Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, students, alumni, family and friends gathered to give thanks to Kalina Hill for many years of faithful service as the Director of the Catholic Student Center.
Kalina was under the impression that Bishop Zurek was making his rounds to visit the college students on Sunday, Oct. 25. However, after Mass, Bishop gave thanks to Kalina on behalf of the Church for the impact that she has made at the CSC.
"We are most grateful to Kalina for building our church and our faith," said Fr. Daniel Dreher, director and chaplin of the CSC. "By her example as a Catholic mother to now stay home and foster the family, she has taught us so much."
Kalina has dedicated the past five years of her life to campus ministry at West Texas A&M University and Amarillo College. Kalina, her husband Russell have two sons, Justin and Aiden, and are expecting a third in late November.
A Thanks from Fr. Daniel on behalf of the Student Center Community.
Kalina for the past few years you have faithfully lead the Catholic Student Center to the place that it is today.
When we look back at what you have done, you single handedly have given this student center stability. You have secured the finances of the center to a place which can support itself through difficulties. You have saved numerous college students from thousands of crises.
On a daily basis you offered support to college students in their time of difficulty, pains, confusions, and even broken hearts. At the same time you have nurtured them to have a sense of community, to grow up, to walk as proud individuals and you have given marriage counseling to numerous couples.
Your meals and Sunday desserts have been the treasured gift to the CSC for years. By your example and mentoring we now have numerous people in the seminary seeking God’s will. Your support as they were here encouraged them to where they are today.
Kalina you will never know the depth of the impact that you have made on the Church and the Catholic Student Center, but know that we are truly indebted to you.
Thank You. Fr. Daniel and the CSC Family
A Message from Kalina
Having the opportunity to work with such a dynamic group of Catholic young adults at the Catholic Student Center has truly been a great blessing in my life. While I may no longer be the director, I will always be one of the CSC’s biggest supporters.
I feel very humbled to have been able to spend the last 4 ½ years on this journey. I truly felt God call me to the CSC in 2005, and I just as clearly feel him calling me home to invest in my family today. Hopefully one day a director at a Catholic Student Center somewhere will look upon my sons and feel the same joy and hope that I have felt as I have looked upon the faith filled young men and women at the CSC.
God Bless all of you!
Kalina
If Kalina has made an impact in your life, let her know by leaving a comment or sharing your favorite memory below. (All comments are monitored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo.)