In the latter part of 2025, and continuing through 2026, all parish groups—and indeed all parishioners—have been invited to take part in our Parish Formation Meetings, held four times during the year.
These gatherings are an opportunity to deepen our shared understanding of the mission of the Church at St Bernadette’s. In particular, they help us to integrate the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) Pastoral Plan with the charism of the Oratory of St Philip Neri, and with the concrete life of our parish—something for which we all share a responsibility.
It is important to say: this does not mean that you are expected to join a parish group if you are not already part of one. Rather, the aim is awareness, shared listening, and a growing sense of the whole—listening both to one another and to those who present.
At our first meeting this year, held at the end of February, we heard presentations from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), Life Teen, and Confirmation, along with a glimpse into the many encouraging developments in these areas. The Parish Finance Council also presented on parish finances. All of this was situated within the wider vision of the Pastoral Plan and the Oratorian charism.
Our next meeting will take place on Saturday, 20 June, and all parishioners are warmly encouraged to save the date:
- 08:30 – 09:10: Holy Mass (enter via Fordyce Road)
- 09:15 – 12:00: Meeting in the Parish Hall
Please do join us—come and see.
This is a chance to learn more about the life of the parish, our shared mission, our joys and challenges, and our hopes for the future.