Welcoming the Augustinians
July 3, 2026
Dear Faith Community of St. Barnabas Parish,
As we embark on a new chapter in our community, we, the Augustinians, are humbled to accept the opportunity to become a part of your faith community.
We are not strangers; we have been an integral part of the Beverly Catholic community for years, both directly and indirectly. Many of our Augustinian friars have volunteered as weekend helpers in your parish, attending funerals, witnessing weddings, and baptizing children. In various instances, my Augustinian brothers are already deeply involved in your faith life, either by celebrating sacraments or conducting parish missions. They may also be educating your teens at St. Rita High School, former Mendel Catholic High School or young adults at Villanova University or Merrimack College.
We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to actively participate in your daily faith life. I understand that the transition may have been challenging for some, but I am confident that together, we can move forward, centered in the love for Christ in the Eucharist and the shared experiences within our community of faith and hope.
In light of this, I am delighted to announce the formation of a community of Augustinians in the Beverly area. We will reside in both St. Barnabas and Christ the King parishes (we are forming one single community, living in two locations).
The community of Augustinians living in Beverly will consist of the following members:
- Very Rev. Thomas McCarthy (Superior Provincial)
- Bro. Nicholas Mullarkey (Secretary of the Province and prior of the community)
- Bro. Joe Ruiz (Pastoral Associate)
- Bro. Gary Hresil (In residence & working at St. Rita HS)
- Rev. Homero Sánchez (Pastor)
- Rev. Francis Galvan (Parochial Vicar) will reside in St. Clare of Montefalco Friary in Gage Park and commute daily to minister to our communities.
While those serving at St. Barnabas and Christ the King will be Bro. Joe Ruiz as Pastoral Associate, Fr. Francis Galvan as Parochial Vicar, and me (Fr. Homero Sánchez) as Pastor, the entire community will begin moving in by the weekend of July 11-12, providing ample time for those transitioning out of St. Barnabas and Christ the King.
Fr. Francis and I are scheduled to begin presiding Masses for the community on Saturday, July 11.
In the meantime, I kindly request your prayers for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, as well as for those of us who may be experiencing the transitions or changes brought about by the Holy Spirit. May we all be pastored by the voice of the Good Shepherd in the gospel today: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
As an Augustinian and your pastor, I can assure you that we eagerly anticipate moving in and becoming an integral part of this remarkable Catholic community of faith in Beverly. We are committed to continuing to support your daily faith journey, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
In Christ,