News

Introducing Our Lady of the Wayside’s New Operations Director

Dear Parishioners,

I am excited to announce that we have hired a new Operations Director for Our Lady of the Wayside parish, Mrs. Ewelina Sokolowski. Mrs. Sokolowski has more than 10 years professional experience in management and finance at three different parishes within the Archdiocese of Chicago. She will collaborate with Our Lady of the Wayside School Principal David Wood, the Director of Vicariate Operations, Deacon Dennis Robak, and me to manage the financial and physical resources of our parish so that we can continue to thrive as a parish community.

Welcome to our parish community and team, Mrs. Sokolowski!

From Ewelina Sokolowski,

I am very excited to join Our Lady of the Wayside community as the parish’s Operations Director and continue my work serving in the Archdiocese of Chicago. I am filled with gratitude that things have fallen into place and God has brought me to this parish as I close one chapter of my life and being the next. Given the current situation with Covid-19, I had many worries and concerns at the beginning of this year. However, God has taught me more than ever to let go and put my trust in Him and let His plan unfold in my life.

My finance career began with a part-time job during high school when I worked as the bookkeeper for a small translation company. In this position, I was responsible for accounts payable and receivable as well as payroll and bank reconciliations. During my first year in college at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I began to work part-time at St. James as a business manager. After graduating from college, I continued my job at St. James while also working for a video production company and then starting my own photography business.

After my husband I married and were blessed with our first son, Ariel, I decided to simplify my career by putting my part-time photography business aside and working for the Archdiocese of Chicago full time as the Operations Director of St. James and St. Ferdinand Parish Church and School. Over the past 10 years, I have worked at three parishes in Vicariate IV and V. My experience at each of these parishes challenged me both personally and professionally and providentially led me to Our Lady of the Wayside. This past year, my husband and I welcomed of our second son, Adrian, into the family. Our boys are 6 months and 2 years old, they are the joys of our life, and we are very excited to begin this new chapter in our lives as members of the Our Lady of the Wayside parish community!

I look forward to meeting the members of Our Lady of the Wayside parish and school communities and serving you by assisting Fr. Arthur Marat; the Principal of Our Lady of the Wayside Parish School, David Wood; and the Director of Vicariate Operations, Deacon Dennis Robak, with the parish’s financial and operational endeavors.

God Bless,

Ewelina Sokolowski