Father Bernie was a young priest when I first met him at the home of his family in MA. His goodness and kindness were so apparent way back then during my own teenage years. His concern for the welfare of others and acceptance of who they are/ where they are , were gifts he shared simply bey being himself. And whom he was called “ to be”.There is no doubt in my heart that he was incredibly loved  and will be missed. 
   Offering my sincere condolences to all who loved him , both family and friends . May Father Bernie’s soul Rest In Peace …

The family of Fr Bernie are so touched and appreciative of all the kind comments and stories about our brother. He was our hero and we miss him. He was a true shepherd to the Cape Bretoners he served who are  truly the kindest people we know. He is laid to rest beside our parents in St. Mary’s Cemetary in Mabou and is peace. 
Thank you and wishing you peace and love.

Bernie and I moved in and out of each other’s orbit for more than 65 years. That was enough time for us to enjoy deeply the rewards of friendship. I believe friendship is an unspoken agreement, displayed in our behaviors, by which we help each other navigate our life journeys toward becoming the best persons that we can. I have no doubt that Bernie held up his side of our agreement. I owe him a lot. Bernie, my friend, rest in peace.

Al Stumph

There will never be another Father Bernie.  He showed us all how we should be.  We will miss him.

Judy, Mike and Michel Pariseault

Condolences to Fr. Bernard family and to the Parish of   Brook Village, Glencoe and West Lake and extended communities.  Fr. Bernie was one of a kind,  he was so easy to sit and talk to, he treated everyone the same.   His sermons were so meaningful,  he always greeted you after Church with a smile and a handshake.  His presence will be so missed, he was loved by all.

Fr. Bernie was a friend of the family since his days as a seminarian at Maryknoll. I'm 67 now but can recall attending his ordination in 1968. Raised with my seven sisters in Chappaqua, NY, Bernie began coming around to help the family after our parents divorced and Mom needed help. For me, Bernie was a big brother - always patient, kind, and helpful. He taught a very young me how to make scones, how to dance the Highland fling, how to draw, and even how to speak a little Gaelic - which I still remember! He would patiently tolerate my hanging out as he changed the oil in my mom's car and did small chores to help the household. Bernie and I remained friends throughout the years. I had kept all the letters he sent me throughout the decades and sent them to him a few years ago. There were letters from Tanzania (his being there so inspired me that I tried to learn Swahili), from Talbot House (I was humbled and amused when he announced that he had named a heifer at Talbot House "Sheila" in my honor), and, of course, from Whycocomagh, which I was finally able to visit several years ago. While in Nova Scotia, I attended Mass and was moved not only by Fr. Bernie's words, but also by how warm the interaction was between him and his parishioners. Bernie played a huge part in my childhood and continued to be a loyal friend for 60 years. I will miss him greatly. Much love to all of Bernie's family from the Kinyon family.

St Joseph’s Parish Glencoe, December 2020.

This was a memory of dear Father Bernie and his very good friend  Father Calum taken in the priest's house in Eriskay. I'm sure that they will be together with Canon MacQueen saying Masses for us ALL down here!
I don't doubt that these 3 legends will be together! RIP, you are all missed!

I knew Fr. Bernie from our shared time at the Maryknoll College, Glen Ellyn. I think he was a year ahead, though only 7 months apart age-wise. May he RIP and thank him for his Continental Missionary work, and continue to pray for the rest of us Church Militant. - L. Obrist, Lincoln, NE  US.

Our deepest condolences are extended to the family and to all Father  Bernie’s parishioners.
What a huge loss.
For me I will always remember his smile and his common sense messages he would share , whether they  were in his homily ,his talk during Cursillo or if you ran in to him on the street.
Father Bernie was calm and  kind  with a great sense of humor. The Holy Spirit was indeed alive within him.
May he rest in Peace🙏🏻
Coline & James Mac Eachern

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Uncle John always spoke highly of Father Bernie.
Gerard & Heather Livington, nephew of John Fraser
Gerald & Shirley Farrell, niece of John Fraser

Fr Bernie called San Sulian any where he see me, going to miss him after swimming or boat parade , he was my friend 9f prayer and kindness!

