Cover photo for Monsignor Bernard Alphonsus Powers's Obituary
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Monsignor Bernard Alphonsus Powers

February 13, 1926 — October 25, 2024

Curdsville

Monsignor Bernard Alphonsus Powers

Monsignor Bernard Alphonsus Powers, 98, of Curdsville, passed away Friday, October 25, 2024 at the Carmel Home in Owensboro, surrounded by Bishop William F. Medley and loved ones. He was born February 13, 1926 to the late Joseph Hubert and Teresa Margaret McCarthy Powers as the seventh of twelve children and one of three brothers to become a priest.

  He completed his elementary education at St. Elizabeth School in Curdsville. In 1940 he entered Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana for high school and college. Msgr. Powers studied philosophy at St. Louis Prep and Glennon College in St. Louis, MO, and theology at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. His postgraduate studies took him to Loras College (an extension of Catholic University) in Dubuque, IA, the Dominican House of Studies in Chicago, IL, and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.

 He was ordained into the Diocese of Owensboro by Bishop Cotton in 1952. His first assignment was as associate pastor at St. Stephen Cathedral from June until September of 1952. He continued at St Joseph and Paul in Owensboro (1952 -1964) while simultaneously serving at St. William in Knottsville from 1962-1964. In 1964, he assumed his first appointment as pastor at St. Joseph in Leitchfield. After a health problem, he served as the Chaplain for Mount Saint Joseph in Maple Mount. (1967-1976) Following his health recovery in 1976, he led at Immaculate Parish in Owensboro for eight years, where he had been named a monsignor in 1972. His pastoral journey continued with St. Michael in Sebree (1987–1989), St. Alphonsus in St. Joseph (1989–1994), St. Joseph in Bowling Green (1994–1995), St. Anthony in Grand Rivers (1995), St. Mary of the Woods in Whitesville (1995–1996), and St. Augustine in Reed (1996-2001). Rev Powers resided at the Priest’s Apartments (2001-2004), St. Mary Magdalene in Sorgho (2004-2007) and St. Mary of the Woods in Whitesville (2007-2009). He was a gifted preacher and continued to speak, write and say Mass when requested.

 He served as spiritual leader for groups of Fatima, Lourdes, Rome, Medjugorje, St. Anne de Beaupre, St. Joseph Shrine in Montreal and Our Lady of the Snows.

 Rev. Powers had many non-residential appointments including Priests Senate, Vicar of Diocesan Religious, Domestic Prelate and service on the Diocesan Committee for Total Education. Additionally, Msgr. Powers served as the Confessor to the Passionist Nuns at Saint Joseph Monastery. He was a teacher at Owensboro Catholic High School (1952-1964) and at Grayson County Catholic (1964-1966). He was assigned as Associate Director of the Mount Saint Joseph Retreat Center in 1985, leading many retreats there until 1994. Monsignor Powers developed a good rapport with his many students over the years and several affectionately referred to him as “Pope”. 

 A passionate spiritual guide and writer, Msgr. Powers authored numerous books, sharing poems, prayers and reflections, including “A Tree to Climb”, “A Rock to Sit On” and “Way of the Cross”. He was actively involved in directing retreats, traveling with groups to sacred destinations such as Fatima, Lourdes, and Rome. 

 He also managed to make time to be a Louisville Cardinals sports fan and enjoyed a good round of golf.

 In addition to his parents, Msgr. Powers was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Agnes Powers, Patricia Garvin, Elizabeth M. Lattus, Celine M. Kahalley and Martha M. Taylor; and brothers, Joseph H. Powers Jr., Rev. Aloysius F. Powers, Robert A. Powers and Rev. Richard Powers. 

 Those left to cherish his memory include his sisters, Mary Teresa Hayden (Don) and Maddalena Leach; and many nieces and nephews.

 The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, October 30, at St. Stephen Cathedral with the Most Reverend William F. Medley, Bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro, presiding. Burial will follow in Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Tuesday at the Carmel Home and from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Tuesday at St. Stephen Cathedral, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM.

There will also be visitation Wednesday from 9:00 until time of Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral.

 Care by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

 Memorial contributions may be made to the Carmel Home, 2501 Old Hartford Rd., Owensboro, KY 42303 or the Passionist Nuns of St. Joseph Monastery, 8564 Crisp Rd, Whitesville, KY 42378.

 Messages and condolences for the family may be shared at www.glenncares.com. 

 

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Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

1:00 - 3:00 pm (Central time)

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Visitation

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

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Visitation

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

9:00 - 10:00 am (Central time)

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Mass

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

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