About St. Bernard (St. Brendan the Navigator Parish) · Rockland, Maine
St. Bernard Church, located at 150 Broadway in Rockland, Maine, is one of three worship sites of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, a Roman Catholic community serving Mid-Coast Maine. Together with Our Lady of Good Hope in Camden and St. Francis of Assisi in Belfast, St. Bernard forms a clustered parish created in January 2009 by Bishop Richard J. Malone, bringing together the Catholic faithful of Rockland, Camden, Belfast, and surrounding communities. The parish is pastored by Rev. Anthanasius S. Wirsiy, a Fidei Donum missionary priest from the Diocese of Kumbo in Cameroon, and serves roughly 540 families at the St. Bernard site. The parish's mission centers on encountering the transforming love of Jesus Christ through full, conscious, and active celebration of the Sacraments, with special attention to Reconciliation and Eucharist.
- Established
- 1858 (original St. David's parish); 1889 (renamed St. Bernard); 1974 (current church building); 2009 (merged into St. Brendan the Navigator Parish)
- Patron
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux (feast day August 20)
- Rector
- Rev. Anthanasius S. Wirsiy (Administrator since January 16, 2023)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland (Maine)
Why belong here
St. Bernard Church and the wider St. Brendan the Navigator Parish welcome Catholics and seekers across Mid-Coast Maine with a clear sacramental focus on Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Weekend Masses at St. Bernard are offered Saturday at 6:00 PM and Sunday at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM, with weekday Masses on Tuesday morning and Thursday evening preceded by Eucharistic Adoration — giving families and individuals regular opportunities for prayer and devotion close to home. The parish is supported by an active Knights of Columbus Limerock Council #136, a Faith Formation program, an annual Vacation Bible Camp, and outreach efforts that bring Mass to local nursing homes, making it a community grounded in both worship and service.
Mass times at St. Bernard (St. Brendan the Navigator Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Half hour before each weekend Mass (Saturday 5:30 PM; Sunday 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM)
- During Thursday Eucharistic Adoration at 5:30 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursdays from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, preceding the 6:30 PM Mass (Livestreamed)
Welcome to St. Brendan the Navigator Parish
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish is a Roman Catholic community serving as a beacon that helps people encounter the transforming love of Jesus Christ through full, conscious, and active celebration of the Sacraments, with special attention to Reconciliation and Eucharist. The unified parish stretches across Mid-Coast Maine from Rockland and Camden to Belfast and the surrounding islands, with three primary worship sites: St. Bernard in Rockland, Our Lady of Good Hope in Camden, and St. Francis of Assisi in Belfast, plus seasonal island missions.
- St. Bernard Church — 150 Broadway, Rockland, ME 04841
- Our Lady of Good Hope — 7 Union Street, Camden, ME 04843
- St. Francis of Assisi Church — 81 Court Street, Belfast, ME 04915
- Seasonal island Masses at St. Mary of the Isles (Islesboro), Vinalhaven, and North Haven
History of St. Bernard Church
Catholic life in Rockland began with St. David's Church in 1858. After it was destroyed by fire in 1889, a new church's cornerstone was laid on August 20 — the Feast of St. Bernard — and the parish took the new name St. Bernard's. The present church building was constructed in 1974 and continues to serve nearly 540 Rockland-area families.
- 1858 — Original St. David's Catholic Church built in Rockland
- 1889 — Fire destroys St. David's; cornerstone of new church laid August 20 (Feast of St. Bernard)
- 1889 onward — Parish renamed St. Bernard's
- 1974 — Current St. Bernard Church building constructed at 150 Broadway
Our History — Birth of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish was born out of a new wind of change in the Diocese of Portland brought on by declining vocations, declining Mass attendance, and financial difficulties in many smaller parishes. By Decree effective January 2009, Bishop Richard J. Malone merged the Parishes of St. Francis of Assisi (Belfast), Our Lady of Good Hope (Camden), and St. Bernard (Rockland) into a single, vibrant parish under the name St. Brendan the Navigator. Father Mark Reinhardt was appointed the first pastor of the new parish.
- January 2009 — Three parishes merged by decree of Bishop Malone
- Father Mark Reinhardt — first pastor
- Father Nathan D. March — subsequent pastor (reassigned to Augusta, January 2023)
- Father Anthanasius S. Wirsiy — appointed Administrator December 2022, began role January 16, 2023
From Our Pastor
Father Anthanasius Sangnyuy Wirsiy was appointed Administrator of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish in December 2022 by Bishop Robert Deeley and began his new role on January 16, 2023. A diocesan priest from the Diocese of Kumbo in Cameroon, he was ordained April 24, 2003 and served in various capacities — Chaplain of Schools, Pastor, Rector of the Minor Seminary, and Diocesan Finance Secretary — before coming to Maine in January 2017. In Maine he has served as Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland (2017–18), hospital chaplain at Mercy and Maine Medical Center hospitals (2018–20), and Parochial Vicar for Cluster 11 (Stella Maris in Bucksport, Saint Joseph in Ellsworth, and Holy Redeemer in Bar Harbor) from July 2020 until his appointment at St. Brendan's. He is one of several 'Fidei Donum' missionary priests serving in the Diocese of Portland.
