group peer ministry for personal and spiritual growth using the book MOMS: A Personal Journal. This session runs from January until mid-April and has limited space available.
Contact: saintjohnxxiii.org 480.905.0939
Mothers for Children
The Mothers for Children group is a bi-weekly gathering for mothers with children of all ages who wish to grow in their vocation of motherhood. Through speakers and group discussions, we tackle important issues we face in raising our children in the Catholic faith. Babysitting is provided.
Contact: Mitzi Palma 480.905.0221
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The RCIA program guides people on a journey of faith—one that involves our whole community. The process is a series of carefully planned stages, marked by liturgical rites in the presence of the whole community, in which new Catholics embark on and join us in a continuing and deepening conversion into faith and discipleship. Classes start at the beginning of September, with candidates entering the Church at the Easter Vigil in the spring (March/April).
Contact: Shirley Smalley 480.905.0221
More Information
For more information on how to get involved with outreach programs for the community, as well as parish-oriented ministries and groups please read the Parish Ministries guide. All parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully discern where their gifts can be best utilized in our community.
Questions?
Send us an email at volunteers@saintbernadette.com!