Meet Our Postulator
Father James Power Appointed Postulator
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 served as Vice Postulator for three years, and assumes this position following the death of Msgr. Tom McSweeney in February 2025.
An Erie native, Fr. Power graduated from 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.
Testimonial
Dr. Barber was the Mother Teresa of Erie. She saw the suffering of the exceptional children and adults of this area and used her manifest skills and above all, her love, to respond. With indomitable faith in God, Dr. Gertrude was a pioneer in service to those beloved by Christ. She left a thriving institution to carry on the work of service, education, and love that will always reflect the ideals of this humble, resourceful and noble woman. She has enriched our world.
Dr. Barber gave you a different perspective on people with disabilities. She called them 'abilities' and so it just really had a positive spin on everything. It really gave you hope, and that's what most parents really needed.
She had a huge impact on the community; she got people to accept people who were different … Gertrude created something really special and unique and if you go across the United States, you'll have a hard time finding an organization like the Barber Center.
Dr. Barber was always there to compassionately guide families through the darkest hours. She guided us through trying times and brought us to a much higher level by allowing us to find some reason for our experience, and then to put it to good use in assisting others. Dr. Barber ... delivered every individual she encountered to a place that can only be described as their personal best.
Gertrude was a beautiful lady, but her outward beauty was a reflection of her inward refinement and peace knowing that she was doing God's work. Everyone who came in contact with her knew how special they were, for she had that ability to make each of us feel so special.
As a loving and caring individual, a highly respected and admired professional, and a concerned civic leader, Gertrude delicately touched the souls of many and left behind a precious imprint of herself on families, friends, and her community.
We were her family; our children were her children, and we could pretty much talk to her about anything. I think part of what Dr. Barber was doing came from her instincts as a woman to make sure that children – all children – had the same benefits in the community. She's left a legacy of memories and has left a true and lasting effect.
