The lights, trees, decorations and seasonal music that are all around us provide ample reminders that Christmas is coming. True Christians know that it is important to prepare for the coming of Jesus, and not just of Christmas. Advent exists to prepare us for His coming.
We can focus our reflections on this Advent theme in terms of the past, present and future "comings" of Jesus: in history, in mystery and in majesty. The most familiar Advent theme is one of preparing to celebrate the historical coming of Jesus. It was that coming that laid the foundation for the others as Jesus became man, walked among us, instructed us, fed us, and established a Church as the steward of His spiritual gifts.
The Christmas season, which extends well beyond Christmas Day, is the period designated for honoring the coming of Jesus in history. We are able to relate most easily to the historical events surrounding Jesus’ birth because they have been recorded in the Scriptures and celebrated for centuries.
Jesus’ coming in mystery is a bit more difficult to grasp, since we are dealing with spiritual realities, not just physical ones. The most familiar way that Jesus comes to us ‘in mystery’ is in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the most profound context in which we can enter into and participate in the coming of Jesus in mystery. Immediately after the Consecration at Mass, participants profess together "The Mystery of Faith," an acclamation that brings together the historical life, death and resurrection of Jesus, His future coming in majesty, and His Sacramental entrance on the altar just moments earlier.
Jesus’ coming in mystery joins time to eternity, heaven to earth, and humanity to divinity. Those of us who are privileged to receive Communion at Mass allow this mystery that takes place at the church altar to become present also on the altar of our souls. The holy season of Advent is as much about preparing our souls spiritually for this wondrous miracle to transform us internally as it is about preparing our social calendars for the public celebration of Christmas.
Finally, as the early Advent readings remind us, Jesus will come again in majesty. Indeed, it will be another historical event, but very unlike His first coming to earth. Earlier He came in humility; later He will come in majesty. Earlier He came to establish the Church Militant and extend invitations; later He will fill out the heavenly Church Triumphant by means of the Last Judgment. The message we hear consistently from Jesus is that we must always be prepared spiritually for His final coming, not allowing ourselves to be unduly concerned with worldly realities while neglecting heavenly ones. Our salvation depends upon such awareness.
The traditional Advent prayers, "Come, Lord Jesus" and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" are answered as often as we open our minds and hearts to receive Him—in Word and Sacrament. We should provide ourselves with ample opportunities to read, hear and meditate upon Sacred Scripture while striving to participate in Mass as often as possible. May our final days of this holy season reflect an authentic spirituality of desire for Jesus to come again, not only in final glory, but frequently ‘in mystery’ to sanctify our souls and to direct and fulfill our daily lives.
One of the busiest travel times of the year includes the days just before and after Christmas. The primary reason for this predictable annual phenomenon is that family members make special efforts at Christmastime to reunite in order to enjoy family bonds and traditions.
The Catholic Church capitalizes on this universal trend by placing within the Octave of Christmas one of its premier celebrations: The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. To facilitate having families together at Mass for this special occasion, it purposefully is situated on the Sunday following Christmas. Just as Mary and Joseph’s primary focus during the very first Christmas celebration was Baby Jesus, so also our families attend to the Christ-Child each time we go to Mass and invite Him to be ‘born again’ on our altars and in our souls.
In our culture, young children are often the center of attention at Christmas, especially when it comes time for opening presents. We take special joy in sharing the anticipation and excitement that accompanies a child’s reception of new gifts, especially those about which ‘Santa’ was clued-up via a Christmas list or letter. How wonderful a thing (so goes a child’s thinking) that someone so very far away (i.e., Mr. Claus) not only knows what will make me happy, but also has the resources and generosity to provide such things for me on an annual basis. And to think that he does this for so many millions of people year after year!
All of us who are God’s children should follow this same childlike line of thinking every time we go to Mass and receive divine gifts from the ultimate ‘Santa’. Just as we adults often revert to childhood traditions and fancies when we are with our families around the holidays, so also are we well-served by entering into the celebration of Mass with anticipation and excitement for the amazing gifts that the Christ-child has in store for all of us, adults and children alike.
No Christmas tradition could be more significant than attending Mass together as a family. The unity that is shared with other members of God’s family at Mass is meant to be enjoyed by and with our earthly families. Mary and Joseph were drawn to Jesus in the same natural way that all parents tend to love their children. But as Jesus revealed Himself as their Lord and Savior, Mary and Joseph’s love for that child was transformed from a familial to a devotional love. This same transformation happens for us when we allow the Lord to reveal Himself to our families in Word and Sacrament. At Mass He becomes the center of our lives.
Acknowledging the insights of Blessed Pope John Paul II, Benedict XVI emphasizes repeatedly that the family is the flashpoint for evangelization. Families need first to be evangelized—that is, they need to be reminded how central Jesus and His teachings must be in order for them to flourish. Families need then to be evangelizers—that is, they must be guiding lights in the darkness of a misguided culture and beacons of hope in a civilization wrought with despair. Like the Holy Family, they need to be celebrated witnesses of genuine love and unity.
Whether or not we had the privilege of attending Mass with other family members on the Feast of the Holy Family this year, we can be reminded nonetheless of the importance of authentic family life for our Church, for our society and for the world. May the unity and love that Jesus, Mary and Joseph exemplify be ours, now and into eternity.
The Christmas season wrapped up recently with celebrations of the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord that emphasized various ways in which the Lord chose to reveal and manifest Himself as Messiah and Lord.
While we traditionally look at the events surrounding Jesus’ birth and public ministry, we realize that the Truth Made Visible did not suddenly come to be during that first Christmas night in Bethlehem. Rather, the revelation of God to humanity unfolded for centuries before the Incarnation and continued through the apostolic era. God continues to manifest Himself, but the revelations necessary for our salvation are believed to have ended with the completion of the New Testament writings.
The most authoritative document on this topic was published in November 1965 at the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum) outlines for us how and why God manifested Himself to humanity. Chapter One begins, "It pleased God, in his goodness and wisdom, to reveal himself and to make known the mystery of his will." We should be equally pleased to receive such insights into God’s identity and plan for us. The document summarizes its content in this way:
"The works performed by God in the history of salvation show forth and bear out the doctrine and realities signified by the words; the words, for their part, proclaim the works, and bring to light the mystery they contain. The most intimate truth which this revelation gives us about God and the salvation of man shines forth in Christ, who is himself both the mediator and the sum total of Revelation" (n.2).
There are many valuable and essential truths about God that we not only can know, but also that we must know in order to accept and enjoy the wonderful gift of salvation offered by God. The document declares, "God graciously arranged that the things he had once revealed for the salvation of all peoples should remain in their entirety, throughout the ages, and be transmitted to all generations" (n.7).
The Church that Jesus established fulfills this need to preserve intact all that God reveals to us. It does so within the structure of the two pillars of Sacred Revelation: Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The document teaches: "Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit. And Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit… The Church does not draw her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone… Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal feelings of devotion and reverence" (n.9).
This document goes on to explain how Sacred Scripture was inspired by God and how it is to be interpreted, followed by brief overviews of the Old and New Testaments, and it concludes with a synopsis of how Scripture is used in the life and activities of the Church. A related document of the Council is the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), published a year earlier. Both works are well worth our time to read and study.
For a more complete understanding of the Church’s teaching on divine revelation, consider attending the Catholic Coffee House series presentation by Father Jeffrey Eickhoff at the Blessed John XXIII Diocesan Center in Lincoln Sunday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m. This talk also can be downloaded later from the diocesan website: dioceseoflincoln.org.
One of the saddest realities of our day is that the vast majority of Christians do not make prayer a priority in their lives. The reasons why this is the case are quite extensive and varied. However, even though the trend not to pray regularly is very pervasive, it certainly is not inevitable. In fact, the record of Christians failing to pray in a consistent manner is so well documented that a multitude of books about prayer have been written specifically in response to this problem.
Perhaps one of the most comprehensive readable books on the topic of prayer in recent years is "Prayer Primer: Igniting a Fire Within" by Thomas Dubay, S.M. This book is the winter selection for the One Book, One Diocese program. The potential for improving your prayer life by reading this book is great, and such potential can be augmented significantly by sharing and discussing the contents with another person or within a group.
Father Dubay begins by reminding the reader why it is that we are inclined to pray and why it is that we must pray. Beyond fulfilling the basic practice of attending Mass regularly, we have a very basic need to commune with God at various times during the week, or even during a given day. It simply is not sufficient for us to rattle off a routine set of memorized formulaic prayers. While many such prayers certainly can be part of a daily routine, our prayer life cannot consist of these only.
Our author makes the case for praying first by setting forth a long list of probing questions for the reader to ponder. Then he follows up with short chapters on the primary types of prayer, along with helpful suggestions on how to incorporate these ways of praying into our spiritual routines. Here are some of the chapter titles: Why Pray?, Elegant Variety, Vocal Prayer, Meditation, Contemplation, Liturgical Prayer, Family Prayer, Prayer in a Busy Life, Problems and Pitfalls. Father Dubay’s wisdom and insight are invaluable!
Whether we use this book for personal growth or as the focus of a study group, we are sure to come closer to Jesus by making prayer a bigger priority in our lives. The Holy Bible, which is a wonderful prayer book in its own right, provides plentiful examples of the power of prayer in the lives of God’s people. Jesus instructs us to pray constantly and He, Himself was observed often at prayer. It behooves us as Christians to follow His instructions concerning prayer as well as His example. Reading "Prayer Primer" not only will help us to obey and imitate Jesus better, but to know and serve Him better as well. Sounds like a bargain at any price!
1996 was a very good year because in November of that year the spiritual process known as SINE (Systematic Integral New Evangelization) was introduced in the Lincoln Diocese. It had originated in Mexico City around 1960. A team from Rockford, Ill. was invited to lead a SINE retreat for 60 priests and laity at Pius X High School in Lincoln.
The spiritual impact of the retreat was astounding, leaving the participants with the desire to learn more about this process that begins with a retreat and has as its goal the strengthening of individual spirituality and parish life.
With Bishop Bruskewitz’s blessing, the SINE process and retreats began to spread across the diocese. In the course of several years, more than 70 parishes sponsored retreats led by trained leaders from the Lincoln Diocese. More than 5,000 people across southern Nebraska have taken part in these retreats.
Several years ago, the title of the process was changed from SINE to Light of the World (LOTW) in order to enable it more effectively to fit the culture of the United States. However, the basic format and teachings of the process remained unchanged. A team, including one member from Lincoln, is presenting a LOTW retreat this month to seminarians at the North American College in Rome, one of whom is studying for our diocese.
What is a Light of the World retreat? The handbook describes it thus: "The Light of the World process will help all people to have a living encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit… This process reaches out to all people and helps them to become active servants of God." The retreat begins on Friday evening and concludes Sunday evening. Participants return home each night.
The teachings presented in a LOTW retreat hold steadfastly to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. Special emphasis is placed on a renewal of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. Those who participate in the retreat have an opportunity after the retreat to join a small community designed to enable them to maintain a deep relationship with the Lord, the Body of Christ, the Church and their own parish.
The number of LOTW retreats in the diocese has decreased somewhat in recent years, but retreats in various parishes are still being held. Some of the recent interest is due to Pope Benedict’s declaration of this Year of Faith. In his Apostolic Letter he states: "I have spoken of the need to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ… This will be a good opportunity to usher the whole Church into a time of particular reflection and rediscovery of the faith… A Christian may never think of belief as a private act. Faith is choosing to stand with the Lord so as to live with him."
