Sweet Bernie

Sweet man, Bernie, what a witness you are

Of how you adore our God, who is never afar

You are in love with our Creator, you hold on to His words

Leading us by your examples on how to serve our good Lord

For years you had served with gracious sensibility

Church candles you hand-made in perfect humility

Creating and laboring out of love, you preferred

Saving our church from expenses we could have incurred

Light of the world, sweet Bernie, your candles do imbue

God's light within you simply shines through and through

Spreading God's light not only in the church

In the parishioner's homes, your candles do perch

Coordinating Adoration, inspiring God's flock to adore

Encouraging praise and worship, to love our Lord forevermore

Through the shiny monstrance, God's very presence is shown

His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, the faithful have known

24/7, ensuring Jesus is never alone

Dedication in leadership and service you have shown

Lighting the world as the faithful come into Adoration

Bless your heart for your exemplary service and devotion

Sharing your talents as you sing in the choir

Praising our Lord God is your obvious desire

Leading Responsorial, God's words you slowly chant

Absorbing the messages, in our hearts it implants

Alleluia indeed for the light that you are!

Praiseworthy and admirable by far

Glorifying our Lord the way that you do

Inspiring us to service we could start anew

We all have our journeys, different stories to share

Unique gifts from the Holy Spirit, we ever dare to bare

Purity of the heart and mind is grace given by the Divine

When accepted and embraced allows God's light to shine

Blessed are you Bernie for the God-loving man that you are

For allowing God's light to shine like abundant brilliant stars

Your love for God's creation is evident with your respect for life

Devoting yourself to your family, fulfilling your vows to your wife

Rallying against abortion, you lead the parishioners to the streets

Evangelizing in placards is the ministry every year you repeat

A true Catholic you are, serving without a rift

Only present to serve God,  in this world you are a gift!

Thank you sweet Bernie, for all that you do,

For inspiring us to ponder, in our faith, what can we renew?

Looking within one might probe, how in God, can we serve,

To love and glorify our God without hesitation and reserve?

How do we fan our inner fire to revive the dying cinder?

How do we serve our neighbor? In God's presence, how do we linger?

In appreciation of your work, you magnify God's goodness

For He has graced you with the light that shines at its fullest.

May you remain the humble servant that Lord wants you to be

Cooperating in God's will; as a witness, you allow us all to see

The Goodness of God permeating in all you do,

Acts of loving service, our Lord's light shines in you!