Celebrate Lent, Holy Week, and Easter with us!
During these weeks of Lent, the church has urged us to make the journey to Holy Week and Easter.
By prayer, penance, and works of charity, we seek to be ready to celebrate the saving mysteries of our redemption in the Passion, Death, and Resurrection, of Jesus.
Celebrate Lent, with our page dedicated to Lenten resources and prayers; and video, downloadable audio and photography of our special parish liturgies. The page is updated throughout the Lenten season.
You and your family and friends are welcome to join us for the special Lenten liturgies by which we will enter into these mysteries and experience the great love of God for us.
We wish you and your family a blessed Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, filled with peace and joy.
Ash Wednesday
"The purpose of this Lent is, by subtracting and adding in our behavior, we actually can make a little change in our lives. We can actually become something more. This is more than just doing things. It's doing things so that we can change and grow and become our better self. This an invitation from Jesus Christ. This is an opportunity of grace." — Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.
In video
St. Bernard Catholic School celebrates Ash Wednesday
St. Bernard Catholic School students attended a special Ash Wednesday service, which included a Gospel reading and distribution of blessed ashes to students, parents, and school faculty and staff.
En video
La Misa: La homilía
Miércoles de Ceniza
"Cuaresma es un hornado de fe por nuestra iglesia"
Miércoles de Ceniza
Miércoles, 6 de marzo de 2019
Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco
"El día y el tiempo de Cuaresma es como un hornado de fe por nuestra iglesia y todos los cristianos," nos dice Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco, para nuestra Misa del Miércoles de Ceniza. "Estamos pasando por cuarenta días con Jesús, con su palabra, para abrir a eso, permitir a Dios y Jesús a hacer algo en nosotros, algo nuevo. Yo creo que todo lo que hacemos durante esta Cuaresma es para invitar a nosotros a cambiar y transformar."
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Rite of Election
On Sunday, March 10, 2019, the catechumens participated in the rite of "election," or "enrollment of names." Now called the elect, these young men and women will be receive the Sacraments of Initiation (baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation) at the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday) and will be fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
In video
At the Mass
These catechumens are beginning their final period of preparation and purification, leading to their initiation. They have found strength in God's grace and support in our community's prayers and example. Now they ask that they be recognized for the progress they have made in their spiritual formation and that they receive the assurance of our blessings and prayers as they celebrate with us the Rite of Election.
Those seeking the Sacraments of Initiation at St. Bernard Catholic Church (shown in this video) are: Catherine Deras, Anthony Barajas, Mia Barajas, Julian Salazar, Daniela Guardado, Daniela Guzmán, Melody Rodriguez, Juliana Prudenció, Diego Frías, Mason Marquez, and Jace Gibson.
RICA: Ritos de iniciación a los sacramentos de la iglesia católica: Confirmación y Eucaristía
Durante la misa 11 a.m. el domingo 10 de marzo de 2019, Blanca Aquino y Stephanie Espinoza recibieron los sacramentos de confirmación y Eucaristía por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco.
En video
La Misa
Oremos, hermanos, a Dios Padre todopoderoso y pidámosle que derrame el Espíritu Santo sobre estas hijas de adopción que renacieron ya a la vida eterna en el bautismo para que las fortalezcan con la abundancia de sus dones, las consagre con su unción espiritual, y haga de ellas imagen perfecta de Jesucristo.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) First Rite of Scrutiny
On Sunday, March 24, 2019, we celebrated the First Rite of Scrutiny for the elect who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday).
In video
At the Mass
For three weeks, the elect are taking a good look at themselves, scrutinizing, and asking, "What still is keeping me from following the Lord completely, with all my heart?"
They are taking a good look, so that Jesus can reach into them with love and mercy and help them to accept themselves, first acknowledge they're sinners, accept their sinfulness, but also seek and open up to receive the mercy and healing and forgiving love of God.
Let us pray for these elect whom the church has confidently chosen. May they successfully complete their long preparation at the paschal feast, find Christ in the sacraments.
Prayer of exorcism: God of power, you sent your Son to be our savior. Grant that these catechumens who, like the woman of Samaria, thirst for living water. They turn to the Lord as they hear his word, and acknowledge the sins and weaknesses that weigh them down. Protect them from vain reliance on self and defend them from the power of Satan. Free them from the spirit of deceit, so that admitting the wrong they have done they may attain purity of heart and advance on the way to salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus, you are the fountain for which they thirst; you are the master whom they seek. In your presence they dare not claim to be without sin, for you alone are the holy one of God. They open their hearts to you in faith, they confess their faults, and lay bare their hidden wounds. In your love, free them from their infirmities, heal their sickness, quench their thirst, and give them peace. In the power of your name, which we call upon in faith, stand by them now and heal them. Rule over that spirit of evil, conquered by your rising from the dead. Show your elect the way of salvation in the Holy Spirit, that they may come to worship the Father in truth. For you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Second Rite of Scrutiny
In video
At the Mass
Let us pray for these elect, whom God has called, that they may remain faithful to him and boldly give witness to the words of eternal life.
