Amar es Entregarse
“Love is the Total Giving of Oneself”
Congratulations to Honoree
Kathleen Estrella
In recognition of individuals who have substantially demonstrated in their life’s work the living out of Bishop Gerald R. Barnes’ Episcopal motto: Amar Es Entregarse - “Love is the total giving of oneself”, this last Saturday evening, we are pleased to announce, Bishop Barnes, presented to our very own Kathleen Estrella, the prestigious Amar es Entregarse Award.
For those of us at Our Lady of the Assumption, we know first hand how the Lord has mightily blessed us with her presence. We are truly grateful for the wonders she and her beautiful family, have accomplished in our liturgies, lives and in the life of our parish community. Thank you for your generous giving of yourself, to God’s people. Congratulations, Kathleen!
Frances Kathleen Carpio was born in San Pablo, Laguna in the Philippines. In 1974, she traveled to America to live with her parents who had immigrated to the “States” soon after she was born. That Christmas, family friends took her to her first Midnight Mass. It was at that mass, at the age of 5, that Kathleen fell in love with Jesus and the Liturgy.
Kathleen began career in music ministry at the age of 24 when she was asked to cantor at St. Christopher’s Church in West Covina and the Youth Mass at St. Dorothy’s Church in Glendora. In 1997, her family moved to the Inland Empire where Kathleen became the Parish Music Director of St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Rialto. While she was there, she taught herself how to play the piano and directed a traditional adult choir, a contemporary adult choir, a youth choir, and the school children’s choir. Two years later, Kathleen was asked to be the pianist for the Eucharistic Congress where she played for 7 liturgies.
In 2004, Kathleen was asked to help co-direct and play the keyboard for the LA Religious Education Congress Youth Day Choir at the Anaheim Convention Center where she has played for the last 5 years. In 2005, Kathleen and her family settled down at Our Lady of the Assumption Church where Kathleen became the Parish Music Director and was also asked to undertake Youth Ministry as well as Youth Confirmation Preparation.
Kathleen lives in San Bernardino with her husband Edwin of 22 years, their children, Christopher-21, Khiarra-16, Khaeryst-10, Chrisxander-1, and her mother Eileen. When asked how, and why, she does it all, Kathleen responds, “I don’t do it all, my family and I work in ministry together. I think there is no greater honor or joy than to be of service to the people of God. The love of service is the greatest gift I can give to my children.”
