UPDATE AS OF JUNE 15, 2021
CHURCH UPDATES

As restrictions are lifted and parishes fully reopen, our main priority throughout the pandemic, has been for the well-being of our parishioners. Below are new guidelines that were developed after consulting with our Parish leadership team and reviewing guidelines given to us by the Archdiocese, CDC, state and local government entities.

Effective beginning Wednesday, June 16, 2021:

  • No reservations are required to attend Mass.

  • No capacity limitations on liturgical celebrations and other religious services, except for Baptisms which are restricted to 50 individuals per family.

  • No social distancing is required.

  • Face coverings are not required for fully vaccinated individuals. Parishioners can still choose to wear one if they wish.

  • Face coverings are required for unvaccinated individuals, outside where social distancing is not available, and indoors at all times.

  • Parishioners are asked to assess their health prior to coming to Mass. If you feel sick, please refrain from attending Mass.

  • Employees and volunteers at Mass must continue to wear face coverings in church while serving.

  • There is open seating in the church. We have designated Section 1 (pew area closest to the Mary & Joseph statues) with 3 feet social distancing markers in the pews if you wish more space.

  • Chairs will be available outside the church for those individuals who wish to remain outdoors.

  • North and South side facing doors will be open for entering and exiting the church. Hand sanitizer dispensers will be at the doors.

  • Restrooms are open to the public.

  • Collection baskets will remain at the back of the church on the baptismal font for donations.

  • Holy Communion will continue to be offered in the form of bread and in the hand only.

  • Drive through Confessions will continue on Saturdays from 9AM - 10AM. There may be changes to confessions beginning July.

  • Drive through Communion will continue through the month of June on Sundays from 8:30AM - 9:30AM. In July, we will shorten the time period to 8:30AM-9:00AM.

  • The church will use air conditioning as the weather warrants.

  • Mass times will remain at the current schedule through the summer. Changes may be made in the fall.

Stay tuned for more changes to come. If you have any questions, please contact our parish office at (818) 888-8200 or at parishoffice.org.

Thank you for your patient endurance and understanding as we navigate through this ever changing situation. May God continue to keep you and your families safe and healthy.

The Parish Leadership Team
TOGETHER IN MISSION 2021

This weekend starts our Together in Mission 2021 "Forward with Faith" Annual Appeal. Please attend Mass, virtually or in-person, so we can pray and reflect on how we can help our struggling parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. One in EVERY 5 parishes needs financial assistance and 1 in every 4 Catholic schools needs critical funds to keep their doors open.

St. Bernardine of Siena Parish's goal this year is $101,122. Together, let's make a difference for those in need especially after this most challenging year.
There are 4 ways to give to our Together in Mission campaign:


  • Text FORWARD21 to 213-397-0682

  • Use the QR Code.

  • Pick up a Together in Mission envelope found in the church or in the Parish Office. Complete the form and turn it into the Together in Mission baskets at the church or the office.

Thank you!!!
FATHER'S DAY NOVENA

We honor our fathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, godfathers, and grandfathers. There are also those men, who wanted to be fathers, but one reason or another did not have get that gift. Why not honor these men with prayers and words of appreciation?

If you would like your father or any of the above named men prayed for during a Novena starting on Father's Day, June 20th, then please pick up a beautiful inspired card available in the church foyer or the Parish Center Office starting this weekend. Please take a card, fill out his name on the outer envelope and drop it into the collection basket or in the mail box outside the Parish Center Office. For any questions, please contact our office at (818) 888 -8200.
FOOD GATHERING SUNDAY - JUNE 20th

This Sunday, June 20th, we will be collecting food for the Guadalupe Center and their Loaves and Fishes Pantry. The center is in need of soups, pasta, pasta or tomato sauces, dry beans, tuna packets, canned meats, canned fruits or vegetables, small flip top lid items, crackers, peanut butter, and jelly. Please have your donations by the church no later than 11:00 AM this Sunday. Thank you for your continued support for those less fortunate in our community.

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES ABOUD AS WE RE-OPEN

Reopening our parish means that we must have a lot of parishioners step forward to enter into our ministries. This past year has taken its toll on many of our volunteers who feel the need to stay safe and limit a lot of their activities or who have stepped down for a variety of reasons.

Each one of us has different interests and talents, but all of us are called to be disciples and good stewards of those gifts that God has given us for the good of the church and the witnessing of the Gospel. Many of these opportunities do not take a lot of time but are critical for us as we gather again more fully as a community of faith.

