Dear Bernie,
I enjoyed your presentation greatly and you gave me a new hope for life. I gave up on god years back because i was bored with it and didn’t see any physical evidence of his being alive (now he’s proved it to me like I’ve been asking him to do for years.) the past month and a half has been really tough on me. A guy that i really care about broke up with me and I’ve been ready to give up on life a few times. There are a few things that have kept me alive. Family, friends, and future goals, i guess that’s what you could call it.
Those songs that you sang brought tears to my eyes and made me think that if god could help you, then maybe he can help me. My two best friends keep trying and one of my friends gave me a solution that i didn’t like, but i know that it would work. Why I’m writing this is to let you know that you got through to me and i hope that you can get through to a friend of mine. Ever since i can remember she had a tough time living.
I was wondering if you could send me a tape of your story for her. When i went to bed i talked to god for 10 minutes for the past couple of nights. It feels good to do that even if i do feel like I’m talking to the ceiling.
Thanks
Niki
Hey there Bernie!
I sent you an email a couple of days ago, but I don’t really know if you got it or not..maybe so but anyway – just wanted to say hey and let you know that I listen to your CD every day – whether it’s on my way to school or work – it’s always with me and especially helpful when I’ve had a rough day.
Your music reminds me that God is always with me and here for me and I just wanted to thank you for being so inspirational. I think you know that you are truly blessed and thanks for using your talents to inspire others!
I’m SO glad I got to meet you in SC and me and Maria are seriously working on getting our youth leaders to get you to come here because it would be SOOOO FUN!!! Hopefully we can get the job done and get them in contact with you before too long! Thanks again for everything – you are the best!!! Hope you’ve had a great summer and God Bless!
Jodi
Ryan,IA (the coolest town EVER!!)
Hey Bernie,
Don’t have much time to write, but i really wanted to thank you for the impact you made on my kids yesterday. You were the topic of conversation the whole way home and at our meeting tonight. They are even discussing how they can start raising money to have you down here…
You are amazing. I have played your CD over and over today. God really gave me a boost through you and your words yesterday.
Once this project is done i will write you a better email. Id love to chat some time. School is just super crazy with the end of the semester right now. We got lots of great pictures from the concert. They will be sent when they are loaded on the computer.
Again, i cannot thank you enough for the power you had last night… You are really an inspiration…
Thanks!
Sean Malloy
Director of Youth Ministry
St. James Catholic Church
Bernie.
You spoke at a retreat at Sacred Heart High School on Tuesday, September, 19th. My name is Christina and I am sophomore with very low self esteem. I just wanted to tell you some of the things you’ve done for me.
First of all, I am not what the general person would consider a good kid. I drink, I smoke, and I do drugs. I’ve even done a little dealing. I had been thinking about going clean but I’m sure that you realize how hard it is. I’ve tried in the past and have not succeeded. Your talk made me realize that I turned into exactly the type of person I never wanted to be. I haven’t done anything since that day. I know it hasn’t been that long but I am not going to give in this time.
I believe that through you, I have turned to God and God is intervening in my life. Wednesday at school there was something going on having to do with drugs. I, in a way, was a witness to the events that occurred. Later that day, the “operation” if you will, was discovered. I don’t know why I feel God stepped in there, but I do. Perhaps I would just like to think so. That has given me the final nudge. I know I will never go back to the life style I was previously living.
Also, as I mentioned before, I have somewhat of a low self esteem. You’ve motivated me to do something about it. I’m not just going to sit around worrying about how I look anymore. I am going to start taking care of myself.
Thank-you. You’ve done more for me than you could possibly know.
God Bless you,
Christina
Dear Bernie,
I want to thank you for all of the assistance you have given to the Island Parishes with your Music Ministry. The retreat that you facilitated with our High School Life Teen Students was excellent. The concert at Sacred Heart was a musical faith celebration that touched the students, parents and parishioners who were fortunate enough to attend.
We all look forward to many years of working together. You blend your faith, music and theology so well into a ministry that touches the minds, hearts and souls of the teens and their parents. This is such a great gift and we are privileged to benefit from your sharing this gift with us.
Please be assured of our prayers for you, your family and your ministry – that God will continue to bless you and your gifts will be experienced and celebrated by many more people.
Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and I pray that just as Mary’s whole being proclaimed the greatness of the Lord, so too will your whole being – your music – your teaching – your faith – will continue to proclaim the greatness of the Lord to God’s people.
