Faith and Purpose in Action

Article by Debra Braganza    

Fifty-six years after graduating from CTK, Richard Carbo remembers his first day as a fifth grader at his new school, where he met Sr. Marjorie. “Oh, she’s still around!” he says jokingly, “she just retired!”

As a religious young man at CTK, he never imagined how his faith would be tested as an adult. After experiencing a challenging period in his life, he was lost and felt abandoned by God. “I was angry. I felt so despaired,” Richard says with tears in his eyes.

He wouldn’t return to the Catholic Church until three decades later with the help of his good friend Jimmy and a meeting with Father Nam. 

After years away, he moved back to Terrytown to take care of his mother. It was a pivotal turning point in his relationship with God. By then, in his fifties, he was a successful businessman with a family, but something was always missing. “It was a Saturday, and Jimmy and I were talking, and I said, ‘You’re a man of good faith, but I’m just so empty,’” Jimmy simply replied, “You’re empty because you let God out of your life.” 

“It was the light bulb moment I needed,” Richard says. Jimmy introduced him to Father Nam, who welcomed him back to Christ the King and only asked for the favor of his time and service to the community.

With Father Nam’s support, Richard joined the Knights of Columbus. Later, he would attend his first St. Vincent de Paul Society meeting, “That’s when I realized my calling,” he says. 

Not everyone is lucky enough to find their purpose, and after six strokes, a massive heart attack, and three near-death experiences on the operating table, Richard knows he’s blessed.

A devoted husband to Chantal, who lives with Parkinson’s disease, he is equally committed to the people who ask for help from the Vincentians. 

On a typical day, Richard makes home visits to assess the needs of those requesting assistance. He’s seen families suffering: a grieving mother whose son was murdered and needed groceries, a recently disabled parent who couldn’t pay her bills or feed her children, and so many more people who need help.

Richard and his team assess the need during visits, but it’s more than just an evaluation; it provides fellowship, faith, and friendship to people often forgotten. “It’s the spirituality, the listening. It’s not always writing the check. It’s being there for your neighbor,” he says. 

What’s Richard’s advice to others struggling with their faith? He recommends coming on a home visit, “You don’t have to say anything. Just listen to the stories, and soon you’ll see the face of Christ. When it happens, I can’t describe it any other way than it’s a total fulfillment of your faith.”

The St. Vincent de Paul Society serves the CTK neighbors most in need. Every donation placed in the poor box at the back of the church helps keep the lights on or fills a family’s fridge and, most importantly, restores faith in God and humanity.

Richard would like to thank Warren Siebert (deceased), Paul Claudel, Dave Daigle, Art Cervantes, and Jack Schluter for teaching, guiding, and supporting his St. Vincent de Paul journey.