Known to friends and parishioners as ‘Fr. Bernie,? the St. Anne priest will be remembered for his love of art, devotion to God and compassion to others.
The Rev. Bernard J. Mullen of Ortonville died Nov. 28 after a long illness.
He was 72.
‘He was a kind, gentle person who cared deeply about the people of St. Anne parish,? said Mary Ann McCarville, who worked with Fr. Bernie for the past four years at St. Anne.
‘He lived what he preached, especially being very generous to his many charities and people in need. He will be sadly missed by his staff and all the people of the parish.?
The oldest of five children, Fr. Bernie attended St. James of Ferndale grade school and attended Sacred Heart Seminary high school where he graduated from in 1953. He also completed college at Sacred Heart in 1957. He attended St. John Major Seminary in Plymouth and was ordained at Detroit’s Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, June 3, 1961.
He served at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in East Detroit, St. Joseph of Monroe, and St. Boniface parish, near Tiger Stadium. In September 1969, he asked for a leave of absence from the priesthood. During the next few years he worked at the Big Brothers-Big Sisters agency of Metro Detroit and as a manufacturer’s representative in Atlanta selling office furniture. In July 1986 he went back to Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Metropolitan Atlanta.
In 1993, Fr. Mullen contacted the Archdiocese of Detroit and returned to the active priestly ministry about a year later as associate pastor at St. Joseph, Lake Orion where he served for nine years. On July 1, 2003 Fr. Bernie came to St. Anne in Ortonville replacing Fr.Mike Verschaeve as pastor.
‘As head of the stewardship commission at the Church of St. Anne, I have been involved with Fr. Bernie since he first arrived,? said Herman Greif, St. Anne parishioner. ‘I feel that he was the epitome of ‘the Good Shepherd.? He was genuinely concerned about the spiritual well-being of his parishioners. He spent many hours on the road and at the bedside of the sick and the hospitalized. He was always there for his people.?
Susan Reddy, St Anne Pastoral Council Member recalls Fr. Bernie’s love for all his parishioners.
‘Father Bernie loved all those at St. Anne’s church and cherished our children,? she said.
‘He would encourage the children to get involved with the church, teaching them to be dedicated altar servers to him and to the Lord. They always made him glow with happiness; bringing him joy with their jokes, their cute smiles, their honest comments and their hugs.?
Fr. Bernie is survived by beloved brothers, Frank Mullen of Detroit, Paul (Mary) Mullen of Roscommon, and Vince (Kathy) Mullen of Sterling Heights. Dear brother-in-law of Joe Ruhlman of Milford. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Ruhlman.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Anne Church 825 S. Ortonville Road Ortonville, Adam Cardinal Maida officiated. Interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial donations may be given to St. Anne Care & Share Fund, envelopes available at the church.