Thursday, April 26, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
from susan brunasso, OLA parishoner
2 emails received from cynthia carlin:
Dear Susan:
Thank you so much for your return call. I am sure this mission you have taken on is consuming tremendous amounts of your time, and I among many, really do appreciate it.
I just discovered that Monsignor Barry has moved to his Heavenly Home this afternoon as for some reason, I decided to check the Easter Sunday schedule at OLA on line. He holds a very special place in my life as it was his direction at OLA that brought me back to the Catholic Church after 20 years away. I always marveled at the fact that you knew he was in the Church even before you saw him ....... a presence that made Faith such an easy thing to follow. He was certainly one of the rare and special of God's people........ and it is wonderful to think that he (as one of the article's described it) answered God's call on his knees easily and peacefully.
I have been in Lake Arrowhead for the last 16 years ------- but never fail to think of him as I drive through Claremont.
Thank you again so much.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Carley
......................................................................................................................
after the funeral (from the DVD)
.......................................................................................................................
Dear Susan:
Thanks so much for sending the DVD ...... I am looking forward to some quiet reflection time to see it and reflect on how fortunate we all were to have him in our lives!
I am happy to have you share my story with anyone you think is appropriate..... we have so few people in life who make that kind of a strong impact .... and he truly did make my return to the Church a comfortable one....... I was one of those who struggled with Vatican II after 12 years of Catholic education ... and when I found I couldn't embrace all of the precepts, I pulled away. OLA offered a place of tradition, reverence and change ..... and his warmth and presence made me realize all I had been missing. i will be forever grateful.
Thank you again -- OLA is fortunate to have you as well ...... this is a large burden and I am sure everyone is very grateful.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
Cynthia Carley Broker Associate Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty
.....................................
at the end of the funeral (from the DVD)
.....................................
Dear Susan:
Thank you so much for your return call. I am sure this mission you have taken on is consuming tremendous amounts of your time, and I among many, really do appreciate it.
I just discovered that Monsignor Barry has moved to his Heavenly Home this afternoon as for some reason, I decided to check the Easter Sunday schedule at OLA on line. He holds a very special place in my life as it was his direction at OLA that brought me back to the Catholic Church after 20 years away. I always marveled at the fact that you knew he was in the Church even before you saw him ....... a presence that made Faith such an easy thing to follow. He was certainly one of the rare and special of God's people........ and it is wonderful to think that he (as one of the article's described it) answered God's call on his knees easily and peacefully.
I have been in Lake Arrowhead for the last 16 years ------- but never fail to think of him as I drive through Claremont.
Thank you again so much.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Carley
......................................................................................................................
after the funeral (from the DVD)
.......................................................................................................................
Dear Susan:
Thanks so much for sending the DVD ...... I am looking forward to some quiet reflection time to see it and reflect on how fortunate we all were to have him in our lives!
I am happy to have you share my story with anyone you think is appropriate..... we have so few people in life who make that kind of a strong impact .... and he truly did make my return to the Church a comfortable one....... I was one of those who struggled with Vatican II after 12 years of Catholic education ... and when I found I couldn't embrace all of the precepts, I pulled away. OLA offered a place of tradition, reverence and change ..... and his warmth and presence made me realize all I had been missing. i will be forever grateful.
Thank you again -- OLA is fortunate to have you as well ...... this is a large burden and I am sure everyone is very grateful.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
Cynthia Carley Broker Associate Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty
.....................................
at the end of the funeral (from the DVD)
.....................................
Thursday, April 12, 2007
text of nancy barry's talk at the funeral
Fr bill and my dad were both great models of men in pursuit of God. But there was a difference. My dad, Jack Barry, devoted a lot of his time to our family. For Father Bill, everyone he met became family. And he asked me to tell each of you personally that, while he loved us all, you were his favorite.
What a great man. Father Bill took on the big issues, marching with Cesar Chavez, heading the priest's council, creating ways for lay people to build their participation and voice in the church, taking on issues of peace and justice, building the work of Catholic Charities.. If Father Bill had not made some choices to act, some of us think we would have been a bishop.
Instead he showed us all what it means to be a priest and human being imitating the life of christ. He was always there, always open, never judging, always faithful and loyal to the church. How many of us did Father Bill baptize, counsel before marriage, and console in times of pain and grief. His heart was so huge it could hold all our sorrows and you could see it expand with our joys.
