Long time parishioner, Lorraine Karabaich’s great-nephews and godsons, Sebastian and Daniel Pounds—twin boys—received their First Eucharist in San Vito, Italy on May 26, 2016.
A Faith Journey
Lorraine and her family were parishioners at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in the 1970s after their move to Tacoma from the San Joaquin Valley, California. The passing of Lorraine’s mother prompted a return to Saint Patrick Catholic Church in 2005. Lorraine participated in Returning Catholics— a series of sessions for adult Catholics who have been away from the Church and wish to return. Whatever the reason, the Church wants to welcome all who want to live as a Catholic. With the help of Leah Walker, the ministry leader for the program, Lorraine made many spiritual friends through the faith sharing journey of the program.
Lorraine’s husband, Tony was born in Tacoma and raised in Old Town by a Croatian father and German mother. He was baptized and confirmed at Central Lutheran Church of Tacoma and converted to Catholicism in 2007. Lorraine and Tony were married in 1980 and had their marriage Convalidated by Father Seamus Laverty in 2006.
Spiritual Growth Through Ministry Life
Both Lorraine and Tony are active in ministry and parish life at Saint Patrick Catholic Church.
Lorraine is always growing spiritually through formation by way of Eucharist Adoration, Benediction Spirituality, and Adult Bible Study. She is actively supports in Respect Life, 4US. She is a Eucharistic Minister was the Eucharistic Minister Scheduler and has served as a RCIA Sponsor.
Tony has been an usher since 2007. He answered the call and has been head usher since 2010 through June 2016. He is a 3rd degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus Tacoma Council 809.
Oceans Apart, Yet Rooted in Shared Traditions
Christopher Pounds, is the son of Lorraine’s sister Lena. He was born in Tacoma and was baptized at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in 1972 and were parishioners until the family moved to Italy in the mid- 1970s. He was raised in Europe and married Filomena de Agnano, an Italian from Puglia, and they are raising their two sons in the same town her family has all lived for centuries.
Staying Connected
The Pounds— Christopher and his wife Filomena stay connected to Saint Patrick Catholic Church through social media—specifically Facebook and when they make their annual trip to visit family in Tacoma—they celebrate Mass at his first parish family—Saint Patrick Catholic Church.
Blessings to the Karabaich and Pounds families as we share in their joy as Sebastian and Daniel are welcomed at the table of Our Lord.
Faith Sharing Builds Community
Do you have a story to share with your faith community? Sharing our faith with others helps us to grow together in community. Using prayer, shared experiences, and explorations of faith, we can enhances the life of the entire parish.
Faith Sharing Strengthens Our Relationship with Christ
Faith sharing occurs regularly through the many ministry groups at Saint Patrick Catholic Church. Faith-sharing can happen through social media,when you share a homily on YouTube that had a profound impact and through stories on Facebook and in an eNewsletter like The Cornerstone too— reaching many lives and growing the faith through the tools we have today for sharing.
We can foster opportunities for people to share with each other various aspects of our faith journeys. These might be wonderful experiences of blessed moments, such as feeling healing or times when the grace of Jesus’ love is present in the midst of struggle. We might share struggles we’ve had which resulted in a stronger relationship with Christ. We might share how our faith has grown in our community, in our parish, in our family. Some may want to share stories of outstanding witnesses of faith.
Lett Others Experience Christ Thro
ugh Your Witness
Sharing faith is not boasting. It is a humble recognition that our relationship with God, or God’s mercy, or God’s faithful support is a gift. As we share, we can remember Jesus’ call to us to not hide our light under a bushel basket, but to “Let your light shine!” Share your story with your faith community. Send us an email and we will help you shine your light for others.
