Hi; I am Fr. Michael Anderson, but most people call me Fr. Mike.  I became the pastor of Saint Bernard’s parish in January of 1995.  I was born and raised here in St. Paul, Minnesota.  I am the product of Catholic schooling from first grade until I was ordained a priest in 1983.   Through the great examples of both the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Benedictine sisters I gained a deep appreciation for what dedicated people could do to inspire, awaken and nourish the human soul as it begins it’s climb toward it’s creator.  I went to Cretin High School where the Christian brothers helped form and direct my energies to serve God.  I graduated from there in 1975 and immediately entered St. John Vianney College Seminary, located in the University of St. Thomas.  As part of my preparation for the major seminary I obtained a B.A. in philosophy.  I graduated in 1979 and enter the St. Paul Seminary, also located in the University of St. Thomas.  In 1983 I received a M.Div. degree from the University and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. 

     Since 1983 I have had several assignments.  From 1983-86 I was the parochial vicar of Our Lady of the Lake in Mound, MN.  From 1986-90 I became the parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace in Edina, MN.  From 1990-1995 I was the pastor of Holy Name parish in south Minneapolis.  In January of 1995 I was appointed pastor of Saint Bernard’s. 

     Each of the parishes I have worked in have had schools attached to them.  I have watched and participated in the struggles and the triumphs of modern day Catholic schools as we have transitioned from a school system run primarily by Religious brothers and sisters to now schools that are run largely by the laiety.  It has been a transition that has both its anxieties and its rewards.  After centuries of service by men and women religious no one was sure if lay men and women would be able to step up to the task of communicating the faith of the Church with the same vigor or the same surety.  I have watched wonderfully committed lay teachers take up the torch left for them by the Religious and they have done a marvelous job of sharing the faith and inspiring the next generation of young Catholic men and women.