CROWIN POINT - Father Patrick Joyce Kalich passed away on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 at the age of 76.
Father Kalich (known affectionately as PK) was born in Uniontown, Penn. on Aug. 1, 1949, the fruit of the love of Martin Michael Kalich and Bridget Marie Joyce. Soon after his birth he was pulled into the flow of God's love; baptized at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Uniontown.
God continued to guide his formation at St. John Bosco Church, Bishop Noll Institute, Saint Joseph's College, Purdue University, the University of Saint Mary of the Lake-Mundelein Seminary, Saint Patrick's Seminary (California) and Stanford University.
The self-giving love of his grandmother, Margaret Edith Joyce, inspired his 51 years of service to the Church-beginning at Bishop Noll Institute in 1970.
When BNI President Paul Mullaney started as a freshman at the Hammond high school, "Mister" Kalich was in his fourth year on the faculty. He never had him as a math teacher, but knew him as a counselor.
“In my sophomore year, I approached Mr. Kalich with the prospects of starting an intramural program. He said if I helped get the students out, he would be happy to coordinate as our faculty adviser,” Mullaney said. “He didn't have to do it, but he gave of himself, and the program became so popular among the students, that in our second year one of the seniors on Noll's varsity team wanted to quit so he could play intramurals with his buddies instead.
He added, “Mr. Kalich's penchant for wanting to provide for others was something that carried over so noticeably into his priestly ministry, years later.”
Mullaney said he admired Father Kalich for the way he put others first, as seen in the manner he provided care for his grandmother, Margaret Joyce. He committed himself to be her caretaker and provider, as she had been for him. He had a great sense of duty and obligation to his family and to his church. It wasn't until she was at rest that he went to the seminary.
Father Kalich was ordained a priest on June 4, 1994 at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. Throughout his 31 years in ministry to the Diocese of Gary, he served at St. Mary in Crown Point (1994-1997, 2000-2021), Nativity of Our Savior in Portage (1997-2000), as a teacher at Andrean High School in Merrillville, and most recently as pastor of St. Mary in Crown Point until granted senior status in 2021.
Ryan Wilson, a controller in the Office of Finance for the Diocese of Gary, first met Father Kalich when he served with him as a seminarian one summer at St. Mary. Wilson recalled that shortly before he started his assignment there, the priest asked him to join a summer mission trip to the NPH children’s home in Guatemala.
“He felt strongly for the mission of the NPH homes that Father William Wasson started for children in Mexico and Central America who do not have families or a safe home to live in,” he said. “NPH is unique in that many professional volunteers live at the home for a year or longer to care for the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the children.”
Wilson believes Father Kalich inspired countless people through his preaching.
“He gave witness to the Gospel not only through his great love for the Mass, but also through his friendship, storytelling, and example,” he said.
Principal Tom Ruiz said he had the privilege of knowing Father Kalich, not only as a boss, but as a friend for 20 years.
“I am deeply saddened by his passing, but I am also profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have shared so many experiences, challenges, successes, trips, games, prayers, meals, stories, jokes and laughs with a man who will forever be remembered as one of the heroes of St. Mary Church,” he said.
The Rite of Reception will take place at St. Mary, 321 E. Joliet Street in Crown Point on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 12 p.m. Visitation will follow until the evening prayer service at 7 p.m.
On Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, additional visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until morning prayer at 10 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial with Bishop Robert J. McClory presiding will begin at 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place at St. Mary Cemetery, Crown Point in the priest section. A luncheon will follow at St. Mary.
“Those who didn't really know him obviously still knew who he was because of his height,” Mullaney said. “But the truth is, his stature transcended the physical. He was larger than life in so many pure ways, touching the lives of so many by sharing the love he had for his God, his church, his parishioners and anyone who was blessed to have crossed paths with Father Pat. So many of us will miss him.”
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Father Kalich to Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill., or make a donation to support the care of vulnerable children, inspired by Father William Wasson at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) in Guatemala. Checks may be made payable to the “NPH USA” with Father Patrick J. Kalich Memorial noted in the memo line and mailed to: NPH USA, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4000, Chicago, IL 60606 or donate online at https://nphusa.org/donate/
