Br. Bernard Wierdak, OP

Hey there! My name is Br. Bernard Wierdak, and I'm the newest member of the Dominican house here at St. Paul's. I am a student brother in preparation for solemn profession (lifelong vows) in the Dominican Order and for ordination to the priesthood. After three years of full-time graduate study in philosophy and theology, I'm spending a year here at St. Paul's for a pastoral assignment. That means for a whole academic year I'll get to support the mission, work with our priests, and get to know many of you!

I first met the Dominicans when I was in college at Tulane University. I arrived on campus an eager engineering student ready to study, play sports and be a part of college radio. Faith and Catholicism weren't really on my radar, but I thought I would go to Sunday Mass. But then I was surprised, challenged, and eventually delighted to encounter a Dominican chaplain on fire for the gospel. His ministry at Tulane Catholic Center (a place much like St. Paul's!) and some important friendships I had with Catholic students slowly but surely opened my mind and heart to what God had in store for me beyond the bounds of the engineering classroom. After a powerful encounter with Jesus in prayer, my life shifted course more fully and I became a Catholic missionary. I worked as a missionary for a couple years and then felt called deeper by the Lord, so I joined the Dominicans. I've been with the friars for four years now, and that adventure continues to unfold here in 2024-25 at St. Paul's with all of you. I'm eager to see what God has in store for us all!