About St. Bernadette · Bayou Vista, Louisiana
St. Bernadette Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the small bayou community of Bayou Vista, Louisiana — situated between Patterson and Berwick in St. Mary Parish — and belongs to the Diocese of Lafayette. Founded in 1963 from families who had previously belonged to St. Joseph in Patterson and St. Stephen in Berwick, it has grown into a tight-knit parish known for its daily noon Masses (Tuesday–Friday), a Saturday Vigil, two Sunday Masses, and a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel that is open around the clock. Under the parish motto 'Jesus Christ is the Heart of Bayou Vista,' the community is currently shepherded by Father Connor Poirrier, ordained in 2021 for the Diocese of Lafayette and assigned here by Bishop Deshotel.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- St. Bernadette Soubirous
- Rector
- Father Connor Poirrier
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette (in Louisiana)
Why belong here
St. Bernadette offers the rhythms of a classic small-town Catholic parish: a Saturday Vigil Mass, two Sunday Masses, daily noon Mass Tuesday through Friday, and a First Saturday Mass — with confession available before every Mass. The parish is distinguished by its Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel, open 24 hours a day, which the parish calls 'one of the greatest graces' of the community. An active Knights of Columbus Council (6211), a Ladies' Altar Society, a Men's Ultreya, a Come, Lord Jesus prayer group, a Bereavement ministry, faith formation for K–8 with Confirmation preparation, and seasonal family Masses make it easy to plug in. As Father Poirrier writes, his hope is 'to be a bridge between you and Jesus' — and the doors of the church and chapel are open accordingly.
Mass times at St. Bernadette
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday – Friday: 11:30 am – 12:00 pm (30 minutes before noon Mass)
- Saturday: 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm (before 4:00 pm Vigil Mass)
- Sunday: 7:00 – 7:25 am (before 7:30 am Mass)
- First Saturday Devotion: 8:30 – 8:50 am
- By appointment — call the rectory
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel — open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Adoration Chapel located just off the front (Saturn Road) entrance of the church
- Call the parish office (985-395-2470) to sign up for an open hourly adoration slot
Parish Overview & Identity
St. Bernadette Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Bayou Vista, Louisiana — between Patterson and Berwick — in the Diocese of Lafayette. It proclaims the motto 'Jesus Christ is the Heart of Bayou Vista' and welcomes visitors to its parish hall, church, and 24-hour Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel. The parish is administered by Father Connor Poirrier, ordained in 2021 for the Diocese of Lafayette and assigned by Bishop Deshotel.
- Motto: 'Jesus Christ is the Heart of Bayou Vista'
- Diocese: Diocese of Lafayette
- Pastor: Father Connor Poirrier
- Office: 1112 Saturn Rd., Bayou Vista, LA 70380
- Phone: 985-395-2470
History of Saint Bernadette Parish
Conceived in 1957 by Father Raymond J. Gobeil to serve Bayou Vista's growing Catholic population, the parish was officially established on April 20, 1963 by Bishop Maurice Schexnayder. Father Albert J. Boumans became its first pastor and oversaw construction of both the original 1964 multi-purpose building (now the Parish Hall) and the present church, dedicated in 1972. The parish history notes the building's golden spire as a symbol of Christianity in the community.
- 1957 — Father Gobeil convenes Bayou Vista leaders to plan a chapel; 4.1 acres purchased for $8,252
- Dec. 3, 1960 — Land paid in full
- April 20, 1963 — Bishop Schexnayder establishes Parish of St. Bernadette
- June 15, 1963 — Father Albert J. Boumans appointed first pastor
- Nov. 1, 1964 — First Mass in the original multi-purpose building
- June 20, 1965 — Original building dedicated by Bishop Warren Boudreaux
- Aug. 27, 1972 — New church dedicated by Bishop Schexnayder
- Directors of Religious Education since 1980 include Ellen Gray, David Roth, Bill Melancon, Rene Dorsey, Susan Legendre, and Becky Blanchard
Sacraments
The parish prepares Catholics for the full sacramental life: Baptism (with preparation), First Reconciliation and First Communion, Confirmation (8th grade+), Marriage (six-month notice required by Diocese policy), Anointing of the Sick, Viaticum, and RCIA for adults seeking initiation or formation in the Catholic faith.
- Baptism — contact rectory early; prep with Becky Wiggins
- First Reconciliation — through Faith Formation
- First Communion — e.g. Divine Mercy Sunday at 10:30 am Mass
- Confirmation — for 8th-grade+ candidates
- Marriage — six-month notice to pastor
- Anointing of the Sick / Viaticum — call rectory
- RCIA — contact the parish office
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Bernadette is a shared responsibility among parish, clergy, and families. Classes meet Wednesdays from 5:45 to 7:00 pm for all grade levels K–8 and use the Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation Program. Family Masses are celebrated on the third Sunday of each month, and the parish emphasizes that 'regular attendance at Mass is an essential part of showing your child what being a Catholic is about.'
- Schedule: Wednesdays 5:45 – 7:00 pm (K–8)
- Curriculum: Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation Program
- Family Mass: third Sunday of the month
- 2026-2027 calendar and registration coming soon
- Contact: Becky Wiggins — 395-2470
Faith Formation Classes & Catechists
For 2025–2026, sixteen volunteers lead small groups by name and grade: PROMISE (K–1), GOOD NEWS (2–3), VENTURE 1 (4) and VENTURE 2 (5), VISIONS 1 (6) and VISIONS 2 (7), and VISION Confirmation (8+), plus floating volunteers who substitute and assist.
