"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."- Blessed Mother Teresa
2023/24 FAITH FORMATION
Pre-K through 8th Grade
Classes: Sundays from 9:45am to 11:00am
First Sunday of the Month Youth Masses: 8:30am Mass
For information about First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation programs contact our office at (607) 748-8287.
For registration information and any questions, please contact Tori Reynolds at tori@olsvestal.org or (607) 748-8287.
COMING UP:
Sunday, April 14th:
Faith Formation Classes, 9:45am 11:00am
Thursday, April 18th:
The Sacrament of First Reconciliation, 6-7:15pm
Sunday, April 21st:
Faith Formation Classes, 9:45am - 11:00am
Regional Retreat for greades 7, 8, & 9 from 1pm - 5pm (Registration required!)
Lifeteen Mass at OLGC, 4:00pm with Fellowship in the gym
Saint of the Week: Saint Bernadette Soubirous
Feast Day: April 16th
Imagine seeing our Blessed Mother not just once, but eighteen times! That is the blessing Bernadette Soubirous was given for five months in 1858.
One day, Bernadette, her sister, and a friend were gathering firewood near their home in Lourdes, France. Suddenly a lovely Lady dressed in blue and white appeared to Bernadette above a rose bush in a small cave. The Lady held a rosary and made the Sign of the Cross. Bernadette, who was only 14 years old, fell to her knees and began to pray the rosary.
The Lady spoke to Bernadette lovingly and with respect. This was a surprise to Bernadette. She came from a poor family and had little education. She was not used to being treated so kindly.
During one of her appearances, Bernadette asked the Lady who she was. The woman replied, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Bernadette did not understand what this meant. It was later explained to her that the words “Immaculate Conception” describe Mary, who was free from sin from the first moment of her life in her mother’s womb. It was only then that Bernadette began to understand that it was our Blessed Mother Mary who was appearing to her.
When Bernadette reported her visions of Mary, Church officials were doubtful. Many people did not believe her because she was the only one who ever saw or spoke to Mary. Still, crowds of people came to Lourdes in hopes of seeing Jesus’ mother.
One day, Mary asked Bernadette to use her hands to dig in the mud near the cave. When Bernadette obeyed the Lady’s request, a spring began to flow from the mud. It grew larger and larger and still flows today. At our Blessed Mother’s request, a chapel was built on the site.
Millions of people have made pilgrimages to Lourdes. They bathe in the waters from the spring and pray for healing. Miraculous cures have been declared after thorough investigation by Church officials and medical experts.
After the appearances stopped, Bernadette tried to live a quiet life. She belonged to a poor family and was not in the best of health. She became a Sister of Charity of Nevers when she was 22 and died in 1879, when she was only 35. St. Bernadette lived with great faith even when people doubted her word. Her example teaches us to pray that Mary will help us to have faith in all of Jesus’ teachings.
She was canonized a saint in 1933 and is considered to be a Christian mystic.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us!
A BIG SPECIAL THANK YOU.....
Thank you to the Vesta Fire Department and Vestal EMS for visiting us on Safe Environment Day! Our students got to walk through the fire truck, learn about our first responder's gear, fire safety, and personall safety with our "Circles of Care lessons from the diocese. What a blessing you are to us and our commity!! Thank you and God bless you all!!
Day Program (1st - 6th Grade):
9am to 3pm, Monday July 22 through Friday, July 26th, $45 each OR $90 per family
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY: https://totustuus-2024-ourladyofsorrows-dayprogram.eventbrite.com
Tori Reynolds, Director of Faith Formation
tori@olsvestal.org
(607) 748-8287
