About St. Bernadette Shrine Church · Brooklyn, New York
The Shrine Church of St. Bernadette is a Roman Catholic parish in the Dyker Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Founded in 1935, it was the first Catholic church in the United States and the Western Hemisphere to be named for St. Bernadette Soubirous, the visionary of Lourdes, and was established as a shrine church shortly after her canonization in 1933. Today the parish continues to serve the Dyker Heights community through daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, a flourishing parochial school (St. Bernadette Catholic Academy, founded 1953), a Religious Education program, the Knights of Columbus, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and various devotional societies.
- Established
- 1935
- Patron
- St. Bernadette Soubirous (of Lourdes)
- Rector
- Rev. Jeremy A. L. Canna
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
Why belong here
St. Bernadette offers a deeply devotional parish life centered on the Eucharist — with daily Mass, a dedicated Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration every Thursday evening, and frequent opportunities for Confession. Active parishioners sustain the St. Vincent de Paul Society (outreach to those in need), the Knights of Columbus Archbishop John Hughes Council 481, the St. Cecilia Society (supporting sacred music), a Holy Name Society, a Miraculous Medal devotion on Mondays, and the parish Rosary after daily Mass. Families also benefit from St. Bernadette Catholic Academy (Pre-K through 8), the parish Religious Education program, and the longtime presence of the Religious Teachers of St. Lucy Filippini.
Mass times at St. Bernadette Shrine Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 7:50 a.m.
- Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 7:50 a.m.
- Saturday: 7:30 a.m. – 7:50 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- By appointment with a priest for other times
Adoration times
- Thursday evenings 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Blessed Sacrament exposed in church; stay for any portion)
History of the Parish
St. Bernadette was founded in 1935 by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy of Brooklyn, who appointed the young Rev. Francis P. Barilla as the first pastor on June 24, 1935. Mass was first celebrated on June 30, 1935 in the auditorium of the Archbishop John Hughes Council of the Knights of Columbus at 86th Street and 13th Avenue, then moved to a rented storefront chapel at 8218 13th Avenue. The parish grew rapidly; a Block Party on August 14, 1935 raised nearly $2,500 toward the new church. The groundbreaking was held on March 29, 1936, and the cornerstone was laid in October 1936. The school opened in September 1953. The parish celebrated its 90th anniversary on April 16, 2025 with Bishop Robert Brennan.
- Founded June 24, 1935 — appointment letter from Bishop Thomas E. Molloy
- First Mass: Sunday, June 30, 1935 at the K of C auditorium
- Storefront chapel: 8218 13th Avenue ($30/month)
- Groundbreaking: March 29, 1936
- Cornerstone laid: October 1936
- School opened: September 1953
- 90th Anniversary Mass: April 16, 2025 with Bishop Robert Brennan
Why a 'Shrine'?
The parish is officially designated a Shrine Church in the Diocese of Brooklyn. The title reflects its origin as the first church in the Western Hemisphere named for St. Bernadette Soubirous and the fact that a relic of St. Bernadette was enshrined beneath the main altar at the cornerstone ceremony in October 1936. The interior arrangement — with the saint depicted kneeling in vision before the Virgin Mary above the high altar — was designed by Brooklyn architect Henry V. Murphy.
- First St. Bernadette-named church in the U.S. and Western Hemisphere
- Relic of St. Bernadette sealed beneath the altar (1936)
- Architect of sanctuary rendering: Henry V. Murphy, Brooklyn
- Founded within two years of St. Bernadette's canonization (Dec. 8, 1933)
Devotions and Devotional Societies
Beyond the Mass and Confession schedule, the parish supports a rich devotional life that reflects its Italian-American heritage and Marian focus on St. Bernadette. The Miraculous Medal Novena is prayed on Monday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass and the Rosary is recited Monday through Saturday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. During Lent the parish hosts Stations of the Cross with guest preachers. The Holy Name Society conducts an Italian-language Good Friday procession ending in a Blessing with the Relic of the True Cross. The St. Cecilia Society underwrites guest musicians and soloists for Christmas, Holy Week, and other solemnities.
- Miraculous Medal Novena — Monday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass
- Daily Rosary — Monday–Saturday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass
- Stations of the Cross during Lent
- Holy Name Society Italian Good Friday procession with Relic of the True Cross
- St. Cecilia Society supporting sacred music
St. Bernadette Catholic Academy (Parish School)
St. Bernadette School was opened in September 1953 by the parish and has been staffed by the Religious Teachers of St. Lucy Filippini (MPF). In 2016 it was renamed St. Bernadette Catholic Academy. The academy serves children from Pre-K 3 through Grade 8, with a faculty that has produced two NCEA Distinguished Teachers and an NCEA Distinguished Principal. It was named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 2008 and earned Cognia accreditation in 2021. The school sits adjacent to the church at 1313 83rd Street and offers an eighth-grade Regents math course, Italian language instruction, technology, art, music, and physical education, plus extracurriculars including band, choir, handbells, robotics, violin, book club, journalism, and academic bees.
