By Fr. Justin Fulton
As we continue on in the new year of 2021 permit me to share some words of wisdom from Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen:
“The beginning of a new year is an opportunity for improvement. It makes little difference what the past has been, for we are not to look back to see if the furrow be crooked. What matters most is the sanctification of the now moment. Time is so precious that God doles it out second by second. If life in the past has been evil, the New Year is an opportunity for penance. In such a way is time redeemed. If life, however, has been virtuous, the new year is an opportunity for greater self-perfection.”
-Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Fulton J. Sheen nails it on the head for all of us as we approach the midway point of the first month of the year. In a way, Sheen gives us at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska a compass point to follow when we work with our clients.
Many of our clients are not even on their second or third chances because many have never had a chance. Some have been abused from the very beginning of their lives. Some have been ridiculed and physically, emotionally, and mentally beaten. Some are neglected by family members. Some are street homeless.
Some have had chances. Yet, like Sheen points out and what Jesus shows us in the Gospel—if you are a human being, you have dignity and you deserve to be cared for and loved. And with God’s grace you can improve your life. At CSS we exist to help people improve their lives.
Recently we heard from a client in Saunders County who received a hand-up from our people. This was an elderly fella who had just been given the opportunity to live on his own again. He did not have anything to his name and had been sleeping on a recliner. Other than that recliner, the man had no more than some pots and pans.
A couple of our warehouse and truck employees, Barry Streeter and Bill Feltes, delivered some houseware items and furniture to him. The man was overcome with emotion and grateful. He called and expressed his thanks to CSS, our employees, and our donors. The simple thanks was all of the thanks we needed from this man as we gave him a hand-up to start out on life in the New Year again. It is amazing to see what our services do for children of God throughout southern Nebraska.
As we continue on in 2021 we invite you to join with us to continue bringing Hope in the Good Life. Please pray for us and support us. And more than anything, remember that you improve yourself when you help improve others. May we live in the sacred present moment that Sheen talks about and God blesses us with.
And may we never forget that love and charity cancels a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
