Coronavirus Updates

Earlier this week, Governor Abbott issued an executive order to be effective March 10, 2021, allowing all Texas businesses to reopen at 100%. The order also ends the statewide mask mandate, but strongly encourages the wearing of face coverings when it is not feasible to maintain social distancing from another person not of the same household. Private businesses, including churches, are allowed the discretion to determine whether face coverings will remain mandatory.

Over the last few days, Archdiocesan officials have engaged in a series of consultations regarding the order, which included input from clergy and medical professionals. Recognizing the needs of this local Church, in particular the need to protect the most vulnerable among us, we have determined that all of our current COVID-19 protocols will remain in place until further notice, including the requirement for face coverings at Mass and other liturgical celebrations.

The Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese have implemented protocols that have proven effective in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 to its students, families, faculty and staff. Since this spring 2021 semester will soon come to a close, these protocols will also remain in place through the end of this academic year.

We are monitoring the increased level of vaccinations and the number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in our area and remain hopeful these metrics will continue to trend favorably so that the virus will soon be contained.

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for COVID-19 do not involve abortion-derived cell lines in the manufacturing process, and are morally permissible since the connection to abortion is remote.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is morally compromised because an abortion-derived cell line was used in its development, testing, and production. However, according to Catholic moral teaching, it is permissible to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine when it is the only vaccine available in a given place.  Where there is an option, Catholics should choose the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The decision to receive a vaccination for COVID-19 is one of personal conscience.

For more information regarding the vaccines, please visit
the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston click here
the USCCB (US Conference of Catholic Bishops)  click here
the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) click here

Our professional cleaning company will provide the sanitation between Masses in the Church as well as the bathrooms.  They are well-trained in sanitation and use all appropriate chemicals and precautions.  

In addition to regular cleaning procedures, we have asked our cleaning company to be extra vigilant
in cleaning all door hardware, light switches, bathrooms and other surfaces which come in contact with people.  All staff and visitors follow the CDC recommended procedures for businesses working during the Covid-19 situation as well as those recommendations from Harris County.   Both staff and parishioners have been asked to stay at home if they are ill or not feeling well.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us in the Parish Office. 

Our current plan for Mass, meetings and classes is:

• We are having Masses.  The current schedule is Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9am, Wednesday evening at 7 pm (Reconciliation is from 6-6:30 on Wednesday evenings before Mass) and on the weekend Saturday 5 pm, Sunday 9am, 12 pm and 5:30 pm.  We are limiting the number of people that are able to attend each Mass.    Please click the blue box above to sign up for Mass times.  We continue to offer an online Mass which is posted to this website by 8 am Sunday morning.   Please click here for our Spiritual Communion Page which will have more details.  

• The Parish Office is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 9 am until 12 pm.  We can always be reached by email or you can leave a phone messages which will be returned promptly.  

• The ministry of Faith Formation has moved to an online option for the fall semester.  Several Bible Studies are online and we hope to add additional classes in the near future.  In person classes are not available at this time.  Out of an abundance of caution, the church nursery is closed until further notice.  

• PARISH SOCIAL EVENTS  Coffee and Doughnuts and funeral receptions have been canceled until further notice.  

• ONGOING GROUP MEETINGS – The only meetings we can have at this time are the small group Catechetical meetings.  Other groups like the Scouts, Men's Basketball, WOW, Men of the Cross, Women at the Well and all other meetings have been canceled until further notice.   As soon as we are able to offer these meetings, we will announce it on this website, Facebook and through FlockNotes.  

• CHRISTIAN ACTION MINISTRY is accepting food donations on Tuesday from 9:30am until 11 am. They are distributing food bags to those in need on Thursday from 9:30 am until 11 am.  At this time, they are not providing financial assistance.  Please call the Parish Office for additional information. 

Unable to make it to Church?  Join the parishioners who are using Faith Direct for automated giving to St. Bernadette Church.  Faith direct offers a safe and secure way to donate to your Parish in this time of uncertainty.  There is no cost to you, and the program provides a great benefit to our parish.  Sign up today by clicking the button below.  Thank you for all  you do for our parish.