St. Barnabas Church Omaha to be received into Ordinariate on July 10, 2013.

On Wednesday evening, July 10th, at seven o'clock, the Parish of St. Barnabas will enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. 

St. Barnabas Parish began its life in 1869 as an Episcopal parish formed as part of the Oxford Movement. Among the stated goals of the Oxford Movement were the reintroduction of ritual elements into the liturgy, the nurturing of the poor and downtrodden and an eventual reunification with the Holy See. The founding pastor, the Rev. Mr. George Betts, often found himself being called on the carpet by the Episcopal bishop, Robert Clarkson for these views and practices. During the course of its 144 year history the parish continued its often-rocky association with the Episcopal Church, culminating in its disassociation with that body in 2007. With the announcement of "Anglicanorum Coetibus," the parish began in earnest its path to reunification with the Holy See. That path will reach its final destination with the visit of Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson to the Parish to receive congregants as full members of the Roman Catholic Church.

The formation of the Ordinariate (officially known as The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter) was the response of Pope Benedict XVI to the request of Anglican groups seeking a home in the Roman Catholic Church. The goal of the Ordinariate is to allow former Anglicans to retain much of their Anglican Patrimony (liturgy, spirituality, and polity) and to share this patrimony with the wider Catholic Church.

All are cordially welcome to join us on the 10th for this wonderful and long-dreamed-of occasion.

"Ut unum sint" -- "May they all be one."