I humbly suggest that the LOTW process, and especially the retreat, fulfills beautifully the opportunity for the renewal of our faith during this Year of Faith. If you feel in your heart the need to do something to make your faith come more alive within you, I suggest you consider making a LOTW retreat. Contact the Diocesan Office of Evangelization, 402-488-2040, for further information.
Pope Benedict XVI has mirrored Blessed John Paul II in his ardent desire that all people, including future priests, truly "encounter" Jesus Christ. With that in mind, Fr. Austin Vetter, Spiritual Director of the Pontifical North American College (NAC), invited a Light of the World (LOTW) leadership team to Rome to present this kerygmatic retreat to seminarians.
A priest of the Rockford Diocese, Fr. Jon Bakkelund, had attended the NAC before his ordination and then attended a LOTW Retreat in Crystal Lake, Il. He found it to be a powerful experience and asked Fr. Vetter if it would be possible to offer a LOTW retreat at the NAC. He agreed to invite a team to offer such a retreat.
Msgr. Dan Hermes, Spiritual Director for the National Light of the World Evangelization Ministries, invited various team members to accompany him to Rome to give the retreat. The team included people from Crystal Lake, Rockford, and Lincoln. We arrived in Rome on Ash Wednesday and, after touring the NAC, enjoyed a walk through St. Peter’s Basilica. The sense of the Universal Church was palpable. Being in St. Peter’s and the anticipation of addressing future priests was an overwhelming experience, one of true joy and awe.
The seminarians were most welcoming, kind, and open to receiving the message of the kerygma (proclamation of the Gospel) along with the witness of life given by team members. Once we presented the kerygma the men expressed how significant it was for them to see it in action from witnesses of Christ’s love. They expressed that the experience of studying theology needed this integration of life witness; thus, they were truly touched by the message of the retreat. Renewing the Sacraments of Initiation in action was also a special moment for them. The experience was good preparation to see how a parish retreat might look once they were assigned to parish ministry.
Small "shepherding groups" were led by men who had been ordained as deacons, and the groups found their discussions to be very worthwhile. Working within the format of the small groups during the retreat was helpful, especially since they are presently forming Jesu Caritas spiritual support groups at the seminary and had no particular format to follow.
Testimonies at the end of the retreat were inspiring. Participants shared many experiences from the retreat that were beneficial for their spiritual life. Many stayed after the retreat to learn more about how to implement the process in their future parishes. These young men were a dynamic inspiration to us as a presenting team.
The homilist at our final Mass with the NAC seminarians cited Pope Benedict XVI in his call for a strong emphasis on New Evangelization for the Church and the call for all of God’s people— priests, religious, and laity —to encounter Jesus Christ, experience a conversion of heart, encourage brothers and sisters to live in Christ, and be prepared to tell others about Jesus and the power of His Holy Spirit.
Like St. Peter and St. Paul whose images stand prominently in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, may each of us take seriously our own call to bring the love of Jesus to the hearts of His people here and now. As our LOTW team left Rome, we felt we had encountered Jesus more fully ourselves—indeed, we felt blessed beyond words!
Whenever we recite the Apostles or Nicene Creed we profess our belief in the Four Marks of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. Our present focus on the election of a new successor to Peter, the first pope, highlights these fundamental characteristics of the Church that Jesus established, but most especially the apostolic quality which speaks to the papacy in a most noteworthy manner. Apostolicity thus will be the focus of the following reflections.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church declares plainly: "The Church is apostolic because she is founded on the apostles." Furthermore, "she continues to be taught, sanctified, and guided by the apostles until Christ’s return, through their successors in pastoral office… in union with the successor of Peter, the Church’s supreme pastor" (CCC 857).
While all of the bishops share in the ministry of teaching, sanctifying and governing God’s people, the pope, as Peter’s successor, has the particularly challenging task of effectively doing for the Church’s bishops what they are called to do for the priests, religious and laity. This duty brings to mind a seldom used title for the pope: Servant of the Servants of God. Just as Peter served his fellow Apostles, so also the pope serves, in so many ways, his fellow bishops throughout the world.
Many of the recent news stories have suggested that the new pope needs to be someone willing and able to reform the bureaucracy in the Vatican. Perhaps this improvement is needed. However, the essential role of the Supreme Pontiff must not be forgotten because of this or that particular need of the Church in our day.
As Peter’s successor, the pope holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven given to Peter by Christ as a sign of His authority and infallibility that safeguards the Deposit of Faith passed down from generation to generation through apostolic succession. The Church is able in effect to remain one, holy and catholic precisely because she is apostolic. The unity, sanctity and universality that Christ built into the Church that He established are enduring qualities because the Holy Spirit continues to influence and guide the apostles of our day—namely, the bishops in union with the pope.
The Catechism develops this notion further. "The whole Church is apostolic, in that she remains, through the successors of St. Peter and the other apostles, in communion of faith and life with her origin: and in that she is ‘sent out’ into the whole world. All members of the Church share in this mission, though in various ways" (CCC 863). At Pentecost, the Apostles, filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, preached to people of all nations, generating the fruit of countless new disciples of Jesus. We are effectively the successors of those early disciples and, like them, we are called to pass on the teachings of Christ to the next generation of potential believers. This duty to evangelize thus makes us all apostles—those sent out—who share in the mission of Jesus to proclaim the Good News to all nations.
The apostolic nature of the Church hence comes full circle. Each of us is expected to share in the apostolic activity of the Church’s present-day apostles, the bishops. Each of us must witness to the saving power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. And each of us is united to the office of Peter and of his successor, the pope, through respectful obedience and prayerful support. May we all be worthy members and building blocks of Christ’s Apostolic Church.
The faithful of the Catholic Church, and many others besides, have been enjoying and marveling at the newness being brought to the papacy by Pope Francis. Our new Holy Father’s style is marked by a noble simplicity characteristic of various elements of Catholic Tradition.
We begin with the ministry of Jesus Himself, which distinguished itself with so very many meetings of our Lord with those of lowly estate: the poor, the widowed, the crippled, sinners, lepers and criminals. Jesus consoled them, forgave their sins and healed their wounds. He did so with simple words and gestures, always being careful to safeguard the dignity of those to whom He ministered. Noble simplicity.
We observe the same qualities in those who carried on the work of Jesus: the Apostles. They too proclaimed the Gospel message and taught the truths of our faith in an uncomplicated way, faithful to the style of the Master who prepared them for ministry. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they traveled to the ends of the earth to bring joy and peace to all peoples via a simple message accompanied by seven grace-filled Sacraments. Noble simplicity.
We boast an impressive cadre of saints who have preserved, strengthened and enlarged the Catholic Church for more than 20 centuries. Their courageous witness to our Lord’s way of love and forgiveness transformed many a hardened sinner into faith-filled disciples. In many cases, their simple proclamation of the Gospel cost them their lives. Nevertheless, these martyrs accepted their gruesome fate with dignified submission, just as Christ did. Noble simplicity.
We benefit from the grace of Sacraments that initiate us into God’s family, the Church (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), that fortify us to live out our vocations in a fruitful manner (Marriage, Holy Orders) and that console and heal us in our sinfulness and infirmities (Penance, Sacrament of the Sick). Jesus instituted these sacred signs to give us grace to assist us on our journey to heaven. The rituals associated with the conferral of the Sacraments are all quite straightforward, while the effects often are miraculous and life-changing. Noble simplicity.
We enjoy assorted aspects of Catholic culture that are second to none in their capacity to inspire. A rich legacy of beautiful church architecture and religious art, coupled with a diversity of sacred music and untold volumes of educational and inspirational literature, provides bountiful spiritual enrichment to Catholics and others who surround themselves with such things. A mere opening of our minds and hearts to the inspired nobility that defines Catholic culture can shape us in positive and profound ways. Noble simplicity.
We delight in the beginnings of a pontificate that promises to feature noble simplicity. As we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection this Easter, may we witness many spiritual resurrections among the Catholic faithful as they strive to follow Pope Francis’ lead in the continued renewal of the Church. Jesus left us with apostles and saints, Sacraments and a Holy Church—among other things—to assist us along the path to holiness. Let us immerse ourselves daily in the noble and simple things that God and His Church have to offer. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
Too many headlines these days tout the decline of traditional marriage in our land. As a Christian people, it is incumbent on us to preserve, to provide and to promote the good things God has given to us and to the world. Marriage certainly is not the least among these blessings. In fact, it is one of the greatest of God’s gifts to humanity, so much so that He desires continuously to be a part of it.
One of the notable contributions of modern Catholic biblical scholarship is the expansion of covenant theology. This term encapsulates the notion that God’s relationship with His chosen people throughout salvation history is nuptial in character—that is, He relates to us as a spouse in a marriage-like covenant. The permanent nature of the marriage bond rests largely on the fact that God is a participating member in this covenant, always faithful and true to His word (unlike most humans).
Jesus had several purposes in mind when He established the Church. One of them was to provide a means to preserve the truths taught to and by the Apostles. Another was to create an institution from which the Sacraments could be dispensed. Thus the Catholic Church has the authority and the responsibility to provide regulations regarding marriages entered into by her members.
The essential characteristics of Christian marriage—permanence, fidelity, openness to children—are featured when a couple (including a Catholic) makes promises regarding these things before God, a priest and other witnesses to the vows. A valid marriage bond, as well as the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage (when both parties are baptized), is provided by God to every couple that includes a Catholic whose marriage is entered into according to the marriage norms established by the Catholic Church.
Some baptized Catholics who want to get married do so without the involvement of a priest. Such civil marriages are not recognized by God or by His Church. Catholics in these non-valid unions exclude themselves (sometimes unknowingly) from the privilege and grace of receiving the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist, while also excluding themselves from the honor of serving as a sponsor for Baptism or Confirmation, among other things. The consequences are more severe than some realize.
Many Catholics in such situations come later to the Church to have their marriages "regularized" by an exchange of vows before a priest in accord with Church norms. Once they have done so, the privileges formerly disallowed are restored. Just as spouses sometimes separate for a time to work things out and then are reunited, so also Catholics at times are separated temporarily from Jesus and the Church. When they return, Christ and the other members of His Mystical Body rejoice at the sacramental reunion of these Catholics with their spiritual spouse (the Lord, present in His Sacraments).
Naturally, it is ideal when Catholics follow Church norms from the start. This way, they deny themselves neither the graces of the Marriage Sacrament nor the other benefits mentioned earlier. Marriage in the Church is a way for Christ’s disciples to proclaim the Good News about marriage by including Jesus in the process. Christ established the Church as His spouse in order to provide us with the greatest happiness possible. Following His norms for marriage provides personal spiritual benefits and proclaims the Gospel to others. This time-tested course has provided centuries of marital success.
In the society in which we live, commitment is not nearly as highly valued as it once was. We live in a consumer culture in which much is wasted, from food to clothes to electronics. We discard and replace things once they no longer suit our desires. How wasteful we easily can be.
Sadly, the institution of marriage has fallen prey to our American way of thinking about so many less important things. Many folks nowadays have the tendency to treat marriage as a disposable commodity. If it does not work out exactly as planned, or if hardships befall the relationship, divorce is too often pursued as a quick, ready-made solution. But there’s always a price to pay—and sometimes it is much higher than people realize.
In a few short days, the Church will celebrate the Lord’s Ascension into heaven. For the Apostles and many of Jesus’ disciples this was a very difficult time. A rollercoaster of emotions filled them as they experienced dashed hopes from their friend being crucified, then remorse for abandoning Him once they realized He was alive, and finally unfettered joy at being reunited with their Lord and Savior. Jesus’ ascension meant that they would be separated once again.
