Parish Staff

Kathy McNicholas is a Lay Ecclesial Minister of the Archdiocese of 

Chicago. Since July, 2004, she has served as the Pastoral Associate  and Director of Religious Education at Incarnation Parish. A mother of four grown children - and grandmother of four - she ministers in many areas of lifelong Catholic faith formation in the parish. She has a B.A. in Political Science from Loyola University in Chicago. After finishing the Archdiocesan Called & Gifted Program in 2001, she went on to complete a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (M.A.P.S.) degree program at Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park.
 

She has a leadership role at Incarnation Parish in Catholic faith formation, for children and adults. In addition to the Religious Education Program, she heads up the parish RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) team, provides assistance in parish ministry development and leads parish retreats.

She is also the coordinator for the Vicariate V Ministry Commission, which provides ongoing formation and training for Catholic adults throughout the local parishes. She often speaks on Baptismal Call, Spiritual Gifts, and the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist.
 

One of the ways to heaven is a life dedicated to God.  There are many forms of this life.  The idea for this way is given to us by Jesus Christ.  The one who calls is God.  He gives us the sign that He wants us to be His partners.  Jesus calls whom He wants to.  He is free in his ideas.  Most people are called to a particular charism or community.  Think of a vocation and fidelity to Him as a condition of fulfilling life and achieving happiness.  This is how I also see 33 years of my ministry in the Congregation of St. Brother Albert Chmielowski.  With the blessing of God, I wish to continue this service together with you.
 
I made my final vows in Cracow (Poland) in 1994 and graduated from the Catechetical Theological Institute there.  I have worked in a variety of communities serving different purposes: with children and youth, the elderly, retired priests, and also in Rome.  Finally, in 1999 my Mother General sent me to the USA.  Here I worked in four different Albertine stations including Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Cardinal’s Residence during the tenure of His Eminence Francis George, O.M.I.
 
At the beginning of my annual retreat in July this year, my Superior mentioned to me a new ministry at Incarnation Parish in Palos Heights, to which I gave a joyful response and said ‘yes’. 
 
As you know, four sisters have been living in the parish since last year, who work at the Catholic Charities in Summit.  I express my great joy that I will be part of this Community at Incarnation Parish.
 
At the will of our Pastor – Fr. Arek Falana, I will coordinate different Ministries in the Parish as a Pastoral Ministry Aid, and also serve as sacristan for weekday Masses.
 
Jesus said, “I will go before you.”  Let these words give us a lot of peace in our hearts.  Let us pray for each other like children of one big family.  May the grace of our Lord be with us all!

Kathy Wanatowicz has been part of Incarnation's Religious Education Program since she was in second grade. First as a student, then a volunteer, and now as office administrator, she has become a talented and kind-hearted asset to the program.

Kathy grew up in the area.  She is a 2015 graduate from Trinity Christina College in Palos Heights with her B.A. in Elementary Education.