Members of this family have been parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church for twenty-seven years; raising five children in the parish. Even before the father converted to the Catholic faith, you would see him in the pews every Sunday, honoring his commitment to bring up their children in the Catholic faith. After deciding to become Catholic, he went through RCIA in 2008 and as usual, he was all in.
Kevin and Trish Tate have raised their children with a deep commitment to their faith and each other. It is well known that their children have been raised as an example that many within our parish aim to be examples.
Kevin was born in Lake City, Florida, while Trish grew up in Palm Beach Gardens in Palm Beach County. They met in Gainesville while attending the University of Florida. They have been married for 32 years.
Trish is a nurse practitioner with a Master’s Degree in Nursing from UF. It is well known that if you have a medical question, she will be the first one to provide guidance to those who bring their situations to her. Kevin is the former VP of Fraud at VyStar Credit Union and now works at Ace Hardware on Blanding Boulevard.
Kevin enjoys fishing, tinkering with his vehicles and working in his yard and vegetable garden. Trish enjoys cooking, crafting, sewing, gardening, and canning. They both enjoy hanging out with their kids. Kevin and Trish and their children (now adults), have all participated in Urban Plunge over several decades, in one form or another. As participants on Urban Plunge trips, Kevin has helped the plungers and Trish has coordinated evening meals for both groups of plungers. She prepares meals for families and ministries throughout the parish. All the children have participated in multiple plunges as teenagers; and as adults, some of them have committed to attending future plunges.
Kevin is the Head Usher for the 10:00 am Mass. He assists with the Annual Youth Fish Fry and the Knights of Columbus Quarterly Breakfast. Trish is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and is always ready to fill-in when an Usher is needed. She coordinates all Urban Plunge send-off meals, evening dinners every day, and post-Plunge Potluck dinners.
Both are heavily involved in their community. Trish helps to run the Kitchen of Clay County. She was instrumental in the establishment of the “Wreaths Across America” program with the American Heritage Girls at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park. The program which started with fundraising efforts to furnish 70 wreaths to honor deceased veterans, now provides thousands of wreaths, along with a ceremonial flyover each year on the third Saturday of December. Kevin works with the James Boys Ramp Ministry; building handicap and wheelchair ramps for residents of Clay County.
Considered one of the most humble and loving families; when approached, they are the first to offer assistance. For their commitment to their family, their parish, and their community, we congratulate the Tate family: Kevin, Trish, Emily, Zack (Callista), Katie, Matt (Abby) and Jennifer, our Family of the Month for July.
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