The Family Room (The Quest)

Join co-hosts Mari Cleveland from St. Jude the Apostle and John Gordon and Craig Wesemeyer from St. Peter Chanel as they speak with authors, theologians, and local priests and lay leaders to provide your family encouragement, resources, and hope. Enjoy heartfelt stories and engaging conversations with Catholics who are excited to share their life experiences and acquired wisdom to help your family continue to live out your faith with joy.
Calling Men to Excellence
Jul 10, 2024

Nick Bernhard, husband, father, and ministry leader


Today’s culture portrays fathers as either tyrannical or weak, resulting in many young men throwing up their hands, unwilling to tackle conflicting expectations. It’s understandable, but we’ve come to realize that weak men create weak families. Lacking a strong father figure, Nick Bernhard admits that although he went to Catholic schools, he didn’t grow up Catholic. The culture called, and he followed.

The birth of his first child caused Nick to begin responding to nudges of the Holy Spirit through his wife, Catherine. Her return to the Church was his first step, drawing him gently toward God. By taking advantage of opportunities for spiritual growth, Nick realized men need to step into their role as leaders of their family, saying, “If you can get to the men, you can get to the families.”

Nick and Catherine now lead the Holy Family Ministry created to bring families together and build community through social and spiritual events. Listen as Nick explains the ministry and the importance of strong fathers who lead their families with vulnerability and humility.

Nick was born in 1990, and his father committed suicide when he was 18 months old. His mother remarried when he was three, and his stepfather introduced him to Catholicism, although it was not practiced in the home. Nick has been married to his wife, Catherine, for 12 years and they have 5 children, ages 11 down to 2. They’ve moved several times, most recently from central Missouri to the mountains of north Georgia. Nick is co-chair of the Pastoral Council at their parish, Our Lady of the Mountains, in Jasper, Georgia, and works full-time as a project engineer in the construction chemical industry.

Resources

  • The Holy Family Ministry at Our Lady of the Mountains. Each month the ministry offers family-centered events designed to build community. For more information, visit the website or email OLMHolyFamily@OLMJasper.org
  • Bart Schuchts, founder of Church on Fire, August 8-10, 2024, at Our Lady of the Mountains, for a weekend filled with encountering our Heavenly Father’s love through the fire of The Holy Spirit.
  • That Man is You! honestly addresses the pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture, especially those relating to their roles as husbands and fathers. Visit the website for more information and to find a program at parishes throughout the United States.
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