Fraternally yours in Christ,
Rev. Michael R. Nagle Pastor
How are you? Good I hope. Well, I just wanted to say hi and see how things are going. But I also want to take this opportunity to tell you what a wonderful job you did with the retreats. You made it so much fun for the candidates and us leaders and I want to thank you. In the past we’ve had several other directors/advisors but I can’t emphasize enough how awesome you were. You’re a great guy and friend and a truly inspiring person. I’m so glad I met you. The thoughts and ideas you provoked through your talks put everyone in awe- me especially! I could listen to you talk forever! You’ve really made a huge impact in my life and my attitude on things has changed dramatically. And you know I now pray the rosary all the time. I really appreciate you making room for me in your car and listening to my witness talk. Sorry to have been a bother and for getting us lost! That just really topped the weekend huh?!
Oh, and in case you were wondering- if you didn’t know already-the kids who left the retreat early are making one up together, with their parents and the man who is in charge of retreats and youth ministry is directing it. I cannot recall his last name though. The other night Maureen and Maryanne held a meeting with the kids and families and hope you are still having that concert because I’m getting all my friends to come. Well it was nice talking and writing to you. Hope to see you soon.
Love ya
Jackie
Thank you for your CD. My Dad loves your songs and we all think that you are a very talented person. Your talk with our group influenced me a lot. I went home and prayed the whole rosary. I already feel like a better person. I just want you to know that you made a big difference and I appreciate it a lot. You made me realize how lucky I am to have life, thanks to God. Many other sponsors have spoken to us but none of their words touched my heart as much as yours did. I know that I definitely believe in God and in the beginning I wasn’t sure about Mary revealing herself to us now. But thanks to you, now I believe. Thanks again and God bless you.
Sincerely
Jen
Dear Bernie
Thank you for coming to Falmouth last week to share your enthusiasm for the rosary and your personal faith journey. I know your presentation made an impression on our young people, their parents and teachers.
God Bless
Fr. Roy
I have worked with Bernie at both the National Catholic Youth Conferences and World Youth Day and he is an experienced performer whose music and message energizes young people. Bernie’s musical talent, his faith story, and his personal enthusiasm are very valuable assets for any youth ministry event.
Bob McCarty
President
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
Bernie Choiniere is an awesome musician and worship leader. With a huge heart for Christ, Bernie passionately serves the church with spirit-filled music that encourages, engages and empowers the baptized.
I am blessed to call him brother and friend.
Jesse Manibusan
National Catholic Artist
He is the best kept secret around—solid, filled with faith and has a great dynamic with the assembly. Bernie gets the job done.
Vince Nims
National Catholic Artist
I highly recommend Bernie for your next Diocesan Rally. His ability to lead our youth in prayer and song was perfect for our Rally in the Diocese of Burlington, VT. Our youth were dancing and singing, praising God. Bernie was also able to slow down his music to lead our youth deep in prayer. After his concert, the youth were ready to hear him proclaim the gospel in his keynote on the sacrament of confession. Our youth were deeply moved and hundreds lined up to receive the sacrament. Bernie is a top notch professional and handled even our most difficult situations by modeling Jesus. Bernie continued without reservation, I recommend Bernie Choiniere!
Robert Szpila
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Diocese of Burlington, VT
I have had the honor of working with Bernie at his parish for a good portion of summer ’09. It is a small world… some friends of mine, who knew him well, referred me to him because he was looking for a drummer and an acoustic guitar player. I knew of him, and he knew me from other events, but we had never worked together. And we live in the same town for prete’s sake! 
I really enjoyed my time working with him. And even better, I get to rock with him at a conference in summer ’10. Over the past 7 years I became a fan, an acquaintance, a bandmate, a promoter, and a friend. And may I just say, his entire family… are excellent musicians and wonderful people!!
I recommend Bernie for future events, you have my blessing 
Adam ‘Spud’ Shaw
Catholic Musician
New Hampshire
Hi Bernie,
Just want to thank you for all you and your family do. On Christmas Day this year a very dear relative was called Home. I can only fathom that our daughter’s work through the youth choir is partially responsible for the strength and faith she exhibited throughout this difficult time (and it was her Godmother, auntie grammy, who died!). She helped to organize and choose readings, she spoke with folks at the wake, led the prayers of the faithful, and actually did a reading herself. You instill condidence and self esteem in these young people, and give them confidence to LIVE their faith – and we thank you. Our prayers include, always, the availability of your and your family’s ministry to many more people for many years to come.
By: Tom & Charlene Langenfeld on 12/30/2010
at 12:18 pm