Saint Barnabas Society: Support for Convert Clergy

I think it is very appropriate at this time where we come to the end of an exciting year where a number of men and families have returned to the Catholic Church from around the globe to give God thanks. Another reason for giving thanks is the recent Apostolic Constitution from the Holy See that reaches out in great generosity to Anglicans to be reunited to the Holy See.

This post is a call to let the readers know how they can help converts to the Catholic Church. St. Barnabas Society is a charity that offers support to convert clergy and their families to give them some assistance as they make the transition out of a life of pastoral ministry and get settled into the Catholic Church. Support does not come until one has actually been received into the Church for obvious reasons but applications are always seriously considered. As someone who has received support from the Saint Barnabas Society and knows of their great generosity, I want to make readers aware of a fantastic charity where you can be confident that your gifts will be used to really help those in need.

With the recent Apostolic Constitution and perhaps many clergymen in England deciding to return to the rock from which we were hewn, the society is going to be granting more gifts than it has had to in the last 15 or so years. This society is beyond generous in its care for families and it really does seek to help as much as it can those who step out in such great faith to be united to the Catholic Church. Can I ask that each reader be willing to consider offering a gift of support this year to help the society keep its accounts up so that it can help more families in the future who make the courageous move to be reunited to the Catholic Church. Here is what the society does:

The St Barnabas Society, a registered charity, operates in Great Britain and Ireland and exists to provide pastoral and financial help on behalf of the whole Catholic community to former clergy ministers and religious from other churches, who live in Great Britain and Ireland, and who have been led by faith and conscience to come into full communion with the Catholic Church.

St Barnabas was chosen as its patron because it was he who befriended Paul after his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus and encouraged him to begin a new life in the apostolic church with St Peter at its head.

The St Barnabas Society continues the work, begun over a century ago, of welcoming and helping clergy and religious of other churches. It cooperates with the Bishops and Parish Priests to provide support until the individuals have been integrated into the Catholic community and established in a new life.

As one whose family has benefitted from the help of this society I can say without reservation that I would not be where I am with my family today if it were not from their generous support of me during this transition and continued prayers and support. So, if you are wondering what you might do with some extra Christmas money this year or looking for a great charity to give to at the end of a tax year, please consider the wonderful work and generosity of the Saint Barnabas Society and please be generous! It is my heartfelt prayer that many of you will support this charity and tell others about this post so that they can support it as well. Thank you and may God bless the Saint Barnabas Society and all who give to the society from the generosity of their hearts!