But, not to worry! Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit as another advocate and guide. They would not be alone on their spiritual journey—not then, not ever! The Bridegroom would not abandon His Bride, the Church. In fact, the Holy Spirit would step in and more than compensate for the physical absence of Jesus. The Bride would enjoy Jesus’ nearness forever.
Everyone knows that marriage, too, can at times feel like a rollercoaster ride. Not only the emotions swing drastically at times, but even the way husbands and wives relate to each other changes over time. Nothing new here! What is new, unfortunately, is the way couples respond to such changes that challenge their resolve in the marital relationship. Sometimes spouses forget that they promised to be true to their love and commitment to one another "in good times and in bad." What is vowed in marriage is no more (and no less) than what Christ promises us—namely, faithful love throughout our lives. The marriage covenant is to mirror that divine love for the whole world to see and to imitate. Married couples are true evangelizers in this respect.
Couples blessed by valid sacramental marriages have the Holy Spirit’s special help that fortifies all of their natural abilities and provides the extra graces needed to withstand the typical daily challenges as well as the cultural attacks that make living out the marriage ideal difficult—oftentimes heroic—in our times. God provides plentiful actual graces also to those who presently do not enjoy these sacramental benefits but who desire nonetheless to be more closely united to Him. The Church and its priests are ready to help all to achieve this full sacramental communion.
God created the beautiful institution of marriage so that couples could make life’s journey with a partner who ‘completes’ them. The fulfillment of that goal is made possible and is made joyful by our Lord’s companionship along the way, for individuals and couples alike. May Jesus’ fidelity to us be mirrored by the commitment of spouses to each other. Dedication to God’s Church and His plan will bear fruit in fidelity to the marriage covenant itself. May we always embrace and pursue ideals that stem from a committed love for Jesus and one another.
"Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number" (Acts 16:5). Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, which Jesus Christ founded. It is worthy of the solemnity with which the Catholic Church celebrates it!
At the first Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead, the Body of Christ, the Catholic Church, received her soul, the Holy Spirit. Stated another way, just as Adam had the breath of life (his immortal soul) breathed into him, so now the Bride of Christ, the Church, receives the Breath of God’s life and love (the Holy Spirit) at Pentecost.
Just as the human body lost its immortality as a consequence of Original Sin, so also the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church, suffers from this infamous fall from God’s grace. The head of the Mystical Body is Jesus, while the soul is the Holy Spirit. Both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are immortal Divine Persons while we, the members of that Body of Christ, have a fallen human nature, which weakened our wills and darkened our intellects.
This doesn’t sound like a very desirable existence. But wait! Before we get all negative about our plight, we should know that we have much working in our favor. After all, we are celebrating Pentecost, the birthday of the Catholic Church, the Bride of Christ, which means we have reason for hope because we have two divine advocates pleading our cause: Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In addition, we have the whole court of heaven, the souls in Purgatory and the members of the Church here on earth praying for us. So, cheer up. We have plenty to be happy about!
Have you ever heard of a CINO? That’s a Catholic-In-Name-Only. There are plenty of them around. In fact, they are probably the majority. But we can be confident that there were no CINOs on that first Pentecost. They were all "pure-breds," so to speak, Catholic to the core. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they demonstrated an evangelical Catholicism that in our day needs to be recaptured. It is no more than a rediscovery of our true identity as Christ’s disciples.
Jesus had 12 quality Catholics (the Apostles) upon whom He founded His Church. He had 120 quality Catholics present on Pentecost Sunday. That number increased to 3,000 by that very evening because of those first disciples who were not satisfied to be just nominal Catholics. It is really heartening to be around informed Catholics who are authentic witnesses to their faith. They are happy, engaging, enthusiastic, focused and alive! They are apostolic—that is, willing to do anything to keep spreading the faith genuinely by their Christ-like lives.
The Mission Statement of Jesus is: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:19). We are to help fulfill this mission of Jesus.
The Catholic Church needs a rebirth of members who are more like the first Pentecost Catholics (not just more CINOs). We must be willing to make sacrifices and go the extra mile. It truly will be a ‘happy birthday’ for the Catholic Church when the growth in true evangelical Catholicism purges the Church of those who are Catholic in name only. May the effects of that first Pentecost be our inspiration to take an active role in carrying out Christ’s mission.
One of our human tendencies is that we like to give ourselves relatively high marks in self-evaluations. This is particularly true when it comes to rating our religious practices. After all, how many of us don’t consider ourselves to be "good" Catholics or Christians?
Matthew Kelly is a popular motivational Catholic writer and speaker who challenges his readers and listeners to become a "better-version-of-yourself." He does so by helping us first to know and appreciate our Catholic Faith and then to live it and share it. He has put his ideas in writing in two very easy to read books.
The first is Rediscover Catholicism in which Mr. Kelly gives an overview of the basics of Catholic beliefs and practices in an engaging style that generates in the reader a greater appreciation for the gifts that Jesus left for us in His Holy Catholic Church. The second is The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic in which the author identifies four typical qualities of "dynamic" Catholics.
The signs that are characteristic of a Dynamic Catholic, according to Matthew Kelly, are: prayer, study, generosity and evangelization. He singles out people who do not seek to do the mere minimum required to be considered Catholic. Rather, these dynamic Catholics strive to be the best possible disciples they can be, each and every day.
What this means is that prayer is a daily activity that takes priority over many superficial activities. Dynamic Catholics are lifelong learners, doing whatever they can to grow in knowledge and understanding of the Faith. These folks are known also for their generosity in time, talent and treasure shared with God and His Church. And, finally, their love for Jesus is evident in the various ways that they share their faith with others.
Most of us probably would like to be known as dynamic Catholics. So what is stopping us? We don’t want to stand out in the crowd. We’re too busy. We don’t have what it takes. These typical excuses cause us to be unmotivated to take a step forward in our spiritual life. Oftentimes this is the result of thinking we have to make radical changes all at once. Mr. Kelly suggests that we take one small step at a time, which will reap great spiritual rewards over time.
Begin with a commitment of just a couple minutes (or extra minutes) of prayer each day. Add just five pages of daily reading from a good Catholic book. Deliberately plan to incrementally increase financial support of the parish and charity until reaching a full 10% tithe, while also stepping up the time and talent offered to God. Finally, try to share your faith in some way just once each week. Any serious well-intentioned Catholic should be able to say, "I can do that!" All that is required to get started is the firm intention to improve. We all took baby steps in learning to walk, and then learned to run. We can surely do the same in beginning to live as dynamic Catholics.
Matthew Kelly claims that less than one out of ten Catholics could be described as "dynamic," but he proposes realistic ways to increase those numbers. Many Catholics are dutiful--that is, they attend Mass regularly and are active in their parishes. But the "New Evangelization" needed to revitalize the Church in our day requires that dutiful Catholics step up and become "dynamic" so that the Church may not only preserve its influence in society, but may also begin to transform it in radical ways.
The reform of the world must begin with the reform of individuals. Matthew Kelly provides us with helpful hints for moving forward in our quest for holiness--that is, by becoming the-best-version-of-ourselves. Hopefully, taking one small step at a time, we are all ready to say, "I can do that!"
It is safe to say that there is nothing on earth that compares to World Youth Day. It is a happening that has taken on a life of its own. And it has grown to epic proportions. The world will look on during the coming week as yet another World Youth Day unfolds in Rio de Janeiro.
The Family Life Office of the Diocese of Lincoln has organized a pilgrimage to every World Youth Day since it was hosted in Denver, with the exception of the one held in Manila, Philippines in 1995. We took 1,400 pilgrims to pray with Blessed Pope John Paul II in Denver in 1993. Many additional pilgrims from our area went on their own. In 1997, we took 230 pilgrims to Paris. Another 150 ventured to Rome during the Jubilee Year in 2000. We had some 550 young people board buses for the event in Toronto in 2002. We flew 150 to Cologne, Germany in 2005, 110 to Sydney Australia in 2008 and another 110 to Madrid, Spain in 2011.
Preceding the last four World Youth Day events, our pilgrims have participated in what is called Days in the Diocese. Before checking in for the six days of WYD activities, a prior six days is hosted in various dioceses in the vicinity. Pilgrims are housed in groups of two, three or four in the homes of local Catholics. It is typical for one or two parishes to host the pilgrims of a particular diocese. During their stay, pilgrims are introduced to the region with town and country tours while getting to know their host families. The parish typically hosts various events, such as picnics, concerts, sporting events, games and the like. Pilgrims also get together with the entire group on most days for Mass and other spiritual activities. Generally, this portion of the trip has the biggest impact on pilgrims where complete strangers turn into life-long friends. The generosity of fellow Catholics from abroad is special!
Our diocesan pilgrims are treated to a few days of touring before beginning the formal cultural and spiritual events that comprise World Youth Day. For example, a three-day stop in Rome preceded our overnight train ride to Paris. Dachau and Oberammergau (Germany) were stops on the trip through Bavaria en route to Cologne. A couple days on the north island of New Zealand, including a tour of Hobbiton, preceded our Days in the Diocese on the south island in Christchurch that led into WYD events in Sydney. Some prayerful days at the Marian shrine in Lourdes (France) were part of our route to being hosted in Toledo before proceeding to Madrid.
The itinerary for Lincoln Diocese pilgrims this year includes a couple days of touring in Sao Paolo, one of the largest cities in the world, followed by a trip to Aparecida, home of an enormous Marian shrine, while making our way to the historic town of Petropolis, just an hour north of Rio. Host families from St. Jude Parish will take care of our pilgrims for six days before they head to Rio. Events with Pope Francis include a welcoming ceremony, Stations of the Cross, a solemn prayer service with Adoration and Benediction, and the closing Mass on July 28.
Become a part of the inspirational spirit of WYD by tuning in to EWTN during the coming week. Please offer prayers for the 50 pilgrims from our diocese who are there with millions of young people from around the globe to celebrate our Catholic Faith. May the blessings of this amazing event spread all over the globe to build up Christ’s Holy Catholic Church.
The largest Marian shrine in the world is dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida, located 170 miles west of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Most of the pilgrims from our diocese had the privilege of visiting this impressive shrine during our recent World Youth Day pilgrimage. Our group spent five hours at this incredible place of devotion that is little known to those outside of South America.
The image of Our Lady of Aparecida is in the traditional form of the Immaculate Conception. The original statue, which stands just over 2 feet tall, is a Black Madonna that was found in 1717 by three Brazilian fishermen who had prayed to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception for a good catch of fish. After having a run of bad luck, they cast their nets once more into the Paraiba River and dragged up a headless statue of the Virgin Mary. After recovering the head and reattaching it, they reportedly enjoyed the great catch of fish for which they had prayed, the first of many miracles attributed to the intercession of Our Lady under this new title.
The statue is unique, with Mary donning a very colorful garment not unlike that of the Infant of Prague, with just her face and hands showing. The first chapel in her honor was built in 1745, with another larger church built in 1834. The present basilica was built in 1955 and can hold up to 45,000 worshippers. It is truly a grand church, with many small chapels devoted to various needs, including a devotional Chapel of Candles, a Eucharistic chapel and several chapels used for Masses celebrated by pilgrims. We had the honor of having Mass in one of them during our brief visit.
In 1930, Pope Pius XI declared Our Lady of Aparecida the "Queen and Primary Patroness of Brazil." St. Peter of Alcantara retains his position as the co-patron of Brazil. The town where the statue of Our Lady of Aparecida is located was eventually named after the shrine. It continues to be an important place of pilgrimage and devotion, especially for Catholics from South America. Pope Francis had a special Mass and some visits with dignitaries at Aparecida just before launching World Youth Day activities in Rio de Janeiro July 25.
