Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

St. Bernard School placed third overall in the Western New York Scholastic Chess Championships on Saturday in the K-8 section. The event was directed by Tom Warner at the Pioneer High School in Yorkshire. The St. Bernard students were in grades 3-5, and younger than most of their competitors. Coach Buchheit said, “I’m proud of the kids. They performed very well against the older students.” Cadence Panol led the team with only one loss. Other teammates included Alex and Andy Mangold, who each won three games, Jessie Kerr, Tim Mulcahy, and Gregory Tyler. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

On Sunday, November 9th at 10 am Mass, St. Bernard’s Church will celebrate the Living and Deceased Veterans of the United States Armed Services. All veterans and their families are invited to attend. Mass will be followed by a small luncheon with soups, sandwiches and pies in the Parish social center. Parishioners are encouraged to attend this mass in appreciation of all that Veterans have done to preserve our freedom in this country and our freedom to worship our loving God. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

If you think Downtown Bradford looks good now, keep watching. It’ll be looking even nicer. Bradford City Council on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to more than a dozen improvement projects planned by private property owners. Mayor Tom Riel and OECD Director Sara Andrews said this shows that people do really care about the city’s revitalization efforts. Riel said in the nine years he’s been on council he has never seen anywhere near that many certificates of appropriateness approved in one meeting. “I think that speaks volumes to … the funds (OECD) has been able to secure for downtown, and just the overall sense of revitalization in the downtown.” “It’s been a fantastic summer,” Andrews said. She noted that this represents thousands of dollars’ worth of private investment in the historic district. St. Bernard’s Church, Man’s World, Whimsical Studios, Moments to Remember, Chosen Acres, Kabob’s, as well as buildings owned by Todd Hennard, John Kohler, James Colligan, Dwayne Zimmerman and...

Deacon Gerald J. Beeman, 74, of 110 Jackson Ave., passed away, Sunday, June 29, 2014 at Bradford Regional Medical Center. Born October 5, 1939, in Bradford, he was a son of the late James Jay and Florence M. (Cormey) Beeman. On August 12, 1961 in St. Bernard Church he married Kathleen O. (Loughlin) Beeman, who died on September 12, 2004. Mr. Beeman was a 1957 graduate of St. Bernard High School. In September of 1957 he enlisted in the United States Army and was trained as a Combat Medical Corpsman. After three years of service he was selected for a lengthy training program conducted by the Central Intelligence Agency and the US Army, preparing him to become Counterintelligence Special Operations Officer targeted against the intelligence services of the Soviet Union and its allies. He served operational tours of duty in Connecticut, Paris, France, two tours in the Republic of Vietnam, Washington D.C. Oslo, Norway, Berlin, Germany and retired from active duty as a Major, at...

The Bradford man accused of breaking into two churches, a school and the Farm Family Restaurant has waived his preliminary hearings today. 19-year-old Derek Steck is charged with burglary and related offenses for breaking into St. Bernard’s Church, the First Presbyterian Church, The Learning Center and The Farm back in January. He remains jailed on $150,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

City police are investigating a string of burglaries that happened between 10 o’clock last night and 2 o’clock this morning, and may include another break-in on Sunday. The overnight burglaries happened at the First Presbyterian and St. Bernard’s Catholic churches on East Corydon Street as well as the Farm Restaurant on East Main Street. Police say each of the burglaries involved forced entries into the buildings and property was taken. City police have also been investigating a similar type burglary Sunday at The Learning Center on Jackson Avenue. As with the other burglaries, force was used to enter the building and minor damage was done, assistant chief Mike Ward said in a news release. Police say they have no indication whether the commercial burglaries are related to the recent string of occupied home burglaries, the news release said. They are asking all residents and business owners to continue to check their doors, windows and other access points to make sure they are secur...

The Community Blood Bank is holding a blood drive at St. Bernard's Church on Monday from noon to 5:30pm and is encouraging everyone who can to come donate. The blood supply just dropped in to shortage territory and it could worsen during Christmas week unless more people give blood. The weather has also been a factor; keeping donors away and contributing to accidents in which people need blood. The Community Blood Bank is the only supplier of blood to BRMC. One lucky donor will win a $25 Tops gift card just for giving blood. "With Christmas and New Year's both being on a Wednesday it's going to be tough this year," said Dan Desrochers, at the blood bank. "But if we get enough donors Monday we might make it through." The Community Blood Bank is licensed by the FDA and holds permits from the New York Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Health and has been saving lives since 1966. It is accredited by the AABB and CLIA and is a ...