And Fr Bill seemed to be there for each of us at once- -friends and family. How did he make it for every special event in our lives? This was a man who tested the limits of how many homes in Claremont and Pasadena and Newport and Barstow--and sometimes Akron or Boston--you can hit for Thanksgiving and Christmas..
He made every one he knew feel special. Were we all really that gorgeous, that accomplished, that wonderful? He made me want to become the person that he thought I already was. He saw the goodness, the potential, the uniqueness in each of us. He made us want to be our best person.
And Fr Bill showed us what it means to be a child of God. Father Bill approached every day with wonder and real joy, or as he would say, with fun, fun, fun. He loved his boats, his priest pals, his family--and on vacations to mexico and hawaii and catalina, he taught many a Barry how to mix a lot of blarney with a little skill to win a gin game.
With the passing of Fr Bill, many of us now have three fathers who art in heaven, watching over us, beckoning us to be our best selves, and showing us the way. We have God the Father, our own fathers and sweet Father Bill.
Thank you, God for giving us Father Bill, as a source of love and light in our lives. We will practice what we have learned from him. We will trust that we are in the palm of your hand. We will focus on fulfilling your purpose for us on this earth. We will cherish each other and enjoy the ride!.
What a great man. Father Bill took on the big issues, marching with Cesar Chavez, heading the priest's council, creating ways for lay people to build their participation and voice in the church, taking on issues of peace and justice, building the work of Catholic Charities.. If Father Bill had not made some choices to act, some of us think we would have been a bishop.
Instead he showed us all what it means to be a priest and human being imitating the life of christ. He was always there, always open, never judging, always faithful and loyal to the church. How many of us did Father Bill baptize, counsel before marriage, and console in times of pain and grief. His heart was so huge it could hold all our sorrows and you could see it expand with our joys.
And Fr Bill seemed to be there for each of us at once- -friends and family. How did he make it for every special event in our lives? This was a man who tested the limits of how many homes in Claremont and Pasadena and Newport and Barstow--and sometimes Akron or Boston--you can hit for Thanksgiving and Christmas..
He made every one he knew feel special. Were we all really that gorgeous, that accomplished, that wonderful? He made me want to become the person that he thought I already was. He saw the goodness, the potential, the uniqueness in each of us. He made us want to be our best person.
And Fr Bill showed us what it means to be a child of God. Father Bill approached every day with wonder and real joy, or as he would say, with fun, fun, fun. He loved his boats, his priest pals, his family--and on vacations to mexico and hawaii and catalina, he taught many a Barry how to mix a lot of blarney with a little skill to win a gin game.
With the passing of Fr Bill, many of us now have three fathers who art in heaven, watching over us, beckoning us to be our best selves, and showing us the way. We have God the Father, our own fathers and sweet Father Bill.
Thank you, God for giving us Father Bill, as a source of love and light in our lives. We will practice what we have learned from him. We will trust that we are in the palm of your hand. We will focus on fulfilling your purpose for us on this earth. We will cherish each other and enjoy the ride!.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
upon receipt of susan brunasso's DVD
What a remarkable piece of work!
Such a record, of a life, of a morning, of an amazing convocation. Thank you, Susan. Anyone who knew Father Bill will feel his presence and spirit and great life effort. The music is clear. The framing is sensitive and informative. The editing is considerate, yet confident, and nothing important is missed.
If you haven't gotten a copy yet, I suggest you do.
There's a web address at the OLA site (with a clickable link at the bottom of the page), and a mailing address in a previous posting.
Here are a few screen captures from this dynamic and moving experience:
Such a record, of a life, of a morning, of an amazing convocation. Thank you, Susan. Anyone who knew Father Bill will feel his presence and spirit and great life effort. The music is clear. The framing is sensitive and informative. The editing is considerate, yet confident, and nothing important is missed.
If you haven't gotten a copy yet, I suggest you do.
There's a web address at the OLA site (with a clickable link at the bottom of the page), and a mailing address in a previous posting.
Here are a few screen captures from this dynamic and moving experience:
a note from dave barry
Memo: From Dave Barry
To: Friends
Subject: Monsignor William J. Barry
As you know Father Bill passed away on March 18, 2007. Although it was sudden, it was not a total surprise. His health had been waning.
This message is to give you a summary of the service that was given in his honor at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Claremont, CA. His last major duty was as Pastor of this church and he maintained contact with his successor and many of the parishioners even though his place in Newport Beach was a good hour away.
Cardinal Roger Mahony was the presider, concelebrating with Msgr. Thomas Welbers and fellow clergy. Two hundred priests participated and the total crowd was estimated at 1000. Additional chairs were installed outside the church and the overflow folks witnessed the service on a large screen.
Nephews and nieces participated in different phases of the mass as pall bearers and in various roles in the mass. I have a few copies of the printed program and will be happy to send on if you are interested.
Words of Remembrance were delivered by Monsignor Gregory Cox, Bill Barry (brother Bob's son), myself, and Nancy Barry (Jack's daughter) The song, "You'll Never Know" (how much we love you) was sung by the whole congregation. This was one of Father Bill's favorites and he encouraged the singing of it often.
There five boys in the family. Bob, Dave, Bill, Ted, and Jack. When brother Jack died several years ago, that left Father Bill and me as the last of the five. Bob, Ted, and Jack made it into their 70's. It's easy to rationalize why Father Bill was saved for the last (Mother died sixteen days after Jack was born and Dad died at age 57) but the mystery will always be why the good Lord has allowed me to be the last to go. No complaints, understand. I relish each day.
Bill was a joy and inspiration. I may have known him better than any of the other brothers. He and I were paper boys together, delivering the Pasadena Star News to residential customers in South Pasadena. He later joined me at Cal Berkeley for my last year and shortly after went into the priesthood. He also joined me on quite a few of our offshore seminars and several trips to places like Antigua and Barbados when we were selecting the hotel for the next seminar. He pulled me out of the lows several times when I was up against the haycutter and didn't know how or when I would overcome whatever battle I was going through. He told me that no matter how much of a load I was under the Lord would always give me the power to overcome it. He was right.
Bill showed me a slice of life I never knew about when he took me to Catalina Island on his sail boat for a weekend. That convinced me to learn how to sail, and I did. Some years later, when I bought my second sail boat, a Tartan 34, Bill joined our family for its maiden cruise from Plymouth, MA, through the Cape Cod Canal to our new mooring in Padanaram. He blessed the boat and said a Mass for our whole family before taking off. Operating a 34 foot boat is quite different than our previous 24 footer and Bill coached me into a dock for an overnight stay on the way. He said, "Do what I tell you to do and act like you've been doing it all your life." Needless to say, he got us off to a good start.
I think Bill figured he was blessed being a member of the Barry family. He probably had more to do with bringing the family together than any of the other brothers. His answer was always "yes". He married the three youngest brothers. He baptized most of the children. He conducted the funeral service for Dad, Bob, Ted, Jack, LaPriel (Bob's first wife), Dorothy (my wife) and probably others I can't recall. He treated Betty Jane as a member of the family. She's the daughter of Bess, Dad's sister, who came to live with us after our Mother died. Bill loved all of his relatives, near and far. He performed marriages, baptisms and other religious services for relatives in Ohio and New York state or wherever. He was the link that kept the family close.
I alluded to some of these items in my eulogy at Bill's funeral mass, but Cardinal Mahony set the standard for length of time and Bill would not have approved my exceeding it.
Finally, I am privileged to have been his brother. He has touched more lives with his kindness and love than anyone I have ever known, and has set a standard for all of us who knew him well.
To: Friends
Subject: Monsignor William J. Barry
As you know Father Bill passed away on March 18, 2007. Although it was sudden, it was not a total surprise. His health had been waning.
This message is to give you a summary of the service that was given in his honor at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Claremont, CA. His last major duty was as Pastor of this church and he maintained contact with his successor and many of the parishioners even though his place in Newport Beach was a good hour away.
Cardinal Roger Mahony was the presider, concelebrating with Msgr. Thomas Welbers and fellow clergy. Two hundred priests participated and the total crowd was estimated at 1000. Additional chairs were installed outside the church and the overflow folks witnessed the service on a large screen.
Nephews and nieces participated in different phases of the mass as pall bearers and in various roles in the mass. I have a few copies of the printed program and will be happy to send on if you are interested.
Words of Remembrance were delivered by Monsignor Gregory Cox, Bill Barry (brother Bob's son), myself, and Nancy Barry (Jack's daughter) The song, "You'll Never Know" (how much we love you) was sung by the whole congregation. This was one of Father Bill's favorites and he encouraged the singing of it often.
There five boys in the family. Bob, Dave, Bill, Ted, and Jack. When brother Jack died several years ago, that left Father Bill and me as the last of the five. Bob, Ted, and Jack made it into their 70's. It's easy to rationalize why Father Bill was saved for the last (Mother died sixteen days after Jack was born and Dad died at age 57) but the mystery will always be why the good Lord has allowed me to be the last to go. No complaints, understand. I relish each day.
Bill was a joy and inspiration. I may have known him better than any of the other brothers. He and I were paper boys together, delivering the Pasadena Star News to residential customers in South Pasadena. He later joined me at Cal Berkeley for my last year and shortly after went into the priesthood. He also joined me on quite a few of our offshore seminars and several trips to places like Antigua and Barbados when we were selecting the hotel for the next seminar. He pulled me out of the lows several times when I was up against the haycutter and didn't know how or when I would overcome whatever battle I was going through. He told me that no matter how much of a load I was under the Lord would always give me the power to overcome it. He was right.
Bill showed me a slice of life I never knew about when he took me to Catalina Island on his sail boat for a weekend. That convinced me to learn how to sail, and I did. Some years later, when I bought my second sail boat, a Tartan 34, Bill joined our family for its maiden cruise from Plymouth, MA, through the Cape Cod Canal to our new mooring in Padanaram. He blessed the boat and said a Mass for our whole family before taking off. Operating a 34 foot boat is quite different than our previous 24 footer and Bill coached me into a dock for an overnight stay on the way. He said, "Do what I tell you to do and act like you've been doing it all your life." Needless to say, he got us off to a good start.
I think Bill figured he was blessed being a member of the Barry family. He probably had more to do with bringing the family together than any of the other brothers. His answer was always "yes". He married the three youngest brothers. He baptized most of the children. He conducted the funeral service for Dad, Bob, Ted, Jack, LaPriel (Bob's first wife), Dorothy (my wife) and probably others I can't recall. He treated Betty Jane as a member of the family. She's the daughter of Bess, Dad's sister, who came to live with us after our Mother died. Bill loved all of his relatives, near and far. He performed marriages, baptisms and other religious services for relatives in Ohio and New York state or wherever. He was the link that kept the family close.
I alluded to some of these items in my eulogy at Bill's funeral mass, but Cardinal Mahony set the standard for length of time and Bill would not have approved my exceeding it.
Finally, I am privileged to have been his brother. He has touched more lives with his kindness and love than anyone I have ever known, and has set a standard for all of us who knew him well.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
from father tom welbers of OLA: pictures from 2/28/07
Dear Michael and Ted,
As I was preparing my camera for the trip to Turkey, I realized I had some pictures in it of the day I spent with Bill on Wednesday, Feb 28 just two weeks before he died.
The people in the pictures are Gerry Cimino, Tom and Ellen Roach, Aggie and Joe Kutyla, and Fr. Mike Maher.
Enjoy. I'll be leaving the parish this afternoon, and flying to Turkey early tomorrow morning. Will be back "in the saddle" April 30.
As I was preparing my camera for the trip to Turkey, I realized I had some pictures in it of the day I spent with Bill on Wednesday, Feb 28 just two weeks before he died.
The people in the pictures are Gerry Cimino, Tom and Ellen Roach, Aggie and Joe Kutyla, and Fr. Mike Maher.
Enjoy. I'll be leaving the parish this afternoon, and flying to Turkey early tomorrow morning. Will be back "in the saddle" April 30.
Friday, April 6, 2007
from father tom welbers and thanh nguyen
Dear Michael and Ted,
Today I got this email from Thanh Nguyen of the OLA Vietnamese community.
Click on the link to find the pictures (and a nice renditionof "You'll never know...").
Also, you should be getting a copy of the Funeral Mass on DVD from Susan Brunasso.
I have put an order form for the DVD on the OLA website. there's a link on the homepage, or youcan access it directly at
http://www.olaclaremont.org/resources/WJB_DVD.pdf
Blessings and peace always.
Fr. Tom Welbers
----- Original Message ----- From: "T. Nguyen"
To:
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 8:57 AM
Subject: Photos from Msgr. Barry funeral mass
Hi Fr. Tom,
The photos I took on that day are at:
http://causa.homeip.net/mancoi/msgrbarry
If you are interested in the large size originals, I can put them on a
CD for you.
Thanh Nguyen.
(clickable links to OLA DVD order form and thanh's photo page (wonderful pictures!) at bottom of page)
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