By Fr. Justin Fulton
“So I ask you: Are you looking for empty thrills in life, or do you want to feel a power that can give you a lasting sense of life and fulfillment? Empty thrills or the power of grace? To find fulfillment, to gain new strength, there is a way. It is not a thing or an object, but a person, and he is alive. His name is Jesus Christ.”
-Pope Francis, World Youth Day, 2016
This last January I turned 40 years old. I’ve found that my prime has passed, as I can’t quite run as fast as I used to. It seems to drop five pounds is about as difficult as fighting a fire with a squirt gun. I’ve had a colonoscopy done and a coronary calcium screening. My prayer life has increased, so that is a good thing, as I understand now that none of us will escape morbidity or mortality. All life is a gift and sometimes I wish I had some of those youthful years back!
At Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska we have been provided wonderful gifts of youthful lives pitching in to help us serve the poor and vulnerable in southern Nebraska. This year Jennifer Lanuzga is an intern at our Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center. She comes to us from the Institute of Psychological Sciences in Sterling, Va. Guadalupe Gutierrez is a pre-doctoral student from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln completing her community based practicum with IHMCC. She studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Their wisdom and guidance bring solace and healing to people who are suffering emotionally and mentally.
We also have several interns helping in our social services department. Minh Le goes to Southeast Community College in Lincoln. His laughter helps fill hearts in our Lincoln food pantry. Jillian Fougeron goes to UNL and is helping in our refugee resettlement department, helping families understand culture in the United States. Emma Mays goes to UNL and helps our Immigration Legal Services team with client intakes and case management. And Katie Batenhorst is compiling data on all of the lives we have served and saved through the 10 years of existence of St. Gianna Women’s Homes.
Pope Francis’ words above to the young pilgrims at World Youth Day in 2016 are an invitation to us all to find true happiness through a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we find Jesus, all of life’s questions are answered. We find fulfillment. We share that life of Christ with those looking for help. We show that Christ is indeed alive in the world!
Our young interns and practicums are living witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are enriched by their presence and they are an inspiration to us all.
With renewed vigor we see the life of the Church in the capable hearts of our youth. It is a joy to see them help others through their work in our offices!
Thank you for your prayers for these young lives. Thank you for your faith in Christ. And thank you for your prayers and support of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska!
