Blessed Biker Ministry Takes Faith on the Open Road
July 29, 2025
By Ann Pierson
Motorcycles and spirituality are not a usual combination. For the Blessed Bikers of St. Boniface in Waukee; however, that combination has served as a Monday night staple for 20 years.
The Beginning of a Biking Ministry
The Blessed Bikers ministry began under the direction of St. Boniface parishioner Bruno Andreini shortly after St. Boniface moved to its current location on Warrior Lane. During that time, there was an influx of new families.
Andreini found himself unfamiliar with many families at his parish.
Andreini, who has been an avid motorcyclist his entire life, thought providing a motorcycle community would be an ideal way to meet newcomers at his parish.
He was right.
The group informally began in 2003 with a small group of riders and grew. By 2005, the group called themselves Blessed Bikers.
Every ride begins with a prayer in the St. Boniface parking lot, with each year having a different prayer, says Rick Oberembt, the current director of Blessed Bikers.
Andreini attributes the beginning prayer as part of the group’s longevity. “I think the prayer is involved in [the group lasting this long],” Andreini said.
After the prayer, the group rides about 40 or 50 miles to their weekly destination – often a restaurant or gathering spot for a picnic.
In the past, annual rides included trips to religious sites around the state, like The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, rides to Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center to visit with the residents, and “mystery rides” where one biker would lead the group to an undisclosed location.
“I never had a disappointing day. I’ve always had a good time,” Andreini said, reflecting on riding with Blessed Bikers.
A Brotherhood and a Bikerhood
The people of Blessed Bikers community, which includes Catholics and Christians, has been the bedrock of the group staying strong two decades later.
They care for another’s needs, whether they be from their biking community or the parish community. When a member of the community brought a need to the group, whether it was fundraising or assisting a family in need, the group was willing to step up and help.
When Oberembt lost his brother and fellow rider Randy Oberembt a few years ago, the other bikers supported him and checked in on him.
“It’s a fellowship,” Oberembt said.
Andreini recalled the group helping a fellow parishioner’s daughter who was injured in a car accident and required extensive treatment. The group responded quickly, raising the amount needed to aid her recovery. The parishioner’s daughter recovered and now lives in Washington, D.C.
“I was just so proud of those people,” he said, recalling the Blessed Biker’s generosity a decade later.
“Doing Things Together”
Although people may not naturally associate motorcycle riding with their faith, for Andreini, the connection between the two was evident.
“If you are out riding and you have a beautiful day out and you are looking at the surroundings… it’s not very hard to think about your religion,” Andreini said.
The connection with nature someone has while riding is different when shared with people. The bond they share through their experiences riding – and being with one another through all seasons – is what brings Blessed Bikers back year after year for rides.
“The riding is good, the comradery between the members is nice. We’ve known each other for a long, long time and just getting back together periodically is really good,” said Scott Diebler, one of the Blessed Bikers leaders.
“It’s not about the riding all the time. It’s about doing things together,” Andreini said.
Blessed Bikers meet every Monday, except Labor Day, until October 27. For information on each week’s destination or to join Blessed Bikers, visit stbonifacechurch.org/blessed-bikers.