Good Shepherd
Monsignor John Barry serves first communion at American Martyrs Church. Photo by Ron Giery/familyportraitfun.com
One of the first things people notice about Monsignor John F. Barry is the strong and resonating voice. That such a small-statured man could possess a pair of vocal cords that allow parishioners to hear his charming Irish accent all the way to the vestibule of the church, often without a microphone, would be the envy of even the most seasoned of Hollywood’s voiceover artists.
As he gets ready to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood June 18, the humble and peripatetic 73-year old pastor might be embarrassed by the accolades being bestowed upon him by the large Catholic community of American Martyrs Catholic Church in Manhattan Beach. But the inspiring priest has become a South Bay icon, and one would be hard-pressed to find many longtime local residents who do not know who he is.
Barry, who took the reigns of the sprawling parish 28 years ago, maintains a daily schedule that would exhaust many younger members of the clergy. From hospital visits with the sick, to counseling troubled souls and administering the sacraments of the Church — the man behind the Roman collar is a non-stop ambassador for one of the Los Angeles archdiocese’s largest and most admired parishes and its local God squad. Those who know him agree that the humble yet passionate apostle of Christ takes deeply to heart the gospel messages of the Man, whose stories of love and hope he proclaims in his Sunday homilies.
In an interview, Barry reflected upon a tenure that saw his parish more than double, several new ministries come into existence and thrive, and the parish school evolving and expanding. He also looked squarely back to the days of a world-famous preschool molestation trial that had pitted parishioners against each other, and spoke of healing for victims and the church following sexual abuse scandals outside his parish.
Into the fire
Arriving at the parish in July 1983, after a stint as priest of Holy Family Church in Pasadena, the good monsignor could not have imagined the enormous impact he would have on the parish and community at large.
It was at the height of the tumultuous accusations leading to the four-year McMartin preschool molestation trial, which in time would culminate with no convictions and all charges being dropped against the defendants.
The parish community, like much of the South Bay, stood divided over the guilt or innocence of the key defendants. Friendships were tested — in some cases even destroyed – as many rendered their own personal verdicts; often at odds with friends and even family members.
When the final verdict was delivered in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom, Barry, who was often interviewed by the local broadcast news media during the long and arduous trial, undertook one of the toughest assignments of his priesthood: reconciling a spiritually-ailing community.
In accord with the peace prayer of St. Francis, the priest was able to sow love where there was once hatred, pardon where there was once injury, and hope where there had been so much despair.
Barry helped the healing process begin, and worked vigorously to instill in his parishioners two of the central teachings of Christ: forgiveness and love of one another. And as many of those same parishioners, now, reflect back on those troubling times, they agree that only someone with the energy and love of a man like this could have brought unity to a community in such discord.
In addition, many local wayward and seasonal Catholics credit Barry with bringing them back to the church they had drifted away from years ago. He has been the good shepherd, leading his flock back along the path, while offering refuge for those seeking the solitude and spiritual peace they crave.
Answering the call
The oldest of five children, Barry was born and raised in County Cork, Ireland. One of his siblings died about a year after birth. Both parents encouraged a strong sense of independence in their children, expecting them to leave the comforts of the parental nest as quickly as possible.
“During that period of time, we all thought about what we were going to do with our continuing education and I, like all my classmates, was exploring my options. I can’t remember when I first thought about becoming a priest, but I would say it was around my mid-high school years that I started rolling the idea around in my head,” the priest recalled.
Monsignor John F. Barry at his ordination a half-century ago.
Not until his senior year of high school did he seriously started exploring the idea of entering the priesthood.
“It was my moment of enlightenment,” he said with his mischievous Irish grin.
After attending the seminary college, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1961. Relocating to the U.S. and the archdiocese of Los Angeles, Barry was assigned to St. Bernard’s parish in Bellflower, and then to Holy Trinity in San Pedro.
Leaving Southern California for a brief period, he spent some time at the Jesuits’ Fordham University and was in residence at St. Raymond’s, before being assigned to a parish in the Bronx.
Upon his return to the Los Angeles area, he worked in the religious education office of the archdiocese before moving on to St. Basil’s parish. Immediately before his arrival at American Martyrs, he served as priest in residence for Holy Family Church in Pasadena, laboring as its spiritual guide for 10 years.
To the shore
“I was blessed with wonderful parishioners in all those assignments before arriving at American Martyrs in 1983. I was told that there were only about 2,300 families when I came here as pastor and there were many people who were starting to move on and leave the community.”
