The St. Bernard Men’s Ministry is a great way to meet other men of the parish. Think of it as an opportunity to network within the parish.

The group generally meets once a month for an hour and a half to enjoy a good dinner and a social gathering with other men and to hear a speaker on an interesting topic.

All men interested in participating in the group must just be parishioners and have an interest in connecting with other men of the parish on the second Saturday of the month beginning at 7:30 AM. Gatherings conclude by 9:00 AM.
 

In addition to the monthly meetings, the ministry sponsors two annual awards.

• The annual Charlie Grill Award recognizes a man of the parish who demonstrates his love and service to God, church, family, country and community..

• The annual Merle Andersen Award recognizes a woman for their contributions to St. Bernard and the community at large.

For more information, contact:

Mark Dransfield – markadransfield@gmail.com; cell: 646-841-4720

Joe Stevens – jstevens@fusionmed.onmicrosoft.com

Greg Elia – gelia@betterlifeplanning.com

Both Charlie and his wife Kitty had a love of God and neighbor. This love was expressed in their service to God, church, family, country and community. Charlie was a life-long, dedicated parishioner of St. Bernard dating back to the original church in Raritan, NJ.

Over the years, Charlie played an active role in numerous service-related activities and programs, but will be remembered most for his passion of woodworking; he crafted items for both parish recognition recipients and the church itself. Charlie succumbed to leukemia in 1993.

Following his passing, the Men’s Ministry initiated an annual award in his honor to be given to a male parishioner who demonstrates many of the same characteristics and acts of service that Charlie did for so many years. That tradition continues today in a very vibrant way.

The nominee and recipient of the award must demonstrate the following:

• Performs service in a manner that reflects the love of Christ

• Is a member of St. Bernard Church and a regular communicant

• Performs acts of service while a member of St. Bernard Church

• Performs acts of service that include but are not limited to: ministry to the homebound, nursing and assisted living facilities, the homeless, hospitals, the poor/needy, missionary work, Catholic Charities, Diocese)

RECIPIENTS OF THE CHARLIE GRILL AWARD

2023 – Tim O'Connor - click here for picture
2021 – Greg Elia
2019 – Ray Grodkiewicz
2018 – Tom Wisniewski
2017 – Joe Stevens
2016 – Ron Haikes
2015 – Mark Dransfield
2014 – Russ Nesbitt
2013 – John Casey
2012 – Bernie McElroy
2011 – Gerry Nugent
2010 – Peter Papa
2009 – Tom Van Horne
2008 – Ron Krilla
2007 – Jack Hurley
2006 – Ed Dobrosky
2005 – John Mahler
2004 – Bill Funkhouser
2003 – Brian Roe
2002 – Bill Coscia
2001 – Leo Delaney
2000 – Art Sanford
1999 – Fr. John Brundage
1998 – Walt Steele
1997 – Gene Quinteri
1998 – Bob McNamara

The Men’s Ministry Award is given annually to a woman of St. Bernard parish who by her commitment to Christ and our church has been a positive example of Christian service. 

Originally the award was titled the Woman's Appreciation Award. Retitled in 2003 as the Merle Anderson Award.

RECIPIENTS OF THE MERLE ANDERSON AWARD

2023 – Priscilla Weick
2022 – Joan Dobrosky
2021– Mary Ann Stevens
2019 – Elisabeth McConville
2018 – Judy Wisniewski
2017 – Lynn Ruezinksy
2016 – Mary Haikes
2015 – Eileen Funkhouser
2014 – Sisters of Jesus Our Hope
2013 – Dorothy Tietjen
2012 – Evelyn Mutek
2011 – Karen Castellon
2010 – Sister Gloria Pighini and Sister Christine Quense
2009 – Cynthia O'Connor
2008 – Flora Constantini
2007 – Maureen Hurley
2006 – Bonnie Henry
2005 – Linda Breck
2004 – Helen Sanford
2003 – Jane McElroy
2002 – Merle Anderson
2001 – Donna Villanova