We were deeply saddened to learn of Fr Bernie’s passing.  He was a wonderful, compassionate and caring Priest.  He had  a unique ability to connect with his audience.  Our deepest condolences to his Family, friends and  Parishioners .  May you Rest In Peace, Fr. Bernie.  We will miss you!

Father Bernie may not be my family by blood but has been central to all of my family’s celebrations both joyful and sorrowful in the last 16 years.  He was our family by choice. He was a priest who was with the people he shepherded. His theology was to keep it simple, and walked his talk in the way he lived his life.  My life was richer for having him in it. I will go forward missing his physical presence in my life but his lessons and examples will shape who I am as I go on from here. God will surely say 'Well done, you good and faithful servant!' May Father Bernie rest in peace.  Picture is the his last First Communion in May 2023 at St. Joseph’s church, Glencoe NS

I always considered Fr. Bernie a friend and will truly miss visiting him at his cosy home in West Mabou.  One left his door with a little gossip, a little wisdom and a light hearted feeling .  He certainly left his heart in Glencoe church and  left such big shoes that no one else can fill. One of the best has returned to The Father.

Fr. Bernie belonged to us. 

He was on loan - and, like many of his kind, payback is for one to pass on the example learned from such a remarkable person in one’s life.

We believe his relationship with us was mutually beneficial. The rural people of Cape Breton were his wellspring / the nourishment of his spirit. In return he gave us his all. Whether it was his sermons, baptisms, marriages, burials - he spoke to his people in a way that spoke of his love for us and his basic Christianity.  He never left a mass without shaking hands, greeting, and sharing a laugh to all attending - in a way, glad-handing his joy of being amongst his people.

He had no time for some of the horrible events in the Catholic Church, but soldiered on from the periphery, rather than give up. And, he did scold those who were responsible. 

A remarkable time in his ministry was his work with people who struggled with addiction, at Talbot House. This was truly Fr. Bernie in action; a perfect exponent of his Christianity- amongst people who had experienced severe setbacks. Father was very appreciative of the opportunity to use farm work to get people back on their feet and provide them a devine recharge in their worthiness and self esteem.

There’s no dought that Fr. Bernie accomplished his mission in life, and, we’re truly appreciative we crossed paths with such a blessed old soul.

I will never forget Father Bernie’s kindness. I was the minister in Orangedale, River Denys, and Marble Mountain for five years and I always loved to see him in my travels. He invited me for dinner one night and gave me the MacLennan stole I’m wearing in this photo with him. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

It is my humble opinion, that Fr. Bernie was a saint in the presence of all who knew this wonderful human being.  He always had time to speak with those he met.  He could be found in the kitchen helping with the Brook Village dinners, or among the people he loved and served.

Any time during our visit to the area it was an enjoyable experience to attend the celebration of Mass in which he served.,  His homilies were presented about the world around us through his personal experiences.    In this way, Fr. Bernie shared a rare gift by presenting clearer images of the Gospels and the various readings through a perspective most would understand.

Fr. Bernie  shall live in the hearts of all who love and remember him.   
Gus & Shirley McDonald
Halifax / Judique N S

I was so saddened to hear of Fr. Bernie's passing.  I grew up in Frenchvale where he was our parish priest for what seemed like a lifetime.  He would come up from the barn in his big "Barn Boots" and  say mass.  He was so relatable and as a kid sitting in mass, that is saying something.  He made us laugh, he made us think and he taught us so much.  I also had the privilege of working at Talbot House on summer grants.  Fr. Bernie had us out weeding the gardens, planting flowers, and making hay when the time came.  We had the best time!  I've yet to attend a mass silently wish "if only they were like Fr. Bernie".  He was one of a kind.  To his family, please accept my most sincere condolences on your loss.  I know he is looking down on all of us and smiling.

Fr. Bernie came to  Londonderry, NH a few times in the early 90’s to visit his sister, and our friend, Barbara, usually at Christmas.  One Christmas, I think our first in Londonderry, we were invited to the Gingrow home where Fr. Bernie had prepared authentic haggis as part of the meal.  It was our first experience eating haggis, which I found “interesting,” if not exactly delicious.  So, my brief but unforgettable encounter with the Fr. Bernie was seeing him bustling about the kitchen, gently urging us to try the haggis, and then sharing a few stories about Cape Breton and Scottish cuisine.  The past 30 years have not erased my memory of what I expect Jesus would have been like had he been born on Barra instead in Bethlehem.