Since the early ‘80s, the parish has grown to about 6,000 registered families and the community’s reputation has become that of one of the most affluent suburbs in Los Angeles.
“There are more younger, educated and professional families living in the area than when I first arrived. The whole demographics of the area changed and that was an exciting gift for me, too,” Barry said.
“It has been almost like being a surfer on a great wave, but I don’t think the wave has landed quite yet. The excitement of that wave continues in this community. It grows and it changes. There is just a real sense of life and vibrancy in this parish and town,” he said.
Manhattan Beach was a much quieter community when he first arrived. The parish school, one of the priest’s greatest areas of pride, had just one classroom per grade. But it all changed as the beach town grew in population.
“The energy just seemed to change with a new sense of growth. And we were able to build and meet those moments of opportunity,” Barry said.
“This was always looked upon as a wonderful and vibrant community. And I think the people of the parish and I grew together to meet the new challenges we faced. Many of the building blocks were already in place and those building blocks were the people,” Barry said.
“I have had the privilege of working with great parishioners over the years,” he said. “That has never changed. Some of them have passed away and some of them have moved away.”
The good priest said his parishioners have served as a great and creative support group that has been the true lifeblood of the parish, assisting him in meeting the many challenges over the years.
Sense of welcome
Deacons Fred Rose and Derek Brown spoke with great reverence for the man who’s Jubilee they will soon be celebrating.
“I have known the man for 27 years, and he has been a breath of fresh air from the very beginning. That’s not to say that we haven’t had great pastors before him. But there was something remarkable and unique about him that has changed this parish,” Brown said.
Monsignor John F. Barry throws open the doors of American Martyrs Catholic Church. Photo by Ron Giery/familyportraitfun.com
“It has grown from a parish of [fewer than] 3,000 families to one of over 6,000. But more than that, what he has done is create a sense of hospitality and welcome. That is why the parish has grown. People, who walk in the door of this parish, if you ask them time and time again, will say, ‘I just feel like I belonged here.’ They can’t always explain it. But most realize, after attending their first Mass here, it just feels like home to them,” he said.
Senior parish Deacon Rose concurred with Brown’s observations. He remembers his first impressions of Fr. John Barry, after he and his wife returned to the Catholic Church after a long absence.
“We met him on Easter Sunday of 1984 and I have to laugh because I couldn’t figure out where the mighty, booming voice of this little man was coming from. And then I got to know the man and knew that bigger men don’t stand a chance next to him,” Rose said.
“And I think that, as I was going through my diaconate formation, I learned more about theology from him than I did during my formative education for deacon, especially pastoral theology. He just gave me everything I needed to know about bringing things into parish life because that is what I really love to do,” he said.
“He is just a very giving man,” Rose added. “He is very patient. He has such a great love for what he does.”
Both men, when asked, can imagine a parish without Fr. John Barry, but they readily admit that he will be a really tough act to follow, when he eventually enters retirement.
“He is just so much more than a pastor to me. He is like a father,” Brown said. “When my dad died, several years ago: Msgr. Barry really became my new dad, and I am sure he is that for many other people, as well.”
Susie Rose, wife of Deacon Fred, recalls the first time she met Barry.
“Fred had attended the parish during his grade school years and like many Catholics, we had drifted away from our faith. But, when we came back, we had no idea who the new pastor was,” she said.
“We had spent a lot of time looking for a parish that was substantial and alive and meaningful. But when we saw all the children running up to the altar for consecration at the 9:30 Mass, we just knew, right then and there, that we were home,” she said. “That was the just the beginning for us and we have been very active members of the parish for quite a few years, with Fred even being ordained a deacon.”
Fixing a Cornerstone
During Barry’s pastoral leadership, several ministries have been added to the parish roster, two of which Barry is particularly proud of: the religious education ministry and the Cornerstone men’s and women’s group.
Originally a ministry of New Jersey men connecting with one another to strengthen their faith and enhance their spirituality, Cornerstone spread to the west coast with American Martyrs as the first parish in the area to become a satellite parish of the original.
The monsignor was, at first, reluctant to develop such a ministry; he was not sure that it was a good fit for the parish. But wanting to explore the possibilities it might have, he sent long-time parishioners, Mike Wilk and Scott Delanty, back east to check it out.
After several meetings with Wilk over the feasibility of developing a Cornerstone group at American Martyrs, the pastor decided that such a gathering of men and women, getting together regularly to share their faith experiences, would be a wonderful gift to the parish community. So Wilk was assigned to kick it off at American Martyrs.
