Msgr. Barr has spent more than 40 years showing that the Catholic faith speaks clearly to modern life. Ordained for the Diocese of Rockford in 1984, he has served as Pastor, Vicar General, Chancellor, Vicar for Clergy, college professor, and associate editor of the diocesan newspaper—roles that blend governance, teaching, and cultural outreach with an unmistakable pastoral touch.
Holding a Licentiate in Sacred Theology, Msgr. Barr combines scholarly depth with a gift for narrative. Whether preaching a parish mission, teaching in the classroom, or addressing the airwaves on religious freedom, he makes complex theology accessible and compelling. Colleagues and parishioners alike praise his ability to illuminate Christ’s presence in the ordinary rhythms of daily life.
As an author, he moves fluidly between nonfiction and fiction. His spiritual classic The Shadow of the Cross: A Journey Through the Virtues of Celtic Spirituality introduces readers to ancient wisdom for contemporary discipleship. Writing as E. R. Barr, he created the award-winning fantasy saga The Tales of Conor Archer—beginning with ROAN (eleven national book awards) and its acclaimed sequel SKELLIG—as well as the Vatican Archive Thrillers: Gods in the Ruins and Beneath the Bishop’s Bones. His stories weave Celtic lore, Catholic theology, and page-turning adventure, proving that faith and imagination are natural partners.
Event planners value Msgr. Barr’s clear Catholic teaching, relatable examples, and energizing delivery—an engaging voice that leaves audiences motivated to live boldly in Christ. Echoing Gerard Manley Hopkins’ insight that “the world is charged with the grandeur of God,” he invites listeners to recognize that Divine Presence everywhere they go … and respond with faith and purpose.
Popular speaking one-night topics and three-day Parish Missions
• Catholic identity and culture in a secular age—A presentation designed to explain what it means to be Catholic today • Celtic spirituality: timeless practices for restless hearts—This talk tells of the importance of an aspect of Catholic prayer; namely, the type of spirituality that the Irish, Scottish, and Welsh peoples developed over 1500 years. Ancient wisdom, surprisingly relevant.
• Catholic Issues: Living like Christ in the Modern World (several different topics): Separate presentations on Catholic Morality, Death and Dying, The Afterlife, etc.
• Parish Mission—The Eucharist: To Touch the Face of God. In this three-day mission, we will talk about the Eucharist and its development from ancient times, the Catholic beliefs concerning the Eucharist, and an in-depth look at how the Eucharist is presented to us at Mass.
• Parish Mission—Road of Sorrow, Way of Joy, Practical Prayer for Christian Pilgrims. In this three-day mission, we expand on the one-night topic of Celtic spirituality and deal with Catholic Anthropology and the Created World, the practical nature of Celtic spirituality applied to daily life, and an in-depth look at the values and prayers of this type of living our Catholic life.
Many more topics are available. Please contact Msgr. Barr and express what issues of interest are important to your group or your parish.