Prayer of exorcism: Father of mercy, you led the man born blind to the kingdom of light, through the gift of faith in your Son. Free these elect from the false values that surround them and blind them. Set them firmly in your truth, children of the light forever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus, you are the true light that enlightens the world through your spirit of truth. Free those who are enslaved by the father of lies. Stir up the desire for good in these elect whom you have chosen for your sacraments. Let them rejoice in your light that they may see, and like the man born blind whose sight you restored, let them prove to be staunch and fearless witnesses to the faith. For you are Lord forever and ever. Amen.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Third Rite of Scrutiny
On Sunday, April 7, 2019, we celebrated the Third Rite of Scrutiny for the elect who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday).
In video
At the Mass
Let us pray for these elect whom God has chosen. May the grace of the sacraments conform them to Christ in his passion and resurrection, and enable them to triumph over the bitter fate of death.
Prayer of exorcism: Father of life and God, not of the dead, but of the living, you sent your Son to proclaim life, to snatch us form the realm of death and to lead us to the resurrection for these elect, from the death-dealing power of the spirit of evil, so that they may bear witness to their new life in the risen Christ. For he lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus, by raising Lazarus from the dead you showed that you came, that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Free from the grasp of death those who await your life-giving sacraments and deliver them from the spirit of corruption. Through your Spirit who gives life, fill them with faith, hope and charity, that they may live with you always in the glory of your resurrection, for you are Lord forever and ever. Amen.
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
In video
At the procession with palms
Dear friends in Christ, for five weeks of Lent we have been preparing, by works of charity and self-sacrifice, for the celebration of the Lord's paschal mystery. Today, we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole church throughout the world. Christ entered in triumph into his own city to complete his work as our messiah, to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us remember with devotion this entry which began his saving work and followed him with the light in faith. United with him in his suffering on the cross, may we share his resurrection and new life.
Blessing of the palms: All mighty God, we bless these branches and make them holy. Today, we joyfully acclaim Jesus our messiah and king. May we reach one day the happiness of the new and everlasting Jerusalem by faithfully following him, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Reading from the Gospel of Luke.
At the Mass
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
"The mountaintop of transformation"
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Sunday, April 14, 2019
By Padre Perry D. Leiker, pastor
"If we don't immerse ourselves deeply in the passion and death, how we will immerse ourselves deeply in the resurrection, the new life that comes from the cross?" Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor, tells us for the 19th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast, on Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. "This mountaintop transformation tells us that from death can come life. Form sin can come grace. In total rejection, Jesus was able not to hate, not to condemn, but to love and to forgive. This story is our story, and it's mean to wrap us and transform us and give us new life. That's why we say this is truly the time of redemption. And what we do is come to this Holy Week, really, just to expose ourselves to this great story and to the power of God in our lives."
En video
La Misa
Domingo de Ramos de la pasión del Señor
"Jesús está cerca a nosotros hasta él fin"
Domingo de Ramos de la pasión del Señor
Domingo, 14 de abril de 2019
Por Padre Chris Bazyouros
"Lo que celebramos en este día es que Dios quiso ponerse firmemente a nuestra partes, desde su encarnación en belén hasta que su muerte en jerusalén y su resurrección," nos dice Padre Chris Bazyouros, director de educación religiosa de la Arquidiócesis de Los Angeles, para nuestro décimo noveno episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales, en Domingo de Ramos de la pasión del Señor. "Jesús está cumpliendo con su misión de estar cerca a nosotros en nuestros problemas y pruebas, los gozos y esperanzas, hasta él fin. Jesús se probó disponible y capaz de caminar con nosotros."
Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
In video
At the Mass: The washing of the feet
So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. — John 13:2-5.
At the Mass: The homily
Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
"In love, we have to serve"
Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
Thursday, April 18, 2019
By Padre Perry D. Leiker, pastor
"If we don't immerse ourselves deeply in the passion and death, how we will immerse ourselves deeply in the resurrection, the new life that comes from the cross?" Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor, tells us for the 19th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast, on Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. "This mountaintop transformation tells us that from death can come life. Form sin can come grace. In total rejection, Jesus was able not to hate, not to condemn, but to love and to forgive. This story is our story, and it's mean to wrap us and transform us and give us new life. That's why we say this is truly the time of redemption. And what we do is come to this Holy Week, really, just to expose ourselves to this great story and to the power of God in our lives."
