About St. Bernard · Louisville, Kentucky
St. Bernard is a Roman Catholic parish in the Highview neighborhood of southeastern Jefferson County, Louisville, Kentucky, belonging to the Archdiocese of Louisville. Founded in 1963 and named for St. Bernard of Clairvaux — the patron saint of its first pastor, Fr. Joseph Bernard Glick — the parish grew with the post-war suburban boom and the influx of families working at the nearby General Electric Company. Today St. Bernard serves more than 800 registered families and roughly 3,000 parishioners through weekend and daily Mass, an onsite K-8 school (St. Bernard Catholic School), faith formation for all ages, and a wide network of charity, outreach, and parish-life ministries.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux
- Rector
- Rev. Justin Nelson Alphonse, C.P.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
St. Bernard is a mid-sized suburban parish with deep roots in the Highview community and a strong sense of family-school-parish unity. Parishioners worship through a full weekly schedule of Masses, prepare children for the sacraments in a family-based model, support an onsite K-8 Catholic school staffed by Ursuline-tradition educators and lay teachers, and live out stewardship through more than forty ministries — from Stephen Ministry and Respect for Life to the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries, and the parish Hunger Walk. With active youth ministry, adult formation, women's and men's groups, a Booster Club and PTO, and a vibrant music program led by a Director of Worship and Music, newcomers readily find a place whether they're drawn to liturgy, formation, service, or simply belonging to a multi-generational Catholic community.
Mass times at St. Bernard
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–3:30 p.m. (and First Saturdays 3:00–3:30 p.m. as published by the archdiocese)
- 10 minutes before weekend Masses by request
- By appointment with the pastor (502-239-5178)
- Regional communal Reconciliation services during Advent and Lent — consult bulletin
Adoration times
- Seasonal adoration is offered; consult the weekly bulletin for current schedule.
History of the Parish
On September 23, 1963, Archbishop John A. Floersh announced plans for the establishment of a new parish in southeastern Jefferson County. Named for the patron saint of its first pastor, the Rev. Joseph Bernard Glick, ground was broken on March 15, 1964, the cornerstone was set on July 5, 1964, and the first parish Mass was celebrated on October 18, 1964. The school opened that same fall with 423 students and the convent followed. The parish has grown through liturgical renovations in 1975 and 1992, the construction of a parish hall in 1978, the launch of the 'Build for Tomorrow' campaign, and the addition of the Education and Formation Center in 1997. Through the decades — under pastors Fr. Joseph Glick (1963–1966), Fr. Roy Dentinger (1966–1976), Fr. Bertrand Rapp (1976–1986), Fr. Joe Fowler (1986–1996), Fr. Joe Vest (1996–2002), Fr. Bob Stuempel (2002–2019), Fr. Chuck Walker (2019–2024), and currently Fr. Justin Nelson Alphonse, C.P. — St. Bernard has been home to more than 800 registered families and roughly 3,000 parishioners in the Highview community.
- Founded: 1963 by Archbishop John A. Floersh
- Groundbreaking: March 15, 1964
- Cornerstone: July 5, 1964
- First parish Mass: October 18, 1964
- School opened fall 1964 with 423 students; convent completed ~1966; school annex 1969
- Vatican II church renovation 1975
- Parish Hall built 1978
- Old convent converted to FCHUM Adult Day Care Center 1990
- Second church renovation 1992
- 'Build for Tomorrow' campaign 1996; Education and Formation Center completed August 1997
- 50th Anniversary jubilee 2013–2014; combined celebration October 18, 2014
- Fr. Chuck Walker welcomed spring 2019
- Fr. Justin Nelson Alphonse, C.P. appointed by Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre effective September 14, 2024
Patron Saint — St. Bernard of Clairvaux
The parish's formal patron is St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Born in Burgundy, France in 1090, Bernard entered the Cistercian monastery at Cîteaux in 1113 at the age of twenty-three. In 1115 he was sent with twelve monks to found a new monastery at what became Clairvaux, where he was appointed abbot. A powerful preacher and reputed miracle-worker, he attracted great crowds of pilgrims and was recognized as the most influential spiritual leader of his time. He was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1174 and named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius VII in 1830. He died at the age of 63 and is commemorated each year on August 20.
