St. Barnabas Presents Stations of the Cross Performance

On a sunny, warm and spring-like Friday afternoon, children gathered at The Holy Chapel at St. Barnabas to participate and present the Stations of the Cross, an important part of Lent that leads up to the celebration of Easter.

Father Valentine, associate pastor at St. Barnabas, said that there will be presentations the remaining Fridays prior to Easter. In order to help the children better understand the meaning of Lent, the Family Liturgy committee organized the Stations of the Cross, which incorporated music and an accompanying slide show. Father Valentine, Eileen Casazza and Roseann Kelly are involved in the Family Liturgy committee, which, according to their Web site, organizes creative planning for the various liturgical seasons and major celebrations at the 10:15 a.m. Family Mass, and were on hand on Friday.

Once everyone was settled in their seats, the presentation opened with the song, "Were You There?" Sabina Lamb led the music for the children on her guitar and was joined by John Finelli on his guitar and Jan Casco, who played violin. Lyn Politi guided the children when it was time to sing the chorus. 

Ashley Simpson, who invited the smallest of the children to come to the front and sit on the floor for a better view, narrated the Stations of the Cross while the slides depicted each station. The slides have their own special story since they were actually taken in the 1970s when adolescents from the parish acted out the scenes, many taking place outside of St. Barnabas. Many of those same young people now attend St. Barnabas with families of their own.

Travis Kaminsky, who is from Wantagh and whose family is part of the parish, played the role of Jesus. Children of all ages took part, playing guards, a maid, a servant, Peter, Pilate, priests and soldiers. Hymns were sung by all those in attendance and once the presentation concluded, Father Valentine invited everyone to a soup supper happening on site.

There will also be a live presentation on Palm Sunday at 10:15 a.m. at the Holy Family Chapel. St. Barnabas  at 2320 Bedford Ave.