About Our Church
Saint Bernard Parish History
Saint Bernard parish was established in September 1957 under the same titular patron as the adjacent local school. Father Gauthier was appointed as the first parish priest in 1957 and in 1958 oversaw the blessing of the ground and the start of construction of the present church which has a seating capacity of approximately 250 worshippers.
The dedication and first mass were celebrated in March 1959.
Over the years a number of significant renovations have taken place. In 1979, the roof was renovated at a cost of $11,000. In 1992, new interior lighting was installed, a new metal roof was placed on the church steeple, and repairs made to the exterior walls at a cost of $32,000. In 2002, a new front entrance, elevator, and accessible washroom were constructed, along with a new furnace at a cost of $200,000. In 2004, a new air conditioner was installed. In 2007, for the 50th anniversary of the parish, new stained glass windows were installed. In 2025, new roofs were installed over the rectory at a cost of $90,000.
The parish has three elementary schools: St. Bernard, St. Thomas More, and St. Marguerite d'Youville.
The parish also has St. Bernard Cemetery, which was known as St. Thomas d'Aquin Cemetery prior to 1963.
The parishioners continue to worship and pray that the Lord will bless the parish in its responsibilities to spread the Good News of God's Kingdom.
Parish Priests
The parishioners thank the following priests who have served the faithful at St. Bernard Parish:
1957-1966 Fr. Marcel Gauthier
1966-1969 Fr. J. Emile Latendresses
1969-1980 Fr. Aurele Poirier
1980-1985 Fr. Paul Desrochers
1985-1986 Fr. Gilles Proulx
1986-1989 Fr. Michael Mullins
1989-1999 Fr. Jacques Pilon CSV
1999-2009 Fr. Virgil Amirthakumar
2009-2011 Fr. John Whyte
2011-2018 Fr. Lukose Kochupurackal CMF
2018-2024 Fr. Eslin Pereira CMF
2024-present Fr. Richard Lorenz
Pastor's Message
Fr. Rick was born in Saskatoon on 20 November, 1967 and baptized on 3 December, 1967 at St. Philip Neri Parish. He received First Communion in May 1975 at St. Joseph Parish, and was confirmed in May 1981 at Holy Spirit Parish in Penfield, NY. He was ordained as a deacon at St. Martin de Porres on 20 December 2014, and ordained as a priest at Notre-Dame Cathedral on 19 June 2015. He served as vice-rector at St. Patrick's Basilica from August 2015 through July 2017, associate pastor at Holy Redeemer Parish from August 2017 through May 2020, pastor at St. Jude's Parish and Our Lady of Divine Love Parish from June 2020 through July 2024, and began as pastor at St. Bernard Parish in August 2024.
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Fr. Rick received a BA in History & Politics from Trent University in May 1990, then worked as a technical writer from 1993 to 2009. Discerning a call to the priesthood, he received a certificate of Philosophy from Dominican University College in 2010. He then received an MDiv and STB from St. Augustine Seminary in 2015.
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During his formation, he discerned a call to military chaplaincy. He served as a RESO student chaplain at CFB Borden, CFB Goose Bay, CFB Shilo, CFS Alert, and CFB Esquimalt between 2012 and 2014. He has been serving with 33 Svc Bn since September 2017.
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Fr. Rick enjoys drawing from a wealth of experience to serve his parish. With passion tempered by humility, he likes to say, "As little as possible, as much as necessary, and of the best quality we can afford."