“The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.” (CCC.1113) The seven sacraments are the life of the Church, the means by which God in and through the Church leads us to new life in Christ.
We hope you will find the following information helpful and informative for entering into the sacramental life of our parish.
The Sacrament of Baptism and the RCIA
Choosing a Godparent/Sponsor
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Most Holy Eucharist
The Sacrament of Confirmation for Youth and Adults
The Sacrament of Marriage and Marriage Formation
The Sacrament of Holy Orders
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
Congratulations on the birth or adoption of your child! We are pleased and privileged to assist you in preparing your family for the baptism of your child and to celebrate the sacrament with you when the day comes. Please call Christine Mutek in the parish office (908) 725-0552 ext. 800 about four months before your baby’s birth or if you are adoptive parents, as soon as the adoption process is completed to schedule the baptism. Christine will also be happy to register you for our required Baptismal Formation Session, provide you with the necessary information and materials, and answer any questions you may have. In the event that you are not yet registered at St. Bernard, she will also help you to become registered members of the parish.
There is much confusion about the role of godparents in the sacramental celebrations of Baptism and Confirmation. We hope that the following information will help to dispel some of that confusion.
According to the canon law of the Church, the role of a godparent/sponsor is to “… present an infant at the baptism, and who will help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it” (No. 872) It must be stressed that the role of a godparent/sponosr is not “honorary”. It is a role of responsibility. Therefore, the following is required of anyone seeking to be a godparent/sponsor for either the sacrament of Baptism or Confirmation.
The person must be a baptized Catholic, living in accordance with our faith in Jesus Christ, and actively practicing their faith, meaning that they must be attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist regularly, and the sacrament of Reconciliation when needed. If the chosen godparent/sponsor reside outside of the territorial boundaries of St. Bernard Church, they must be able to obtain a sponsorship eligibility certificate from the pastor of the parish in which they reside.
The person must not be in any situation which may compromise their sacramental life. For instance, if married, their marriage must be recognized by the Church as a valid sacrament.
The person must be fully initiated into the Church, meaning that they must have received First Communion and Confirmation.
The godparent/sponsor be 16 years of age or older.
Parents cannot act as sponsors for their children.
For Baptism, if you choose to have two godparents, it is necessary to have one male and one female.
The person chosen cannot be a Catholic who has left the Catholic Church to practice a different faith.
In the case of the Sacrament of Baptism, only one godparent/sponsor is required. If you choose to have only one, he or she must be a fully-initiated Catholic who fulfills the requirements above. Most people, however, choose to have two godparents for their child. Whether you have one or two Godparents they must both fulfill the requirements.
In the event that you have a friend or relative who is a baptized Christian, but not Catholic, and you believe that they would be a good example of faith to your child, that person may act as a Christian Witness, as long as the other sponsor is a Catholic godparent. The Christian witness must provide proof of their Baptism, and should get a note from their own pastor or minister, stating that they are active participants in their congregation.
*Please note that a Christian Witness may not be a non-practicing Catholic, nor may they be a baptized Catholic who has chosen to practice another Christian faith.
We are hoping that a clearer understanding of the role will help you in making your choice of a godparent/sponsor for baptism or Confirmation.
The RCIA is the catechetical and sacramental formation process by which adults and children over the age of seven (2nd grade) are brought into the Church. It begins with a time of inquiry, and ends in the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation leading to full communion with us in the Catholic faith. The RCIA is for:
Please call the parish office for information (908) 725-0552
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated weekly between 4:00 and 5:00 PM on Saturdays, and between 7:00 and 8:00 PM on Monday evenings during Advent and Lent (please check schedule). You may also set up an appointment with one of our priests for the sacrament by calling the parish office at (908) 725-0552
Monday – Friday (Church): 8:00 A.M.
Monday – Friday (Chapel): 12:10 P.M. *
Saturday – 9:00 A.M. (Chapel) – Sunday Vigil 5:15 P.M.
* 12:10 pm mass is suspended from July 1st to the Tuesday after Labor day
Regular Mass Schedule
Sunday - 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM
Holy Days of Obligation – 4:30 PM Vigil on preceding day; 8:00 AM, 12:10 PM and 7:30 PM
Please call the Parish Office to make arrangements for the Holy Communion to be brought to the sick, the elderly, and the homebound.
For information on Confirmation formation for children enrolled in our faith formation program, please contact:
Bernadette Salvatore, Faith Formation Coordinator, Grades 5-8
bsalvatore@stbernardbridgewater.org
For information on Confirmation formation for adults, please call the parish office (908) 725-0552
To begin your marriage preparation, please call Christine Mutek at the Parish Office (908) 725-0552, ext. 800 at least one year before the planned time of your wedding. At that time, Christine will register you for the sacrament, help you to secure your date, and assist you in your choice of a celebrant, if needed. Our pastor, Msgr. Randall Vashon, our Parochial Vicar, Fr. Oliver, and our deacons, Gerry Sims and Patrick Cline are available to witness your vows and guide you in your preparation.
We will provide you with materials that will guide and assist you in the planning of your wedding liturgy and a copy of a booklet, compiled here at St. Bernard which will be a great source of information and assistance to you. Your celebrant not only will prepare you spiritually for the proper reception of this joyous sacrament, but he will also “walk you” through the Wedding Liturgy, explaining your options and providing suggestions.
Christina Blalock, Director of Music Ministry will be available to guide you in your choices of appropriate music for your liturgy.
Finally, you will be given a copy of the Pre-Cana Schedule for the parishes of the Diocese of Metuchen. This will inform you as to the Pre-Cana dates which are scheduled in all of the parishes of our diocese for the coming year, allowing you enough time to choose a convenient time and place to participate. Engaged Encounter information is also available in this schedule.
It is our privilege to serve you as you prepare for this joyous sacrament. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have throughout your time of wedding preparation.
Considering the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life? Our pastor, Msgr. Randy Vashon, our parish clergy and religious would be happy to talk with you about discerning a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life. The Diocese of Metuchen’s Office of Vocations website also has a wide variety of useful tools that may help in the discernment process.
Please call the parish office, or the rectory after regular business hours, if a medical emergency arises requiring the immediate attention of a priest to administer the Sacrament of the Sick. We also encourage you to call the Parish Office to make arrangements for either the Celebration of the Anointing of the Sick or for the Eucharist to be brought to the sick, the elderly, and the homebound.