St Barbara

About St. Barbara Parish

St. Barbara Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Erlanger, Kentucky, founded in 1967 and belonging to the Diocese of Covington. The parish embraces the people of Erlanger, Independence, Elsmere and nearby Northern Kentucky neighborhoods. Its mission statement reads: 'We, the saints and sinners of St. Barbara Parish, are a Roman Catholic Community. Through joyful Eucharistic worship and loving community, we strive through Jesus and the Holy Spirit to build the Kingdom of God on Earth as we prepare for the Kingdom of Heaven.'

History

Founded in 1967, St. Barbara grew steadily with the Northern Kentucky suburbs. The defining era of growth came under Father John Sterling, who arrived as pastoral administrator in 2007 and became pastor in 2008. During his pastorate membership tripled and a much larger worship space was constructed. The parish grounds now include the church, parish offices, the Sterling Event Center, and a 24-hour Adoration chapel.

• 1967 — Parish established in the Diocese of Covington.
• 2007 — Father John Sterling assigned as pastoral administrator.
• 2008 — Father Sterling installed as pastor; motto: 'Envision it with faith, and it will become a reality.'
• Membership tripled under current pastorate; larger church built.

Parish Staff & Clergy

The parish is led by Father John J. Sterling, supported by a deacon and a full lay staff. Father Sterling also serves as chaplain at St. Henry District High School in Erlanger.

• Pastor: Rev. John Sterling — [email protected]
• Deacon: Chuck Melville (Pastoral Associate) — [email protected]
• Music Ministry: Simeon Skilling — [email protected]
• Business Manager: Lesley Duggan — [email protected]
• Administrative Assistant / Bookkeeper: Leigh Ann Divine — [email protected]
• Administrative Assistant: Laura Scheben — [email protected]
• Communications Coordinator: Jeanette Bolin — [email protected]
• Religious Education Coordinator: Jackie Koop — [email protected]
• Youth Minister: John Kidwell — [email protected]
• Event Center Director: Dawn DiVita — [email protected]
• Buildings and Grounds: Todd Herrmann — [email protected]

Father John Sterling

Father John Sterling grew up locally, one of seven children, and worked for 13 years in aviation administration at Delta Airlines after studying Aviation Administration at Northern Kentucky University. He followed his call to the priesthood at St. Pius X Seminary and St. Mary of the West Seminary, being ordained on May 25, 1996. His diocesan assignments included Parochial Vicar at St. Agnes Parish (Fort Wright) and St. Joseph Parish (Crescent Springs), eight years as Vocation Director for the Diocese of Covington, chaplain at Covington Catholic High School, secretary to the Bishop, and pastorates at St. Edward Parish (Cynthiana) and St. Joseph Church (Cold Spring) before coming to St. Barbara in 2007.

Live-Streamed Mass

St. Barbara broadcasts Mass online for the homebound and traveling parishioners. The stream schedule includes the Saturday Vigil, a Sunday broadcast at 10:00 AM, and the Tuesday-through-Friday weekday Masses. Past broadcasts are available to view on demand.

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith formation at St. Barbara runs from childhood through adulthood. The parish provides the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program for children in grades 1 through 8 who do not attend a Catholic grade school, following the guidelines of the Diocese of Covington. Classes are held Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Adults preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church journey through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), the parish's name for the RCIA process.

• CCD — grades 1–8, Wednesdays 7–8 PM, beginning September 16, 2026
• OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
• Vacation Bible School — ages 5–11, last week of June
• Bible Study — three study groups meeting throughout the year

Faith & Fellowship (Adult Education)

Faith & Fellowship is the parish's adult religious education program, meeting monthly on Wednesdays from September through May in the Sterling Event Center. Topics are chosen by parishioners and feature medical professionals, Biblical scholars, authors, university professors, religious, and community leaders. A Book Club meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. During Advent and Lent, short reflections are offered after the Wednesday evening Mass.

Youth & Young Adult Ministry

The parish Youth Group, open to grades 8–12, meets Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the parish office basement and emphasizes service to parish and community. Kool Kids serves grades 5–8. The Young Adult Group welcomes adults ages 18–40, meeting the first Sunday of the month after the 9:00 AM Mass in the Sterling Event Center.

• Youth Group (grades 8–12) — Wednesdays 7:00–9:00 PM
• Kool Kids (grades 5–8)
• Young Adult Group (ages 18–40) — first Sunday after 9 AM Mass

Fellowship & Social Life

Parish life is anchored by two long-standing lay societies. The Holy Name Society is the men's fellowship, which provides altar bread and wine for the parish's liturgies, supports youth and religious programs, and hosts the annual Lenten Fish Frys, Keeneland trip, Turkey Shoot, and campus cleanup. The Holy Dames are faith-filled women of the parish who support a Maryknoll mission in Nepal, provide desserts for the Fish Frys, and host the Pink Party and Christmas party.

• Holy Name Society — men's fellowship, hosts Lenten Fish Fry
• Holy Dames — women's fellowship, supports Maryknoll mission in Nepal

Service & Outreach

The parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference serves more than 1,000 people each year within parish boundaries through person-to-person aid, intervention, and direct assistance, while preserving the confidentiality and dignity of those served. A Prayer Hotline ministry takes specific prayer requests, which are remembered daily by individual Prayer Warriors and at every Mass.

• St. Vincent de Paul Conference
• Prayer Hotline ([email protected])

Sacraments

Families must be registered parishioners to receive sacraments at St. Barbara. Baptism Preparation classes are required before a child is baptized; baptisms are performed on Sundays. Children preparing for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation go through the parish's CCD program and are required to have at least one year of religious education beforehand.

• Baptism — preparation class required; Sundays
• First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation — through CCD
• Matrimony and Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office

Lenten Fish Fry

Each Friday during Lent, the Holy Name Society hosts a parish Lenten Fish Fry on campus, with desserts provided by the Holy Dames. Volunteer sign-ups are coordinated through the parish website, and parishioners drop off cakes, cookies, pies, and brownies the day of the event.

Contact & Visiting

St. Barbara's parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM and on Friday from 8:30 AM to noon. The parish is located at 4042 Turkeyfoot Road in Erlanger, with handicap access at the front entrance and seating. Masses are live-streamed online for those unable to attend in person.

• Address: 4042 Turkeyfoot Rd., Erlanger, KY 41018
• Phone: (859) 371-3100
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–3:30 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–Noon

Saint Barbara — Patron of the Parish

Saint Barbara is a legendary early Christian virgin martyr venerated as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. She is the patron saint of artillerymen, miners, and those who work with explosives, and is invoked against lightning and sudden death. Her feast day is December 4. Although she was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969 due to questions about the historical details of her legend, she remains widely venerated and her memorial is observed in the Roman Martyrology.