Father James Power Appointed Postulator

Erie, PA (April 9, 2025) - Father James Power has been appointed as Postulator to the Cause of Gertrude Barber by Erie Bishop Lawrence Persico. In this key role, he will advocate for the Cause and work to meet requirements of the canonization process. Fr. Power has served as Vice Postulator for the past three years, and now assumes this position following the death of Msgr. Tom McSweeney.

An Erie native, Fr. Power graduated form Cathedral Prep, Gannon University and St. Mark's Seminary before completing his preparation for the priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore.

Since his ordination in 2016, his appointments have included Parochial Vicar at St. George Church, pastor for St. Mary Crown and St. Ann churches in Marienville, where he also served as chaplain for the SCI-Forest Prison.  He now serves as pastor for St. Joseph and St. Anthony parishes in Sharon and on the faculty of Kennedy Catholic High School.

Fr. Power is the nephew of Bridget and John Barber and son of Bill and Carolyn Power. As such, he has known about the mission of Barber National Institute for most of his life, and is very dedicated to working on behalf of the Cause.

Please continue to pray on behalf of this effort and to Dr. Barber for her intercession.