Albert Einstein paid a visit to St. Bernard School on Monday. At least in the form of homage paid by Connor Brien, a fifth grade student. Connor not only found it fun to dress as Albert Einstein, he enjoyed finding out more about the inventor and how life today wouldn’t be quite the same without his genius. Dressing as famous historical figures was the main focus of the first official day of Catholic Schools Week. Also making appearances were Amelia Earhart, Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Neil Armstrong, Helen Keller, Princess Diana, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mr. Fred Rogers, Mahatma Gandhi and General Dwight D. Eisenhower just to name a few. Catholic Schools Week is a week-long celebration highlighting the importance of catholic education and its impact on the success of students. St. Bernard is so proud of its accomplishments and its students. For additional information or to answer any questions, please contact Kristen Luther, Advancemen...

St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School is in the midst of its signature event, the annual magazine drive. Each year, students are charged with the fundraising endeavor, which is a significant means to generate operational funds for the private school. Part of the motivating force for 2012, is a challenge to be one of three top selling classes, which if successful, will enable the classes to travel to the Erie Zoo. A special attraction at the zoo is the penguin exhibit, so the excitement is building for a trip to see a rare sight in our small part of the northern hemisphere. “Upping the ante” a bit is the opportunity for the most successful seller in the school to take the reigns as principal for the day. Mrs. Kim Mooney, Principal, is excited to see the number of students taking this opportunity to support the school, so seriously. “The students take such pride in this effort. I am happy to encourage them to continue on through September 25th, the end of the sale, and develop the...

Bradford Police are looking for the person who vandalized a statue outside of St. Bernard’s Church over the weekend. Church officials called police Monday morning to say the marble angel statue was removed from its pedestal and broken. Two pieces of the statue were on the ground but the head of the statue is still missing. The statue was donated to the church two years ago in honor of deceased children. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Bradford City Police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

In observance of Memorial Day, Mrs. Denise O’Neil will lead 3rd, 4th and 5th grade St. Bernard's School students as they assist the local American Legion Post #108 in placing American flags on the graves of fallen soldiers in St. Bernard Cemetery on Thursday, May 24, 2012. The students will start at 12:30PM and finish at 2PM. O’Neil, a 32 year veteran teacher at SBS, along with her father, Clair D. Butler, Adjutant of The American Legion, Post #108 will set out to mark close to 1,300 graves in St. Bernard Cemetery. Butler is a Korean War Veteran, serving from 1952 to 1954 and has teamed up with the young students for three years. "Being able to include the students in this commemorative and civic exercise is a real life illustration of what service for others means. Why our freedom is so precious. It also enables me personally, to recognize the service of own father, which continues through activities like this,” says O’Neil. “A special thank you to Commander Donald McClell...

The Tuesday Trivia Question from St. Bonaventure University -- Where were the windows of the Doyle Chapel manufactured?* -- reminded me that I didn't post pictures from One Book Bradford's Glass Heritage Luncheon held on Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church. So, here they are: One of the windows of the sanctuary at the First Presbyterian Church. Several glass artists showed off their creations. Pat Shinaberger, Pat Donahue and Cheryl Bazzoui serve up chili to the luncheoners. Another window at the Presbyterian Church. People who attended the event were also able to tour the First United Methodist and St. Bernard's Catholic churches. One Book Bradford events culminate on May 1 when Susan Vreeland, author of "Clara and Mr. Tiffany," gives a talk at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. It's free and open to the public. ~~~~~ *Paris, France http://web.sbu.edu/friedsam/archives/chapel/windows.htm The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School has scheduled registration for the 2012-2013 school years for the week of March 12th-16th from 8:30am – 3:30PM each day. Please contact the school at 368-5302 if an alternate time is necessary. St. Bernard’s School has levels of instruction from Preschool through Eighth Grade. Pre and after school care programs are available for students. Additional information can be found at www.stbernardschool.net and calling 368-5302.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 was a step back in time for the students and staff of St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School. The activities for the day centered on the decade of the 1950’s. Students in poodle skirts, leather jackets, pony tails and slicked back hair, danced the afternoon away to Elvis, Fats Domino and many others at a “sock hop” held in the gym. The week which celebrates the impact and importance of Catholic Education is celebrated nationally. The national theme, “Faith. Academics. Service”, is brought to life through activities and special events adopted by schools across the United States. St. Bernard’s Elementary/Middle School has programs for students Preschool through 8th grade. Children of all denominations are welcome. Registration for the 2012-2013 school year runs March 12th through the 16th, 8:30AM – 3:00PM. More information can be found at www.stbernardschool.net .

