Pastor's Notes
The Significance of Subtle Events
Posted by Fr. David Barnes
Dear Friends in Christ,
Although it is often “big events” that we recall with greater vividness, it seems that what shapes us in more significant ways are those small, subtle, and seemingly insignificant moments that occupy the vast majority of our days. For example, we may quickly recall a ... Read More »
Let's Keep Praying for One Another
Posted by Fr. David Barnes
Dear Friends in Christ,
I may have mentioned this to you before, but one of the “duties” of a pastor of a parish is to offer Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation for the people of his parish. That does not mean simply saying Mass in the ... Read More »
Being New
Posted by Fr. David Barnes
Dear Friends in Christ,
Last weekend a young man coming out of church said to me, “Father, maybe you could let people know that the Creed is found on the first page of the book in our pews.” He said, “If you’re new, you might not know the Creed.” ... Read More »
Christ the Good Shepherd makes himself known
Posted by Fr. David Barnes
Dear Friends in Christ,
Many years ago, I think before you could take photos with your phone, I was in Rome and was visiting the catacombs one afternoon. It was a beautiful, warm sunny day and, in typical Italian fashion, the catacombs were closed for lunch! I decided I ... Read More »
Thank You For Your Witness
Posted by Fr. David Barnes
Dear Friends in Christ,
During the Easter season, the Church’s Liturgy quite often draws from the Acts of the Apostles. The pages of the Acts of the Apostles provide to us an amazing description of what the Church at its very beginning was like. We listen to the powerful ... Read More »
He is Risen, Indeed!
Posted by Fr. David Barnes
Dear Friends in Christ,
He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!
On the night of the Last Supper, as Jesus sat at table with his apostles, he said, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you . . .” (LK 22:15). We can say that the Lord ... Read More »
03/31/24 - He is Risen!
Posted by Fr. David Barnes
Dear Friends in Christ:
He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!
Because this week’s bulletin is given over almost entirely to remembering the names of those in whose memory flowers have been donated, I have been told to “keep it short!”
On the first Easter evening two disciples walked ... Read More »
03/20/24 - Entering into Holy Week
Posted by Fr. David Barnes
Dear Friends in Christ:
I have vivid memories of me as a young boy standing on the kneeler of our pew watching my two older brothers serve Mass on Holy Thursday. On one level, I did not know what was happening because I was so young. On another level, ... Read More »
03/13/24 - The Crosses We Bear
Posted by Fr. David Barnes
Dear Friends in Christ,
Everyday people walk into St. Patrick Church carrying with them the heavy burdens of life. Some are undergoing medical testing or preparing for surgeries. Others are worried about their children, their grandchildren, or some other relative. There are people who are anxious about employment or ... Read More »
03/08/24 - A Peek Behind the Curtain
Posted by Fr. David Barnes
Dear Friends in Christ,
This morning (it’s Tuesday as I write this), I am thinking about the past twenty-four hours at St. Patrick Parish. For most parishioners, what they see of the parish is what happens in that one hour on Sundays when they are at Mass. I’d like ... Read More »