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Catholic Discourse and Ministry Resource

What’s it all about?

fred karpuk

Fred Karpuk

Hello, my name is Deacon Fred Karpuk. I would like to give you an idea as to what this Catholic Discourse and Ministry site is all about. First of all it is about who I am. The best way to explain that is to tell you all about me, because our life experience goes into whom we are.

My Family

I was born in 1950 to Joseph and Mary Ann. Their parents (my grandparents) were immigrants from Russia and Lithuania. I feel privileged in that I was surrounded by the ethnic culture of both of these countries. I was raised in a family of 6, 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

I was baptized Catholic and went to Catholic Schools all my life: Blessed Sacrament Grade School, Bishop Heelan Catholic High School and Briar Cliff University. I was taught by many nuns from the Dominican, BVM and Franciscan Orders. I had the privilege to be taught and influenced by many Diocesan priests as well as many wonderful lay people.

I married a Catholic girl that I met at Briar Cliff, who came from a family of 19 siblings. My wife’s name is Elizabeth and we had 6 wonderful children of our own. Four of them came within the first 13 years and then (un)expectedly 2 more followed when we were 40 and 42 years of age.

I work in a family feed business that is 60+ years old. My wife teaches in the Catholic school system. All of our children attended Catholic grade school and high school.

The Church

I was Ordained to the Order of Deacons of the Catholic Church in 1985. I have functioned as a deacon in my home parish all these years. My ministry experiences are many and varied. I have worked in RCIA Programs, Re-Membering Programs, Peace and Justice, Marriage Prep and Sponsor Couple and Pre-Jordan Baptism Classes. I have offered Study Courses and have belonged to a prayer group for many years. I have worked in soup kitchens, participated in Right to life activities, and we were involved in the Foster care program for many years. Other deaconate ministries that I have participated in are Vigil services, funeral rites, and hospital Ministry. I especially have enjoyed preparing Retreats and Ministry talks.

I am an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and try to help in the Council’s activities as often as possible. I have always said that as a baptized Catholic we are called to be both socially and politically responsible. I have always tried to remain true to the teachings of the Catholic Church when involved in political and social endeavors.

The Website

So what is my CATHOLIC DISCOURSE AND MINISTRY RESOURCE website all about? It is a collection of my homilies, Homiletic sites, ministry resources, musical selections, and current news topics. I have created it as a way to organize the websites that I frequently visit and read. As I said before all of these postings flow from who I am and what I do. May they enrich your faith or ministry, whether you are laity or ordained, single or married, I would welcome any feedback from you.