Echoes of Faith

In the month of November the Catholic Church encourages us to remember and pray for the souls who have gone before us. As part of that effort, The Southern Nebraska Register presents a special project called “Echoes of Faith: Remembering Our Catholic Inspiration.” We asked priests, religious and laity to share the story of someone they have known personally who has died but has had an impact on their Catholic faith that has endured over time. Each day of November 2024, we highlighted one such story on our website and on our social media channels. We invite you to read these stories as we join together to honor those whose faith still echoes in our lives. (Click here: Bishop's Conley's All Souls Day short video.)

Nov. 30: Please honor his request — please pray
By Fr. Gary Brethour Father Ferdinand Boehme was a quiet man. Humble and sort of shy, he avoided the “limelight.” As one of his former parishioners remarked, “He is one of the kindness men I know, and a faithful priest.” And he made it clear he wanted us to be… Read More
Nov. 29: St. Joseph, pray for us!
By Dotti Easter As a nurse for more than 30 years, I have had the awesome opportunity to be with many patients and their families as their loved one transitioned into eternal life. There is nothing more holy to witness than to see this transcendence. This is my desire for… Read More
Nov. 28: The loving heart of a priest
By Sr. M. Joan Henderson, FSGM Father Paul Rutten was a resident at Bonacum House when I first came in May of 2017. He passed away on March 20, 2019 at age 86, and just a couple weeks before his sobriety anniversary of 27 years. He was an alcoholic who… Read More
Nov. 27: Each of us is gifted with people who help us
By Fr. Randall Langhorst Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him. The subject of my person who has continuing influence on my Catholic faith is Father Peter Kovarik (1964-2014), a priest for the Diocese of Rapid City, S. D., who died in… Read More
Nov. 26: The humanity and sacredness of God’s creation in the womb
By Sandy Danek God has blessed my husband and me with children, and while each and every life we have been given by God is precious to us, it was Kathleen who had a significant change in my life because of her life – and because of her death. We gratefully… Read More
Nov. 25: ‘Mom, will people remember me when I’m gone?’
Remembering Nathan Raun By Teresa Raun “Will people remember me when I’m gone?” That is the question my 13-year-old son asked me 26 years ago when he was dying. It saddened me to hear the question. I wondered what would make him ask it, and how he could possibly think… Read More
Nov. 24: The seed she sowed continues to grow and thrive
By Tim Cao Throughout my childhood years, my mother was the one who had the most influence on me and my Catholic faith. Her actions and devotion to the Catholic Church profoundly impacted my life and my faith. I am so grateful for what she did for me. She unselfishly… Read More
Nov. 23: Seeing the impact of God the Father’s love
By Fr. Andrew Heaslip I am grateful for this opportunity to write about someone in my life who has passed away and yet who continues to deeply impact my life of Catholic faith. Yet, due to a recent experience, I have to choose two people: my mother, Alexis and my… Read More
Nov. 22: Her echo rings - the noise she made to give me the faith
By Amy Reisen On a December day, several years ago now, my parents and other family members walked into a small church outside David City, for a day that I’ll never remember, but hold dearly in my heart. On that day I was baptized, and the people who surrounded me… Read More
Nov. 21: Prayer was an integral part of her daily life
by Susan Foley Mom (Theresa [Trausch] Seiker, 1927-2021) was the 12th of 13 children born to John and Susie Trausch on a farm outside of Roseland, Nebraska. Grandma Trausch’s pregnancy with Mom was difficult and the family was encouraged to pray for the intercession of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who… Read More
Nov. 20: ‘You called me by my name’ – a phrase that marks my story
By Eva María Pérez Majano If we look within the simplicity of our own lives, there are exceptional people who, within the simplicity and call of God, have left a mark in our hearts with a phrase that is never forgotten, an action or a gesture that has had strength… Read More
Nov. 19: She carried the burdens of others, and continues to help
By Sr. Peggy Kucera and Sr. Jeanette Rerucha “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) The life of one of God’s precious Villa Marie children, Nicole McCown (1977 - 1994), truly exemplified this Scripture passage.… Read More
