Phyllis Barker, St. James Wabash
Generation to Generation: Zooming In on Faith and Community
One way parishioner Phyllis Barker supports the Generation to Generation campaign is by championing the reach and relevance of St. James' vibrant Zoom Mass.
When Phyllis Barker logs onto Zoom every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m., Mass at St. James Wabash, she attends church and helps build a faith community that spans time zones and generations.
Barker, a longtime parishioner who first joined St. James in 1996, is a proud supporter of Generation to Generation: Answer the Call, a fundraising campaign that will help make the parish more welcoming and accessible. As a caregiver, cradle Catholic, and self-proclaimed "Zoom leader," Barker knows firsthand how essential digital ministry can be for older adults, individuals with health concerns, and those exploring faith in a new way.
“I believe it is a very strong tool, the way it works now,” Phyllis said of the parish's Zoom Mass. “It gives people who can't be there in person a full experience of community. The way St. James pans the camera across the whole congregation makes you feel included. You're not just watching Mass—you're participating.”
Zoom Mass at St. James, originally adopted during the pandemic, has evolved into a unique and vibrant community. With improved camera angles, welcoming in-person gestures, and a spirit of engagement, the Zoom community has taken on a life of its own. Roughly 25 to 30 people log in weekly—from as far away as Oregon, New York, Maryland, South Carolina, Colorado, and Iowa. The South Carolinians have a son who attends St. James Wabash, and he serves as their tech guru, setting up Zoom Mass each week. After Mass, the group stays to chat, pray, and laugh together, fostering a sense of community that transcends physical distance.
"They come on early and stay late," Barker said. "We talk about the weather and check in on each other. There's chit-chat and fellowship. People from the parish will even come over to the Zoom camera after Mass to say hello. Community is everything—and this actually comes through on Zoom."
Phyllis recalls many meaningful moments through the virtual lens. A woman in Colorado, whose son is the director of liturgy and music at St. James, always says hello on Zoom. A former parishioner and nun who now lives in Iowa. Families who have been able to join for memorial Masses from across the country.
And there's joy, too. "I sing along every week," she laughed. "I can't carry a tune, but no one has to suffer through it on Zoom!"
What matters most to Barker is that the parish stays open—open to people's real lives and real limits and open to what technology can do to meet them where they are.
"Embracing technology is crucial. This is how you welcome Faith explorers. You don't have to know all the scripture to show up. Faith is faith. It's what carries us through." Barker has shared her enthusiasm for Zoom Mass and encouraged fellow participants to support the Generation to Generation campaign. Past fundraising efforts helped improve the church's physical space, including the installation of new windows that muffle the sound of the nearby "L" train. Phyllis looks forward to what's next: air conditioning in the sanctuary, a lift for the rectory, and expanded community outreach—including to senior living facilities, where she hopes more residents can be invited to join Zoom Mass.
"Let's share the good word," she said. "We should be reaching out to places like that to get them connected. Technology's possibilities are great—not just for older folks, but for students and people wondering about a faith community."
Barker has called St. James home for nearly three decades. What drew her in then was its inclusive and welcoming nature, "When I first came here, I thought, This is what a faith community should be. Inclusive. Compassionate. Human. It has been my honor to be involved in the Zoom Mass. And it's my privilege to support this campaign so the spirit of St. James can continue to grow and welcome people."
To attend St. James Wabash's Mass via Zoom, visit their website on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m.
