Since she was a little girl, Barbara Bailey loved to sing in church.
“I was lucky because our church had a really good music director,” said Bailey, who grew up in the Reformed Church and is a convert to Catholicism. Today, Bailey plays piano and cantors at her parish, St. Catherine of Siena in Mountain Lakes, N.J. Bailey called music “a way to learn and a way to pray. It is fun and uplifting.”
Bailey is active in several ministries at St. Catherine’s, including co-leading the daytime Scripture study, singing in the St. Therese rosary prayer group, and serving as a parish trustee and member of the finance committee.
Last fall, the Paterson Diocese, N.J., recognized Bailey’s service, awarding her the Vivere Christus Est Award, which is presented annually by the bishop to members of the diocese for their service to the Church through their local parishes.
Faith was important to Bailey and her late husband, James Patrick, a Catholic, from the beginning of their marriage. Over time, Bailey became more interested in Catholicism.
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“I really had the strong desire to receive communion and learn more about it,” said Bailey, who decided to convert to Catholicism in her 30s. She attended the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (now called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) with Father Thomas Mangieri, a former parochial vicar of St. Catherine’s, and friends on the ministry’s team. “I’ve been building on that ever since,” Bailey said.
The late Sister Bernadette Weller of the Society of Sisters of the Church, who ministered at St. Catherine’s for many years, supported Bailey on her journey of growth in the Church.
“Sister Bernadette was the first person who taught me that Vatican II was a direction for lay people, that their mission is to become holy. I think that is a pretty lofty goal, but it’s our responsibility to do what we can,” Bailey said.
Bailey encourages others to share their gifts and get involved in their parishes.
Through Sister Weller, a founder of the Society of the Sisters of the Church, Bailey became an associate of the order and is still active today.
Bailey draws strength from saints such as St. Michael and St. Therese the Little Flower. She is also inspired by stories of holy Catholics, such as American-born Jesuit Father Walter Cizek, who was held captive in Russia for more than 20 years in Siberian labor camps, including in solitary confinement.
A former pharmaceutical company employee and mother of two grown daughters, Bailey said that, as the years go by, her faith has become more important to her.
“I do not know how people could do anything without knowing that there’s hope and you can trust in God. It has really been very key throughout my whole life to try to follow that,” Bailey said.
Catholic award recipient strengthens faith and service in Mountain Lakes #Catholic –
Since she was a little girl, Barbara Bailey loved to sing in church.
“I was lucky because our church had a really good music director,” said Bailey, who grew up in the Reformed Church and is a convert to Catholicism. Today, Bailey plays piano and cantors at her parish, St. Catherine of Siena in Mountain Lakes, N.J. Bailey called music “a way to learn and a way to pray. It is fun and uplifting.”
Bailey is active in several ministries at St. Catherine’s, including co-leading the daytime Scripture study, singing in the St. Therese rosary prayer group, and serving as a parish trustee and member of the finance committee.
Last fall, the Paterson Diocese, N.J., recognized Bailey’s service, awarding her the Vivere Christus Est Award, which is presented annually by the bishop to members of the diocese for their service to the Church through their local parishes.
Faith was important to Bailey and her late husband, James Patrick, a Catholic, from the beginning of their marriage. Over time, Bailey became more interested in Catholicism.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
“I really had the strong desire to receive communion and learn more about it,” said Bailey, who decided to convert to Catholicism in her 30s. She attended the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (now called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) with Father Thomas Mangieri, a former parochial vicar of St. Catherine’s, and friends on the ministry’s team. “I’ve been building on that ever since,” Bailey said.
The late Sister Bernadette Weller of the Society of Sisters of the Church, who ministered at St. Catherine’s for many years, supported Bailey on her journey of growth in the Church.
“Sister Bernadette was the first person who taught me that Vatican II was a direction for lay people, that their mission is to become holy. I think that is a pretty lofty goal, but it’s our responsibility to do what we can,” Bailey said.
Bailey encourages others to share their gifts and get involved in their parishes.
Through Sister Weller, a founder of the Society of the Sisters of the Church, Bailey became an associate of the order and is still active today.
Bailey draws strength from saints such as St. Michael and St. Therese the Little Flower. She is also inspired by stories of holy Catholics, such as American-born Jesuit Father Walter Cizek, who was held captive in Russia for more than 20 years in Siberian labor camps, including in solitary confinement.
A former pharmaceutical company employee and mother of two grown daughters, Bailey said that, as the years go by, her faith has become more important to her.
“I do not know how people could do anything without knowing that there’s hope and you can trust in God. It has really been very key throughout my whole life to try to follow that,” Bailey said.