Sister Barbara Lynch, CSJ

We come together as a faith community to celebrate the beautiful and fruitful life of Sister Barbara Lynch, formerly Sister Ignatia Maria, a Sister of St. Joseph for 67 faith-filled years.

Let us pause for a quiet moment and fondly recall Barbara’s characteristic welcoming and seemingly carefree smile ~ one that made everyone feel at ease and feel valued in her presence. Her picture on the Mass booklet says it all.

Fidelity to Daily Eucharist with the St. A’s community nurtured Barbara’s prayer life and animated her ministerial service. This past October due to health reasons Barbara was welcomed into the Stella Maris community where she found serenity and joy in the peaceful atmosphere that is Stella’s hallmark. It was in Barbara’s words “Heaven on earth” and the loving care she received was gift as she journeyed home to her God.

Always proud to be a Brooklyn girl, Barbara cherished her family roots in Our Lady Help of Christians Parish. The only daughter of John and Dorothy and the little sister of five brothers, 4 of whom became Jesuit priests, Barbara’s life was graced with a lively faith that animated the Lynch home and offered hospitality and welcome to the dear neighbor ~ near and far.

After graduating from St. Agnes Seminary Barbara entered the community and embraced a passion for Catholic education. It is to be noted that when Barbara received the name “Ignatia” at Reception she considered herself an honorary Jesuit!

Barbara ministered as an elementary school teacher for 15 years that included 8 years in St. A’s. Her “graduation” to high school brought her to Stella Maris where her joyful spirit and dynamic teaching of English endeared her to all. Her skill on the basketball court was also recognized!

1988 brought Barbara home to Brooklyn to minister in Bishop Kearney High School and as a vibrant part of St. Athanasius Convent and parish community ~ the “dream team” as she called it.

For the next 27 years Barbara immersed herself in all things Kearney ~ her zest for teaching and love of her students planted seeds that blossom into the future. As Coordinator of Kearney’s Marching Band Barbara never missed a beat and was always ready for a parade ~ rain or shine!

In Barbara’s retirement letter she clearly stated that she did not want to “become a couch potato”, but saw herself in service of her sisters in community and the people of God in St. Athanasius.

This goal was accomplished with dignity and grace as Barbara became a “sacrament of presence” as a lector, parish advocate for the disabled and coordinator of the Pastoral Council. The couch potato role never had a chance!

We’re now blessed that Sister Anne Mollica, a faithful and dear companion of Barbara’s from the St. A’s community will share a personal reflection.
S. Tesa fitzgerald, CSJ

We reflect on the life Barbara shared with us and we thank her.

Barbara, you have been a gift to us. Your smile, your personality, and your presence have been so alive among us! You have been so generous with your time and talents. We remember the many occasions when you offered to drive us wherever we needed to go. You did a great job as lector, proofreader, teacher at St. Athanasius and Stella Maris and Bishop Kearney High School. You are remembered for your involvement as advocate for the handicapped, moderator of the Girl Scouts and Children’s Choir and your participation in the parish RCIA program as well as being secretary of the Pastoral Council. In all these and more you reflected joy and enthusiasm.
We also recall the fun times such as participation in the Golden Age Club, the Holy Name and Italian Society parties, the many bus trips we enjoyed as well as the pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Athanasius in Venice and, most recently, the reunion with your nieces and nephews at the wedding in Chicago.
Barbara, even in your illness you radiated peace, love for life and a great spirit of joy! We know you will be with us as we continue our life journey.
Rest in peace.
S. Ann Mollica, CSJ

Sister Barbara Lynch, the former Sister Ignatia Maria, died on November 21, 2024 in the 67th year of her religious life.