Sincere condolences to Fr. Bernie’s family and friends.  Got to know Fr. Bernie at St Anthony Daniel.  He was  a humble, sincere servant of God.  He loved his parish community and would help anyone in need. Rest In Peace Fr. Bernie, well deserved. Susan MacEachern.

Under Father Bernie's direction at Talbot House in Frenchvale, activities in farming and carpentry thrived and were much appreciated by the community. My husband, Charles W. MacDonald (now dec'd) and I had significant interaction with Fr. Bernie because we, too, raised and loved Highland Cattle. In fond remembrance and in prayer, most sincere condolences are sent to his immediate and extended family and friends and especially to the Brook Village community that he so loved. May Fr. Bernie  rest in eternal peace.

I was an altar server for Fr. Bernie in Brook Village for about 8 years, from the time I was 10 until I graduated high school. Every Sunday I looked forward to chatting with Fr. Bernie before Mass. Somewhat ironically, our conversations almost never centred on "God" directly - Fr. Bernie taught us about faith through action instead. It meant so much to me growing up talking about politics, history, and literature with an adult that valued my point of view and encouraged intellectual curiosity. To date, Fr. Bernie is one of the most well read and thoughtful people I have ever met, who encouraged deep thinking about the world we live in. I will always remember Fr. Bernie helping me study for a geography competition, and getting a question about Tanzania correctly because we had discussed the answer over cheeseburgers at the Mull the week before. Fr. Bernie was one of my greatest mentors and embodied the 4H motto - learn to do by doing - when it came to putting faith, love for others, and standing up for your community in action. Rest In Peace Fr. Bernie, I don't know anyone who deserves it more.

Sincere condolences to Fr. Bernie"s family and friends. He was such a comfort to me when my husband died so suddenly and unexpectantly.  I will always be grateful for his prayers and support.  Rest easy, good man!!

To Fr. Bernie's family especially his siblings.we send our sincere condolences. Our hearts were broken to hear of his sickness and sudden passing..which to all his friends and parishioners was a shock and way too soon.
His gentle smile, jolly laugh , sense of humor will be terribly missed.He was known for his great sermons which always contained some kind of story making it relatable to our own lives..He was such a down to earth man which made it easy to talk to him.
For us he was a fellow farmer so he had a special place in our hearts 💕. 
Rest in Peace Good and fateful servant .
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time .
Garry and Janie van den Heuvel

Father Bernie played a huge role in my life and my families lives. He was there for all our hard times and was always willing to help with volunteering and sharing his wisdom and insight. 
He will be remembered fondly in my heart as well as my family members hearts. 

Rest peacefully my Nitap “friend” 

- Norma Gould

As niece of Fr. John Webb, I met Fr. Bernie different times when he would drop into my parents home in Havre Boucher with my uncle for tea.  Very friendly, kind and dedicated priest.  Sympathy to all family and friends, R. Innes

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Father Bernie's family. He served God well and is now with our Lord. May he enjoy internal peace in the Lord's kingdom.

My deepest sympathy to Father Bernie’s family, parishioners and many friends.  He was the finest example of Christian love and kindness!  Father Bernie will be cherished and missed by everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Rest in Peace!

We hope you choose to do an act of kindness for someone in remembrance of Fr. Bernie. 

Visitation, St Mary's Church, Mabou

Funeral Mass, St. Mary's Church Mabou

Fr. Bernie was predeceased by his parents, the late Donald C and Mary (Rory) MacDonald, formerly of Antigonish and West Mabou, Nova Scotia. He was the eldest of seven children and is survived by his sisters, Dorothy, Barbara and Marjorie; brothers, Kenneth and Edwin. He was predeceased by his brother, Christopher. He also leaves his beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews as well as cherished cousins, dear friends and parishioners

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Rev. Bernard Roderick MacDonald

16 août 1942 – 22 septembre 2023

Inverness Funeral Home

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