MEET THE
S A R K I S FA M I LY : KEEPING
W
hen Alfred Sarkis has a major decision to make, he always talks it over with his best, eternal friend. “I love going to adoration — it has been a very big part of my faith for many years,” Alfred says. “It has been such a special place for me to go and pray, and receive wisdom. Whenever I have something I am worried about or need guidance, I always make sure I go and spend time with Jesus.” Over the years, his wife, Caren, has been touched by Alfred’s tender devotion to Christ, really and truly
CHRIST
present in the Holy Eucharist. She is also thankful for the impact it makes on their four boys — Robert, 8; John Paul, 6; and 4-year-old twins William and Andrew. “I love the witness that Alfred gives to our boys when he shows them that he wants to be with Jesus in order to help him make a big decision,” Caren says. Thankfully, this beautiful example of spiritual fatherhood is just one of many that Alfred freely offers to his family.
CENTER
“As a husband and father, I try to make sure we all pray together every night before bed,” Alfred says. “I truly believe that families that pray together, stay together. This is something I strongly believe I should pass on to my children, so that they may grow up to be strong, faithful men.” He and Caren are also deeply grateful for our parish, to which they have belonged since 2014, and all of the ways it nurtures their spiritual life as a family. “I love our parish community,” he says. “It is a big parish, and I really like that adoration is available every day in the little chapel. I really enjoy having donuts and fellowship after Mass and spending time talking to my fellow parishioners. We have made a lot of friends here, and we are so thankful there are so many other families at the parish with young children as well.” Both Alfred and Caren have wonderful testimonies of God’s power at work in their lives. Alfred experienced a deep renewal in his relationship with Christ after moving to the United States in 2004 from Cairo, Egypt, where he was raised. “It was my first time living alone and trying to find purpose in my life,” continued on page 5
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