Welcome to the Parish Office!
The St. Bernard Parish Office Staff is grateful for the opportunity and privilege of serving God`s people both here within the St. Benard Parish family and in the extended community as well. It is our sincere hope that you will always feel welcomed and free to call upon us or to visit with us to discuss any needs or concerns you may have, or just to stop by and say hi! The office is currently open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Monday through Friday, and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. You can reach us at 908-725-0552. If you wish to contact a staff member through email, just indicate to whose attention the message should go at stbch@aol.com
Our Pastor, Fr. Joseph G. Celano
Fr. Joe was born in Newark, NJ and grew up in the New Brunswick area. He attended the University of Scranton while residing at St. Pius X Seminary in Dalton, PA, and was awarded a B.S. in Human Services and Counseling in 1983. Father completed his priestly formation at Mount St. Mary`s Seminary in Emittsburg, MD where he received both his M.Div. and M.A. in Biblical Studies in 1987. Father Joe was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Metuchen on May 30, 1987. Since his ordination Father has served in a variety of assignments - Associate Pastor to St. Mary Church in South Amboy; St. Cecelia Church in Iselin; St. Frances Carbrini Church in Piscataway; and Blessed Sacrament in Martinsville. Before his assignment as pastor here at St. Bernard, Fr. Joe served as campus minister and Chaplain to the Catholic Center at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. In addition to these principal assignments, Father has also served as Director of the Department of Pastoral Life, Advisor to the Diocesan Office of the Catechumenate; Member of the Commission for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Affairs; Associate Director of Vocations for College Awareness; Director of Zacchaeus House for vocational discernment. Fr. Joe may best be known as the former program host of Proclaim The Good News, the award winning radio talk show of the Diocese of Metuchen. Among his different personal interests, Fr. Joe is an avid scuba diver!
Fr. Joe can be reached at 908-725-0552 ext. 803 with any spiritual or personal needs you may have, or by calling Rose at extension 802 to set up an appointment with Father. You may also email Father at PapaJoe87@aol.com.
Our Parochial Vicar, Fr. Timothy Lambert, can be reached by email tjlambert@optonline.net or at 908-725-0552 ext. 806. Fr. Timothy J. Lambert is the youngest but not the tallest son of Alice and George Lambert. His brothers are Thomas, William, and Robert (the taller). Their sister, Susan, is the oldest of the clan.
Father Tim was born in Manhattan and was raised in Queens. He attended St. Anastasia Grammar School in Douglaston, St. Francis Preparatory High School in Fresh Meadows, St. Francis College in Brooklyn, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. After working on Wall Street, bartending, and driving a cab in New City, he attended Mt. Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emitsburg, Maryland where he studied Systematic or Dogmatic Theology. He is a twenty year veteran of the Catholic School System.
Fr. Tim was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Metuchen on the 23rd of May, 1992 at our St. Francis Cathedral. Prior to his assignment here, Father worked in South Plainfield, South River, New Brunswick, and Basking Ridge.
Fr. Tim’s father passed away in 1997, and his mother still resides in Queens. Father is an avid New York Mets and NY Jets fan.
Fr. Andrew Smith, O.S.B. is a Benedictine who lives and works at St. Mary`s Abbey, Delbarton in Morristown, NJ. Fr. Andrew teaches high school French at the Delbarton School and serves our community on the weekend.
Deacon Patrick Cline........ Having been a Deacon for 30 years has some perks, not the least of which has been the opportunity to baptize our two younger children, our grandson and a decent percentage of the under 17 crowd in the Parish. I also have some very special memories of the couples in the Pre-Cana groups that my wife, Vivian and I have worked with over the years and especially those couples whose weddings I have witnessed. An area of special interest to me has always been the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Program. I have been involved with this program for the last 22 years, which includes the 18 years our family have been part of the Faith Community at St. Bernard. The RCIA program is for people who wish to become Roman Catholics and journeying with them to reach this goal has allowed me to see our faith through new eyes over and over again. I was born in Brooklyn, raised in Queens and allegedly have not lost my accent. Vivian and I have been married for 35 years and have happily survived the raising of our 4 children. I have worked for Deloitte Consulting since 1987 as a consultant and in Human Relations. I am currently pursuing a Masters degree in Theology at Seton Hall University. Previously I received my undergraduate degree in business and a Masters in Counseling. Besides doing nothing, my other hobbies are traveling, reading and reading about traveling.
