Parish Youth Rally -- Registration Deadline on Sunday!

For all young people entering Grade 9 up to those who are 20 years of age: if you are still interested in attending the St. Barnabas Youth Rally, registration closes this weekend.  Please return your completed registration forms and money to the parish to one of the leaders after the Sunday Masses this weekend.

If you need another copy of the registration forms, please follow the link below:
St. Barnabas Youth Rally Registration Form

A confirmation email will be sent to all registrants next week which will include a list of what to bring and what not to bring as well as links to music that will be used during the retreat.  This will help all participants learn the music in advance and won't have to learn all the songs while up at Mt. Alverno.

We look forward to seeing registration forms and all participants at next week's St. Barnabas Youth Rally!

Video: (Guest) Reflection/Homily by Br. Nick Ali -- Aug 4/5

No, that's not a typo...Although the parish may have thanked and said 'good-bye' to Br. Nick, Fr. Edwin invited him back to preach this past weekend.  Br. Nick has been organizing the Totus Tuus program that is taking place at the parish over the past few months from the parish end and it seemed only fitting that since he was going to be here anyways, that he gives one last reflection to the parish community.

Here's the link below.  Enjoy!

Br. Nick Ali -- August 4/5, 2012

Video: Gift Presentation to Br. Nick

In case you were away last weekend, the parish hosted a farewell gathering for Br. Nick after all the Sunday Masses.  Fr. Edwin also presented him with a gift during the announcements at all 5 Masses which included a book and thank-you card on behalf of the parish community.

You can find the video from one of the presentations below:


Gift Presentation to Br. Nick

We give thanks to God for the many blessings that Nick has brought to our community.  We hope and pray for his continued success in his studies and discernment as he returns to St. Augustine's Seminary.

Br. Nick's Final Weekend Homily @ St. Barnabas

As you are well aware, the transitions continue at the parish as Br. Nick completes his internship assignment at St. Barnabas.  It seems like yesterday when Fr. Edwin was introducing him to the community back in the Fall.  Now, Nick will get a one-month holiday before returning to St. Augustine's Seminary for what may be, God willing, his last two years of formation before ordination to the priesthood.

This weekend, there will be a farewell reception for Br. Nick after all Sunday Masses, including after the 4:30pm Mass on Saturday.  Please stop in to say thanks to him for his contributions to the parish and to wish him well.

For those who missed it or would like to go back, you can see his last weekend homily below:
Br. Nick's Homily -- July 14/15

St. Barnabas Youth Retreat & Fundraiser

As announced at Mass the past couple of weeks, the parish will be hosting a Youth Rally at Mount Alverno Retreat Centre on August 18-19.  This is a fun weekend for young people going into Grade 9 up to those who are 20 years old.  There will be games, activities and opportunities to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.

For those interested in attending, you can check out the files below:

Information Sheet
Retreat Registration Form

The cost for each person to attend is only $50.  In order to be able to offer such a low price for this retreat, there will be a series of fundraisers over the next few weeks at the parish.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

The first of these fundraisers is a Family Movie Night this Saturday, July 14.  The evening begins around 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall with a FREE viewing of "How to Train Your Dragon."  Refreshments and snacks will be provided.  Donations are greatly appreciated and will go towards the St. Barnabas Youth Retreat.

Family Movie Night Flyer

The Vocation Stories of Associate Pastors

As we enter into the month of July and all the transitions that come with it, it is hard to realize that Fr. Paul has indeed moved on to his new parish assignment.  Below you will find a couple of links to YouTube that include Fr. Paul's homily from June 23/24 which includes his vocation story and the gift presentation during the announcements at Mass:

Fr. Paul's Homily -- June 23/24 Weekend

Gift Presentation to Fr. Paul


This past weekend (June 30/July 1) we've also had a chance to listen to another vocation story as our new Associate Pastor, Fr. Luis Calleja shared his journey to the priesthood during his homily.  We welcome Fr. Luis to the St. Barnabas community.  If you were away for the long weekend, please don't hesitate to introduce yourself to Fr. Luis and make him feel at home in the parish.

  

Farewell Message from Fr. Paul

To the St. Barnabas Parish Family,

Thank you everybody for coming to my farewell get together. Thank you also for all your kind words and generous gifts. Thank you to the youth, young adults and all those who helped set up and serve at the event. The event was amazing and truly memorable for me. The presentations and videos were really cool.
I am really grateful that I had the opportunity, joy and pleasure to have served here at Saint Barnabas Church, my first church as a priest. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this wonderful parish community along my journey as a priest. Thank you for the joy that I received from working with the youth, young adults, CWL, RCIA and other ministries. It has been my pleasure to pray with you and celebrate the Eucharist and other sacraments with you. Thank you Father Edwin for being my friend, teacher and example. Thank you Deacon Paul for all your support and being there at my side. Thank you Gemma for taking care of me. Thank you office staff for teaching me so many things. Thank you Saint Barnabas Community for the three awesome years that I have been here with you. I will never forget you and will always pray for you as I know that you will pray for me.

God bless you all
Fr. Paul