by Amy Reinhardt
Special to The Leaven
“Families go into it thinking they’re going to help the child, but that child ends up helping them grow in holiness,” said Kathy White, foster care coordinator for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
And the foster family’s mission, she continued, is simple: “Your job is to be the hands and feet of Christ — and love on these kids.”
White has worked tirelessly to educate and train the expanding number of foster care ministries in the archdiocese.
So far, seven churches have active ministries: Holy Trinity in Lenexa; Queen of the Holy Rosary and Church of the Ascension in Overland Park; Church of the Nativity, Curé of Ars, and St. Michael the Archangel in Leawood; and St. Joseph in Shawnee.
Five more are kicking off their involvement: St. Paul in Olathe; Holy Spirit in Overland Park; Good Shepherd in Shawnee; Holy Angels in Basehor; and St. Pius X in Mission.
White emphasizes the importance of building a community for all the foster families in Kansas City and beyond.
She has seen how overwhelming it is for new foster parents, which is why it is crucial to assist them in whatever way possible.
“That’s what we’re doing with the foster care ministry,” said White. “We are supporting these families so they can do the hard work, which is loving these kids who come from hard places.”
It’s true not every family can physically bring a child into their home, but that does not mean they can’t do something to help those who can.
White encourages those who are not foster parents to think of ways they can help, to reflect on the unique talents God gave them.
An example could be teachers serving as tutors to work with foster children who have fallen behind due to an inconsistent education. Or cooking enthusiasts preparing delicious, nutritious meals for foster families.
It was Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann who felt inspired to start the foster care ministry in the archdiocese. Holy Trinity was the first parish to get involved.
During her time as the archdiocesan foster care coordinator, White has witnessed incredible connections made between foster families.
One of these unplanned blessings involved the Antonuccis and Malones.
Leap of faith results in years of fostering
Anthony and Kristyn Antonucci, from Olathe, have been foster parents for the last four years. The couple has had 16 placements, including short-term, long-term, respite and emergency.
For Kristyn, it seemed nothing short of a calling. She was eager to jump in after learning how many kids need a place to go and a loving family to care for them.
Anthony always thought about adopting, but wasn’t as familiar with fostering.
“Kristyn and I, even when we first met, always talked about having a big family,” he said.
The couple already had three children when they earned their foster- to-adopt license through Developing Caring Communities Committed to Action (DCCCA).
The couple spoke about the thoroughness of the licensing process. There are three months of classes and trainings. There are also inspections of the home and all vehicles.
Every family member must be fingerprinted and background-checked. The process even ensures all pets are properly vaccinated.
Even though it is exhaustive, it doesn’t stop Anthony and Kristyn from getting relicensed each year.
The age range of their foster kids has been from 2 to 14. Each child may be with the family for a couple of days, weeks or months.
The couple’s longest placement so far has been nine months.
Their three kids adjusted well to them becoming foster parents. Anthony mentioned how amazing it’s been to see them flourish because of the experience.
“It’s given them a new perspective on how many people need some extra love and care in this world,” he said.
Of course, fostering is not always smooth sailing. There are tough days.
“I don’t know how you would be a foster parent without an element of faith,” Kristyn said. “Every single thing you can imagine — neglect, abuse, starvation — we’ve seen it all in our stint as foster parents.”
The Antonuccis have been with St. Paul Church for six years. The parish and school have offered tremendous support by showing up with toys, clothes and meals.
“My faith has grown exponentially in this journey,” Anthony said. “Our church, school and community are the three pillars of strength that made me say, ‘We can do this, and I want to do this.’”
When it comes to serving as a foster parent, the most challenging part for Kristyn has been letting go.
“You have to fully trust because you have zero control as a foster parent,” she said. “I have to trust that there’s a bigger plan for this child.”
Fostering has made Anthony a better person, father and listener. He shared how he’s been pushed, both good and bad, but recognizes that God won’t give someone more than they can handle.
The husband and wife agree the most rewarding moment is seeing a child feel comfortable and safe in their home, because they know they’re cared for, wanted and a part of the family.
Respite care turns into long-term responsibility
Over an hour southwest of the Antonuccis is a farm in Meriden. That is where you’ll find John and Cindy Malone.
During his childhood, John’s parents opened their home to kids who needed a safe place to stay. Their generosity and helpfulness planted an early seed in their son’s heart.
This seed blossomed when his wife Cindy broached the topic of foster care ministry decades later.
Like her husband’s, Cindy’s childhood had the theme of hospitality.
“The way we were raised was that our home was a safe haven,” she said. “You added more water to the gravy by inviting them in and making it work.”
The more they talked, the clearer it became that this was their mission. They also involved their three daughters in the discussion.
“I felt a mix of emotions: hope, nervousness and a deep sense of responsibility,” said John. “But at the heart of it all was a desire to love and care for children who needed stability.”
The couple began their journey as respite care providers, which means they took care of the kids when their foster family needed a break.
Cindy admitted they weren’t looking for long-term placement. Their primary goal was helping other foster families by offering this short-term care.
Everything changed, however, after a life-changing phone call in 2024.
The result was John and Cindy becoming long-term foster parents to three young children.
Cindy loved seeing her husband and daughters warmly welcome these kids. The experience taught all of them how to love and accept people exactly as they are.
“You end up loving these kids the same as your own,” said Cindy. “It shouldn’t be called foster care — it should be called life care because we’re dealing with their lives. They are beautiful little souls made in God’s likeness and image, and they deserve our love.”
John describes his fostering experience as humbling. He asks God for grace and guidance as he and his wife navigate daily hurdles with six kids.
“As a father,” he said, “it reminded me that fatherhood isn’t just about providing, it’s about being present, patient and willing to grow.”
Two Catholic families unite and become one
Living over an hour apart and belonging to two different parishes would usually have meant the Antonuccis and Malones would never cross paths.
But God works in mysterious ways. The Olathe- and Meriden-based couples were brought together because of the kids they were fostering.
The three young children living with John and Cindy in Meriden were siblings of the foster child placed with Kristyn and Anthony in Olathe.
All four children belong to the same nuclear family.
It wasn’t long before a profound bond formed between the foster families.
For Cindy, her connection with Kristyn was instant.
“After our first gathering,” she said, “my oldest daughter said, ‘I think mom found her new best friend.’”
John felt the same way about his friendship with Anthony.
“It’s been meaningful to connect with another dad who understands the unique joys and struggles of fostering,” he said.
The two mothers lean on each other and talk nearly every day. They’ll call if they need to vent or want advice. They also send each other inspirational quotes and Scripture passages.
When it comes to the siblings, the couples reunite them whenever possible and always for birthday celebrations. They go to the park, attend Mass and schedule playdates in Lawrence.
The couples feel a responsibility to foster that sibling bond because of how powerful and healing it is for the kids.
All four foster parents have been challenged in unique ways, but have also found they are more capable of love and acceptance than they ever imagined.
“If you even have a thought about fostering, explore it,” Kristyn urged. “Take some classes, talk to a local foster agency, seek out other foster parents and see if it could be right for you and your family.”
How you can support a family that is fostering
1. Ask how the parents are doing. A call or visit can make a huge difference.
2. Deliver a meal or restaurant gift card. Donate age-appropriate clothes or toys.
3. Learn the names of the foster kids and find ways to make them feel special.
4. Offer to babysit the children so the foster parents can have a night off.
5. Help with household chores or run errands, such as grocery shopping.
6. If your church doesn’t have a ministry, learn how to start one by visiting the website at: archkck.org/foster/how-my-parish-can-help.
