Barbara Barrosa: The Parish Leader

Native of Mexico active in ministry, parish council at St. Raphael Church in Springdale

By Alesia Schaefer
Rogers Correspondent

Barbara Barrosa has never shied away from work. Since moving here with her family from Guanajuato, Mexico, in 1998, she has believed that you must trust in the Lord but also put in the work.

And these are not just words, Barrosa, 27, practices what she believes. She graduated from Springdale High School in 2011, Northwest Arkansas Community College in 2015 with an associate’s degree and will graduate from the University of Arkansas in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. These past two years in college she has also worked a full-time job.

Barrosa’s same work ethic transfers into her faith life. At her home parish of St. Raphael Church in Springdale, she has served on the parish council for the past two years. A parishioner since 2000, Barrosa has been a lector and Eucharistic minister, helped with the Our Lady of Guadalupe festival, subbed as a catechist and helped with youth retreats and confirmation.

Since 2012, she has been involved with the diocesan ministry and the worldwide Hispanic organization Encuentros de Promocion Juvenil. When members of her parish started attending this faith encounter, she wanted to see for herself. Similar to Cursillo, Barrosa attended the young adult retreat in November 2012 and has been involved since then. Currently, she serves as the coordinator for the online regional meeting in September with 90 participants.

“Faith is important, but I believe we also have to be God’s feet and hands and do the work,” she said.

---

Please read our Comments Policy before posting.

Article comments powered by Disqus