Deacon Pat Cline can be reached by e-mailing PJCJR123@yahoo.com or by calling 908-526-5019.
Deacon Gerry Sims........ My wife, Debbie, and I have been members of St. Bernard for over 20 years. We have three children, Ian, Carmella and Luke, and a new daughter-in-law, Angela. It was with great pleasure that I presided at Ian and Angela’s wedding this past May. I was also privileged to baptize my son, Luke, 15 years ago.
After practicing law as a private attorney and a State’s prosecutor for almost 30 years, I recently retired. Hallelujah!!!! I was ordained a deacon 16 years ago and have been assigned to St. Bernard ever since.
My diaconate ministry has been very enjoyable and fulfilling. In addition to performing baptisms, weddings, prayer services and assisting and preaching at mass, I am on the parish Stewardship Council and facilitate both our baptism preparation program and our welcoming program for new parishioners, known as New Beginnings, New Friends. I also take communion to the local senior residences and periodically drive the SHIP truck which brings hot meals to the less fortunate.
It’s hard to choose, but I’d say the parts of my ministry I enjoy the most are probably marriage preparation of couples for their wedding and meeting young couples through my baptism preparation ministry. I can be reached by e-mail at gcsims@msn.com or by calling 908-725-3288.
Deacon Paul Anderson........ A retired businessman, Deacon Paul Anderson and his wife Merle have been married for 48 years and are the proud parents of seven children. As of now, they have twelve grandchildren, five of which have been baptized by their grandfather. In 1996, shortly after his ordination to the diaconate, Paul had the joy of presiding at the wedding of one of his children, his son Matthew to his wife Cheryl. Deacon Paul is dedicated to bringing the Eucharist to those members of society who cannot participate in regular weekly liturgy. He has facilitated an extensive Eucharistic Ministry, complete with inspiring Communion services to Nursing Home and Assisted Living residents. Some of the facilities served by this ministry are Harborside - Woodsedge Extended Care Facility and the Avalon and Centerbridge Assisted Living Facilities in Bridgewater, as Well as Raritan Health and Extended Care in Raritan. Paul loves the "great outdoors." His hobbies are all things having to do with sun, surf, or snow. Deacon Paul Anderson can be reached at 908-526-1741 or by emailing the parish at stbch@aol.com
Sr. Gloria Pighini (right) and Sr. Christine Quense (left)are Sisters of Jesus our Hope. It is with great joy that we welcome them to St. Bernard as the directors of our Catechetical Formation program. Sister Christine can be reached at extension 810 and Sister Gloria at 824. Their email address is stbchocf@aol.com
Rose Vivinetti, is our Office Manager, Webmaster and Administrative Assistant to our Pastor, Fr. Joe Celano. She can be reached by phone at 908-725-0552 ext. 802, and by email at amanti@optonline.net. Please feel free to call upon Rose with any of your parish needs, concerns, with any questions you may have, or if you have something you would like brought to the attention of the pastor. Rose is the person to call if you would like to schedule an appointment with Fr. Joe. As our parish "webmaster" she is anxious for your input, opinions and suggestions for ways to improve the site. Rose along with Donna Blanton is also the person who will assist you if you are planning to be married at St. Bernard, or if you would like to schedule an event or meeting on the Parish Calendar.
Jeanne Craig is Administrative Assistant to Sister Gloria and Sister Christine. She can be reached at the Catechetical Office at extension 811 and also by email at stbchocf@aol.com You can feel free to call Jeanne with any questions you may have concerning our Religious Education Program.
Christine Dalessio is our Youth Minister! Christine graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in English Lit. and has been married to her husband Mike for 10 years. She has done youth outreach in Appalachia, Indian Island and Germany, and volunteered with the undergraduate group at the Catholic Center at Rutgers. She recently turned 22 again on July 4th. Her favorite authors include J.R.R. Tolkien, Madeline L`Engle, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, Dorothy Sayers and Regina Doman. Recent faves in music are Barlow Girl, Jars of Clay, Third Day and 12 Stones. New faces are always welcome at Sunday night youth events so, teens, don`t knock it til you`ve tried it! You can contact her at 8twelve@gmail.com or through extension 816.
