By John McDermott
Vice President, Marketing & Development
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
With less than 24 hours to go, things looked pretty bleak. And soggy.
Our first Catholic Social Services golf tournament was held on a Friday, Sept. 20, 1996. The afternoon before the tourney, we were staring out our office window at the monsoon-like conditions. The wind-driven rain was forecast to stick around all day, all night, and well into the next day—golf tournament day. It looked as if months of planning were about to literally go down the drain. Should we go ahead and cancel now and let the golfers know when we try to reschedule the event, or do we move forward with having the tourney the next day and hope for the best?
Father Joseph Walsh, then the executive director of CSS said: “A friend of mine has always said St. Peter is in charge of the weather. Let’s ask for his help.” So we did. A lot.
As predicted, the rain kept up throughout the night and into the next day while we kept up the pleas for St. Pete’s intercession. There was a brief break in the rain in the morning, but a large area of thunderstorms was heading for Lincoln. As we stood in the clubhouse a few hours before the start of the tournament, checking radar “on the 8s” on the Weather Channel, something began to happen. As the rain approached Lincoln, the storm suddenly split in two with one part going north of town and the other going south. St. Peter came through! We’ve been asking for his help with the weather for the tournament each year since, and he always comes through.
The evening after our first tournament in 1996, CSS staff member Fran Walsh, the sister of Father Joseph Walsh, was involved in a car accident and tragically lost her life hours later. The next year, it was decided to make the event a memorial tournament, and to hold that year’s event in memory of Fran. Each year since, the tournament has been held in memory of an individual or couple who had an impact on Catholic Social Services and our Catholic community and has passed away. We are honored to hold this year’s event in memory of Tom and Margaret Tracy of Lincoln.
Tom co-founded Masonry Construction Co. and later established Tracy’s Body Shop in 1969, building a family business that remains a cherished part of the Tracy family legacy.
Margaret, born on a farm near Valparaiso, developed lifelong skills and passions including gardening, canning, cooking, and baking—and it was there she met the love of her life, Tom.
Together, they built not only successful businesses but also a loving home. Margaret worked alongside Tom in their family businesses, but her greatest pride was being Tom’s wife and a loving mother and grandmother who always cared for and nurtured those around her. Tom and Margaret both passed away in November 2023 at the age of 91. Tom died Nov. 12, 2023, and Margaret followed Nov. 24, 2023, both surrounded by their loving family. Married for 72 years, Tom and Margaret built a life centered on faith, family, hard work, and devotion to one another.
The 30th annual CSS Memorial Golf Classic & Cookout takes place Monday, Sept. 14, at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln. There are a number of ways you can support our Memorial Golf Classic & Cookout, even if you are not a golfer. Hole sponsorships and priest sponsorships are available, or you can make a memorial gift in honor of the Tracys or your loved one.
The morning flight begins at 7 a.m.; the afternoon flight is at 1 p.m. Team fees include carts, lunch, and a cookout for golfers/and a guest at 6 p.m. Team space is limited. To register or for more information, visit csshope.org or call (402) 430-5626.
Please pray for the success of this important fundraiser. Proceeds from this event help us provide hope to those we serve across southern Nebraska. Oh, and maybe ask St. Peter to intercede for good weather!
Most importantly, please pray for the repose of the souls of Tom and Margaret Tracy. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