Wilk said the pastor’s “leadership, compassion and empathy, along with his terrific sense of humor, are his greatest assets. He has been an absolutely wonderful pastor to all of us and a great friend.”
While Barry finds the Cornerstone ministry to be one of his favorites, he is quick to point out that he would not want to see any ministry at the parish go away. They are, individually, all cornerstones that strengthen parish spiritual life at American Martyrs.
Spreading the word
While maintaining his busy schedule as pastor, Barry also has authored several religious education books for children. Sr. Mary Irene, who has been involved with religious education at the parish for many years, is eager to point out the priest’s deep devotion to educating children in their faith.
“He is the number one author of religious books for children and young adults. I have known him for 45 years and he was instrumental in getting me involved in writing a book for the preschool children,” she said.
The 83-year old nun believes that the greatest contribution that Barry has made to American Martyrs is his own spirituality. In addition to enlarging the parish school and adding several beautiful buildings over the years, “it’s been the depths of his deep commitment to God and his faith that have been the truly best gift he has given to the parish.”
Scandal and healing
As Barry reflects on his 50 years as a Catholic priest, he remains deeply disturbed over the sexual abuse scandals that have plagued the priesthood in recent years. And while he does not dismiss the accusations against fellow priests, or attempt to negate their seriousness, the pastor is hopeful and confident that the Church has taken all necessary steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
“I think one of the greatest challenges the Church must deal with in 2011 is not to be so secretive about the wonderful gifts we have. Our faith is a beautiful one and I think that we have concentrated too much on the negative aspects that we have had to deal with in recent years,” he said.
“But even in the midst of all that, we have some wonderful ministries in service of the poor and education for children and great outreach programs for shut-ins. I think it would be a great mistake not to proclaim all those wonderful gifts we offer and the sacraments, which are the true life of our Church,” Barry said.
The outspoken priest feels the disturbing issues plaguing the Catholic Church are not something that Catholics should be primarily focused on when proclaiming their faith. Barry would like to see more emphasis placed on the positives and the good the Church has done throughout the world.
“Yes, we need to move on with the healing process for those victims. Certainly, it must take our attention. But side by side with that, we must also share the wonder and the beauty of our faith,” he said.
Addressing the question of celibacy and the possible ordination of women to the priesthood, Barry said “there is an archbishop in Los Angeles who could more effectively answer those questions.”
“As our teacher and shepherd for the archdiocese, I think he would be able to give a better insight into that question. I know what the position of the church is at the moment,” he said.
“The church has ordained a number of married men to the priesthood. And that is not against our tradition. And I think the whole issue of the ordination of women is a matter that the Church leadership is constantly reflecting on, but it is simply not within my competence to give any projection on,” Barry said.
‘Blip’ in history
Barry is surprised that people in the community see him as a “superstar” among priests in the archdiocese and have a difficult time imagining American Martyrs without the spiritual guidance he has offered over the past 28 years.
“Oh, I think most people might miss me for awhile, when I retire. But after a few months, like any other priest, I would be a blip in the history of this parish. I think that is the reality of a priest. We serve and do our time,” he said.
“I love the people of this community. I can walk anywhere in town and meet people whom I know from the parish or elsewhere. Hopefully, I will remain in this area for the rest of my life, but it is the people in this community and parish who have truly energized it and made it what it is,” Barry said.
But long-time parishioners of the parish disagree with Barry’s humble assessment of himself. Many speak with tears in their eyes of the impact he has had on their own lives, especially during times of personal crisis.
It is not unusual for him to land at LAX, after a long transcontinental flight, and immediately go to the hospital bedside of an ailing parishioner. And many people still insist upon him performing their matrimony ceremonies, or ask for him to preside at a funeral Mass.
Parishioners see the priest as their pastor and a member of the family. They want to share the happy and sadder moments of their lives with him. Barry seldom disappoints those who seek him out, managing to squeeze as many of them as he can into his extremely overloaded schedule.
Even residents who have left the Catholic Church for different faith expressions are quick to acknowledge his caring nature and how he is largely responsible for the growth of the parish.
“Look, John Barry has the most successful parish in the L.A. archdiocese, and probably the entire country,” said one former parishioner.
Is the cleric planning on retiring anytime soon? Watching the priest as he faithfully ministers to his flock, parishioners have a hard time imagining it and neither can Barry. And he certainly isn’t telling.
Fr. John Barry will celebrate his Jubilee Mass at noon Saturday, June 18, 2011 at American Martyrs Catholic Church, 624 15th St., Manhattan Beach, with a reception to follow.