WHY WE MUST ACT NOW
Our worship space is 43 years old, and no longer can continue to meet the demands of our vibrant and growing parish. As members of a church community, we are all called to care for the physical facilities on our campus, and in particular, our worship space.
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Saint Barnabas is a growing Catholic parish with over 3,150 families. In order to keep up with the growth of our parish, we need a worship space that is properly oriented toward serving the Nordonia community and bringing people closer to Christ.
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Over the past three years, we have had a total of about a dozen people per year go through RCIA
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Our school is growing year-over-year, growing to three classes per grade level in all our younger grades. These higher numbers represent an opportunity to bring younger families to the faith!
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While the structure of the building is sound, the facilities are outdated and in some cases are desperately in need of basic maintenance. The building has not had any major renovations since it was built in the 1980’s. With a growing number of parishioners and ministries that use the facility day in and day out, it is showing signs of wear.
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Modern technology demands are important for keeping-pace with the demands of today’s society: sound systems compatible with hearing aids, proper sound boards and wiring for our tremendous music ministry, advanced audio-visual systems that enhance the worship experience, and more.
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Some parts of the church are uninspiring to potential new parishioners: pews that have been stripped down to nothing and at times are unsafe to sit in, lack of any inspiring artwork or visuals on the altar, dim lighting, a tabernacle that is hidden in the corner instead of front and center as it should be - these are just a few examples of parts of our facility that need to be updated.
WHAT ARE PARISHIONERS SAYING?
During Summer 2024, St Barnabas Parish conducted a parish-wide study that surveyed over 500 households, which is a remarkably high response rate. Key findings of the study included:
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Widespread support for the renovation, with a majority of parishioners recognizing the need for improvements.
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Strong positive sentiment about Saint Barnabas’ worship experience, ministries, and community outreach. The church was viewed very positively and as a central element of parish life.
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Significant financial and volunteer commitments have already been pledged by parishioners, with many others expressing a desire to contribute to the campaign.