ROCKFORD—You could say that Kathy Berkes has been there, done that.

She has been around the clichéd block more than once in her 50-some-year journey that recently led her to fill the new position of coordinator of pastoral care at the Life and Family Evangelization (LiFE) Office at the Diocese of Rockford.

She joins director Jennifer Collins and administrative assistant Laura Christianson in that office, which combined the former Family Life and Respect Life offices just over a year ago.

Berkes’ part-time position is evolving, but it will include coordinating pastoral care efforts for the bereaved, for post-abortive men and women, for those who have experienced divorce, for persons seeking an annulment, and for couples struggling with infertility and/or with miscarriage or stillbirth.

Berkes has experienced firsthand the emotional, physical and spiritual pain that comes from what she calls “selfish” decisions in her past. She is happy to share her journey through it all, and even happier to proclaim what the mercy of God has done for her.

“I’m like an open book,” she says. “I am a sinner, but I know God wants me to be the best I can be.”

Along the way, Berkes says, she has learned a lot about self-surrender, with God showing her “how much deeper I could go (with) the graces received from (the sacrament of) reconciliation.” She has noticed God’s work in “pruning” and “grooming” her along the way to prepare her for this new venture.

Berkes comes to the diocese after 15 years of a “very physical” job as kitchen manager for the Sycamore School District. She and her husband will celebrate 25 years of marriage next May. They have two adult daughters and three young grandchildren.

It is Berkes’ personal experience, which reflect those of modern society, that may well become her strengths in her new position of reaching out to people in pain.

“I am at a place where I never thought I’d be, but God has different plans,” she says. “I’ve wanted to help people for a very long time … (to) lead others to God’s graces and mercy and forgiveness.” She calls God’s work in her life and in the lives of others, “the mystery (that) unfolds daily.”

“Kathy has been through many life experiences,” says Collins. “All of us see the needs that are out there. We need to identify those and plan how we can best help. There are a lot of areas of hurt where (the Church) needs to be.”

Both agree that the LiFE Office will not seek to “put a Band-Aid” on those deep pains.

“It’s not going to be a quick fix,” Berkes says.

Collins envisions next spring as the time for the LiFE Office to “spread its wings.”

And both predict that some great things are coming up.