Bernie Palka
[Friars of the Atonement]
Born: July 29, 1944
Died: January 8, 2022
Bernie Palka joined the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in 1968.
As a credentialed alcoholism counselor, in 1981 Father Bernie was appointed as program director of Saint Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center in Saranac Lake, where he worked for over a decade. At Saint Joseph’s, he facilitated the integration of women into the rehab center, while also expanding the treatment population from 32 residents to 48 residents.
During his time at Saint Joseph’s, he also taught as an adjunct professor at North Country Community College, specializing in alcohol and dependency courses.