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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Where did we get the Stations of the Cross?
A mission church in Northwestern Montana donated them to us in 1988. They are
oil paintings on copper plates highlighting Jesus in white garments.
Shouldn’t the Tabernacle be by the Altar?
We have placed the Tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel for
private adoration. This is also where we celebrate weekday Masses and Communion
Services. Many people spend one hour a week with Jesus in the chapel; check for
open hours of Perpetual Adoration. The chairs in the chapel have kneelers
attached for private prayer adoration
Why are there no kneelers in the main church?
We kneel on the floor sometimes, but the Liturgical Art Committee chose to
return the custom of the early Christians who celebrated the Memorial of
Christ’s death and rising standing around the Altar table in praise and
thanksgiving.
The custom of kneeling entered the Catholic Church during the Thirteenth Century
as a sign of penance and/or adoration. The people at Mass watched the priest
from afar as he faced the wall and spoke Latin that they no longer understood.
They were encouraged to pray privately during Mass itself. Statues, stained
glass pictures and kneelers were meant to facilitate private prayer.
The Second Vatican Council of the 60’s brought back to full participation in the
Mass. Fr. Eugene Walsh, Professor of Liturgy at the Catholic University of
America wrote that after the "Holy, Holy, Holy" of the Mass, it is preferable to
remain standing during the Eucharistic Prayer as an action of praise and
thanksgiving. "In the early church, standing for the celebration was thought of
as our rising with the Lord from the tomb to a whole new style of living.
Standing has largely been the posture of Christians in Cathedrals of Europe
through the centuries and even to the present day."
When and where are Confessions?
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered each Saturday at 4:30pm for those
who wish private reconciliation. Twice a year, Lent and Advent, we have a
Communal Penance Service. The Reconciliation Room is located inside the chapel
area.
How come some people touch the chalice or bow their head as they pass the
chalice?
We encourage this for those that choose not to drink from the chalice as a
sign of recognition that Jesus is present sacramentally through both Holy Bread
and Holy Wine, Body and Blood! We offer both the Body and Blood of Christ to
communicants at every Mass.
The Baptismal Font is rather large!
This font provides us with the option of immersing a baby into flowing water and
for adults to kneel in a pool of water for their baptism. The water can be
heated and recirculated. Baptisms are celebrated once a month at Mass for babies
and at the Easter Vigil for adults. The three glass decanters behind the font
contain our holy oils used in the Sacraments for Catechumens, the Sick and Holy
Chrism.
Where is the Rectory?
It is located about a half-mile west of the Church on 230 Tam O’Shanter. The
parish purchased the house in 1971. The rectory has no offices.
Do we have a Catholic School?
You bet! We have about 140 students in our Billings Catholic School system
and send financial support of about $90,000 - $100,000 a year. St. Francis Grade
School is located in three parish buildings downtown and high school students
attend Billings Central Catholic High School. We also have over 500 students in
our Parish Religious Education Program
meeting here after school and in the evenings.
How is St. Bernard’s Parish involved in the community?
We take a very active role in the community of Billings and the surrounding
area. Food is collected for the Billings Food Bank on the first Sunday of each
month.
During Advent we have Toy Sunday at which wrapped toys are collected at the
Altar and then given to the St. Vincent DePaul Society.
Many of our parishioners were involved in building two Habitat Homes along with
help of parishioners from two Lutheran Churches in our area.
We adopted a Room at the Women and Family Shelter downtown and completely
redecorated the Room the Summer of 1996.
St Vincent DePaul Society is a major recipient of our
monthly Parish tithing.
Does St. Bernard’s have a Mission Parish?
Yes. As of July 1988 we were given the parish at Pompey’s Pillar. The Parish
numbers 100 families and built a more centralized parish center in Ballantine
during the Summer of 1989. We offer one Mass at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Parish
each weekend. We also have a Sister Parish in Haiti that we adopted in 1991 and
support financially and spiritually. Envelopes for Haiti are included in your
monthly packet.
How do you purchase a Memorial?
If you would like to memorialize yourself or another, see Father David. A plaque
will then be placed on the Memorial Board for daily parish prayer.
FAQ written by Art Mulkey.
Copyright © 1999-2007 All rights reserved.
Revised: 03/24/08.
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