Nov. 18: Lessons and traditions that continue to this day
By Les Mach Father Mark Tasler was a friend of mine long before he was ordained a priest. He was a part of our lives as my wife Sue and I were dating, and helped solidify Sue’s conversion to our Catholic faith before we got married. Before Sue joined the… Read More
Nov. 17: They’ve shown me our Catholic faith doesn’t end on this side of Heaven
By Jordyn Glasz “The baby is up there,” my 2-year-old daughter told me while pointing to the ceiling in December 2023. When I asked to clarify, she said, “Yes. The baby boy is up there.” I miscarried at 8 weeks in May 2023. As I hugged my sweet girl after… Read More
Nov. 16: Why would a vibrant young person die in the prime of life?
By Fr. Gary Coulter The crowd roared as Steve advanced the football for a first down. I was in the seventh grade, there to watch my brother play freshman football and to enjoy the game, cheering with the rest of the crowd. On this play, Steve was slow in getting… Read More
Nov. 15: ‘That Christ may reign!’ - Remembering Bishop Flavin
By Sister Mary Alma, C.K. “Ut Christus Regnet, that Christ may reign!” proclaimed Bishop Glennon Patrick Flavin at one of our weekly conferences. “This is my motto, and it is your motto, too.” As a novice in the religious community of the School Sisters of Christ the King, his sweeping… Read More
Nov. 14: The story of my mother’s life - like looking through a spiritual magnifying glass
By Shane Kennett If my mom, Kathy Jo Findley (1949-2022), saw a movie before I did, she would excitedly tell me every detail, including the end. In that same fashion, her life was like a movie that played out before me. Through her stage four cancer diagnosis, treatments, and death… Read More
Nov. 13: The one thing that still mattered - the grace of Christ
By Fr. Dominic Winter The year 2016 was a big one for my family: my brother Evan became a priest, my sister Maureen graduated high school, and my sister Teresa got married. We joked that if we had a repeat in 2022, we’d have to add one more celebration: Mom’s… Read More
Nov. 12: Mother Angelica - A Poor Clare with complete trust in God’s Divine Providence
By Br. Michael Mary Pellerin, KHE Mother Angelica, born Rita Rizzo in 1923, the beloved American nun and founder of EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network), often spoke about the deep and abiding necessity of trusting in Divine Providence. Her life and work embodied a conviction that God’s hand is present… Read More
Nov. 11: I prayed for a miracle. I now realize she was the miracle.
By Mary Jo Leininger “We are Thankful.” Read More
Nov. 10: A friend named Karol Wojtyla
By Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz SAINT POPE JOHN PAUL THE SECOND In my long and sometimes event-filed life, I have had the completely unplanned, unexpected, and totally undeserved privilege of knowing and speaking with seven Popes, three of whom are now (canonized) saints in heaven. Among them was Saint John Paul… Read More
Nov. 9: We all must prepare for the eventual transition from this life to the next
By Jon and Cori Mooberry As we write this article, our family is transitioning from the summer season, embracing the cooler nights and crisper mornings that signal the return to school. With Friday night lights growing brighter and pumpkins adorning front porches, fall is clearly upon us, bringing with it… Read More
Nov. 8: Remembering Fr. Ramon Decaen -‘He competed well’
By Father Brendan Kelly When I met Father Ramon Decaen, he was a deacon serving on alternate weekends at All Saints Parish in Manassas, Va. In his final year at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., he was free to spend time with parishioners outside the church after Sunday… Read More
Nov. 7: Suffering accepted
By Sr. Bernadette Radek In his book, “The Problem of Pain,” C.S. Lewis delved into the meaning of pain and suffering. Why does such a good God allow pain and suffering? Why do some people suffer so intensely while others appear to go through life seemingly relatively free from much… Read More
Nov. 6: A Legacy of Faith - Remembering Msgr. Robert Roh
By Doug Goltz I find myself reflecting on a best friend and father-figure who profoundly shaped my life: Msgr. Robert Roh (1939-2022). As I look back on our three-decade-long personal and professional relationship, I’m struck by how deeply his influence continues to resonate in my life and faith journey. Msgr.… Read More

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