- Born 1090 in Burgundy, France
- Entered Cîteaux 1113; founded Clairvaux 1115
- Canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1174
- Doctor of the Church (Pius VII, 1830)
- Feast day: August 20
Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation
Following the Church's understanding that parents are the primary religious educators of their children, St. Bernard's sacramental preparation is family or home based, supported by the parish and St. Bernard Catholic School. The parish offers preparation for Infant Baptism, First Eucharist and First Reconciliation, Confirmation, and the Rites of Christian Initiation for adults and children over the age of seven. Engaged couples meet with the pastor at least six months prior to the wedding and complete the FOCCUS assessment, with couple-to-couple follow-up and premarital counseling. Pastoral Care of the Sick — including Anointing of the Sick, Holy Communion to the homebound, and visits to area nursing homes — is coordinated by the Pastoral Associate.
- Infant Baptism (0–6)
- First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, Confirmation (family-based)
- RCIA / RCI for adults and children age 7+ (contact Cyndi Marlow, ext. 2203)
- Marriage: minimum 6-month meeting with pastor; FOCCUS; couple-to-couple meetings; premarital counseling
- Pastoral Care of the Sick / Anointing of the Sick — Denise Meyer, ext. 2202
- Bereavement / Funeral preparation
Faith Formation for All Ages
St. Bernard's Faith Formation office (Coordinator Cyndi Marlow) seeks to equip people of every age to live as disciples of Jesus — growing in relationship with God, deepening prayer and biblical literacy, and engaging in service and mission. Programs include a K-8 Family Faith Formation model, Middle and High School Youth Ministry, Adult Formation, the parish subscription to Formed.org ('Faith Formation to Go'), Vacation Bible School (K-6), and Children's Liturgy of the Word for ages 3 through 2nd grade.
- Religious Education K-8 / Family Faith Formation
- Middle and High School Youth Ministry (coordinator currently vacant as of recent directory)
- Adult Formation
- Faith Formation to Go — Formed.org (all ages)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (ages 3 – 2nd grade)
- Vacation Bible School (K-6)
- Faith Formation Assistant: Darlene Fowler
St. Bernard Catholic School (K-8) and Preschool
St. Bernard Catholic School is the primary educational ministry of the parish, serving K-8 students on the Tangelo Drive campus. Originally staffed by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph, the school has long partnered religious sisters and lay teachers to provide a rigorous Catholic education aligned with the Kentucky State Department of Education and the Archdiocese of Louisville's curriculum framework (Common Core ELA, Next Generation Science Standards, New York State Social Studies Framework, and NCTM math). It offers preschool, full-day kindergarten, before- and after-school care (ASC, 2:45–6:00 p.m., led by Donna Bruno), and summer care, plus a Booster Club athletic program and a Parent-Teacher Organization.
- Principal: Julie Perdue
- Preschool / Early Childhood Director: Donna Bruno
- School Secretary: Mandy Mattingly
- Counselor: Risa Musto
- Booster Club (athletics); PTO
- After-School Care (ASC): 2:45–6:00 p.m. on school days
- Family Handbook: stbcatholicschool.com
Liturgical Ministries
Lay liturgical ministers support the parish's weekend and weekday liturgies, coordinated by the Director of Worship and Music. Volunteers assist with the celebration of the Eucharist, the proclamation of the Word, and the hospitality that welcomes parishioners and visitors alike. Formation and training are provided for all liturgical roles, and Safe Environment Training (SET) plus a background check are required for those working with minors.