An important document on evangelization, simply known as "The Aparecida Document," was the fruit of the Fifth General Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Bishops held in 2007. Cardinal Bergoglio, then archbishop of Buenos Aires and now our pope, was the primary editor. That gathering of bishops sought to set a course of action for Catholic South Americans in response to a document produced earlier by Blessed John Paul II that served as a summary of the Synod on Evangelization for the Americas (which included the U.S.). Keep watch as our own diocese begins to study and promote ideas that originally were the fruit of these important meetings.
The Church is missionary by nature. All baptized Christians are called to be missionary disciples. May we all live up to this dignified calling as Mary, our mother and model, did so well. And may we respond to the encouragement of Pope Francis to live out our faith as authentic followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And may we not be afraid to proclaim, defend and share the precious gift of faith we have received as a gift in our every word and action.
Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Prague in the Czech Republic. During my four short days in that traditionally Catholic town, I found myself being given literally dozens of opportunities to evangelize. Please indulge me as I share a few examples to highlight the many different forms that authentic evangelization might take. I hope to show also how easy and rewarding this activity can be.
Air travel almost always provides several ready-made opportunities for sharing the love of Jesus with others. From the very moment we reach the airport we come into contact with many strangers. I like to strike up conversations, simply to open the door for the Holy Spirit to work His magic.
On the trip home from Prague, after sharing simple courtesies with the check-in attendant and proceeding to security, a security officer who recognized that I am a Catholic priest proceeded to inquire about some rules Catholics have to follow. He left very satisfied for having received an authoritative and sensible explanation regarding his query.
One lady boarding the plane enjoyed a short exchange with me after voicing a typical comment, "Oh Father, I feel so much safer with you aboard." I often reply by teasing that I’m not a pilot or a mechanic, should something go wrong, so I just pray for safe travels like the rest, including those who aren’t doing it for themselves. I usually have at least one stranger sitting to my left or right and I test the waters by introducing myself and inquiring about the nature of their travels. More often than not, they are disposed to conversing a bit and it isn’t difficult to bring religion gradually into the discussion. I often ask the Holy Spirit to provide and guide these significant one-time encounters. We should never underestimate the impact such a chance meeting might have.
During my group’s familiarization tour of Prague, the guide admitted to me that he used to practice the Catholic Faith, but had drifted away. A young Irishman in the group poured out his heart to me about his relationship problems and asked me for a priestly blessing once a rapport had been established quite simply by making myself available to him; by being approachable. A blind lady whom I helped onto a bus and into an empty seat struck up a conversation with me and ended up relating that she had stopped practicing Catholicism in favor of her own self-styled religion. A man I met at a classical music concert relayed that he left the Faith after marrying a non-Catholic. Each of these instances opened up the door to help a person who was confused, misinformed, feeling guilty, or simply was ignorant about the Catholic Church and her teachings. And all of us are capable of doing this, even while we continue to work at becoming better informed ourselves.
While it would be easy to write an essay about each of these encounters, they would likely be interesting to only a few. They are put forth here simply to emphasize how frequently such opportunities to evangelize present themselves and how important our conversations potentially can be.
Evangelization begins simply with a friendly disposition and often develops further when we have in our heart the real desire that each and every person we meet will eventually spend eternity in heaven. Start there and see what happens. The Holy Spirit has many exciting exchanges in store for each of us. We merely need to give Him permission to use us as effective cooperators in His divine plan.
The Diocese of Lincoln has a far-reaching reputation for its orthodoxy and for the fidelity of its clergy and laity to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Sometimes people from other dioceses who do not enjoy such a blessing note how lucky we are to live here. A fitting response to such a remark is: "While we have been blessed in many ways, we are careful not to forget that we too are subject to the effects of Original Sin here in our diocese."
One of the predicaments with which the Church presently is struggling is the decrease of commitment to weekly Mass attendance and regular involvement in the parish. This downward trend is a problem nationally, with weekly Mass attendance dipping down to the 25% mark. Thanks to excellent diocesan leadership, strong family values and God’s abundant grace, the commitment levels are significantly higher in the Diocese of Lincoln than in other parts of the country. Nonetheless, we have been experiencing a parallel decline locally, with our Mass attendance figures plunging from about 70% 10 years ago to around 55% presently. Such a rapid decline in commitment to what is most essential to our Catholic Faith is disconcerting, to say the least.
Many studies have been done over the past 30 years to try to identify the roots of this spiritual epidemic. The results point to a variety of factors that contribute to the contagion but, with the culture changing so rapidly, it is difficult to pinpoint the source of the problem and proffer a solution. However, there certainly are characteristics common to those who remain faithful to their Lord’s Day obligation. One of the most prevalent of these traits may be described as intentional discipleship. While most Christians would describe themselves as disciples of Jesus, the majority unfortunately do not bear witness to that claim. They do not practice the Faith dutifully; they do not follow the Commandments conscientiously; they do not serve their neighbors charitably; and they are not good stewards of the time, talent and treasure entrusted to them by God.
Intentional discipleship is measurable and noticeable. Intentional disciples not only go to church every Sunday; they also live out their beliefs in a variety of ways throughout the week. They are religious people, and everybody knows it. They are generous with all that God has given them. They stand up not only for what the Church teaches, but also for individuals who are suffering injustices (e.g. the unborn). They avoid participating in activities or events they know God does not approve of, and they let others know why they are refraining from them. They are strict with themselves while exercising patience and compassion toward others. They make an effort to learn the Faith well so that it can be applied to current issues and articulated for the benefit of others. They pray fervently for the needs of individuals, for the growth and health of the Church, and for moral solutions to global concerns. They carry out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
How do we measure up to this standard of Christian discipleship? Those who were not intentional disciples in Jesus’ day mistook his identity, misinterpreted His teachings and ultimately rejected Him altogether. There are more than enough Americans who self-identify as disciples of Jesus while rejecting His moral guidance and His love. What we need to reverse the toxic spiritual trend in our land is more intentional discipleship—in other words, the stuff of saints. Are you in?
Good morning (perhaps). It’s coffee time!
The Office for Evangelization is once again hosting a "Catholic Coffee House" series, which is set to begin Sunday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Blessed John XXIII Diocesan Center in Lincoln.
The theme this year is: "Family and the New Evangelization."
One of the prominent themes repeated by our modern popes is that evangelization efforts these days must necessarily be directed toward the family. In cultures throughout the world where traditional family values and structures are under attack, moms and dads and their kids need to be formed and catechized about their essential role in God’s plan of salvation. They are first the objects of God’s love before they become conduits of that same love for others.
The topics for this year’s Coffee House series will address various relationships that are built upon divine and human love and how those relationships are interconnected. The first talk, entitled, "Sons of the Father in a Fatherless Society," begins with the sad admission that many children grow up these days in a fatherless home. Oftentimes, those who do have dads at home experience a fatherhood that reflects neither God the Father’s love nor the authentic human roles associated with genuine fatherhood.
Part of the remedy for this dire situation is to appreciate and experience a true filial relationship with God the Father that makes way for the possibility of total entrustment to Him. By entrusting ourselves to the perfect Father in heaven, we begin to see how God desires that we relate to our earthly fathers. Those with the privilege of fatherhood themselves can also develop a sense of how to relate appropriately to their own children.
The second session of our monthly series will focus on spousal love. Blessed Pope John Paul II was a master at describing expressly what this love should look like. He spoke often of how the total self-gift of one spouse to another formed the foundation upon which marriage and the family is built. He brought out the fact that, as spouses give themselves to each other, they come to a greater knowledge of themselves in the process, and of God as well.
In a culture in which the concept of love is so gravely misunderstood, it behooves us to revisit often what true love looks like, and God chose spousal love as the specific human relationship through which His own love could best be reflected and revealed.
Parental love will be the topic of the following session. As spousal love bears fruit in the gift of children, parental love comes into play. God the Father’s love for Jesus can and should be reflected in the love of parents for their children. The discipline exercised by the Father as well as the mercy offered to His adoptive spiritual children serve as models for the kind of relationship that is possible—and desirable—between human parents and their offspring.
Family prayer will also be highlighted in the series to underscore the important balance needed between individual and communal prayer. Prayer itself is a means of relating with other persons with whom we share a special bond, be they human, angelic or divine.
A final presentation will focus on how this new familial way of relating to God and to one another plays out in the New Evangelization. In other words, how should we respond to Jesus’ call for us to make disciples of all nations in light of our duty to love one another as God loves us?
If you are able, please consider joining us for this journey of faith and love, so as better to appreciate the dynamics of how God’s divine family (The Holy Trinity) relates to, and is reflected in, our own.
Modern culture and its teachers have warned us to be especially wary of anyone who offers us anything of value. It could be a trick. It may be a trap. So, beware!
Unfortunately, the fallout for such a disposition is that many people nowadays do not trust even the most trustworthy of persons. Their lives can become entrenched in fear and distrust.
Immediately after the angel Gabriel left the Virgin Mary announcing the Incarnation, Mary went “with haste” (Lk 1:39) to visit and help her older cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. After the greeting of Elizabeth where she said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1:42), Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior …”(Lk 1:46-47).
Just days before Christmas, before I left the office to visit our staff across the diocese with little gifts of appreciation, I had an ‘urge’ to take some cash along. I have learned by experience that when these ‘urges’ or inspirations occur I need to take note, for things usually happen.
Once along the way, I met briefly with a brother priest who suggested I pay a visit to a young woman. As it turns out, I knew her personally and had concelebrated her wedding Mass. She had recently lost her husband and youngest daughter in a motor vehicle accident. She now lives with one of her sisters who recently lost her husband to the ravages of cancer. Since they are both unemployed and Christmas was near, they were suffering. Their pastor had just left their home after giving them some money for gifts for their children.
After opening the door and greeting me, she soon opened a photo album which contained many of her family pictures, including those of her wedding. She picked out two pictures that I will always keep, one with her and her late husband standing in front of the altar and the tabernacle containing Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and myself at their side, and another of her daughters - including the youngest who died in the crash. Yes, there were tears…
She related that her surviving daughters wondered why God would have allowed this to happen. Needless to say, I spent considerable time with her explaining the mystery of creation, original sin, the incarnation, redemption, the very reason the Son of God came to us around 2,000 years ago. Life itself was born in time to die, so we who were dead in sin could live. I, of course, was only reiterating the very things her pastor had related. Before I left, I gave her and her sister a little badly-needed money.
How does our soul magnify the Lord? By giving the love of God to others, especially those in need. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to the Blessed Virgin Mary because without her “yes,” the incarnation would not have happened. Without Mary, there would not be Jesus. As for the two sisters, helping them was only possible in part because of the generosity of the faithful of southern Nebraska.
To our faithful benefactors I also owe a debt of gratitude, for around Christmas we helped many more people than we ever did before… with emergency services, food, clothing, grants for counseling, and toys for more than 4,000 needy children (over 1,000 more than last year). I know that because the love of God lives in your hearts, your generosity will continue. This is comforting for me to know because Jesus Himself said, “The poor you always have with you” (Jn 12:8).
Please know that we at Catholic Social Services will keep you, your family and intentions in our prayers this New Year and beyond!
Days ago, in the midst of a cold snap, before closing time I strolled through our lobby and noticed a young man with a specially trained dog. His doctor’s office suggested he visit us for assistance. He heated his tiny efficiency apartment by turning on his oven and opening the door.
A tearful case worker in our office gave him her own space heater. I offered to buy her a new one but she refused, explaining that she too must help in her own way.