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
In video
At the liturgy: Prostration before the altar
"Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every other name." — Philippians 2:8-9.
At the liturgy: The homily
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
"In love, we have to serve"
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
Friday, April 19, 2019
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
"This whole liturgy, this whole week, is about stripping us, stripping away the stuff that we so easily place all over ourselves," Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor, tells us for our Good Friday of the Lord's Passion liturgy. "We live with all this stuff. We live through all this stuff, express ourselves, and it's so sometimes yucky and sinful and dead and not life giving."
En video
La liturgia: Veneración de la cruz
Miren el árbol de la cruz, donde estuvo clavado el salvador del mundo. Vengan y adoremos.
La liturgia: La homilía
Viernes Santo de la Pasión del Señor
"El Dios eterno, el Cristo cosmico"
Viernes Santo Pasión del Señor
Viernes, 19 de abril de 2019
Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco
"La iglesia quiere que nosotros, en esta semana podemos venir aquí humildemente, que podamos estar postrado ante la cruz, ante este pasión," nos dice Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco, para nuestra liturgia de Viernes Santo de la Pasión del Señor. "Él estaba salvando, sí, de nuestro pecado, pero él poder del pecado, hacernos menos de humanos. Y de esto Cristo nos salva y nos da nueva vida."
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
In video
At the Mass: The homily
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
"Amazed!"
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
Saturday, April 20, 2019
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
"Are you ever amazed at what God does in your life? Are you ever amazed at the joy that you experience when it doesn't seem like you should experience joy," Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor, tells us for our Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter Mass. "Are you ever amazed at how God seems to carry you through with his grace and life and love, and you get through the worst parts of life? Are you ever amazed at the power of God's love in our lives? Are you ever amazed at the experience of being totally forgiven, and believing with all your heart that God forgives and wants us to be healed."
At the Mass: Administering the Sacraments of Initiation
During the 8 p.m. Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter Mas on Saturday, April 20, 2019, 13 young men and women from our parish, s the faith community looked on, were administered the rites of initiation (baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation).
Those who received the sacraments are: Juliet Silva, Jacob Silva, Diego Frias, Catherine Deras, Anthony Barajas, Mia Barajas, Julian Salazar, Daniela Guardado, Daniela Guzman, Melody Rodriguez, Juliana Prudencio, Mason Marquez, and Jace Gibson.
Our prayer for you is that the Holy Spirit of God is going to fill you with gifts tonight. For the rest of your life, we're going to ask you to carry Christ inside of you.
At the Mass: Closing remarks
At the Mass: St. Bernard Catholic Church Chancel Choir sings "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah"
Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord
In video
At the Mass: The homily
Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord
"We have to see and recognize"
Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord
Sunday, April 21, 2019
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
"We have to see and recognize — that's the difference," Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor, tells us for the 20th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast, on Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord. "We see it — yeah, I believe what I'm seeing, but what is it I'm seeing? — and that's the part the part that matters most: We recognize. We 're-know' it, we re-'cognize'; we cognate it and know it a second time deeper, and we understand what it means. What do you recognize, what do I recognize, as we come to this feast of Easter? Do you see? Do you believe? But most of all, do you recognize what this means?"
En video
La Misa: La homilía
Domingo de Pascua: La Resurrección del Señor
"Tenemos que ver y reconocer"
Domingo de Pascua: La Resurrección del Señor
Domingo, 21 de abril de 2019
Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco
"Es viendo y creyendo, porque queremos creer como san Juan, que entró a la tumba," nos dice Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco, para nuestro vigésimo episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales, en Domingo de Pascua: La Resurrección del Señor. "Jesús está implorando nos en señales visibles que podemos ver la cosas que él quiere que podamos recibir invisible: su Espíritu, su gracia, su amor, la vida divina en nosotros. Reconociendo es viendo y creyendo, pero diciendo con apreciación, 'entiendo que significa esta palabra.' Y este es el momento cuando la palabra da vida."
La Misa: ¡Gloria, gloria al Señor!
Featured videos
RCIA Rite of Election
RCIA First Rite of Scrutiny
RCIA Second Rite of Scrutiny
RCIA Third Rite of Scrutiny
RCIA Sacraments of Initiation
Pláticas Cuaresmales
