My pastoral visits across our beloved Diocese of Palm Beach continue at full speed, giving me the opportunity to encounter our people, learn the history of our communities, and witness firsthand the faith, generosity and missionary spirit that animate our parishes. On June 23, 24 and 26, I had the privilege and joy of conducting my pastoral visit to St. Bernadette Parish in Port St. Lucie, the newest parish in our Diocese. What I discovered there was a remarkable community whose history is deeply intertwined with faith, perseverance and even one of the most painful moments in our nation’s history.
The story began on Sept. 2, 2001, when Father Victor Ulto, originally a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn and later incardinated into the Diocese of Palm Beach, celebrated the first Mass for the emerging Catholic community at the Rave Cinema in St. Lucie West. His hope was to encourage the Catholic faithful living in the rapidly growing area to begin forming a new community of faith. The response was overwhelming. So many people came that a second Mass had to be quickly organized and celebrated that very same day in Theater No. 2.
Only nine days later, on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, our nation was shaken by the horrific terrorist attacks that claimed thousands of innocent lives. In the midst of shock, grief and uncertainty, members of this new Catholic community spontaneously gathered together, seeking strength in their faith and consolation in prayer. Father Ulto led them in prayer, including the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, asking the Lord to make them instruments of His peace.
What a powerful beginning for a parish community: born around the Eucharist and, almost immediately, called together in prayer at a moment when our nation desperately needed faith, hope and peace.
Later that year, the growing community celebrated Christmas at Tradition Stadium, then the spring training home of the New York Mets. Eventually, the church and parish offices were housed in modular buildings on 18 acres of land along California Boulevard in St. Lucie West. In 2003, approximately 300 families launched the “Be Part of the Dream” campaign to build a permanent church. Their faith, sacrifice and perseverance bore abundant fruit. On Feb. 11, 2007 — the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, so fittingly connected with St. Bernadette — a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new church, followed by a Mass of Thanksgiving presided over by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito.
Today, St. Bernadette Church — the newest and largest in our Diocese — stands as a powerful sign of the Catholic faith in the entire region. It is also a living testimony to the vision and tenacity of Father Ulto and those pioneering parishioners who dared to dream and then worked tirelessly to make that dream a reality.
Twenty-five years after those humble beginnings, St. Bernadette Parish is more vibrant than ever. Today, thousands of families gather within its spacious facilities to worship God, celebrate the sacraments, grow in fellowship, educate their children in the Catholic faith, and carry out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. More than 35 active ministries give life to the parish. Its current administrator, Father Antony Lopez, who will soon be installed as pastor, continues with great dedication the fruitful work begun by Father Ulto, the founding pastor.
I was particularly impressed by the parish’s vibrant sacred music ministry, with its many dedicated members who help make the liturgical celebrations prayerful and full of life. St. Bernadette also has some wonderfully creative ministries that reveal something important about the spirit of this community. One of them is the Birthday Ministry. Every day, members of the ministry call parishioners celebrating their birthdays simply to congratulate them and assure them of their prayers. It may seem like a small gesture, but it says something profound: people want to know that they are remembered, valued and loved.
Perhaps that is one of the reasons St. Bernadette is always so full of people: everyone feels at home there.
That same spirit extends well beyond the walls of the church. The parish’s Literacy Ministry supports students in local public schools. Martha’s Hands provides refreshments and hospitality to grieving families following funerals, offering a simple but meaningful expression of Christian compassion.
Through Project Mother Teresa, parishioners provide food to those in need, while the St. Vincent de Paul Society continues the Church’s tradition of reaching out personally and concretely to our brothers and sisters experiencing hardship. This is what a parish is meant to be: a family of families, gathered around Jesus Christ, nourished by the Eucharist, strengthened by prayer and sent forth to serve. St. Bernadette began with a Mass in a movie theater and a small group of Catholics willing to dream. Twenty-five years later, that dream has become a flourishing spiritual home for thousands.
This is a reminder that when we place our dreams in God’s hands, remain faithful and work together, the Lord can accomplish extraordinary things. Another powerful sign of that is the brand-new Rosary Park that one of St. Bernadette’s teens, Joshua Brewer, built in the front garden of the church — a testimony to both the vibrancy of this community of faith and the bright future its young people are already building.
Congratulations to Father Antony Lopez, to Father Victor Ulto, to the pioneering families who built this remarkable community, and to every parishioner, volunteer, minister and benefactor who today makes St. Bernadette such a joyful and vibrant family of faith.
May St. Bernadette continue to inspire this parish to remain always close to Christ, devoted to our Blessed Mother, welcoming to all and joyful in serving those most in need.
St. Bernadette, pray for us
Bishop Manuel welcomes comments and reflections from readers: bishopofpalmbeach@diocesepb.org
