He’s only been a part of the St. Barnabas Parish community since August 2020, but the relationship has been a godsend to both Father James Kulway and the parish.
The coronavirus pandemic made connecting with his new parish community difficult when Father Kulway, who was ordained to the priesthood in 2016, was assigned to St. Barnabas in Northfield as parochial vicar last year. Parish activities and gatherings were limited, but Father Kulway felt a calling to connect with the parish community and to reach out beyond the parish through his athletic ability and his passion for running.
This summer, he formed the St. Barnabas Running Group, which consists of both avid and new runners who meet weekly to run throughout the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
On Sept. 25, Father Kulway and about 16 St. Barnabas parishioners participated in the half or full Akron Marathon. The event was memorable for Father Kulway, who beat his personal record, crossing the finish line at 2:58:49 and placing 15th overall.
“It wasn’t just me being out there,” he said. “There are all these great, awesome St. Barnabas parishioners who are also running and cheering us on. We’re cheering each other on. They are sharing a common love within the ordinary – namely running – to fill each other up in their everyday lives.”
Father Kulway is no novice when it comes to running. He ran in the Boston Marathon in 2016 and set the goal of running in the New York City Marathon.
“The new running club has been great,” said parishioner Gina Kubec, a group member who also participated in the race last weekend. “I’ve gotten to know people on a level I never would have without this group.”
On Sept. 24, the day before the marathon, the faculty, staff and students of St. Barnabas School gathered for Mass, turning their attention to the theme that we are made to thrive in mind, body and spirit. With those thoughts and their support, they sent Father Kulway and the other runners off with a special blessing. They group received a standing ovation that Father Kulway said helped to carry him through the 26.2-mile race.
The pre-marathon sendoff also reinforced the school’s theme of healthy body, healthy mind, healthy spirit.
Next on the radar for Father Kulway and the St. Barnabas Running Group is the Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon. The half marathon, 5K and 10K events are scheduled for Oct. 23 and the full marathon isOct. 24.
What more can he do with the continued love and support of the surrounding community?
“We want to rework our thinking. The point of being a Church is not just to stay enclosed within, but it’s to broaden and reach out to all communities,” Fr. Kulway said. “Whatever your gifts or passions are, use them and let God transform others through you.”