My parents were active members of St. Barnabas parish when the Precious Blood fathers first came in 1955. They welcomed the pioneers with open arms and worked with them and helped make it possible for the Dayton sisters to staff the school that opened a few years later.

In more recent years, I was blessed to work closely with the priests that served St. Barnabas as well as to participate in Province of the Pacific activities and responsibilities. We have to our great sadness, lost the Province, but we are grateful that the provinces to which they are now committed have been gracious and agreeable to maintaining much of the work that the active priests are involved in. The C.PP.S presence will remain in California although not at St.Barnabas in Alameda. Starting tomorrow, our priests will become members of either the Kansas City, Cincinnati, or Atlantic provinces. The Pacific Province Companions are still struggling to determine how best to live out our commitment as members of the Precious Blood family without a province. Pray for us.

Fr. Jeff,

We are so happy that you will be able to celebrate the Solemnity of the Precious Blood in Community and we look forward to the St. Edward celebration on Sunday.

Yes, it is a loss to lose the Pacific Province but as Peggy said, we are blessed to have the presence of the Missionaries and to have the work continue. You (the priests) will survive and so will we (the companions. No pun intended. Really. :)

Maria Elena & Dave