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Called by God to create and share

Kathy Ellinger writes and illustrates so others will know God, too

Ellinger started creating in 2015 and self-published 12 large books of poetry this year, as well as a 140-page collection of her religious images.

By DENISE M

Ellinger started creating in 2015 and self-published 12 large books of poetry this year, as well as a 140-page collection of her religious images.

Today, the Feast of St. Nicholas, is a favorite day since childhood.

"We were very poor and we did not have a car, but I remember my mom walking in a blizzard to get us candy for St. Nicholas," Ellinger said.

Ellinger said since the early 1990s, she has never missed a day of Mass. She doesn't have the stamina for religious life so she lives her contemplative calling as a lay person.

"I can sing; I can chant; and I have a deep prayer life," Ellinger said.

Kathy Ellinger provided a timeline of significant events in her life that contributed to her spiritual growth and deep desire to express her spirituality in creative works.

Late 1970s: Ellinger attended the College of St. Francis (now the University of St. Francis) in Joliet, majored in psychology, connected with the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate and worked for a grant-funded career counseling program.

Mid-1980s: While working in social services at a Joliet nursing home, Ellinger joined a charismatic prayer group and connected with the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Ellinger also moved to Lemont, where she lived for 11 years and where she had her conversion experience.

"I encountered the Lord in prayer. I opened my eyes and saw our Lord crucified. ... I felt it rush through my whole being."

Ellinger said she then quit her job and left her possessions and pets in the care of friends "because He was calling me to follow him." Up until that point, Ellinger said she was a free-spirited, independent woman.

Early 1990s: Ellinger returned to Joliet and connected with St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Joliet, serving as a lector, Eucharistic minister and praying the Divine Office with the Franciscan friars. She volunteered with an AIDS ministry, at a nursing home and at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, where Ellinger volunteers today in the spiritual care department.

She cared for her mother who had Parkinson's and worked various jobs until 2005.

Ellinger also connected with a group of sisters in Chicago, taking one sister to cancer treatments until that sister's death.

1996 to the present: Ellinger became a companion with the Intercessors of the Lamb in Nebraska and continues to make annual retreats to that location.

2006 to 2008: Ellinger entered the Poor Clare Monastery of the Annunciation in Minooka but left for health reasons.

In 2008, Ellinger began working at Senior Services of Will County, helping low-income seniors and the disabled with benefit programs.

2012: Ellinger became an associate with the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Frankfort and was a Tao singer for a few years.

2013: Ellinger became a third order secular Franciscan with the St. Anthony Fraternity in Joliet.

2014: Ellinger retired from Senior Services and became a companion with a Poor Clare group in Wales. She also began meeting with a Christian meditation group on Thursday evenings.

2015: Ellinger begins to write poetry and create artwork.

2016: A heart attack limited Ellinger's ability to create on as large a scale and slightly affected her memory and ability to focus.

To hear Ellinger read two of her poems, visit www.theherald-news.com/video.

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