Before long I knew most of the man’s story. He recently moved to Lincoln and was struggling with the side effects of his cancer-related treatments. He was wearing two tee shirts over a light jacket. “Father, I’m from Wisconsin and know how to ‘layer up!’” “How are you going to get home?” I asked. “I’ll wait for the next bus and take it home,” he replied. I knew it wasn’t good enough at 2 degrees (and a wind-chill of 20 below) and his labored breathing. After hearing we were there to help he said in a relieved tone, “Thank you! I don’t know what I would have done otherwise!”
Because of some generous donors, I was able to give him a warm winter coat with a hood in his size and, along with some food from our pantry, we loaded up one of our vans and headed to the pharmacy closest to his home. After paying for his medicines, we arrived at his apartment. His possessions included an old sofa, a small stand, a broken frying pan, one pot, three plates, one knife, one fork and several spoons. Because of the small size of his apartment, it didn’t take long for the space heater to do its job.
He was even more relieved when I said, “We’ll be back, with a table and chairs, a dresser and hide-a-bed, bed sheets, blankets and items for the kitchen. We will also help turn your gas on so you will have real heat!”
Needless to say, he was grateful and overwhelmed. I was grateful as well to Almighty God for sending him to us and decided to call his doctor’s office to thank them for their referral.
Lastly, I was grateful to all of our benefactors - for their prayers so we can continue this ministry of loving Jesus Christ who lives in the poor and needy; for their material donations, i.e., furniture, appliances, clothes, coats, house and kitchenware, etc; and for their cash donations which allow us to help with rent, utilities, grants for counseling etc.
I knew that if it wasn’t for our generous donors, this would never have happened.
As I left this young man, I was relieved that he would spend the evening safe and warm, with his needed medicines and a full stomach. Soon he would be able to sit at his own kitchen table and sleep on a mattress with the basic amenities that we all are tempted to take for granted.
Thank you all once again and know that we at Catholic Social Services pray for you every morning at 8:30.
Whenever family members die from physical ailments or accidents, invariably someone asks, “Why did God allow this to happen? Why did God permit this?”
Now, countless people, young and old are asking the same questions in the country of Haiti. The further one delves into these mysteries (with Divine Revelation to guide us with the assistance of the gifts of knowledge, wisdom and understanding) the more one can begin to appreciate the gravity of the fall of mankind in the garden after the creation of our first parents.
As beautiful as this world is, God did not create it as it is now. Before the fall, death, disease, trauma, suffering, etc. did not exist, but entered the world after our first parents decided to disobey God their creator. Created with Divine life in their souls, known as sanctifying grace, they were destined to be assumed into heaven after their earthly lives. But with their disobedience, all was lost, including sanctifying grace within their souls, their ticket to heaven. It is this graceless condition known as Original Sin that we inherit from our first parents.
Fortunately, we know the rest of the story. God, who could have left us in our sorry state with the gates of heaven closed, took on flesh from the Virgin Mary to die, so we who were dead in sin could live eternally and not temporally here on earth. Didn’t we just celebrate this mystery at Christmas time? With His passion, death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus has re-opened the gates to the only place where perfect happiness exists, heaven and not here on earth.
It is no accident that the last day of the Christmas season is the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Jesus Christ, true God and true man, who needed not baptism, sanctified the waters of our own baptism, when Original Sin was removed and the gates to the other sacraments were opened.
But until we go through the door of death with sanctifying grace in our souls, we as members of the mystical body of Christ suffer. Since we are all members of the same body of Christ, “If one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Cor 12:26). This is why countless individuals all across the world are responding to the tragedy in Haiti. After hearing the news, I know that you too felt that inner pain.
Immediately after the earthquake, Pope Benedict XVI asked all Catholic charity organizations to respond. That is why Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska has started a relief effort. Many of you have already responded by donating through second collections across the diocese which will be forwarded to us, and others have sent checks directly to us with ‘Haiti earthquake fund’ in the memo of the check. All funds sent to us will be forwarded to the relief effort.
The response so far has been tremendous, evidence that when “One member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Cor 12:26). I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity, allowing us at Catholic Social Services to help not only the needy of southern Nebraska but beyond! Please never forget that we at Catholic Social Services will keep not only the living and deceased Haitian earthquake victims but you, your family and intentions in our daily prayers!
I’m sure that our benefactors wonder from time to time what happens to individuals and families we assist. Reading and hearing some of these stories is often moving.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of my assignment is traveling across southern Nebraska meeting and talking with those in need and our generous donors who make what we do possible. Sometimes this involves offering Masses at different parishes across the diocese. Recently, before Mass somewhere south of the Platte River, a young woman who appeared to be in her late twenties or early thirties wanted to say a few words to me before Mass. This is not unusual. When people want to talk before or after Mass, it could be about anything from, “Father, could you bless this rosary?” or “Father, could you hear my confession?” to the desire to talk about some personal matter while wanting some spiritual advice.
My impression was that she was not a Catholic. She asked, “Are you the Catholic Social Services guy?” “Why, yes I am!” I answered. “I just want to thank you for everything that you have done for me and my children! For the last five years you have helped me with toys for my kids.” “Did we help you again this last Christmas?” I asked. “No, because I have a good paying job now and did not want to take anything away from another mom who needed help” she retorted. She went on to explain that CSS had done much more for her over the last several years while she was unemployed in terms of emergency services (help with rent, utilities, etc.) and wanted to further elaborate but Mass was about to begin. After thanking me a dozen times, she asked how she could start giving back in terms of volunteering.
This reminded me of a young married man who came into one of our offices wanting to donate a car. When asked how he learned about our St. Christopher Car program, he answered, “Several years ago Catholic Social Services gave me a vehicle and I wanted to return the favor to someone else!” After signing the title of his car to CSS he merrily went on his way.
Yes, there are some of Christ’s poor who cannot seem to raise themselves out of the cycle of poverty. There are many reasons for this. We need to remind ourselves that like everyone else, they too are created in the image and likeness of God. But there are many others who do, returning to us thankful to God and to our donors, and wanting to become donors themselves.
That said, I am allowed yet another opportunity to thank the generous people of southern Nebraska for their love for Jesus Christ, who lives in the poor and needy, which is manifested by their generosity. You are making a difference in the lives of many. When they thank me they are thanking you, and they want me to relay their thankfulness.
Please know that in addition to relaying the gratitude of these former clients, we at Catholic Social Services will keep you, your family and intentions in our prayers as we routinely pray for you every morning at 8:30.
Since CSS covers all of the area south of the Platte River, we receive calls from many locations across the diocese. It seems that over the last six months there have been an increase in house fires and accidents. All of the fires that we are aware of have destroyed the respective homes, tragically with some loss of family members in several. Sadly, there has been loss of life in the accidents as well.
It is edifying how in some of these cases the local communities have stepped up and helped. Since more help was needed, CSS was there to join in the effort with our available resources, including cash assistance and material items (including a vehicle).
You might have heard that some entertainers are holding benefit concerts for the earthquake victims in Haiti. Over the past six years, musicians here in the heartland have donated their time to benefit the poor in southern Nebraska. That said, if cabin fever is setting in and you cannot wait another six weeks for warmer weather, I have just the thing for you, something that will warm your heart – Trumpet Fest 2010!
I am excited to announce that this will be the seventh annual “Trumpet Fest” for Catholic Social Services, a benefit for poor and needy individuals and families who live in southern Nebraska. It is presented by Murray’s for Men of Stature.
Like past years, Trumpet Fest 2010 will highlight some of the areas finest trumpeters including Mac McCune, Darryl White, Dennis Schneider, Dean Haist, Barb Schmit, Tom Kelly, Kevin Murray and more. There will be solo performances, duets by Denny Schneider and Tom Kelly, and another with Darryl White and Kevin Murray. There will also be a family performance by Barb Schmit, her husband and children. There will even be performances by some of the most talented students around! Then to cap off the event, there will be a jam session that I cannot begin to describe, something guaranteed to warm your soul.
Trumpet Fest 2010 takes place Sunday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. in Pius X High School, Lincoln. Admission is free but hats will be passed for a free-will offering. All proceeds will be used to assist the numerous needy individuals and families that come to us on a daily basis. Visit www.cssisus.org for more details.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the musicians who will be performing, and all of our patrons who are planning to attend. For those who are on the fence, you can ‘kill two birds with one stone’: after hearing the performances of the above musicians, you will walk away amazed and entertained, and with the monies collected by the passing of the hat, you will help us continue to assist those who are in dire need.
Please know that we at Catholic Social Services will keep these musicians, and you in our prayers as we routinely pray for our benefactors every morning at 8:30. See you at Pius High School at 3 p.m. Feb. 7!
Last year, one of our donors asked me if he could volunteer on a regular basis after retiring, saying, “Father, I think I can give you at least 20 hours a week!” After retirement came a period of down time (which included some travel) after which his wife said, “John, when are you going to get a life? You better call Father Kubat!!” He is planning on wearing several hats but for now is concentrating in our food pantry, including our St. Andrew’s Mobile Food Pantry which we take on the road to numerous communities across southern Nebraska. Food is purchased and trucked to each location and, utilizing parish and community volunteers, those who come are greeted at the door with no questions asked and are individually assisted in picking out food for themselves and their families.
Recently at a mobile pantry, John came across an elderly woman with her middle-aged daughter. While helping them load up the food into their car they both started weeping. They explained that because they do not qualify for aid on paper, they are unable to find help at other pantries. At best they receive only small amounts. Since they were able to choose and receive all they needed and were greeted by warm and friendly volunteers they were overwhelmed to the point of tears. In John’s own words, “I can’t help but feel that those tears were not meant for my benefit only, but for those throughout our diocese who support this great work.”
Later this month on February 28th at the Cornhusker Hotel, Catholic Social Services will be holding our annual Celebration of Caring Banquet with the presentation of the Cor Christi (Heart of Christ) award. At this yearly banquet we celebrate God’s benevolence as reflected by His great love for us and what we have accomplished over the past year by His grace and the generosity of our generous benefactors across southern Nebraska and beyond.
This year, the Cor Christi award will be presented to Bob and Pam McCabe of Lincoln for their years of service for the cause of life. Whether it is rain or shine, hot or cold, ice or snow, Bob and Pam have been present outside of Lincoln’s abortion mill praying and offering counsel to the many women and men going inside. Over the years, they by the grace of God have been instruments in saving countless babies.
I hope you can join us on February 28th at the Cornhusker Hotel, where we will be celebrating the fact that all of us are created in the image and likeness of God. This is the reason we pray for the end to abortion and why we help and love Jesus who lives in the poor and needy. This is why the faithful of southern Nebraska has been supporting CSS for the last 78 years!
For those unable to be with us that evening, please pray for a holy and successful event. And remember that we at CSS, in addition to helping and praying for the needy across the diocese, will keep you, your family and intentions in our prayers as we routinely pray for our benefactors every morning at 8:30.
A wonderful collection of the writings of Blessed Mother Teresa has been compiled by Father Brian Kolodiejchuk M.C., entitled “Mother Teresa, Come Be My Light.” It contains her private writings, letters and correspondences, many of which were to her spiritual directors and other members of the clergy. Frequently did she request they be destroyed but thankfully, they have been preserved so we can gain a glimpse into the soul of this great contemporary light that lived among the poorest of the poor.
Her desire to help Jesus in the poor first appeared as a 12-year-old girl. This was one of the earliest and striking signs of her intense love of God, since most 12-year-old boys and girls do not have at the top of their “to do” list helping the poor and needy as a missionary. That said, her decision to enter the religious life as a nun came six years later as she admitted that until the age of 18 she “did not want to be a nun.”
