About Our Parish

Parish History

Saint Bernadette was founded in 1987 as a mission to serve primarily the migrant workers who come to southwest Wake County each summer to work in the agricultural industry. The first Masses were held in Trinity Episcopal Church under the leadership of Father Albert Todd. Since that time, our parish has grown along with the area and today boasts 2,800 families, drawn from both the original migrant population and a multi-cultural community who today call Saint Bernadette their parish home. Father Fernando Torres, our pastor, was appointed in 2010.

You can read our whole history in our parish 30th anniversary booklet.

Parish Boundaries

Saint Bernadette serves southwestern Wake County as a territorial Catholic parish, including Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and the surrounding area. We welcome you to join us!

Advisory Boards

Finance Council – This group oversees and analyzes the budget and provides guidance to the pastor on the financial aspects of operations and planning for the parish. The council meets at 6pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Family Learning Center.

Pastoral Council – The council is made up of parishioners who study and reflect on matters essential to the parish’s mission, activities, and programs and who, after reaching conclusions, advise the pastor on these issues. The Pastor draws on the wisdom of the Pastoral Council to assist him in decision-making and planning for the future of the parish.  The council meets at 7pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Family Learning Center.

Mission Statement

Following the model of the universal Catholic Church in Acts 2:42, “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.”  The mission of St. Bernadette Parish is:

To EDUCATE our parishioners of all ages in the Word of God through the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church (Magisterium);
To SERVE our community through works of stewardship, mercy, and outreach;
To CELEBRATE the Eucharist and the other Sacraments regularly and reverently;
To WELCOME each other to live as the family of God through fervent prayer and dedicated involvement.

Parish Council Members
  • Jeanne Driver, Chair
  • Robert Kurucz, Vice Chair
  • Debbie Conley, Secretary
  • Dana Orr
  • Patti Espino
  • Galilea Ruiz

Parish Finance Council & members

 

John Byrne – Chair

  • Mary Jo Hannon
  • Joe Langley
  • Patrick Pensabene