By Fr. Justin Fulton
It is amazing how Christ puts people in our lives when we most need it.
“Kevin” is one of our regulars here at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska. He comes to our 22nd and O streets location daily in Lincoln to receive a lunch. Kevin recently fell on some hard times and found himself homeless. He comes to CSS for a lunch and he lifts up our spirits with his genuine kindness, positive attitude, his laughter, his quips, and his smile. Kevin—although he was homeless has something we all crave—he has contagious joy. He is kind. He is gentle. He quotes the Bible from memory. He is a good man and he needed a hand-up. CSS was there to help him up.
Kevin found community at CSS and also found community at The Gathering Place, which is a Lincoln non-profit that provides warm meals and fellowship to those hungry for food and human encounter.
Thanks to a generous CSS donor Kevin received payment for a deposit on an apartment and his first month’s rent. The generous donor talked with Michelle Birkel, our director of advancement, and wanted to help out an individual. Michelle talked with Jeremy Sousek, Veronica Hotovy, and Katie Patrick of our Social Services team in Lincoln and spoke about the donor’s intentions. CSS was able to team up together with a donor to assist Kevin in his time of need.
Working with our staff, the donor was able to get Kevin off of the streets and into a secure apartment. Our staff at CSS assisted in getting an apartment near The Gathering Place and near CSS for Kevin. Our warehouse and thrift store staff also helped get furniture and houseware items for Kevin.
At a bare minimum, a dozen lives joined together to respond to a person in need to get that person off the streets and into a home. More lives probably helped as well given the donations of furniture and housewares. It was a beautiful lesson and example that we are all united in the Mystical Body of Christ and we are all called to serve the poor and marginalized. It was an example of faith in action.
Kevin is committed to working and is in the process of searching for jobs. Maybe say a prayer for him that he may be able to find one. And please say a prayer for that donor who has been a tremendous witness to the love of Jesus Christ. And humbly say a prayer for CSS that we may continue to encounter Jesus in the poor and help out those who need a hand-up in this Mystical Body of Christ.
May God bless us all!
