Kathy Kaczmarek

Seventeen years ago, after almost 25 years of working as a hairdresser, I was led in a completely different direction after praying at length about my future. I had reached a point in my life when it was evident that I needed a change, and yet I had no idea of how or which way to go. I began to pray, along with my spiritual director, for guidance and direction, very often with uncertainty and fear as to what the path might be.

Up until then, I had mainly been involved in being a Eucharistic Minister, visiting the sick and elderly of our parish, and working with Cursillo. While attending a seminar for persons dealing with grief and loss, I came across an application for a “Clinical Pastoral Education” program at our Medical Center in Little Rock, AR. It sounded interesting, but I did not feel that I would have the qualifications needed. Still, the message kept coming to me that “God does not call the qualified, but He qualifies the called”. After the application kept reappearing on my desk, I decided to investigate.

To my surprise, even though I was not an ordained minister, had no college degree, but did have many years experience being with people, I was encouraged to apply for a unit of CPE, and was accepted in 1989. This began an incredible journey that, I know, was inspired by God for the rest of my life. After finishing 5 units of CPE, I had the assurance that we are all called to minister to one another, and along with learning much about other people and dealing with crisis situations, I came to understand so much more about myself, and my relationship with God.

One of the recurring questions that was posed to me by my supervisors was “What do you intend to do with this education?” I recognized that I was following a path which had no guarantees, yet I was convinced that this was what I was meant to do. My idea was that I would do something within the Catholic Church, but I soon realized that there was another plan at work. After finding that there would be no place for me to serve in the Church, I was very disappointed, but then doors began to open into hospital ministry. Since I live in a state where we have only 4% Catholics, I became very adept in ministering to persons of all faith traditions.

I have been privileged to work as a Staff Chaplain, a Director of Pastoral Care, a Hospice Chaplain, Bereavement Counselor, and currently am working in a Presbyterian Retirement Community with a full continuum of care. I have also helped bring Stephen Ministry to several parishes here. Each of these positions literally “came to me”, and have been a great opportunity to minister to God’s people. I count it as such a gift, to be able to walk alongside persons in their daily lives, and help them find meaning and peace.

This journey has not always been easy, and the next step was not always evident, but God continues to lead me. The journey continues to this day, as I try to remain open to the Holy Spirit’s lead. Though MY IDEA of where this would lead did not necessarily work out, the path for my ministry has been rich, and filled with many blessings. I look forward to whatever the future holds….