St. Barnabas hosts milestone Mass

William Murphy, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, told anyone who had been baptized at St. Barnabas Church to stand in the middle of the sanctuary at last Sunday’s Mass. They were joined by those who had received communion at the church, those who had been confirmed there and couples who had married at the Bellmore house of worship.

Murphy told parishioners to look around at the people who were standing and to think about how they have been touched by others at St. Barnabas. Whether they had shared experiences or not, Murphy said, one thing has kept them and others coming back to the church for a century.

“Fundamentally, the reason why we’re here today is because we believe,” he said. “We continue to be transformed by what we believe and what God has given us because of that faith.”

Murphy, current and former pastors and churchgoers gathered last Sunday for St. Barnabas’s 100th anniversary celebration and reception. The church, which was founded in 1912, has celebrated its centennial for the past year. The Rev. Joseph Coschignano, its pastor, recalled that the celebration got off to a rocky start on the weekend when Tropical Storm Irene came ashore last summer. But the sun was shining and attendance was high for the Mass over which Murphy, who has served the diocese since 2001, presided this year.

Murphy said he was happy to see so many parishioners at the anniversary Mass because it was a joyous occasion for the community. “We’re here today to celebrate 100 years of a great parish community,” he said. “It’s wonderful to stand up here and look out at all of you. It lights up a priest’s heart.”

Parishioners filled every pew of the church on Sunday, listening to Bible readings and stories from the parish’s past. Coschignano, who became pastor in 2010, pointed out historical artifacts in the church, and one he brought with him. He said that a crib at the altar of the Virgin Mary is the same one the Rev. Theodore King put there when he served as St. Barnabas’s pastor from 1912 to 1917. Coschignano also brought the trowel used to lay the church’s cornerstone.

“It’s as if we could go back and touch Father King,” he said.