His priestly ministry at the various parishes

Jan 20, 2016

Church of St Mary Tapah 1989 - 1995
This was a church in a rural setting. The people were generally poor, from the lower income group, with a sprinkling of the middle class.

“I was introduced to the quiet and slow pace; long distance travel and solitary ministering; roughing it out in the chapels and the Orang Asli villages while remembering Michel Quoist’s “The Priest on a Sunday Evening”, which helped me endure, to be comfortable with solitariness.”

“I had to live with no stipends for a long while, till the late Fr Lucien Catel asked about it. “I thought no mass offerings means no stipends.” However, he managed as there was always enough.

His ‘givings’
Consolidation of BECs around the 3-step Bible sharing; Introduced Spiritual Renewals via the Life in the Spirit Seminars (English,Tamil); Love Calls Mission (LCM) for Healings; consolidated the South Perak District Youths (6 parishes) initiated by the late Fr. Clement, initiated Youth Rallies and Youth LSS in Bahasa Malaysia. The Year of Family; District level celebration.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Butterworth 1995 - 1998
In 1995, he was sent to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Butterworth where he stayed until 1998.

His ‘givings’
Completion of St Chastan-Imbert, Prai; Consolidation of BECs; Introduced BEC week; Parish Leaders Annual Retreats; Initiated Family Life Ministry.

Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kulim 1998 - 2005
In 1998, he was sent to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Kulim.

His ‘givings’
Unification of the Language Groups, Restructured the  Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) and Parish Animating Team (PAT); Acquired the former St Patrick’s property; consolidation of Parish Catechetical movement and Youths.

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Silibin 2005 - 2010
In 2005, he was transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes, Ipoh.

His ‘givings’
Endorsed the beginning of  the Teaching ministry; Hope Centre - (drop in service Centre); Food-on-wheels initiatives; Book Ministry. Initiated the Lourdes Experience (7-Sacraments Renewal Experience). “Bernadette Centre (new Parish Formation Centre).

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit 2010 – 2015
In 2010, Fr Bernard was transferred to the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Penang, where he remained until his appointment as Bishop-elect of Melaka-Johor Diocese.

His ‘givings’
Development of ministries and Leaders; Consolidated BECs and Zones; set up Parish Formation Team; Healing Mass Team (English, Chinese, Tamil). Initiated Faith Inspired, Renewed Experience (FIRE) Weekends (English, Chinese, Tamil); School for Community Organisation, Renewal and Evangelisation (SCORE); Parish Leaders Annual Retreat; Year of Faith 2013 Baptism Renewal Experience; Year of Faith Opening Ceremony.

Speaking of his stints in four parishes, he noted that each parish had to be treated like a human person, adding that “they had their own history, character and uniqueness and no two parishes are the same.”

“The guiding principles for me has been to begin from where they are, build upon the work of my predecessors, maintain or improve, and enable and empower the laity.”

“I learned pastoral sense from the late Fr Clement Pereira, pastoral planning and organization from the late Fr Catel. My ideas are not original; I adapt and build upon from the experiences of my predecessors.”

When there were no ready-made leaders or programmes, the South Perak youths, parish leaders and I worked on modules for our own consumption in all languages. A deep sense of "together building God’s Kingdom’ was the driving force. They managed on their own with no imports.

I began as a performance-oriented achiever. However, soon I began to see that every sitation is perfect in itself and each person is giving his best. Once I realised that, a deep peace descended and smiles appeared and praises followed. I realised that every one is giving their best in that ‘perfect’ moment.

Positions Held in the Diocese of Penang
Msgr Bernard has held a number of positions in the diocese, a testament to his ability. Among the positions he held were: Priest-Liaison for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Priest-in-charge of the Orang Asli Apostolate, Diocesan Animating Team, Diocesan Pastoral Team (DPT), Penang Diocesan Animating Team (PDAT) and Professional Standards Office (PSO).

He was Vicar-General under two bishops. His first stint was under the then Bishop Antony Selvanayagam, from 1996 to 1998. His second stint was under Bishop Sebastian Francis, from 2012 till his appointment as Bishopelect.

And today, after 26 years being a priest, “I realized the call to ‘go beyond’, to be more than what we are.”

He explained that what we become is our gift to God, adding that, “There is a deep stirring within to motivate the parish and people to be different, to be trendsetters, and to be creative.”