Partners in the Gospel

Meet our Parish Family Advisory Council

Dear Parish Family,


The Pastoral Councils at St. Vincent and St. Theresa have ended their term of work, and now the Parish Family Advisory Council (PFAC) will take on their work.


Right now this is predominantly  planning and working toward the creation of the One Parish Plan, which will be submitted to Archbishop Paul D. Etienne in summer 2027. This plan will describe how St. Theresa and St. Vincent are going to operate as one canonical parish.


Below you will meet our Parish Family Advisory Council members, so you can know who is working with me and who I am consulting for this planning process.


Their goal is not to act merely as representatives of each parish -- it is to give guidance and help me discern what decisions will be good for the entire parish family as a whole, not simply one or another community. On the other hand, they are representatives of the community, and are here to give voice to your ideas and concerns.


So please feel free to reach out or approach them, whether it be for information about the Partners in the Gospel process, or to express your hopes or desires or fears for the future.


Above all, please keep all of us in your prayers, so that we can receive the light we need from the Lord in order to do what will serve him and all the people of our parishes best.


In Christ,

Fr. Dion

Parish Family Advisory Council members

Angie Contreras


I want to be a part of making sure everyone’s voice is heard throughout the Partners in the Gospel process. I am learning a lot about both of our parishes and what we can do to help those in our community.


I have a business administration degree and years of administration experience and enjoy gathering the necessary information to implement a plan of action with organization and attention to detail.


I try to be intentional in everything I do, knowing my life is a gift from God. I use my gifts and resources to serve others and help strengthen our faith community.

Renee Jennings


It is my honor to serve our Lord and parish community in whatever he asks of me. My background in tax law and finance has provided me with strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.


I currently serve on the Parish Finance Council and as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and sacristan. I will contribute to the PFAC by helping to develop and implement strategies and manage resources effectively to support the parish family initiatives.


I desire to live a life of gratitude, recognizing we all have gifts from God that are meant to be shared to help and serve others.

Anna Malaki


My Pacific Island heritage has taught me a tradition that is rich, interconnected and deeply communal. Serving on this council has afforded me the humble opportunity to help unite our vibrant community so that together we can continue living out the Great Commission — to “go and make disciples of all nations” — and help others know, love and serve God. 


My background in healthcare has taught me the importance of compassion, communication and collaboration. I hope to bring these same skills to the PFAC by promoting thoughtful decision making, fostering unity and helping ensure our parish community continues to grow in care, faith and mission

John Mburu


I am honored to be part of a process to create better future for our Parish Family and help discern the path forward. I am also honored to represent the youth and minority voices.


Coming from a country where we have many outstation churches under one parish helps me understand how to share resources with the larger community. Being the oldest sibling in a large family with minimal resources taught me to be a team player. 


I served as a Pioneer in the Kenyan Ranger Regiment, where I had to form a regiment with minimal resources and motivate my team to work together. Through my military service, I have learned that the best way to lead is to serve. I lead by example, always ready to share my life experiences and my faith with others.

Aleah Patulot


Parish ministry is near and dear to my heart, as it’s a place where we walk alongside each other through every joy, sorrow, challenge and accomplishment.


Our Parish Family is home to me and my family, and I feel called to do all I can to support our community through this time of transition.


I have worked for the past eight years at Catholic Community Services in leadership of the Project Rachel and PREPARES programs and am currently the Director of Mission Engagement for the agency. 


Stewardship means considering how to love God and God’s people through the gifts I have received. I find great joy and meaning in helping others live their faith through service to others.

Amanda Pham


I said yes to serving on the PFAC because I want to bring both parishes together while ensuring what makes each of them special stays intact. 


I served as a catechist for children’s ministry for over 12 years and I am currently the PREPARES coordinator for both parishes, which has provided me insight on how the parishes both value family ministries and supporting family needs.


I am a program manager at an aerospace company, where I have learned to strategically meet an objective and communicate clearly with those who receive my service. 


My stewardship comes in both giving my time to the parish and my gifts. To me, service means helping others and doing something bigger than myself. 

Rich Peterson


My decision to serve on the Parish Family Advisory Council is rooted in my commitment to stewardship — responding to God's call by giving back to our Parish family through service.


I view this opportunity to express my faith and return to God a portion of the many blessings he has given me. Throughout my career with Catholic Cemeteries, I maintained a ministerial focus, serving the wider community with care and compassion. My foundation in pastoral education has further prepared me to serve on committees and take on liturgical roles since moving to Federal Way in 1988.


By serving on the Parish Family Advisory Council, I continue to respond to God's call, using my experience and gifts to benefit our parish family.

Kay Pope


I said yes to serving on the PFAC because I believe that it is my responsibility as a parishioner of over 28 years and I want to be part of the solution in helping to create a consolidated family community.


For most of my adult life, I have been involved in service to others, and my educational and professional background is in leadership, as in servant leadership.


My career as a federal civil servant was about serving others and my family life was about serving others and working to serve mankind for the common good. 


I have a personal commitment to social justice and have lived throughout my life giving to others in various capacities relating to social justice for all people. 

Mike Prato


I am honored to be a member of the Parish Family Advisory Council.


My experience as an educator, coach and administrator in both public and private educational settings has provided me with valuable insights into effective problem-solving, consensus building and understanding people.


I have participated in youth ministry within both parishes for more than two decades.


In 2024, I joined the Alpha Admin Team to introduce Alpha programs to both communities; we are now concluding our third session. This endeavor has afforded a distinct perspective on collaborative efforts between the two parishes.

Miguel Torres


I was honored to be selected for the PFAC because I am eager to assist in discovering the needs of our parish and how we march into the future.


As a Knight of Columbus, a father, husband, brother and son, I am grateful to God for providing me the opportunity to serve. 


As a representative of the Associated Catholic Cemeteries, I am blessed to assist families in their pre-planning preparation.


I ask God to give me guidance and the energy to help my fellow parishioners and families.