Kathy Carlin – Member since 5-13-2013
Prayer Warrior By Carol Hollenbeck, Web Manager
Kathy was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, but since age five has been a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa.
She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1964. She was married to Dick Carlin the following year. Dick worked as a truck driver for Crouse-Cartage Company. That union lasted for nearly 40 years, until his death in 2004. Kathy and Dick were blessed with four children; three girls and one boy. They lost a ten-year-old daughter to Leukemia. Kathy says she has four children, “three living and one in heaven.” She has a daughter, living in Alabama, who has given her two grandsons and one granddaughter. Her only son lives in Phoenix, Arizona and has one son. Her other daughter lives here in town and has three daughters. One of those daughters has blessed Kathy with one great-grandchild. All in all, she has seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Three of Kathy’s children were born at the old Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, then her last daughter was born in the newly constructed Mercy Hospital. Kathy’s mother was an Obstetrics Tech at Mercy Hospital for many years. Kathy spent 28 years working as a cook at Jennie Edmundson Hospital before retiring in 2011. She got up at 4:30am and worked from 5:00am until 1:00pm. In later years, after her workday, she would go pick up grandchildren from school and care for them, until they could drive themselves.
Kathy has washed the ceremonial linens, used at Queen of Apostles Church, for over “20 some years!” She started washing them when Father Dan Kirby was assigned to the church as a newly ordained associate pastor. “It’s just what I do,” she says. She remains an active Corpus Christi Parishioner, serving as a Lector on weekends, as well as at daily Mass. She sings with the choir at the 4:00pm Saturday Masses. She taught Religious Education classes for many years. She is also a hard-working and faithful member of the church cleaning crew. She is on the church prayer line and makes Rosaries with the Corpus Christi Rosary Makers. She serves as an officer of the GO GETTERS social group from the Parish.
Well, I am nearly worn out, just listing all Kathy’s volunteerism efforts. But there’s much more to be done outside the Parish! Kathy is a weekly volunteer at Gabriel’s Corner. She is a busy member of The Serra Club. Years ago, she served Outreach Communion to Mercy Hospital patients. These days she conducts a weekly Communion Service at Fox Run and every other Sunday carries communion to individual residents there. Kathy also provides a Divine Mercy Prayer Group every Thursday, in her home.
Kathy joined our Catholic Daughters Court #330 in 2013, following her retirement in 2011. She says it was Carol Hollenbeck who urged her to join our court at a Stewardship Fair. She stated that she joined because “I loved the idea and I love what they do.” Kathy has conflicts that don’t allow her to attend the monthly meetings, but she continues her membership as a Prayer Warrior, supporting our efforts before our Lord in prayer. I’m sure that we could not ask for a better advocate than this CDA Sister.
Since her retirement, Kathy has found more time to devote to her interest in reading. Also, more time for TV has turned her into a “cop show addict.” All the NCIS shows have her hooked. Put your feet up Kathy and enjoy!! May God Bless your efforts on His behalf.
….Prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands! Psalm 90:17