She entered the Loreto order in Ireland and chose the name Teresa after St. Teresa of Lisieux. After boarding a ship bound for India she wrote a beautiful poem catching some of her sentiments. In it she wrote, “I’m leaving my old friends, Forsaking family and home, My heart draws me onward, To Serve my Christ … In return, I only ask of Thee, O most kind Father of us all: Let me save at least one soul – One you already know.” Little did she realize she would eventually baptize tens of thousands of souls and be responsible for saving innumerable sons and daughters of the Most High God.
On May 24, 1937 Gonxha Agnes Bojaxhiu became “Mother Teresa” as she professed her final vows as a member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (otherwise known as the Loreto Sisters). Shortly after this she wrote the following in a letter to Father Jambrekovic: “Everything is for Jesus; so like that everything is beautiful, even though it is difficult.”
Remember, this was written before she started the Missionaries of Charity. This phrase described her entire life and work for the poor including offering up her feelings of desolation. Her life was beautiful because it was lived and spent entirely for Jesus.
Let us consider making this phrase a springboard and point of meditation for our Lenten prayers, works, joys, sufferings, thoughts, words, deeds, and acts of penance, because if we do them all and entirely for Jesus, they will become beautiful even though some of them will be difficult.
In my February Via Satoris letter I asked this question- “How can I adequately express my gratitude to our generous monthly Via Satoris members who are vital to Catholic Social Services since Jesus said, “The poor you always have with you (Jn 12:8)?” I now ask it in an even broader sense; how can I thank all of our benefactors for your spiritual, material, and financial support which allows us to help poor and needy individuals and families across southern Nebraska?
Please be assured of my prayers and penances for you which will be done with joy because like Blessed Mother Teresa, you are doing it all and entirely for Jesus!
Several years ago, after boarding a flight to a well-known domestic destination, fastening my seatbelt, and ensuring my tray table and seat were in the locked and upright position, I noticed during and after take-off that the young woman sitting next to me was anxious and disturbed.
After a simple “Hello,” I judged by her body language and the way she returned my greeting that she wanted nothing to do with a middle-aged man dressed in priestly garb. Before going on, let me be clear; the following as described has nothing to do with me personally, but everything to do with the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the office of the priesthood.
After sensing trouble in the soul of the young woman sitting next to me, I remember feeling sadness inside, and wondered what could be done during this brief flight. Thankfully, the baggage screeners didn’t mind I was ‘packing heat’- carrying a rosary. Some Catholics, like religious sisters carry them on their belts, visible to others around them which make them fast on the draw. I, like many others, carry mine in a ‘holster’ or a rosary pouch, truly concealed in my pocket. Since they are useless unless they are ‘un-holstered,’ and used, I pulled mine out and started to say a rosary for her as she kept looking down or out the window.
After reciting the rosary I turned to her and asked, “Did you notice that I said a rosary?” “Yes,” she replied. “I prayed it for you.” I said. After this, the flood gates opened and the tears started to flow. After a few moments of flood control, she told me she was a Catholic and opened the door to her soul, revealing the skeletons inside, including the one big one that was the source of the majority of her pain and sorrow. After a few moments, the closet of her soul was cleaned out as I recited the words of absolution, “I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!” It was then that tears of joy replaced the tears of sorrow. After a few words of spiritual advice on prayer and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, we parted ways.
For those who have not received this powerful sacrament for some time and for those who regularly receive it, I recommend a beautiful little booklet, which costs only a dollar, available at most parishes in the diocese and at our Chancery called, “The Little Catechism on Confession.” In it are sections on the love of God, the nature of sin, why Jesus started confession to a priest including scriptural passages relating to its origin, a useful examination of conscience and much more. Since Lent has started, it is a wonderful time to pick one up and read this short but useful aid. Let us remind ourselves that since confession is a sacrament, we receive God’s grace or Divine Life inward every time we receive it. This is why Blessed Mother Teresa received it weekly. Let us all imitate her for the same reason, for the forgiveness of sins and the reception of God’s graces. Let us also not forget to recite the most holy rosary daily. My prayer is that you have a blessed Lent and glorious Easter!
Remember the story related in Luke’s gospel concerning the 10 lepers?
Jesus encountered them on the road traveling from Samaria to Jerusalem. Once they saw Jesus, they fell at His feet and cried, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Having pity on them, Jesus cured them saying, “Go and show yourselves to the priests” (Lk 17:14). Only one returned and thanked Jesus by ‘falling on his face’ at the feet of Jesus while giving Him thanks and praise. Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?” (Lk 17:17)
While the vast majority of those we help are thankful for the assistance received at Catholic Social Services, occasionally we have clients who return to thank us either in person or by sending us a thank-you card or letter. Either way, these expressions of gratitude are truly and rightfully directed to our generous benefactors and ultimately Almighty God, who is the source of all charity.
Recently, a single mother came to one of our offices frightened and scared, not knowing where to turn or what to do. She was recently hurt on the job and since her worker’s compensation covered only a portion of her monthly bills, including her mortgage, she was in trouble. After using up her savings, she stood to lose her house.
I was told she was “doing everything right and not because of an unwillingness to work or for laziness, but because of an injury,” she was on the brink of disaster.
In a lovely and tenderly written thank-you card she said, and I quote, “I just wanna say thanks for your time, kind generosity for helping me with my mortgage situation in December. I go back to the doctor in March … and I hope to be released …. I need to look for a new job. Maybe I can come in sometime if you have time to proofread my resume … I just wanna say thank you for your warmth, time and help. I know that you get a lot of requests but I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Thanks for saving my house. I hope to give back by donating or volunteering, thanks so much!!!” She signed the thank you card by saying, “God bless you” followed by her name and the name of her daughter. The emergency services case worker who helper her was noticeably touched.
Notice her mention of donating back or volunteering. This is nothing new to Catholic Social Services. There are instances where past clients have later donated time and talent by volunteering, treasure by cash donations, donated clothes, or even larger items such as cars.
As mentioned above, the gratitude expressed in this thank-you note rightfully belongs to the countless benefactors of southern Nebraska and beyond! May this column be our thank-you note from us to you for helping us touch the lives of needy individuals and families who come to us on a daily basis. Never forget that we at Catholic Social Services pray for you every morning at 8:30!
Earlier this month, the Universal Church celebrated the feast day of St. Casmir of Poland, known as “The peace maker” and “The patron of the poor.” Born to King Casmir IV and Elizabeth of Austria, Casmir was the third of 13 children. He was educated by John Dlugosz, a canon of Cracow and a learned historian who excelled in the virtue of humility.
It is said that the common denominator of all saints is an intense love for the Most Blessed Sacrament and the poor. This saint was no exception. He was often seen at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass “rapt in a trance.” St. Casmir had a special devotion to the passion of Christ and frequently meditated on the sufferings of Jesus. He also had exceptional love and devotion to the Blessed Mother and often recited the hymn known to us as “Daily, daily sing to Mary.”
He excelled in the practices of personal prayer by rising during the night to pray, and penance by wearing a hair shirt. Have you ever pondered what wearing a hair shirt was like? I often wonder after each haircut since, despite the best efforts by the barber vacuuming the neck and collar, some hair fragments invariably fall under the shirt and onto the skin causing some itching and discomfort. There goes any miniscule merit of mine by even mentioning it here….
We know from the first letter of John the evidence of our love of God is our love for our neighbor. This was evident in the heroic actions of St. Casmir. He gave all he had to the poor and destitute and used his influence on their behalf with his father (the king of Poland) and his brother Wladislas (the king of Bohemia). His father most likely never tired of his requests on behalf of the poor since they were sometimes daily. Despite the pleas to become the king of Hungary, Casmir refused all offers of position and power. He also had the reputation of always being approachable to those in need. Although he never entered religious life he was committed, in practice, to a life of poverty, chastity and obedience- obedience to our Divine Savior.
In addition to his love for Christ and His presence in the poor, Casmir also had a ‘sweet spot’ in his heart for the sick and suffering. It is most likely from them that he contracted tuberculosis, which became a personal death sentence for him. He died at the early age of 26 in the year 1484. In addition to being the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania, he is venerated by young people as a model of purity.
How invaluable it is reading and studying the lives of the saints because from them, we can learn how they applied the tenets of the gospel in a concrete way.
Let us, like St. Casmir, meditate on the sufferings of Jesus Christ who died so we would live, especially during this holy season of Lent. Let us like him spend time each week in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament in prayer. We will then grow in our knowledge that Christ is present in our neighbor including those in dire need.
My prayer is that you have a blessed Lenten preparation for the glorious season of Easter, when we celebrate our Savior’s defeat of sin and death!
St. Casmir, pray for us!
St. Isidore was born in 1070 in Madrid. As a child, his destitute parents sent him to a wealthy landowner to work as a farmer. As Providence had it, this was his only job until his death at the age of 60.
Isidore married a holy woman named Maria Torribia (who herself is a canonized saint). Together they had a son who died suddenly as a child. Throughout his life, Isidore attended daily Mass, after which he worked in the fields. Through the work of his hands and divine intervention, he consistently produced greater yields in comparison with other farm workers who toiled nearby. It is no surprise that he is the patron saint of farmers and the United States National Rural Life Conference.
Like other saints, in addition to his intense love and devotion to our Divine Savior in the Blessed Sacrament, St. Isidore had a tremendous love for the poor which was reflected in his charity to those in need, especially the hungry. He was, on at least one occasion, the instrument of the division of food in the midst of a large group of beggars. It is also no surprise that St. Isidore was the unanimous choice for the patron saint for our new thrift store in Imperial.
On March 8 in Imperial, St. Isidore Gift & Thrift celebrated its grand opening. Present were Father Bernard Lorenz, who cut the ribbon at 11 a.m., Bill Sullivan, the store’s manager, other members of CSS and many wonderful volunteers from the Imperial area. We are grateful to Father Lorenz and the members of St. Patrick in Imperial for letting us use their old parish hall after they built a beautiful new one. After some minor modifications to the old hall and other preparations by the loving and dedicated volunteers, the grand opening occurred without a hitch. A good-sized crowd was greeted with refreshments. Many items were purchased - items large such as furniture and small such as kitchen items, and seemingly everything in between.
Donated items will be sold at affordable prices and the profits used to help the needy in the western region of the diocese. Even though we assist individuals and families all across the diocese, it was our dream to do more out west, which was one of the four elements or goals of our first-ever capital campaign, Expanding the Works of Mercy. After several years, with the powerful intercession of St. Isidore, we will be ready to purchase a building in downtown Imperial for a permanent site.
I would like to thank Father Lorenz, Bill Sullivan, other staff members of CSS and all the dedicated and generous volunteers who donated their time getting the store ready, and those who worked at the store on the day of the grand opening, and donors of material items who helped make this project a reality.
For those in the area, please keep St. Isidore in mind when donating items big and small, and consider volunteering. And of course, please keep us in your prayers. St. Isidore the Farmer, pray for us!!
On March 19th, the Universal Church celebrated the solemnity of St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus and patron of the Catholic Church. At Mass we were given two options for the gospel. The first was from the gospel according to Matthew concerning the birth of our Savior.
Often have I pondered what Joseph was thinking when he discovered that the ever blessed and virgin Mary was with child. How troubled he must have been knowing that his betrothed was expecting. On one hand he knew her to be holy, pure, chaste and virginal but after considerable thought without the supernatural guidance of understanding from the Holy Sprit, “Since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly” (Mt 1:19).
It was after this that an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her” (Mt 1:20). Reading on we discover that Joseph responded promptly without fear and took his wife into his home and became the guardian of the Christ Child.
Isn’t it fear of losing something one is attached to that prevents one’s growth in holiness? It could be something sinful- or even something that is not sinful- that we are called to give up for a greater good. Recently I visited a group of teens at the home of John and Cindy Maher to discuss social justice and why we need to help the poor. I explained there are two reasons to do so.
