The Inclusive Parish Community

of St Bernadette

St Bernadette of Lourdes 1844-1879

Bernadette was one of six children born in Lourdes, France, in 1844. She suffered with ill health for most of her life. In 1858 this humble shepherdess, today the patron saint of shepherds, experienced visions of the Virgin Mary who appeared to her some 18 times, describing herself to Bernadette as the "Immaculate Conception." 

My affinity with Bernadette is down to her simple dignity and her strength of faith in God when many people doubted and ridiculed her visions. Bernadette was directed by the Virgin Mary to build a church and encourage prayer and she (eventually) rose above the countless interrogations by the state and the church both desperate to discredit her. 

The term 'parish' usually refers to a local, ecclesiastical community or territory, including its main church building. However there is such a thing as a 'national parish' which is not territorial in its nature. Saint Bernadette community church aims to build on its existing congregation over the months and years to come. It is paramount to stress that we are not defined by where we live but by what we do.

The Saint Bernadette community church's main target is to self-fund a bigger building which will be the heartbeat of our Christian action both locally and within the wider community. There will be no denominational limitations as seen in some mainstream churches. It will be a church for every Christian heart and with any story to tell.

PSB Mission and Ministry 

God's love for all is not just for those who consider themselves to be the chosen few and who class themselves elite; it is as it is meant. A love for everyone. That means every single one of us can have a relationship with God and should be able to access a church for collective worship and the receiving of the sacraments. Holy Communion (known to some as the Lord's Supper) is fundamental to our faith. Christ made so little requests of us other than to love God and each other but this was the one thing during the last Supper He asked us us to do in his memory. PSB reaches out to those wanting to celebrate Holy Communion and who are unable to access a church especially the sometimes forgotton elderly with dementia in nursing homes.

Christian healing must not be confused with certain alternative therapies. As a member of the Guild of Christian Healers, we offer prayer and (only if requested) the laying on of hands for people struggling with their lives - for whatever reason. So often people ask me the same question; if there was a God, why does he allow bad things to happen to people? My answer is always along the same lines. God does not allow bad things to happen to people, God simply gives us, through prayer, the strength and courage to deal with those bad things. God gives courage to the brave who rush in and save people from burning buildings. God gives the surgeon the ability to save lives and God gives people the skills to comfort when lives are lost. God helps us find peace within our hearts and minds when something has hurt us or caused us grief. Our Lord God does not cause bad things to happen, He helps us get through them.

I have heard many sad stories of people being marginalised and even some who have been asked to leave from their church communities because of judgements made on their personal lives. Cruel and judgemental attitudes regarding divorce, living together without marrying, but mainly human sexuality, are the stories I hear of the most. One very sad story is about a musical lad I worked with in a secondary school. He stopped his music because his peers bullied him when they found out that he played guitar for his church band. He was labelled 'gay' and a loser. Is this really what many young people think of people who regularly attend church - even if it is to play in a youth band? 

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