Father Raymond Gramata, Pastor of St. Bernard Parish and Kimberly Mooney, Principal of St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School has announced Kristen Tate Luther will join the organization serving as Advancement Director. As Advancement Director, Luther will manage fundraising, marketing, alumni and recruitment efforts for the school. The new position is funded through the generosity of the Bradford Central Christian Charitable Trust, established for the specific purpose of supporting Catholic Education in the Bradford community. Luther, an alumna of St. Bernard’s and Bradford Central Christian, is a graduate of Mercyhurst College earning a Bachelor Degree in Business Management. A native of Bradford and a lifelong supporter of Catholic Education, Luther and her husband, Rich are parishioners of St. Bernard Church. Their children attend St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School. Luther is a 10 year member of the St. Bernard School Advisory Committee, YWCA of Bradford Female Leadership Recipient...

Two new priests are coming to Bradford. On July 29, Father Raymond Gramata will be replace Father Leo Gallina as pastor of St. Bernard’s Church. Gallina is retiring. Gramata is currently pastor of St. Agatha’s Parish in Meadville. Father Stephen Collins will be coming to St. Francis of Assisi and Our Mother of Perpetual Help churches to fill in for Father Sam Slocum, who was suspended in April after criminal charges were filed against him. Collins is currently the administrator at St. Anthony’s Parish in Sheffield and chaplain at Warren State Hospital.

Many of the Sisters of St. Joseph were in Bradford Sunday as part of their continuing yearlong celebration of their 150th anniversary of serving the Erie Diocese. A Mass celebrated by Father Leo Gallina, pastor of St. Bernard's Church, was followed by a reception in the parish center. The sisters are visiting communities in which they ministered throughout the years to reconnect with the people they served. Pictured, left, Kristen Tate Luther poses with Sister Mary Rachael McGuire, one of the most beloved teachers at Bradford Central Christian High School. Pictured, below, the reception honoring the sisters hosted by the St. Bernard's Catholic Women's Club. Personal note: When you hear me enunciate "our" (instead of pronouncing it like "are") that's because of Sister Rachel. ("because" of Sister Rachel, not "becuz")

Father Leo Gallina, pastor of St. Bernard Church, celebrated the 45th anniversary of his ordination as a priest Sunday with the help of many of his parishioners. The St. Bernard's Catholic Women's Club hosted the gathering. Pictured, Father Gallina and Father Christpher Barnes of St.Michael Parish in Greenville look over the memorabilia ( Photo coutresy of Sandra Rhodes ); Father Gallina making sure everyone gets enough to eat; Father Gallina chatting with several guests including, Francie Long, Elmer and Ann DeLucia and Frances Sweeney; and Father Gallina thanking everyone for attending the gathering. Among those looking on are Ann Cavallero, Dick Cavallero, Bill Chapman, Dave Fuhrman and Nancy Fuhrman.

Bishop Donald Trautman of the Erie Diocese waits in the vestibule of St. Bernard Church before administering the sacrament of Confirmation to students from St. Bernard's and St. Francis of Assisi churches in Bradford, Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Lewis Run), St. Raphael (Eldred), St. Gabriel (Port Allegany), St. Mary (Sartwell) and St. Theresa (Shinglehouse). Earlier in the afternoon, the bishop administered the sacrament at St. Joseph Church in Force to students of St. Joseph as well as St. Boniface in Kersey. The bishop blesses the congregation: