Bishop John O. Barres celebrated the Feast of St. Agnes at the 5 p.m. vigil mass January 20 at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, joined by many school-age children from across the diocese. It was Bishop Barres’ first observance of the feast of the diocese’s patron since being installed as its bishop last January 31. Bishop Barres said that the future of Catholic education in the diocese is intimately locked with the attendance at Sunday mass by Catholic school families. Photos by Ed Casey.
Bishop John Barres greets parishioners before Mass.
Bishop Barres and school superintendent Kathleen Walsh and students from St Christopher, Baldwin, St. Aidan's, Williston Park, and St Ann, Garden City.
Bishop Barres [poses with with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kathleen Walsh (second from left) and students from Notre Dame, New Hyde Park and their principal Caryn Durkin.
Bishop Barres poses with Vincent Nigro of Bishop McGann-
Mercy Diocesan High School in Riverhead.
Bishop Barres with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kathleen Walsh and students and staff of Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Bishop Barres with 8th grade students from Our Lady of Victory, Floral Park, Dara McGovern, Erin Mitchell, Caitlin GaNun, Colleen McGovern, and Lauren Dodson
Bishop Barres incenses the altar.
Chaminade High School student Jack Darcy serves as lector.
Caroline Darcy, a student at Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, proclaims a reading.
Bishop Barres gestures toward second graders he met before mass who had made their first penance earlier in the day.
Dara McGovern and Lauren Dodson from Our Lady of Victory, Floral Park present the gifts to Bishop Barres
Choir members sing during the Mas.
Brother Michael Gillen and students from Kellenberg Memorial High School pray during the Liturgy of the Eucharist
Bishop Barres processes from the altar.




