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May 26, 2015Wonder-Woman Karen Warnes Retiring
Karen has served the St. Bruno Community in one capacity or another for thirty-two years: twenty-three of those years have been in pastoral work, caring for, and lovingly serving the people of the parish. If I had to identify her major attribute, it is her life of faith. She is a person from whom many people have “caught” faith because she speaks faith – not only by her spirit-filled words, but also by her generous actions and service. She expresses such joyful affirmation of others in her words, that people love being around her. She truly “celebrates” God in herself and in others. She is such a strong encourager of others, helping them to be more of who they are. Her pleasant, positive, patient and joyful attitude generates enthusiasm in others. She is the consummate instructor about the ways of God. She ministers to the young, adults and the elderly. She cares for the individual and each family. Her loving heart is for God’s people at St. Bruno’s and beyond.
She has been a leader in all liturgical realms, helping people understand the importance of the Mass, and serving in a multitude of different liturgical roles herself on a regular basis. She has instructed and catechized hundreds of liturgical ministers and converts to the Catholic faith. Her enthusiasm for instructing the school children in participating in dramatizations of the Scriptures and the lives of the Saints has made Masses so much more meaningful and enjoyable for the youth and the adults. Whenever she takes the Eucharist to the sick and shut-ins, she always communicates how important these individuals are to Christ, the parish and the whole Church. Her sensitivity in working with families on funeral planning has been outstanding. She always identifies with the grief the family is experiencing and prays with them. She never has stopped learning and developing her many skills and talents through formal education and informal studies and workshops. She always hunts for and shares tools to help people pray better. Never has a day passed that she isn’t trying to make people and things better around her. Her organizational skills are no less than outstanding. This message could include many more things about her gifts and contributions, but let me simply say that her life has been and continues to be a “sermon” of dedication and faithfulness. May God always reward her, now and forever!
Thank you Karen, for the life you have given to all of us! We pray that your retirement, which begins July 1, will be full of grace, peace and joy. We’ll be seeing you around, knowing you will still be a part of our lives. God be with you, and St. Bruno bless you! ~Fr. Ralph
