Mon. Feb.29 6pm We continue our series of mini-retreats reflecting on the traditional seven “Spiritual Works of Mercy.” “Admonishing the Sinner” is this month’s spiritual work of mercy. We are both saint and sinner as we journey through life. As a consequence we need challenge, encouragement, and compassion in order to feel and to be a peace with the Lord. Presenter: Most Rev. John Barres, Bishop of Allentown, Pa. Donation: $25.00
Monday Mini Retreat Programs begin with a meal in our dining room at 6:00 p.m. Following the meal, we meet in our main conference room for prayer and a presentation. There is time for discussion before the closing prayer at 9:00 p.m. Registration begins in the lobby at 5:15 p.m. Register

Bishop John O. Barres was born on September 20, 1960 and is a native of Larchmont, New York. His parents, Oliver (a native of Bethlehem, PA) and Marjorie Barres, are convert Protestant ministers who met each other at the Yale Divinity School and entered the Catholic Church in 1955. The story of their conversion is told in Oliver Barres’ book One Shepherd, One Flock, which was published by Sheed and Ward in 1955 and again in 2000 by Catholic Answers (with forewords by Avery Cardinal Dulles and Fr. Benedict Groeschel). Bishop elect Barres is the fifth of six children and has seven nephews and four nieces.

Bishop Barres is a graduate of Phillips Academy (Andover), Princeton University (BA in English Literature), and the New York University Graduate School of Business Administration (MBA in Management). His theological education includes an STB and an STL in Systematic Theology from the Catholic University of America (where he received seminary formation at Theological College) and a JCL in Canon Law and an STD in Spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. His 1999 doctoral dissertation is entitled Jean-Jacques Olier’s Priestly Spirituality: Mental Prayer and Virtue as the Foundation for the Direction of Souls.

Bishop Barres was baptized by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen in 1960 while his father was working for the Bishop at the Propagation of the Faith in New York City. He was ordained to the priesthood October 21, 1989 by Bishop Robert Mulvee (Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Providence). He served as an associate pastor at Holy Family Church in Newark, DE (1989-1992) at St. Elizabeth’s parish in Wilmington, DE (1992-1996). After further study in Rome (1996-1999) with residence at the Pontifical North American College (Casa Santa Maria), he served as Vice-Chancellor (1999-2000) and then Chancellor (2000-present) for Bishop Michael Saltarelli and then Bishop W. Frances Malooly.

Pope John Paul II name him a Chaplain to His Holiness in July 2000 with the title of “Monsignor.” Pope Benedict XVI named him a Prelate of Honor In November 2005. In addition to serving on various diocesan boards and committees, Bishop Barres has served on the Administrative Board of the Maryland Catholic Conference (Annapolis, MD), the board of St. Francis Hospital (Wilmington, DE), and the Board of the Cathedral Foundation (Baltimore, MD). http://www.cathedral-church.org/bishop.html