- Founded 1953; renamed Academy in 2016
- Staffed by the Religious Teachers of St. Lucy Filippini (MPF)
- Blue Ribbon School (2008); Cognia accredited (2021)
- Grades: Pre-K 3 through 8
- Address: 1313 83rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11228
- Phone: 718-236-1560
Religious Education (CCD)
The parish Religious Education program prepares children in Grades 1 through 6 who attend public or non-Catholic schools for the sacraments and ongoing faith formation. Classes meet on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the school building at 1313 83rd Street. Registration for the following school year opens in April and May, with a $225 per-family fee payable by check or money order to The Shrine Church of St. Bernadette. A baptismal certificate is required for new students. Maria Cordi is the current Director of the Religious Education Office (718-232-7733).
- Grades 1–6
- Wednesdays 3:30–5:00 p.m. at 1313 83rd Street
- $225 family registration fee
- Director: Maria Cordi — 718-232-7733
Parish Staff
The current parish staff includes Rev. Jeremy A. L. Canna as Pastor, Rev. Juan Luxama as Parochial Vicar, and Deacon Frank De Michele. The administrative assistant is Ortenzia (Anna) Muriale. Joseph J. Bartolozzi, PhD, serves as Director of Music. Maria Cordi directs the Religious Education Office. A March 2023 bulletin also lists Deacon Anthony P. Martucci and Mr. Joseph McLaughlin as Parish Music Director, reflecting an earlier roster under Msgr. Thomas G. Caserta.
- Rev. Jeremy A. L. Canna — Pastor (appointed 2023, first pastorship since ordination in 2014)
- Rev. Juan Luxama — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Frank De Michele
- Ortenzia (Anna) Muriale — Administrative Assistant
- Joseph J. Bartolozzi, PhD — Director of Music
- Maria Cordi — Director of Religious Education
Music and Liturgy
The parish maintains a robust music program. The current organ is a II/25 instrument of approximately 16 ranks built by the Peragallo Pipe Organ Company of Paterson, New Jersey (Opus 507, 1984), which rebuilt and enlarged the original two-manual W.W. Kimball organ installed in 1938. The Kimball organ was originally placed in twin gallery chambers flanking a large window. The St. Cecilia Society, named for the patron saint of church music, raises funds for guest musicians and soloists for special occasions including Christmas and Holy Week. Joseph J. Bartolozzi, PhD, currently directs the music program.
- W.W. Kimball organ (Chicago) — 1938, original instrument
- Peragallo Pipe Organ Company Opus 507 — 1984 rebuild/enlargement
- II/25, ~16 ranks, electro-pneumatic action
- St. Cecilia Society supports guest musicians
Outreach and Parish Societies
St. Bernadette's parishioners sustain several parish societies and outreach ministries. The local Knights of Columbus council is Archbishop John Hughes Council 481 (kofc481.com, 718-259-8840) — the same council whose auditorium hosted the parish's very first Masses in 1935. The St. Vincent de Paul conference runs a vehicle-donation program that returns $50–$100 per vehicle to the parish (718-491-2525). The Holy Name Society conducts Italian devotions. The St. Cecilia Society supports sacred music.
- Knights of Columbus Archbishop John Hughes Council 481
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — vehicle donation program
- Holy Name Society
- St. Cecilia Society
Sacraments
Baptisms are scheduled on the third Sunday of the month at 2:00 p.m. A mandatory preparation session for parents is held the preceding Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.; a birth certificate and registration are required, and parents must make appointments before both the preparation meeting and the date of baptism. Couples planning to marry should call the Rectory at least six months in advance for an appointment with a priest and log on to www.pre-cana.org for diocesan marriage-preparation requirements. Anointing of the Sick and home visits are available anytime by calling (718) 837-3400. Catholic Cemeteries information is available at (718) 894-4888.
- Baptisms: 3rd Sunday, 2:00 p.m.; prep Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
- Marriage: 6 months advance notice; Pre-Cana required
- Sick Calls / Anointing: anytime, 718-837-3400
- Catholic Cemeteries: 718-894-4888
Visiting and Contact
The Shrine Church of St. Bernadette is located at 8201 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11228, between 82nd and 83rd Streets in Dyker Heights. The Rectory phone is (718) 837-3400 (fax 718-236-5883) with sick calls accepted anytime. Office hours are Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–noon and 1:00–4:00 p.m.; closed on weekends and legal holidays. The school and CCD building is at 1313 83rd Street. The parish bulletin is published online through SolutioSoftware.
- Address: 8201 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11228
- Phone: 718-837-3400
- Fax: 718-236-5883
- Office: Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
- School/CCD: 1313 83rd Street, 718-236-1560 / 718-232-7733
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis P. Barilla1935–founding pastor
Appointed by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy on June 24, 1935; built the parish from a storefront chapel into the present Shrine Church.
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas G. Casertalisted as pastor in March 2023 bulletin
Served as pastor; signed the bulletin as 'Msgr. Caserta'.
- Rev. Jeremy A. L. Cannaappointed 2023–present
Previously parochial vicar at Blessed Trinity Parish in Breezy Point/Rockaway; first pastorship since ordination in June 2014.