- Director of Worship & Music: Theresa Marks
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (incl. to the Homebound and to the Nursing Home)
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Ushers / Greeters
- Sacristans
- Music ministry / Choirs
Charity and Outreach
Echoing the great commandment to love neighbor as self, St. Bernard offers a robust network of charitable and outreach ministries touching the homebound, the elderly, the hungry, the homeless, the unborn, and the wider Highview community. The parish supports its own Food Pantry through the parish office, staffs days at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, sends volunteers to the Franciscan Shelter House, and is a founding partner of the ecumenical Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries (FCHUM) network that serves older adults and families in crisis.
- Stephen Ministry (lay caregiving)
- Hand in Hand Ministries (international service)
- Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries (FCHUM) — Adult Day Center, Food Pantry, Individual & Family Assistance Center
- St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen Crew (1st Sat., 2nd Tues., 2nd Sat., 4th Tues., 5th Tues.)
- Franciscan Shelter House (meals, Mon–Fri 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
- Hunger Walk (Dare to Care)
- Ministers of Holy Eucharist to Homebound
- Ministers of Holy Eucharist to Nursing Home (Morning Pointe)
- Respect for Life Ministry
- Plarners (plastic-bag mats for the homeless)
- Bereavement Meal Ministry
- Prayer Blanket Ministry
- Prayer Line and Pray for the Parish
- Pastoral Care of the Sick
- Parish Counseling (Risa Musto)
Parish Administration and Stewardship
The administration of St. Bernard is governed by a Parish Council (the main consulting body to the pastor) and a Finance Council (required by Canon Law to advise on temporal goods). Stewardship forms the cultural backbone of the parish: parishioners are invited to share time, talent, and treasure through volunteer ministries, online giving (stbernardlou.weshareonline.org), and ongoing capital and operational support. The Welcoming Committee hosts eleven monthly coffee-and-doughnut socials each year to greet new parishioners.
- Parish Council — contact Leonard Humpich
- Finance Council (Canon Law)
- Online giving: stbernardlou.weshareonline.org
- Welcoming Committee — Teresa Burkhardt
- Parish Newsletter
- Technology & Communications Committee — Amanda Stewart
- Facilities & Groundskeeping Management (Grass Cutters, Landscapers, Physical Plant) — Brian Mattingly
- Safe Environment Training (SET) and background checks — Hannah Loran
Community Activities and Parish Life
Beyond liturgy, formation, and service, St. Bernard fosters an active parish social life for all ages. The parish grounds, school facilities, and Education and Formation Center host social gatherings, athletics (Booster Club sports for boys and girls), PTO events, Vacation Bible School, women's and men's groups, and seasonal festivities. The community is sometimes described by parishioners as 'The Best [kept secret] in Highview!'
- Booster Club sports programs for boys and girls
- PTO events and meetings
- Coffee-and-doughnut socials (eleven per year)
- Vacation Bible School
- Seasonal parish celebrations and feast-day events
- AA meetings (Sun/Tue/Wed 7:30 p.m.) and Al-Anon (Sun 7:30 p.m.)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Bernard Glick1963–1966
Founding pastor; the parish and its patron saint are named in his honor.
- Rev. Roy Dentinger1966–1976
Shepherded the parish through the implementation of Vatican II reforms, including the 1975 church renovation.
- Rev. Bertrand Rapp1976–1986
Oversaw construction of the parish hall (1978).
- Rev. Joe Fowler1986–1996
Oversaw the 'Build for Tomorrow' campaign and the opening of the Education and Formation Center (1997).
- Rev. Joe Vest1996–2002
- Rev. Bob Stuempel2002–2019
17-year pastorate; retired in spring 2019 after leading the 50th anniversary celebrations (2013–2014).
- Rev. Chuck Walker2019–2024
Welcomed as pastor in spring 2019; served until summer 2024.
- Rev. Justin Nelson Alphonse, C.P.2024–present
Member of the Passionist community; appointed by Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre effective September 14, 2024. Born in Tamilnadu, India; professed vows 1995; ordained May 7, 2000. Formerly pastor of St. Agnes in Louisville (2020–2024) and served at Holy Family, Ensley, AL and St. Mary's, Fairfield, AL.