This is Us

We are excited to introduce another exhibit to our Gallery Wall, created by one of our newest members, whose passion for people is truly unwavering.

Anaïs started attending St. Barnabas in October 2024 after befriending Bill Talbot, a longtime member, while working at his senior living facility. During her time there, she connected with residents and developed a passion project, which she has brought to St. Barnabas to showcase the hearts and hands of the congregation.

We’re so glad Anaïs has found a home here at St. Barnabas and during a recent interview she shared a little bit about herself.

Anaïs, which means full of grace, has a hyphenated last name, "Alexandre-Reverendo," reflecting her Portuguese mother’s heritage and Irish father’s background, and she’s proud of her ancestry. She loves all of God’s creatures, except houseflies!! She speaks fluent Portuguese and Spanish, using Portuguese with her grandmother.

”I grew up on Roanoke Street in Providence, Rhode Island, and attended the International Charter School, where I alternated between learning Portuguese one week and English the next. I loved spending time on Thayer Street, visiting the Audubon Society, and enjoying hot summer days at East Side Beach.”

Eventually, her family decided to move from the east coast and landed in Cincinnati. “My parents' families live here, and the schools had higher ratings, making it a great place for our family to settle. I graduated from Anderson High School in 2018 and attended UC-Clermont. During Covid, I became a caregiver for my grandmother.”

“We are the hands of God”

Anaïs chose this project because "the hands" symbolize so much—they tell a story of their own. She believes that hands are not just a part of us; they carry the marks of a lifetime, shaped by experience and time. They are respectful yet powerful, reminding us that even with age or wear, these hands remain worthy. She shared that, as a community, we are like those hands—nurturing, holding, comforting, and promising. They represent the collective strength, care, and commitment shared among us.

She currently expresses her creativity through working for one of the oldest jewelers in Cincinnati. “Jewelry, for me, is like a small piece of the mosaic in someone's life. As a little girl, I would hold my grandmother’s hand and feel such a deep sense of honor in the thought of growing old. It was a quiet yet powerful reminder that aging is a beautiful part of life, and the pieces we wear, like jewelry, carry stories, memories, and connections across generations”.

Anaïs stands firm in her belief that our senior community is a valuable part of society, with so much to teach us. She feels honored to listen to their stories and be in their presence, recognizing the deep wisdom they carry. By opening her heart and truly listening, she receives unconditional love in return. She doesn't see elders as frail or diminished, but rather for who they are, imagining them at her age and with all the years they've lived. “They deserve nothing less than my utmost respect”.

Anaïs hopes this project will help parishioners find common ground and discover that we are a community worth connecting to on a deeper level.

We are so grateful to Anaïs Alexandre-Reverendo for bringing her bright spirit to St. Barnabas. We hope you will encourage her as she continues to lift up our members and discover their lives through her passion project: This is Us.

The Gallery Wall installation showcases members answers alongside stunning photographs of their hands. In addition to seeing the exhibit in person at St. Barnabas, you can view it below. Anaïs will continue to interview and photograph our members to create a permanent installation for the future.

Bill Talbot