Pastor Mutterings.  St. Barnabas Parish has been part of the Beverly community for a very long time, and our “new” church building is now 46 years old. But the “church” of St. Barnabas is always under construction. It is not made from stone or wood or marble, but from the body of Christ. You and I are the body of Christ, and we are the Church he told his disciples to build.

St. Barnabas Parish will never be finished, or beautiful enough, or holy enough. It will always need skilled workers, caretakers, architects, and artisans. The tools and materials we use to build up the body of Christ, the Church, are the gifts and talents God has given to each of us. We must not hoard them or store them away, but rather give them away until there is nothing more to give.

Many people don’t think they have gifts of much value. Surely the apostles felt that way on Pentecost morning, having hidden themselves away in a darkened room, afraid and ashamed. But then they saw the risen Lord, and the Holy Spirit stirred up their gifts into a mighty fire that has enflamed our hearts to this day. The proof of Jesus' resurrection is the witness of the apostles. They had the courage to give their lives for the Gospel, to stand up for what they believe, and to commit themselves to building up the Church, the body of Christ. That has led us here, to this holy time and place.

Today when you come to Mass, you will find your copy of the “St. Barnabas Covenant in your pew. It describes the gifts and qualities that make our parish a family, and differentiate a house from a home.  Read more