First, after reading what Jesus said about the general judgment on the last day, one may be tempted to assist those in need because they ‘fear the loss of heaven and the pains of hell.’
‘But most of all because they offend thee my God…’ brings us to the second and best reason: because we love God and have the sure faith that Jesus lives in them. “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40).
Like St. Joseph, we need to take heed of the words that were uttered to him by the angel of the Lord, the same words reiterated by the late Pope John Paul II, “Be not afraid!”
I pointed out that fidelity to the gospel because of fear usually does not work well, but when one truly loves God one acts out of love. Herein lies peace, the peace that only God gives, which is different from the peace that the world gives which cannot be explained.
I further explained that since starting as the director of Catholic Social Services, I have met numerous generous donors who reflect this peace in their faces, and monthly sign many thank you letters to other benefactors that I have not met. Even though I have not met them, I am confident that they too have found that peace in their great love which is expressed in the charity to the poor by their generosity to us.
To all of our generous supporters, thank you!! St. Joseph, pray for us!!
On Wednesday, Feb. 17, many of the faithful heard Mass and received ashes on their foreheads as they listened to these words uttered by the priest: “Remember, you are dust, and to dust you will return!” We were then instructed to ‘climb the holy mountain of Easter’ by an increase in prayer and penance over the 40 days of Lent. Now Holy Church asks us to celebrate in a special way the definitive victory over sin and death by our Lord Jesus Christ by His suffering, death and resurrection during the fifty days of the Easter season stretching from Easter Sunday to Pentecost.
The first days of the Easter season are Easter Sunday and the days of the Easter octave (eight days), all celebrated as solemnities, each day celebrated as if it were Easter. Hearing at Mass the appearances of the resurrected Jesus to His disciples and meditating on the resurrections itself, one is tempted to say, “If only I could have been at the tomb that Easter Sunday.”
One can easily forget that not only is the sacrifice of our Savior made present at Mass, so is His resurrection. So in this sense we are present at Calvary and the tomb on the first Easter Sunday at every Mass. That is why these words are found in each Eucharistic prayer immediately after the words of consecration- “Father, we celebrate the memory of Christ, your Son. We, your people and your ministers, recall his passion, his resurrection from the dead, and his ascension into glory” (Eucharistic prayer #1); “In memory of his death and resurrection, we offer you, Father, this life giving bread, this saving cup” (Eucharistic prayer #2); “Father, calling to mind the death your Son endured for our salvation, his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven, and ready to greet him when he comes again, we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice” (Eucharistic prayer #3) and “Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. We recall Christ’s death, his descent among the dead, his resurrection, and his ascension to your right hand; and, looking forward to his coming in glory, we offer you his body and blood, the acceptable sacrifice which brings salvation to the whole world” (Eucharistic prayer #4).
Unfortunately, much is lost in translation to the vernacular languages. We are not recalling something in the past (like remembering a marriage that happened 50 years ago as we count our facial wrinkles) but recalling something by actually making it present and in this case, the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therefore, at Mass, Jesus does not die and rise from the dead again, another time. Christ died and rose once and these events cannot be repeated but the one and only death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are made present. This is what the Mass is. Yes, we truly have something profound to celebrate!
I hope that many of you will be able to join us Friday, May 5 as we begin again our First Friday Fish Fries outside of Lent to benefit St. Gianna’s Women’s Homes. This will be Friday of the fifth week of Easter. Help us break in our new Fry Master which will help us enhance our fish fries! Hopefully, weather permitting, we will even have outdoor seating and some other surprises.
It is our prayer at Catholic Social Services that you have a blessed and holy Easter season!
I'll never forget the words of Bishop Bruskewitz during a luncheon on a hot summer day when I was a seminarian. He said, “Gentlemen, there are people out there, some of whom have not been born, whose salvation depends on whether you will be there as their priest.”
During the first six months of 2005, I assisted a priest in Mexico City while studying Spanish. I traveled there on weekends from Cuernavaca. It was a complicated three-hour journey, necessitating some walking, several buses, and navigating the massive Mexico City subway system. He was the only priest assigned to a parish with an estimated 70,000 people within its boundaries. Let us compare this to the Diocese of Lincoln with more than 90,000 Catholics with more than 140 active and retired priests. Needless to say, he was happy to have the help.
After a tour of the parish, I noticed a medium-sized hospital a few blocks away. Because of the demographics mentioned above, I understood why he didn’t visit it on a daily basis, attempting to see all who were admitted (the population is estimated to be 88% Catholic with the percentage to be even higher among the elderly). Every Sunday morning after filling a large pix with the Blessed Sacrament I was off to the hospital. The nurses, not having to worry about HIPPA, were eager to inform me which patients were the sickest and closest to death.
One such Sunday, I entered a room with a woman in her early 50s who looked like my sister Barbara. She was thin and struggled for every breath. She was in obvious respiratory distress, nearing the end of her life. She never thought of calling a priest but was relieved to see me. She was brought up Catholic but had fallen away from the practice of the faith and had not been to confession for many years. After she verbalized all of her sins, I raised my hands and said, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!” I then anointed her and although still in distress, she was in peace. I recalled the bishop’s words.
There were many others like her. Some had received baptism with no exposure to anything of the faith until I walked in the room. Some of them left this world soon after my visit. One man’s heart stopped as I entered his room. As his nurse and I did CPR, we brought him back and after the reception of the sacraments, he died. Again I recalled the bishop’s words, “Gentlemen, there are people out there, some of whom have not been born, whose salvation depends on whether you will be there as their priest.”
During and after the homily by Msgr. David Hintz April 10 at the funeral Mass of Father Mark Tasler, I meditated on what the manifestation of Divine Mercy, the sacramental priesthood of Jesus Christ, is to humanity. Just imagine the many times Father Tasler offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, fed his parishioners the bread of Angels, absolved them of their sins, and anointed the sick preparing them for eternity.
Yes, the sacrament of Holy Orders like the other sacraments, is a manifestation of the mercy of God, making Christ present in the person of the priest. Please keep the happy repose of Father Mark Tasler in your prayers and remember, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Lk 10:2).
I bet you’ve heard the saying, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too!” Fortunately, there are exceptions to some rules as is the case for our first annual “That Takes the Cake! A Frosted Fundraiser for St. Gianna Women’s Homes.”
Soon after the board of advisors for St. Gianna’s met the first time, they came up with the idea of a cake decorating contest. I admit this was not the first thing that came to my mind. To come clean, it was not on my mind at all. But since we were in the season of Lent (and having had given up cake) it seemed like a great idea. The more the ladies talked about it, the more the metabolism of my saliva glands increased. It was the unanimous consensus of the board.
I am excited to announce that on Saturday, May 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Pius X High School on 60th and A streets in Lincoln, St. Gianna Women’s Homes will hold the first-ever “That Takes the Cake! A Frosted Fundraiser for St. Gianna Women’s Homes.” There will be a professional category where bakers around the area will be competing for awards and prize money. Those who attend will be voting for their favorite cakes and will have a chance to buy them via a silent auction. Votes will be cast by using dollar bills, and those voting may vote as often as they wish.
There will also be a celebrity category with many local celebrities participating. Those attending will be surprised who agreed to enter a cake. Like the professional category, those attending will be able to vote for their favorite celebrity cakes, and will have an opportunity to take them home via a silent auction.
There will also be a cake walk as many devoted women have agreed to bake their family favorites. This will be a perfect time to walk away with a cake for Mother’s Day- either from the professional or celebrity categories or from the cake walk.
Because it will be next to impossible to walk near beautiful and delicious cakes without eating any, we will have complimentary cakes to be eaten, along with something to wash it down. Yes, you can have your cake and eat it too!
I would like to thank the members of St. Gianna’s board for coming up with this idea and for their hard work and dedication: Jenny Ackerman, Nancy Bird, Amy Hamburger, Stephanie Johanns, Karen Largen, Lisa Marks, John McDermott, Pat Miller, Ginger O’Donnell, Cathy Reese, Dotti Romero, Jolene Ward, Sister Jacquelyn Darner, Greg Schleppenbach, and Deb Schulte. I would also like to thank all the ladies who have agreed to bake cakes for the cake walk and for all those who have helped in any way and are planning to help. And yes, we will be needing a few volunteers the day of the event. Those interested are invited to contact me at 402-474-1600.
As you have already surmised, this will be a family event. Tickets are $5 for an individual and $25 for a family. All proceeds will go to St. Gianna’s Women’s Homes, for women escaping domestic violence and abortion. We get so many calls for women in need that I received one while writing this column. Please help us assist them while having a little fun and remember, you can have your cake and eat it, too! St. Gianna, pray for us!!
Not long ago, while playing rummy with my mother and father, in the midst of the fray I said, “Dad, do you love me?” “No!!” he exclaimed, “Not while I’m playing cards, this is serious business!”
Of course my father loves me, even though he refuses to say so while playing cards, especially when he is losing.
I have an aunt who loved me tremendously but had a hard time verbalizing it. Whenever she thought I was blue, she would make spaghetti, cookies and pies for me. I loved looking sad in her presence because I soon would be enjoying delicious pasta complete with the trimmings. I would always thank and tell her I loved her and she would never say it in return. I knew she loved me and always received a great big hug and kiss.
Later, while on her death bed, suffering from intractable end-stage congestive heart failure, while struggling for every breath, I walked into her hospital room. She immediately rallied for a brief moment sat up and said in a loud voice, “Chris, when I get out of here, I’m going to Stoysich House of Sausage and will make you spaghetti!!!” Everyone in the room and I knew she would never leave the hospital and that death was near. I said, “Aunt Tina, I love you!” She said loudly, “Same!!!” This was the closest she could come to saying it. That said, I did not need to hear it, I knew she loved me. She died a holy death, having seen the priest before entering eternity.
Thanks to John the Evangelist, we know that “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8; 4:16) and not a feeling or an emotion. We also know that the evidence of our love of God is our love of neighbor (1Jn 3:11-4:21). And further, the evidence of our love of neighbor is whether we sacrifice ourselves for them, the barometer of selfgiving. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (Jn 3:16). “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom of all” (1 Tim 2:5-6).
Recently Russ Reinig, a past Cor Christi winner and co-founder of our food pantry, passed away into eternity. He was a long-time volunteer who even bought a pickup truck years ago to facilitate picking up food donations for CSS. Through the years I would see Russ in our food pantry, day or night, during and after hours. Why did he give of himself so selflessly? Because he loved his neighbor, especially the poor and hungry. Why did he do so? Because of his intense love of God.
Please keep the happy repose of this beautiful soul precious in God’s eyes in your prayers.
If you ever thought of volunteering for Catholic Social Services, please call us and remember, “Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph 5:1-2).”
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen!
As some of you know, our car program is under the patronage of the martyr St. Christopher. Since there are two martyr saints of the Catholic Church named Christopher, which one is it?
The first St. Christopher lived in the third century and was martyred during the reign of the Roman emperor Decius. Little else is known of his life. His name means ‘Christ-bearer.’ I have a first class relic and a beautiful statue of St. Christopher with the Child Jesus on his shoulder. He is said to have carried the child Jesus across a river and as the child grew heavier and heavier, St. Christopher was told, “It is because I am carrying the sins of the world.” He is the patron saint of travelers.
The other St. Christopher was born in Jalisco, Mexico. He was ordained a priest and was martyred along with 21 other devout priests and three lay Catholics during the early 20th century during an attempt by the government to stamp out the Catholic Church. He was martyred May 21, 1922 at the age of 57 as he forgave his killers. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II May 21, 2000.
