St. Bernadette celebrates newly renovated church

After almost a year of construction, St. Bernadette Parish in Bellevue welcomed parishioners, friends and family back to its newly renovated church with a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Michael G. McGovern.

During the May 31 Mass, Archbishop McGovern consecrated St. Bernadette’s new altar and led the Rite of Entombing the Relic of St. Bernadette.

The rising smoke of the incense symbolizes the people’s prayers ascending to Heaven. COURTESY PHOTO

In a letter to parishioners, Father Ben Boyd, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish, wrote that “this beautiful new space will no doubt serve many generations to come because of what we have all accomplished together.”

Father Boyd also wrote that he was grateful to all involved in the renovation of the church, in particular, St. Bernadette parishioners and former pastor Father Jeff Mollner, who left St. Bernadette in March 2024 after being named Boys Town’s national director of mission and spirituality. Father Boyd also thanked nearby Holy Ghost Parish and Gross Catholic High School for their hospitality during renovations.

Archbishop McGovern and Father Boyd place a relic of St. Bernadette into the stone of the new altar. COURTESY PHOTO

A “One Faith, One Family, One Future” campaign was launched in January 2024, and by March, $1.6 million had been pledged. Construction began less than six months later. Improvements to the church included recentering the tabernacle, new lighting, a new altar top, new tile, the installation of an alcove for a St. Bernadette statue, the restoration of the baptismal font, pew refinishing, painting of walls and ceilings, asbestos removal and more.

Earlier this spring, St. Mary Parish in Bellevue also had its altar consecrated after a stone was replaced. With permission from Archbishop McGovern, Father Del Lape, pastor, consecrated the altar so that it would be ready for Easter.