Fr. Bernardine (Alphons) Tinnefeld of St. Joseph was born on June 26, 1897, in Chicago, Illinois to parents John and Philomena (nee Rehrauer) Tinnefeld. He was clothed in the Carmelite habit on October 24, 1921 at Holy Hill; made his simple profession on December 28, 1922, his solemn vows on September 13, 1925 and was ordained to the priesthood September 25, 1927 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Archbishop Sebastian Messmer.

During his priestly ministry, Fr. Bernardine was Procurator at Holy Hill from 1928-1933, Vicar at Holy Hill from 1933-1939 and Pastor at Holy Hill from 1936-1939. He was Delegate to the Provincial Chapter in Reisach, Bavaria in 1930. During 1939-1944, when what had been a series of houses subject directly to the Definitory General separated and became a semi-province, Fr. Bernardine became the first Vicar Provincial. In 1948, the semi-province became the independent Province of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Fr. Bernardine died on October 4, 1980, and is buried at the Carmelite Cemetery, Hubertus, Wisconsin.