Father Ernest Joseph Bernott, age 98, entered into eternal life on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Father Bernott was born on May 10, 1922 in Los Angeles, son of Anthony and Marcella Bernott.
Father Bernott attended SS. Peter and Paul Elementary School in Grand Rapids and St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids; St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland; and St. Mary Seminary in Roland Park, Maryland. On May 22, 1948, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Francis J. Haas at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.
In June 1948, Father Bernott was on the faculty at St. Joseph Seminary. He also served as associate pastor of St. John Vianney in Wyoming in June 1949; associate pastor of St. James in Grand Rapids in July 1950; associate pastor of St. Jean Baptiste in Muskegon in November 1952; associate pastor of SS Peter and Paul in Grand Rapids in April 1956; pastor of St. Bernard in Irons and St. Ignatius Mission in Luther in June 1957; pastor of St. Mary in Custer along with Sacred Heart Mission in Victory and St. Joseph Mission in Fountain, and St. Gregory Settlement in Carr in June 1961; appointed Dean of the Ludington Deanery on November 4, 1971; pastor of St. Paul the Apostle in Grand Rapids and was relieved as Dean of the Ludington Deanery in June 1972; pastor of St. Patrick in Parnell in June 1979; and pastor of St. Joseph (Wright) in June 1988. He entered senior priest status on July 2, 1996.
After retirement, he was appointed Chaplain of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans; administrator pro tem of St. Mary in Muskegon in May 1998 and then administrator of St. Mary in Muskegon in July 1998; administrator of St. Catherine (Ravenna) and St. Francis Xavier (Conklin) in August 2007. On October 1, 2009, Father Bernott resumed senior priest status. He retired as Chaplain of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans on April 5, 2015.
Funeral arrangements:
Visitation will be on Friday, May 15, 2020 from 3 -7 p.m. at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grand Rapids. There will be a private burial service on Saturday, May 16, 2020.
Eternal rest grant to Father Bernott, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Please remember Father Bernott in your prayers.