Barbara Turse is the Director of St. Bernard Pre-School and Kindergarten
Barbara Sanderman
Barbara Sanderman is Director of Sacred Music for St. Bernard’s. Barbara plays organ and piano for liturgy and directs the Children’s Choir, Parish Choir and coaches Cantors. Anyone interested in participating in Music Ministry either as a singer or instrumentalist is encouraged to contact Barbara. She also assists in planning music for particular liturgies, such as weddings and funerals. Barbara is also the director of Caritas Chamber Chorale, an a cappella choir which sings sacred music for the benefit of others. Contact Barbara at (908) 725-0552 x 807 or qirdredr@aol.com.
Viginia (Ginny) Hayden, our new Receptionist and Parish Registrar will be happy to greet you and to address or direct any needs you may have. Ginny is handling our "pre-registration process" and is also the person who will help you to schedule and prepare for your child`s Baptism. She can be reached directly at 908-725-0552 ext. 800 or at stbchginny@aol.com
Donna Blanton
Donna Blanton has recently joined our staff in the parish office. Her duties will include helping to keep the parish calendar current, and assisting our couples preparing for the sacrament of Marriage. Please call Donna at the 908-725-0552, preferably in the mornings between 9:00 am and Noon if you need to add or check something on the calendar, or if you would like to discuss Marriage preparation. Donna can also be reached at dblanton37@aol.com
Bill Chmielewski, our Maintenance Supervisor is always hard at work fixing our small emergencies. If you or your ministry need to make any special arrangements for time or space, which would involve the set up of an area, or if you want to report an issue with maintenance, Bill can be reached at extension 819 or via email at stbchmaintenance@aol.com
 
Mark LaFleur and Mary Beth Hansen
(St. Bernard Cemetery)
Mark LaFleur, our Cemetery Director, has been employed with St. Bernard for over 20 years, managing and maintaining the mausoleums and cemetery grounds, as well as caring for our families before and after bereavement. Mark is available to meet with families and discuss all of the options St. Bernard has to offer, and the importance of choosing a Catholic Cemetery as a final resting place for themselves and their loved ones.
Diane Morelli, our Cemetery Secretary, works out of the cemetery house office on Route 28. Her duties include assisting Mark with new and innovative ideas and programs to serve our families and the maintenance and updating of all cemetery records on computer. Diane also handles all billing and administrative tasks.
If you need to discuss Cemetery business or have questions about St. Bernard Cemetery, including inquiries concerning the purchase or the location of grave-sites or mausoleum spaces, please contact Diane, at 908-725-5566. She will also handle any billing or deed inquiries you may have. Diane is generally in the Cemetery Office, located on Route 28, adjacent to the cemetery, between 9:00 AM and 2:30 PM each weekday. You may email the cemetery at stbchcemetery@aol.com
Brian Curtis is in charge of accounting and bookeeping here at St. Bernard and is in the parish office at different times during the weekdays and some evenings as well. If you have any parish financial questions, you may reach Brian at 908-725-0552.
Evelyn Mutek is our Parish Sacristan, and is in charge of making our priests and our parish look good every Sunday by working behind the scenes to get everything setup and broken down in the church and chapel. She also makes sure that we have all the hosts, wines, etc. that are needed to ensure the smooth, reverent celebration of liturgy here at St. Bernard. Her association with the parish goes back many, many years, to when we were still located in Raritan. In fact Evelyn is the person who has been a part of St. Bernard longer than anyone else on staff. She can be reached by calling the parish office and leaving a message for her
Buddy is Fr. Joe`s Dog and is in charge of the Rectory when no one is around. He is a sweet, Golden Retriever who enjoys running through the grass, chasing anything that moves, attempting to get treats from everyone and jumping over the creek. If you see what appears to be a big, fluffy polar bear running around the rectory property, you can be sure that it is Buddy.He is definitely a special member of our parish family. For a great picture of Buddy with some of his friends, please check the Photo Gallery.
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