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A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR
Dear St. Barnabas Family,
We are pleased to share that, through God’s grace and your unwavering support, we have achieved our $4 million Celebration Goal for the Our Faith, Our Family, Our Future Capital Campaign! The remarkable success of the St. Barnabas School Ignite Gala 2025 played a pivotal role in reaching this milestone, reflecting the generosity and dedication of our parish and school community.
In addition to this exciting news, we have received official approval from Bishop Edward Malesic and the Diocese of Cleveland to proceed with our renovation plans. This endorsement allows us to move forward confidently, knowing we have the backing of our diocesan leadership. With the selection of Craven Construction as our general contractor and final approval from the Diocese last week, we are now ready to begin the pre-construction phase (construction planning) of our long-awaited church renovation project. This transformative effort will include:
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A new Narthex/Gathering Space and covered walkway
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A larger adoration chapel and updated restrooms
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Relocated tabernacle behind the main altar
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A complete church refresh, including a new sanctuary, altar, ambo, updated flooring, pews, paint interior walls and ceiling
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Updated liturgical furnishings
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Stations of the Cross
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Baptismal font
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Add Liturgical Art
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Improve the sound system and add a new security system
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Install new audio/visual systems with enhanced video screens
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Bedell Commons expansion
The core renovation costs provided by Craven Construction are estimated at $4.1 million. When factoring in permits, contingencies, architectural fees, and other anticipated expenses, the total cost is projected to approach $5 million. We remain committed to reaching our original $5 million Challenge Goal to fully fund this transformative project.
In addition to what is outlined above, we will use the money raised at the Ignite Gala to begin necessary studies for our project's future parking lot phase. These studies are required before we can proceed, and they will take an estimated 18 months to complete. We are also exploring grant opportunities to assist with this phase in the future.
How You Can Help
Pray for the success of this project as we continue this journey together.
Consider making a pledge or donation to help us reach our $5 million Challenge Goal. Every contribution no matter the size —whether a five-year pledge or a one-time gift—makes a difference. If you haven’t yet pledged and feel called to support this effort, you can do so by filling out a pledge form either online or dropped off at our parish office.
For those who have already contributed—THANK YOU!
As we journey through this Lenten season, we are deeply grateful for the blessings God has bestowed upon our parish and for the generosity of our St. Barnabas family. May this sacred time of reflection and renewal bring you and your loved ones closer to God’s love and grace.
May God bless you and your families this Lenten season.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Fr. James Kulway
Pastor
OUR FAITH
Our church is the heart of our spiritual life, where we gather to celebrate the sacraments, grow in our faith, and strengthen our connection to God. The renovation will ensure that our sacred spaces are improved upon to even more reflect the beauty, reverence, and our worship space generations to come.
OUR FAMILY
St. Barnabas is more than just a church—it’s a family. Together, we have celebrated life’s most important moments, supported one another, and built lasting relationships. This campaign will allow us to create more welcoming and accessible spaces for all, ensuring that everyone feels at home in our parish.
OUR FUTURE
We are called to be stewards of our parish, preserving and enhancing our facilities for future generations. Through this campaign, we will make essential improvements to the most essential building on our campus, ensuring that St. Barnabas Parish remains a vibrant and thriving community of faith that accompanies the Nordonia Hills community to Christ.
