Karen Calafat called to St. Luke’s, Fort Worth

The Rev. Karen Calafat has been called as the new rector of St. Luke’s in the Meadow Episcopal Church, Fort Worth. Her first Sunday there will be October 5, 2014.

Patti Callahan, senior warden, writing on behalf of the Rector Search Committee and the vestry, said in a letter to parishioners,“St. Luke’s has been without a rector for almost nine months and, although we have been well-served by supply priests, we are eager for Mother Karen to begin her part-time parish ministry here.

“Yes, this is a new arrangement for St. Luke’s to have a part-time rector. Mother Karen is presently employed by the Visiting Nurses Association in Dallas as a chaplain and has negotiated with that employer to allow her to return to parish ministry, serving each ministry on a part-time basis. She intends to have regular office hours at St. Luke’s and will soon set her schedule.”

Calafat comes to St. Luke’s in the Meadow with 20-plus years in ministry, primarily as a chaplain in a variety of settings, most recently as a hospice chaplain with the Visiting Nurse Association. She served in two parishes in Southern California and has been a supply priest in the Diocese of Fort Worth for the past six years. Her passions in ministry are spiritual direction and pastoral care/counseling.

Calafat’s son, Nicholas, is a freshman at Rice University. Her daughter, Emily, is a senior in high school.  Karen and her daughter live in Grand Prairie. Karen’s partner, also named Karen, lives in Grand Prairie with her 3 teenage sons. Both Karens enjoy family get-togethers, hiking, camping, riding wave runners, and traveling.

“It is with much gratitude and excitement that I return to parish ministry. Thanks be to God!” Calafat said.

There will be a luncheon celebration following the service on Sunday, October 5, 2014, to welcome Mother Karen and her family to St. Luke’s.