About St. Bernard · Holmes Beach, Florida
St. Bernard Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Venice that serves the Catholic community of Anna Maria Island in Holmes Beach, Florida. Founded in 1956 as a missionary outreach of St. Joseph Parish in Bradenton, it originally ministered to about 60 families on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key and today serves more than 500 permanent and seasonal residents. The parish offers Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses, weekday daily Mass, Saturday confessions, monthly First Friday devotions with Eucharistic Adoration, and a network of lay ministries under its current pastor, Rev. Gerard F. Critch.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux
- Rector
- Rev. Gerard F. Critch
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida
Why belong here
St. Bernard is a welcoming island parish that combines traditional Catholic liturgy with the easy, neighborly feel of a small coastal community: weekday daily Mass, Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses, monthly First Friday Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration, and Saturday confessions before the Vigil Mass. Active lay ministries — Respect Life, Holy Name Society, Women's Guild, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Hospitality/ushers, Altar Servers, Memorial Garden Care, and the SPIRIT Singers music ministry — give newcomers concrete ways to participate. It is also a practical spiritual home for both year-round residents and the large seasonal Catholic population of Anna Maria Island.
Mass times at St. Bernard
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (before the 4:00 PM Vigil Mass)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following the 8:30 AM Mass)
About St. Bernard Parish
St. Bernard Catholic Church is the Catholic parish of Holmes Beach, Florida, located on Anna Maria Island in Manatee County. It is part of the Diocese of Venice in Florida and traces its origin to a mission of St. Joseph Parish, Bradenton, established on January 29, 1956. The current sanctuary — the third on the property — was built in 1969 and dedicated on March 8, 1970. The parish serves both year-round residents of Anna Maria Island and a large seasonal Catholic population.
History of St. Bernard
The first church on the site was completed in 1955, with the mission canonically erected on January 29, 1956, under founding priest Rev. Francis Welsmiller. Welsmiller also directed the construction of the parish's activities center and served until he left for mission work in Mexico in 1973. The mission was elevated to parish status on April 1, 1966, and a new sanctuary was built in 1969 and dedicated on March 8, 1970. The parish marked its 50th anniversary in January 2006 and celebrated the legacy of its founding pastor in his final years. Most recently, the parish hall and rectory suffered significant damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
- 1955 — first sanctuary built
- January 29, 1956 — mission established under St. Joseph, Bradenton
- April 1, 1966 — elevated to parish status
- 1969 — current sanctuary built
- March 8, 1970 — church dedicated
- 1973 — Fr. Welsmiller departs for Mexico; orphanage founded
- January 2006 — 50th anniversary celebrated
- September–October 2024 — Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton damage parish hall and rectory
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
St. Bernard offers a classic Catholic schedule built around a Saturday Vigil Mass, two Sunday Masses, daily morning Mass Monday through Friday, and a monthly First Friday devotion. The chapel remains open for prayer on weekdays until 3:00 PM.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 4:00 PM
- Sunday Masses — 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM
- Daily Mass — Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM
- First Friday — Rosary 8:00 AM, Mass 8:30 AM, Exposition until 10:00 AM
- Confessions — Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM, or by appointment
Devotions
Beyond the weekly schedule, the parish observes traditional Catholic devotions that mark the rhythm of the liturgical year. The most prominent is the monthly First Friday devotion combining the Rosary, Mass, and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
- First Friday Rosary at 8:00 AM
- First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until 10:00 AM
- Respect Life ministry prayer and advocacy
- Memorial Garden Care ministry
Parish Staff
The parish staff supports the priest in liturgy, faith formation, music, administration, and facilities. The pastor is assisted by lay staff in faith formation, music ministry, bookkeeping, reception, and maintenance.
- Rev. Gerard Critch — Pastor
- Director of Faith Formation — (position filled; Matthew Nowicki referenced as of April 2025; Luci Majikas also listed by the parish)
- Bookkeeper
- Administrative Assistant / Receptionist — Sheri Murphy
- Maintenance — Larry Banther
- Music Ministry — currently an open position; SPIRIT Singers & instrumentalists active
Ministries & Organizations
The parish describes itself as grateful for members past and present who dedicate time, talent, and treasure to keep it vibrant. Lay ministries span liturgical service, fellowship, outreach, and music. New members are encouraged to contact the office to get involved.
- Respect Life
- Hospitality (Ushers)
- Lector
- Holy Name Society (men)
- Women's Guild
- Eucharistic Ministry (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion)
- Altar Servers
- Memorial Garden Care
- SPIRIT Singers & Instrumentalists Music Ministry
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. Bernard supports catechesis for children and adults, including sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation. A Director of Faith Formation coordinates the program on the parish staff.
