Four days of fellowship and prayer at St. Barbara

From 8 to 11 October 2026, the parish welcomed Bishop Fredrik for a visitation, as the first parish in a new five-year cycle of visitations in the diocese.

As he reminded us in his Sunday homily, a visitation is above all an encounter: the bishop comes to get to know the parish better, but also so that the faithful can get to know their bishop better. These days left plenty of room to listen, talk and pray together.

Close to the life of the parish

Bishop Fredrik met Fr Trym, the parish council and the finance council, the catechists, and the Polish and Spanish-speaking groups. He also celebrated Holy Mass, heard confessions, led adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and visited the sick.

The programme also included a review of the registers and archives, the sacristy, the church and the parish buildings. Friday’s planned visits to the sick were to Notodden and Dalen – a sign of care for those who are not always able to take part in parish gatherings.

Days marked by prayer

On Thursday, Bishop Fredrik encouraged perseverance in prayer: we may pester God, while remembering that He alone knows what we truly need.

On Friday, the memorial of Saint John Henry Newman gave an opportunity to reflect on the peace that is found in faith. In his account of his conversion, Newman explains that reflection on theological questions continues, but with a new inner peace.

On Saturday, the parish gathered for Mass for the eternal rest of Fr Rory Mulligan. In prayer we entrusted to God this Marist priest, who died on 3 October at the age of 87, after many years of service to the Church in Norway.

Sunday: gratitude and shared responsibility

Sunday’s Pontifical Mass at St. Barbara, with coffee after Mass, was a highlight of the visitation.

In his homily, Bishop Fredrik recalled how things have developed in Kongsberg: Catholics used to have to travel to Drammen. Then came Masses in Kongsberg, then a church of our own and a resident priest. He encouraged gratitude for everything the parish has received and built up, and expressed his joy at parish life: even though the community is small, it achieves a great deal.

The encouragement was also an invitation for each of us to ask what we can contribute to the parish. Fr Trym cannot do everything alone. According to their own means, everyone can contribute time, knowledge or practical service. And the first contribution is still prayer: the Church is in God’s hands.

In Notodden: Holy Mass with a touch of humour

The visitation continued on Sunday evening with Holy Mass in Notodden Church, which belongs to the Church of Norway. In his Facebook post, Terje Svanlund points out that the parish also includes Catholics in Notodden, Seljord, Tinn and Tokke – whom he calls “outskirts Catholics” («utkant-katolikker»).

With humour he describes an unexpected incident: the incense set off the fire alarm twice! The congregation stayed calm, and according to Terje, the caretaker’s efforts probably kept the celebration from turning into a “concert for bells and smoke detectors”. He stresses, however, that such incidents are not at all common at Catholic Masses.

Thank you to everyone who made the visitation possible

These days were marked by warm hospitality and a great willingness to help. Preparing meetings, liturgies, meals, coffee after Mass and practical tasks: everyone’s contribution, both visible and less noticed, helped make the visitation good days together.

Thank you to Bishop Fredrik for listening, taking time and encouraging us. Thank you to Fr Trym, the councils, the catechists, the various groups and all the volunteers for their time and commitment.

May the Holy Spirit help us let these encounters bear fruit and continue the mission of the parish together.

Written by Karine Gallot-Lavallée with help from ChatGPT.