- Hobbies: walking, cycling, ping pong, reading, gardening
- Succeeded Father Nathan March, who was reassigned as Pastor in Augusta
- Fidei Donum priest — 'the Gift of Faith' missionary program
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith Formation at St. Brendan the Navigator Parish spans every age — from children preparing for the sacraments to adolescents, young adults, and adults seeking ongoing formation. The parish supports an Adolescent Catechesis program and the Catholic Youth Leadership Team (CYLT), an annual Vacation Bible Camp, RCIA for adults seeking initiation, and resources for parish leaders and parents.
- Children's Faith Formation and Sacrament Formation
- Adolescent Catechesis and Catholic Youth Leadership Team (CYLT)
- Young Adult Ministry
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
- Adult Formation resources and sample studies
- Vacation Bible Camp (e.g., 'Rainforest Adventure' July 27–31 at Our Lady of Good Hope, Camden)
Outreach & Nursing Home Ministry
Father Anthanasius Wirsiy and Parochial Vicar Father Divine Fossoh, both natives of Cameroon, launched an initiative in 2023 to celebrate Masses at Windward Gardens and Quarry Hill nursing homes in Camden on alternating Wednesdays. The effort is open to parishioners and other Catholics who wish to attend, participate, or help out. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist by bringing the Eucharist to residents in nursing homes throughout the parish.
- Nursing Home Masses at Windward Gardens and Quarry Hill, alternating Wednesdays at 10:00 AM
- Open invitation to parishioners and other Catholics
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bringing Eucharist to the homebound and residents
Knights of Columbus — Limerock Council #136
The parish is home to an active Knights of Columbus Limerock Council #136. Council officers listed on the parish website include Grand Knight Kevin Bailey, Chaplain Fr. Nathan D. March, Past Grand Knight Georg M. Haubs, Financial Secretary Patrick E. Kelly, Deputy Grand Knight Johannes Limmen, Chancellor Bob Ohrt, Recorder Raymond A. Marcoux, Treasurer Ronald A. Demers, Advocate Timothy G. Marcoux, Warden Richard J. Norman, Inside Guard Linwood C. Shields, Outside Guard, and Trustees (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Year). The Council Supreme Knight role is noted as well. Past Grand Knights and other officers are publicly recognized.
- Grand Knight: Kevin Bailey
- Chaplain: Fr. Nathan D. March
- Past Grand Knight: Georg M. Haubs
- Financial Secretary: Patrick E. Kelly
- Trustees and other officers as listed on the parish website
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments, with special attention to Reconciliation and the Eucharist as called out in its mission statement. Confessions are offered a half hour before each weekend Mass, during Thursday Adoration, or by appointment. Information about Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and sacramental preparation is available through the parish office.
- Reconciliation: half hour before weekend Masses, Thursday Adoration, or by appointment
- Eucharist: at all scheduled Masses
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick: contact the parish office
- RCIA and Sacrament Formation programs offered parish-wide
Special Observances & Jubilee Year of St. Francis
Through January 2027, St. Brendan the Navigator Parish invites all to celebrate the Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 81 Court Street, Belfast. The church welcomes pilgrims at scheduled times for prayer and devotion in honor of St. Francis.
- Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi through January 2027
- Pilgrimage site: St. Francis of Assisi Church, Belfast
- Holy Day Masses (e.g., Ascension of the Lord) celebrated across all three worship sites
Getting Involved
The parish publishes a Parish Ministry Booklet (updated July 2024) that lists opportunities to serve in liturgy, formation, outreach, and parish life. The Overall Ministry Listing page and the Who We Are page identify staff, councils, the Knights of Columbus, and parish organizations. Flocknote email is used for parish-wide announcements, including Mass cancellations and 12-Hour Adoration sign-ups.
- Parish Ministry Booklet (July 2024) — overall listing
- Parish Pastoral / Finance Council and Trustees
- Knights of Columbus Limerock Council #136
- Liturgical ministries, hospitality, and faith-formation volunteers
- Flocknote email and parish website for announcements
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Mark Reinhardt2009 (founding pastor)
First pastor of the newly merged St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, appointed by Bishop Richard J. Malone.
- Father Nathan D. MarchUntil early 2023
Subsequent pastor; in January 2023 was reassigned as Pastor in Augusta.
- Father Anthanasius Sangnyuy WirsiyJanuary 16, 2023–present
Appointed Administrator in December 2022 by Bishop Robert Deeley; Fidei Donum missionary priest from the Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon, ordained April 24, 2003.