Parish Events

“… the indulgence is a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God’s mercy. Not by chance, for the ancients, the terms ‘mercy’ and ‘indulgence were interchangeable, as expressions of the fullness of God’s forgiveness, which knows no bounds … [For] “as we know from personal experience, every sin ‘leaves its mark’. Sin has consequences, […]

St Gregory of Narek, Commemoration 27th February Saint Gregory of Narek was a 10th-century Armenian monk, poet and also composer. Among his writings are a spiritual interpretation of the Old Testament book the Song of Songs, and an extended poem called the “Book of Lamentations”. Venerated particularly by Armenian Christians, among whom he has long been

Every year, the Society of St Vincent de Paul at St Bernadette’s organises a Lenten collection for the families of our Walmer outreach project. We therefore once again appeal to you to help us with this collection by donating some of the items on this list or by making a monetary donation towards the purchase

This week, the installation of the organ was completed. Apart from a few small additions to be made (such as an enclosure to reduce the noise of the motor), the organ is ready and will be heard at some of the Masses this Sunday. Providentially it was played for the first time on Wednesday, 11th

The season of Lent begins this week with Ash Wednesday (18th February) when we start our annual season of penance in preparation for Easter, with its emphasis on increased spiritual discipline and observance of the practices of penitence. The ceremonies of Ash Wednesday include at each Mass the imposition of ashes, expressive of the words

Special Collection – The SACBC Lenten Appeal is an annual fundraising initiative by the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC).  It takes place during the Lenten season as a way for Catholics to support the Church’s mission, charity, and social justice efforts.  The funds raised are used for: Priestly and Religious Formation; Evangelization and Faith Formation; Justice and

This week we conclude our two part series on the importance of the pipe organ in Church teaching. The organ has been of particular interest in papal and conciliar documents on the Sacred Liturgy, and as the installation of our new pipe organ in St Bernadette’s moves towards its conclusion we consider afresh what the Church

This week it was announced that St John Henry Newman, of the Oratory, and recently declared Doctor of the Church and Patron of Catholic Education, is to be inserted into the General Roman Calendar, meaning that he will be celebrated internationally across the entire Roman Rite on 9th October. Up to this time, the liturgical

“The fruits of the Spirit …  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control – are the result of cooperation between grace and our freedom. These fruits always express the creativity of the person, in which ‘faith works through love’ (cf. Gal 5:6), sometimes in a surprising and joyful way. Not everyone in the Church can be an

This Sunday we rejoice to celebrate the solemnity of Our Lady of the Flight into Egypt, the Patronal feast of our diocese. In this feast we commemorate our patroness, the Holy Virgin, in the mystery of her accompanying Our Lord and St Joseph into the country of Egypt to flee from the wrath of Herod