- PROMISE (K & 1) — Mrs. Maria Landry & Miss Kamry Landry
- GOOD NEWS (2 & 3) — Ms. Paula Wiggins Oliver & Mrs. Becky Blanchard
- VENTURE 1 (4) — Ms. Renee Garris
- VENTURE 2 (5) — Mrs. Judy Brannon & Mrs. Frances Bullard
- VISIONS 1 (6) — Mr. Roland Brannon & Mrs. Jenny Guillot
- VISIONS 2 (7) — Mrs. Roz Meranta & Mrs. Elaine Landry
- VISION Confirmation (8+) — Mr. Kim Meranta & Mrs. Kathy Shilling
- Floating volunteers: Melinda Frederick, Cindy Viola, Jenny Guillot, Brenda Nelson
Parish Ministries & Groups
The parish encourages parishioners to join one or two ministries. Active organizations include the Knights of Columbus, Ladies' Altar Society, Men's Ultreya (Cursillo), Come Lord Jesus prayer group, Bereavement ministry, Ushers, and the Homebound ministry.
- Knights of Columbus Council 6211 — meets 1st Wednesday 6:30 pm, 113 Sunset Rd. (Grand Knight: Paul Tholen)
- Ladies' Altar Society — meets 4th Tuesday at 7 pm in Parish Hall (Michelle Tholen)
- Men's Ultreya — meets Thursdays at 6:30 pm in Parish Hall (Danny Marcel)
- Come, Lord Jesus — meets Wednesdays and Thursdays (Patty Hotard, Roland Brannon)
- Bereavement — Becky Blanchard (518-8924)
- Homebound — Rachel Torres
- Confirmation Teachers — Becky Wiggins
Parish Leadership & Councils
Parish life is coordinated through a Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, and Trustees. The council represents each ministry and serves a three-year term.
- Parish Pastoral Council: Roland Brannon, Kenny Alfred, Jenny Guillot, John Cart, Maria Landry, Kathy Shilling, Ricky Frederick (plus ministry reps)
- Finance Committee: John Trevino, Allison Cook, Peter J. Lipari
- Trustees: Paul Tolen, John Trevino
- Pastor: Father Connor Poirrier
Message from the Pastor
Father Connor Poirrier — a native of Scott, Louisiana — writes that he is 'glad that God has placed me here to walk with you all in your relationship with Him.' After high school at Acadiana High, he discerned the priesthood, graduated from St. Joseph Seminary College in 2017 and Notre Dame Graduate Seminary in 2021, and was ordained June 5, 2021 by Bishop Deshotel for the Diocese of Lafayette. He lists hunting, cooking, and being with people as favorite hobbies, and signs his letters 'To Christ through Mary.'
- Ordained: June 5, 2021, Diocese of Lafayette
- Hometown: Scott, Louisiana
- High school: Acadiana High
- Seminary: St. Joseph Seminary College (2017), Notre Dame Graduate Seminary (2021)
- Closing salutation: 'To Christ through Mary, Reverend Connor Poirrier'
Facilities & Campus
The campus centers on the 1972 church with its golden spire, the Adoration Chapel just off the front (Saturn Road) entrance, and the original 1964 multi-purpose building, which still functions as the Parish Hall for ministry meetings and Altar Society gatherings.
- Church (current) — dedicated August 27, 1972
- Parish Hall — original 1964 multi-purpose building, designed by Lloyd Guillory
- Adoration Chapel — off the front (Saturn Road) entrance
- Knights of Columbus meeting site: 113 Sunset Rd., Bayou Vista
Contact & Visit
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm (closed for lunch). Visitors and newcomers are invited to use the online registration/update form to register with the parish. Office staff will also assist with parish registration, address changes, scheduling, and sacramental needs by phone or email.
- Address: 1112 Saturn Road, Bayou Vista (Morgan City), LA 70380
- Phone: 985-395-2470
- Fax: 985-395-6514
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 am – 3:30 pm (closed for lunch)
- Facebook: @StBernBayouVista
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Albert J. Boumans6/1963 – 10/1975
First pastor; arrived May 1963, lived at St. Stephen rectory until new rectory in 1972; oversaw construction of the original multi-purpose building (1964) and the present church (1972).
- Father Bede Becnel11/1975 – 8/1976
- Father Paul Belliveau, CJM9/1976 – 5/1979
- Father Angelo Cremaldi6/1979 – 9/1993
- Father Richard Fabre11/1993 – 9/1997
- Father Hebert de Launay10/1997 – 5/1999
- Father Barry Crochet6/1999 – 2/2004
- Monsignor Richard Greene4/2004 – 7/2008
- Father Louis Vu7/2008 – 12/2008
- Father William Rogalla1/2009 – 5/2019
- Father Thainese Alphonse7/2019 – c.2021
Listed as pastor '7/2019–Present' on the history page; succeeded by Fr. Connor Poirrier after his June 2021 ordination.
- Father Connor Poirrier2021 – present
Current pastor; ordained June 5, 2021 for the Diocese of Lafayette by Bishop Deshotel; a native of Scott, LA, graduate of St. Joseph Seminary (2017) and Notre Dame Graduate Seminary (2021).