Meet Kalah Williams- DIrector of Religious Education
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I was born and raised in Rochelle. I have been an active member of St. Patrick Parish my whole life. As a child I helped my mother set up for weddings, make phone calls for the Parish Bazaar, and count the Offertory after Mass. In my teens I began helping in the Religious Education program in preparation for my Confirmation; I continued helping with CCD for 13 years. As a young woman I was the volunteer Core Team Leader for 2 years, which we call Youth Minister today.
I was Married in 1998 to David Williams, a man I had known since childhood, even having received our First Holy Communion together. In 2000 I was hired as Coordinator of Religious Education by Fr. John Earl. Under Fr. David Peck I earned certification as Director of Religious Education and finished my B.A. in Theology I felt very blessed to have this opportunity to work for The Church and to impart upon the children of this community a love for Christ and a desire to serve Him. My own faith has grown tremendously for which I am eternally grateful! Though I faced many difficulties and painful insults, I knew these were all for the Love of God and He most certainly has sustained my work. Today I count 15 years in this position; I do not look at this as merely a job but and extension of my home. I treat the children in the RE Program as if they were my own children (for which God has blessed Dave and I with seven, six surviving). I take very seriously the pressure laid before me to share the Truth, whether it be popular or not. I take just as seriously to guard the souls of the children in my care, I will meet Our Lord one day and I long for Him to reward my faithfulness with eternal peace in His Presence. |
First Holy Communion May 19, 1979 at St. Patrick Catholic Church 2nd row 2nd from the left is Kalah Kessen and last row 3rd from the right is David Williams