- Children's faith formation / catechetical program
- Sacramental preparation (First Communion, Confirmation)
- Adult faith formation / RCIA opportunities (contact parish office)
Music Ministry
The music ministry at St. Bernard is called the SPIRIT Singers and Instrumentalists, an open and welcoming group described by the parish as 'a fledgling' program inviting singers and instrumentalists to make 'a joyful noise to the Lord'.
- SPIRIT Singers (vocal choir)
- Instrumentalists
- Music Director position currently open
Outreach & Community Support
The parish serves both its island congregation and the wider Anna Maria Island community. It maintains close ties with AMI Elementary School and supports an island-wide assistance ministry that helps neighbors in financial need.
- AID — Anna Maria Island financial assistance for those who live, work or worship on the island, or have children at AMI Elementary School (Cornelia Zanetti, President; 941-725-2433)
- Connections with Anna Maria Island Elementary School
- Respect Life ministry outreach
Sacraments
St. Bernard celebrates the seven sacraments typical of a parish church. Scheduling is handled through the parish office, and sacramental preparation is required for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage.
- Baptism — preparation required; contact office
- First Communion — via Faith Formation
- Confirmation — via Faith Formation
- Marriage — contact priest at least six months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment or after Mass
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM or by appointment
- Holy Orders / Religious Life — referred to Diocese of Venice Vocations Office
Facilities & Campus
The parish campus on South Harbor Drive includes the main church sanctuary (built 1969, dedicated 1970), the Welsmiller Activities Center / parish hall (named for founding pastor Rev. Francis Welsmiller and housing a basketball court and stage), the parish office, and a Memorial Garden cared for by a dedicated lay ministry. The chapel is open for prayer on weekdays until 3:00 PM.
- Church sanctuary (1969)
- Welsmiller Activities Center / parish hall
- Parish office
- Memorial Garden
- Weekday chapel (open until 3:00 PM)
Hurricane Recovery (2024)
St. Bernard was among the hardest-hit parishes in the Diocese of Venice during the 2024 hurricane season. While the church sanctuary itself was not damaged and Masses continued, the parish hall and rectory suffered significant flooding and roof damage that the Diocese has been working to repair.
- Hurricane Helene (September 2024) — flooding in parish hall
- Hurricane Milton (October 9, 2024) — partial roof loss on parish hall, additional rectory damage
- Sanctuary remained operational; Masses never fully stopped
- Diocese of Venice Disaster Relief Fund activated for repairs
Visiting & Getting Involved
Visitors and seasonal 'snowbird' Catholics are warmly welcomed at St. Bernard. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, closed on Holy Days of Obligation and U.S. national holidays. Newcomers are encouraged to introduce themselves after Mass and to consider joining one of the parish ministries listed by the parish.
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Address: 248 South Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- Phone: (941) 778-4769
- Email: [email protected]
- Welcome / new parishioner registration via parish office
Contact
The fastest ways to reach St. Bernard are by phone during office hours, by email to the parish office, or via the official Facebook page. Mass intention reservations are available after 10:00 AM Monday and during all regular office hours.
- Phone: (941) 778-4769
- Office email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stbernardcc.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stbernardcc/
- Address: 248 South Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis Welsmiller1956–c.1973
Founding priest; oversaw completion of the original 1955 church and directed construction of the parish activities center (later named for him). Left Anna Maria Island in 1973 to found an orphanage in Mexico. Died June 2008 at age 91.
- Rev. Robert J. Mongiello2004–2010
Born 1949 in Mercer, PA; ordained May 15, 1987 by Bishop John J. Nevins. Previously parochial vicar in Cape Coral and Punta Gorda, then pastor of Sacred Heart, Punta Gorda (1997–2004). Retired 2010; died March 22, 2018 in Bradenton.
- Rev. Michael Mullen2010–2018
Irish-born Rosminian (Institute of Charity), ordained 1975; incardinated into Diocese of Venice September 13, 2004. Previously administrator/pastor of St. Francis Xavier, Fort Myers. Retired May 1, 2018.
- Rev. Phillip Schweda2018–2026 (Administrator)
Served as Administrator of St. Bernard Parish after Fr. Mullen's retirement; retired effective March 24, 2026.
- Rev. Gerard F. Critch2026–present
Appointed Pastor of St. Bernard effective March 24, 2026 by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, transferring from St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Naples.
- Tomasj Ochezc.2006
Parochial Assistant to Fr. Mongiello during the 50th anniversary year; native of Poland.