As we re-open our parish life and schedule of Masses, liturgical ministries are in desperate need for additional members at weekend and daily Masses. These ministries of service enable the entire community to gather, hear the Word of God, receive Christ in the Eucharist and have their hearts lifted up to find new hope and strength.

This is a perfect opportunity for parishioners who are new to the parish, have recently retired or found themselves with a little more time available or simply have found the Lord calling you to something more.
We are looking for: Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Cross Bearers, Bereavement Helpers, Baptism Team Members. No experience is necessary. We will train you. If interested, please contact:

Beth Downing (Eucharistic Ministers) - (818) 631-5700
Jenn Nelson (Ushers) - (805) 824-2269
Cathy Barkes (Bereavement) - (747) 888-9758
Dave Goracke (Cross Bearers) - (818) 347-0192
Tim Finch (Lectors) (818) 917-9145

We also are looking for volunteers for our Prison Ministry. Write to an inmate in San Quentin. This is a letter writing ministry only and your personal address is not used. Due to the COVID outbreak, the men no longer receive visits and are looking for someone to write to. This is a very rewarding ministry. For more information, please contact Kathy Lyons at (818) 635-7881

May God bless each member of our community here at St. Bernardines as we enter into this opportunity of our own renewal after COVID.


CONFIRMATION

Growing in our Christian faith is a life-long journey. The process of preparing for Confirmation is based on the belief that adolescents are at a significant point in their lives where they are establishing their faith identity. It's a time where they go beyond their life as child and begin to share and grow in their faith through and with others.
 
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation we receive a special grace and power from the Holy Spirit and we are fully initiated in the Catholic Church. 
 
The Confirmation program at St. Bernardine's is a two-year process. One must be in high school to participate. Each candidate is required to participate in a number of ways: Pray daily, attend Wednesday night youth meetings, attend Sunday Faith Days, participate in Sunday Mass weekly, perform monthly liturgical service at Mass, attend one retreat each year and perform assigned community service projects. 
 
The Confirmation preparation process is a source of renewal for the whole parish community. It involves not only the candidate, but the parents, sponsor, Ministry Coordinators, the peer ministry team and of course, all our parish members.

Confirmation Meetings are scheduled on Sundays from August through June. They are currently "on hiatus" through the summer. Sessions will resume after an orientation meeting in August.

For more information about St. Bernardine’s Confirmation process, please visit the St. Bernardine website or contact Bob Nicholas, at 818.710.1662 or at stbym13@stbernardine.org 

YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM

Youth Ministry welcomes all high schoolers to our Youth Ministry Program. We meet each Wednesday throughout the year from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. These sessions are currently on the ZOOM platform. Links are sent each week to those registered. For any questions, please contact Bob Nicholas, 818-710-1662 or at stbym13@stbernardine.org.
ST. BERNARDINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT

St. Bernardine of Siena Elementary School and Preschool are accepting applications for SUMMER & FALL 2021-2022 terms.

Applications for the Elementary School, grades K-8, for the FALL 2021-2022 school year, are available on their website at www.stbernardineschool.org. You can also get more information or schedule a tour by calling the elementary school office at (818) 340-2130.

Applications for the preschool are now being accepted for both SUMMER and FALL 2021-2022. Applications are accepted for children ages 18 months - 5 yrs. old. They also have a TK (Transitional Kindergarten) program available. For more information, please contact the preschool office at (818) 716-4730 or visit their website at www.stbpreschool.com
OTHER SERVICES

We continue to offer:

  • The Parish Office is open, Monday-Friday, from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

  • To access the Parish Gift Shop, please contact Jean Sampson at (818) 888-7073 during business hours.

  • Funerals and Weddings are being scheduled. Services are in the church. To schedule a funeral or wedding, please contact Jean Sampson at (818) 888-7073.

  • Baptisms are being scheduled. Baptisms take place on Sundays in the church with a limit of 50 participants per family. To schedule a baptism, please contact Margaret Mahoney at (818) 888-8200.

  • Anointing of the Sick is still being offered in danger of death situations. Please call the Parish Office at (818) 888-8200.

For any other questions, please leave a message at (818) 888-8200 or email parishoffice@stbernardine.org. Calls and emails will be returned in a timely manner.  More information is also located on our church website at www.stbernardine.org.

Livestreamed Masses are available at: