Baptism:
Baptism is the "gateway sacrament into the Church." Through the sacrament of Baptism all are reborn in Christ through water and the Holy Spirit. At St. Bernadette Church, children are baptized on Sundays at either a Eucharistic Liturgy or at 12:00pm. To schedule a baptism, you need to be a registered member of St. Bernadette Parish and the parents and godparents must attend a "Baptism Preparation Class." At least one of the godparents must be a baptized, confirmed, practicing Catholic and a member of a Catholic parish.

Eucharist:
This sacrament, in which the gathered community of believers experiences the true presence of the Lord Jesus and shares in the reception of the Body and Blood of Christ, is the "source and summit" of the Christian life. Called by the Word of God, the assembly becomes that for which it has gathered, the "Body of Christ." The celebration of First Communion takes place in the spring of the year. Second grade students in both the day school and religious education classes are prepared for the reception of this sacrament following their First Reconciliation. After receiving this sacrament, children are expected to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days with their families. If your child is not enrolled in our day school or religious education program, contact the pastor at 414-358-4600.

Confirmation:
Recognition of God's Holy Spirit in our lives is celebrated in the reception of Confirmation. Together with the conferral of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and the "laying on of the hands" by the Bishop, the newly confirmed are strengthened for a fuller life in Christ. Confirmation takes place for our high school students in their junior year following their sixteenth birthday. All students must have the appropriate spiritual and theological formation necessary as well as a suitable period of service to their family, church, and community in order to enter the 11th grade preparation process. Adults who are not confirmed, but have remained active Catholics, may also receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. For additional information, contact the pastor at 414-358-4600.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults:
The RCIA Program is for adults seeking to become Catholic. The three sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist - which are conferred through this program, together combine to bring the faithful of Christ to their full stature and enable all of us to carry out the mission of the entire people of God in the Church and in the world. For more information, contact the pastor at 414-358-4600.

Reconciliation:
The sacrament celebrating the forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation of the individual with God, the Church, and others is offered on the first and third Saturdays of each month at 4:00pm and at other times during the year, such as Lent and Advent. Please check the Sunday bulletin for those times. Children preparing for their First Communion also receive preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Anointing of the Sick:
Through this sacrament the Church cares for the sick. It serves Christ himself in the suffering members of his Mystical Body. The Church shows this concern not only by visiting those who are in poor health, but also by raising them up through this sacrament during their illness or when in danger of death. Appointments for anointing individuals can be made by contacting the pastor at 414-358-4600.

Marriage:
The sacrament of Matrimony should be arranged at least six months before the intended wedding date by contacting the pastor at 414-358-4600 as soon as the engagement becomes known. The Archdiocesan Pre-Nuptial Program is followed, the details of which will be explained when the couple notifies the pastor.

Holy Orders:
Those who are interested in a public life of service to God's people, and believe they may be called to ordained ministry as a priest or deacon, should contact the pastor at 414-358-4600 for more information.