Our Parish History

St. Bartholomew, like our Lord himself, had a humble beginning. It was born in the Miramar fire house on August 16, 1962. In those days, the town of Miramar was hardly developed west of University Drive.

Monsignor Noel Fogarty was appointed by Bishop Coleman Carroll to be our founding pastor. People of our parish still remember him with affection. Under his guidance the Catholic people of Miramar came together. They celebrated Mass. Groups and clubs were formed. New parishioners made commitments to the new parish. Slowly, enthusiasm grew among the people and our parish was well on its way to become the thriving Christian community it is today.

On October 17, 1964, Monsignor Patrick O'Donohue, representing the Archbishop, broke ground for the new parish's church and school. When completed, the school building would serve parochial school needs as well as CCD classes on Sunday.

The sisters of Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus committed themselves to St Bartholomew's in 1965. By 1969 a full grade school and religious education program served the needs of our new parish.  The sisters served not only the school, but the parish's pastoral needs as well with dignity and devotion until the summer of 1988. We here at St. Bart's are grateful to them for twenty-three years of service to our community.
  
The first pastor of St. Bart's, Father Fogarty, planted many seeds which grew in many ways to become the vibrant Catholic Christian Community it is today. Educational programs, men's and women's clubs, the Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul and many others developed firm roots. Father Fogarty served here until June 7, 1971.

Father Leslie Cann pastored our community from 1971 to 1974. So much growth occurred that Father Thomas Dennehy, pastor from 1974 to 1975, helped us erect the parish hall. This would serve all the parish organizations, as well as provide for a school cafeteria. Whether offering space for Bingo or Sunday morning coffee and donuts, the hall makes possible many aspects of the community's life.

From 1975 to 1982, Father Gary Steibel served as pastor. While working for the Archdiocesan marriage tribunal, he still spent his energies nurturing the faith life of our parish. The parish developed one of the most effective youth programs in the Archdiocese. The parking lot was reshaped and the rectory was built on the parish grounds as an office for the conduct of business and as a home for our priests.

Father Dominick O'Dwyer, a former assistant at St. Bart's, returned as its pastor from 1982 until 1986. The parish community grew and added members. He is now serving as pastor of St. Malachy in Tamarac.

Father Paul Vuturo, our present pastor, was appointed here in June 1986. He continues to preside over the pastoral needs of more than 2,000 families.  Fr. Fritzner Bellonce and two deacons, Humberto Brizuela and David Smith complete the staff of clergy assigned to the parish family.

Today the school is a gathering place in the evenings for AA, NA, boy scouts, girl scouts, prayer meetings, RCIA classes and all sorts of other parish meetings.  The former convent, now called the Sacred Heart Center, is also a busy place, serving the needs of the parish as a very hospitable place for gatherings, retreats, and other meetings.   The parochial school educates about 300 students from pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade, while the religious education program serves the needs of over 450 students.

Here at St. Bart's we strive to grow with each other in the faith and love to which Christ calls us. Parishioners can take advantage of the variety of groups and ministries in the parish. Everyone, single, married or divorced, old or young, people of different races and languages--all belong to our one parish family.  We will continue to grow, if we keep on nourishing and encouraging each other in our spiritual growth and we will continue to grow if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus our Lord, who is our whole reason for being here.

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