Our St. Christopher Car Program is under the patronage of the St. Christopher who was martyred in the third century, the patron saint of travelers (some are tempted to think I named the program after this St. Christopher because I am named after him, but it providentially happened). We at Catholic Social Services are delighted to have such a powerful witness to the Catholic faith as the patron of this important program.
Recently, a man named Al Vybiral donated his mother’s beautiful 1999 Buick Lesabre custom four-door sedan that was driven mostly to Mass and to the store. As you can imagine, it is in great shape. He said the only defects were a back window that did not work and a non-functioning tail light. After repairing the tail light, he drove it to our office for the easy and simple transaction. Al remembered reading about our St. Christopher car program about a year ago and never forgot it. He had been driving the car until recently. Now, having purchased another car, he decided to donate it to Catholic Social Services.
I reminded him when someone donates a vehicle to us, it is either given away to someone in need, placed in our fleet, or sold and the profits used to fund our many programs.
Several weeks ago, after seeing the look on the face of the young women who received a car from us, I said to Curt Krueger (the manager of social services in the eastern sector of the diocese), “There is nothing like giving a vehicle away!”
But we can only give away vehicles that are donated to us. The “Cash for Clunkers’ program was a downer for us! Many perfectly good vehicles were crushed.
When you are at the point of purchasing a different vehicle, or if you have one you’re not driving, please prayfully consider donating it to Catholic Social Services. You will be killing two birds with one stone- making a deposit to your retirement account in heaven while getting a tax break in this life. St. Christopher, pray for us!!
During the first part of this Year for Priests, I was fortunate to visit Ars, France - the village where St. John Vianney was a parish priest. It was there I had the privilege of offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the altar where his body lies.
St. John Vianney was born in Dardilly in 1786 during the French Revolution (which gave birth to the Communist Revolution and is sadly celebrated by many today). It was during this period of terror that a countless number of faithful Catholics were tortured, butchered and beheaded just for being Catholic. During this time the Catholic faith was outlawed and faithful priests were hunted down like dogs, suffered unspeakable horrors and were put to death. Faithful priests, like those in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth in the 16th century, traveled the countryside in disguise, celebrating the sacraments in secret.
This was the milieu in which St. John Vianney was born and raised. His parents risked their lives and the lives of their children by hiding faithful priests. Mass was celebrated clandestinely as the faithful gathered secretly. Because of these challenges, St. John Vianney received his first holy Communion at the age of 13 and did not receive any formal education. It is easy to forget this when we hear of his difficulties learning Latin.
After many struggles and difficulties, he was ordained a priest August 12, 1815, and in Ars was the instrument of the salvation of an amount of souls only known to God, and continues to be such an instrument from his place in heaven. He spent hours on end hearing confessions. I heard a priest once say, “We have to keep our churches in a narrow range of temperature to avoid any complaints.” During the winter months, he would hear confessions 11 to 12 hours a day and up to 16 in the summer, all without heating and air conditioning. At one point in his ministry, he saw more than 300 pilgrims per day.
Like other saints, he possessed an intense love and devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to the poor. In his encyclical on St. John Vianney, Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia, Blessed John XXIII said, “This is how he taught his faithful how to pray: ‘You do not need many words when you pray. We believe on faith that the good and gracious God is there in the tabernacle; we open our souls to him; and feel happy that He allows us to come before Him; this is the best way to pray.’ ”
It was this intense love and devotion to the Eucharist that led to his love of neighbor with a special spot for those in need.
Let us be so resolved to spend time with our Eucharistic King each week knowing we will not ‘need many words.’ Just simply lift your heart to Jesus while in front of the Blessed Sacrament and he will guide you closer to God the Father in the Holy Spirit. Then the proof of your love of God will manifest itself by your love of neighbor especially those in need. St. John Vianney, pray for us!!
The question whether women can be admitted to the sacrament of Holy Orders continues to be raised, despite Pope John Paul II definitively saying in his apostolic letter entitled Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, “I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.”
Canon law states, “Only a baptized male validly receives sacred ordination” (can 1024). Further, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Only a baptized man validly receives sacred ordination. The Lord Jesus chose men to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry … The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible” (CCC 1577).
Are there any other reasons? Aren’t women smart, wise and hard-working enough, sharing the same dignity as men? Certainly. Some have argued that they are more sensitive and nurturing than men, something I wouldn’t disagree with. I would argue as a whole, women have a higher pain tolerance than men. How about natural courage? How many women and men were at the foot of the cross? These arguments, however, have nothing to do with the question at hand.
Once, while flying, I sat next to a woman who told me she was an Episcopalian priest. I asked her to define marriage. Thankfully she stated that marriage is for one man and one woman, because this constitutes another powerful argument. Yes, marriage is for one man and one woman (Gen 1:27; 2:24), something that Jesus the Eternal High Priest Himself re-iterated (Mt 19:4-6). In a beautiful vision, an angel said to John the evangelist, “Come, I will show you the Bride (referring to the Church, the mystical body of Christ), the wife of the lamb (referring to Christ Jesus the bridegroom)”(Rev 21:9).
St. Paul completes the connection in his letter to the Ephesians. In it, he exhorts wives to be subject to their husbands as the Church is to Christ, and husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church (this means that husbands are to mount the cross daily for their wives). Therefore, if the Catholic Church is the bride (feminine), and an ordained priest who stands in the person of Christ shares in this spousal relationship as the bridegroom Jesus Christ (male), it is necessary that candidates to Holy Orders be men. This is why the Church has no authority to admit women to the priesthood. It is about nuptials.
What about altar servers? On July 27, 2001 the Congregation for Divine Worship’s Letter on Altar Servers states that “no priest is obligated to have female servers, even in dioceses where this is permitted.” Why is this, since girls are as smart and capable as boys? Because many boys, myself included, first received their calling to the priesthood as altar boys, and when girls are allowed to serve, some boys fall away and lose interest.
Please pray for the young men who will be ordained to the diaconate May 28 and to the priesthood May 29. They are the ones who will forgive sins (Jn 20:23), offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Lk 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24) give us the Most Holy Eucharist, and anoint us on our deathbeds (Jas 5:14-15).
When special requests come to us for needed items, I always respond, “Start praying that God will provide.” Often after a short while God does so.
Not long ago, I received a call from an elderly couple from a small town in rural southern Nebraska who needed a vehicle that could carry a mobilized wheelchair. Their 23-year-old van, which was retro-fitted for a hoist, had broken down. It was the wife who used a motorized wheelchair. They lacked the funds to repair their van and needed help.
Soon after the death of Father Milton Thomas, we received word he had left his vehicle to Catholic Social Services. It was great news since his Buick Rendezvous had a wheelchair lift. It was an answer to our prayers. Father Thomas had been in the diocese for years, initially as a Crosier father and later as a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. He was well known in the greater Hastings area for he had been the pastor of St. Ann Parish in Doniphan when the construction of the present church was started.
After informing them we had a vehicle that might work, they found a neighbor to drive them to Hastings. They were introduced to Mr. Tom Schik, who told them, “Here are the keys to your new vehicle, let’s go see it.”
“What was it like?” I asked the couple. “Mercy!” he informed me. “I was flabbergasted, floored and surprised!!” “It’s real schnazzy!” she added as I was on speakerphone. “I guess God has not forgotten us!” I was also told that it is a lot easier on gas compared to their old van. Oh, the power of prayer!
This is another reminder that in addition to the usual items that people donate to us (furniture, appliances, beds, mattresses, bedding, vehicles, clothing, house wares, knick knacks etc.), we are in need of other items that are used by handicapped individuals as well.
As a reminder, donated material goods are either sold in one of our four thrift stores (St. Francis Gift & Thrift in Auburn, St. Joseph Gift & Thrift in Hastings, St. Isidore Gift & Thrift in Imperial, and St. Louise Gift & Thrift in Lincoln) and the profits used to help individuals with emergency services (rent and utility assistance, help with medical expenses and many other items), or for grants for those who are un-insured or under-insured and in need for counseling services; or given away directly to individuals or families in need. Other material donations that are vital to us are perishable and non-perishable food items for our fixed and mobile food pantries all across southern Nebraska from Imperial to Falls City.
These, combined with cash donations from our generous benefactors, and most importantly, your prayers, allow us to help around 20,000 individuals across southern Nebraska annually. That said, please accept my heartfelt thanks to all of you and know that all of us here at Catholic Social Services will keep you, your family and intentions in our prayers. No matter how many times I hear sentiments of gratitude from those who you help us assist, I will never get used to hearing, “I was flabbergasted, floored and surprised!!”
In Eucharistic Prayer number one, after the consecration of the bread and wine into the very Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, in the section entitled “Commemoration of the Dead,” it says, “Remember, Lord, those who have died and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, especially those for whom we now pray.”
How important it is not only to pray for the souls of the faithfully departed in Purgatory, but to have Masses said for their happy repose. Oh, how they are easily forgotten!
It is especially important to have Masses said for the souls in Purgatory because they need and want our help and the Mass is the most powerful and efficacious prayer because it is the re-presentation (not repeat) of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior (CCC 1362-1372; 1 Cor 11:26; 1163, 1166-1167; 1337).
On Memorial Day since childhood, I have prayed for the souls that ‘have gone before us marked with the sign of faith’ in a special way. I would go to the cemetery with my father and mother and visit the graves of many of my relatives on both sides of the family while praying for them. We would either attend Mass in the parish church or in the cemetery adjacent to the church.
This past Memorial Day, after talking to my mother and father on the phone, just before she left for the same cemetery to hear Mass with my sister Barb, I started making preparations for my yearly priestly retreat at the Waverly Retreat Center named after Our Lady of Good Counsel. I noticed my cassock was in need of repairs. There was a tear in the back and a button that needed to be replaced. After finding my sewing kit, I read the note taped to the top of the box, “Sewing Box,” followed by the contents, “Safety pins, thread, buttons, needles, tape measure, two scissors,” and lastly, “Joint effort of grandma and mom.” After reading this, I said even more prayers for my Irish grandmother who would be 108 if she was alive…. I thanked her for helping put together my sewing kit, an essential item for priests. For those of us who cannot sew, I can only say it is easier than sewing up people because there is no need to give an anesthetic and the stitches never need to come out…
For those who know individuals who do not believe in Purgatory, here are a few passages to remember (there are others to support the doctrine of Purgatory). Referring to Heaven it is stated, “Nothing unclean shall enter it” (Rev 21:27), who is completely purified
when their soul separates from their body? And, “Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Mt 12:32), referring to temporal punishment in the age to come, or the next life.
I would like to take this opportunity to not only thank our living benefactors who support Catholic Social Services but also our supporters who have, ‘gone before us marked with the sign of faith,’ in Purgatory and Heaven. Please remember to pray every day for the souls in Purgatory and more importantly consider having Masses said for the faithfully departed. Pray also that you have a priest present at your death, for Viaticum, confession, anointing and the Apostolic Pardon! Eternal rest grant unto them Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, may their souls rest in peace, Amen!!
What would Catholic Social Services do without our many dedicated volunteers?
Answering this question is easy – Catholic Social Services as we know it would not exist. Last year, Catholic Social Services was blessed to have 620 volunteers (of varied ages – school age up to seniors) who contributed 18,523 hours of volunteer time at a value of more than $153,000!!
As staggering as these statistics are, we are desperately in need of more volunteer help. I love to remind people that our diocese stretches east from the Iowa and Missouri borders to the Colorado border west, and north from the Platte River to the Kansas border south. This represents 24,000 square miles of territory, with nearly 20,000 people served annually all across the diocese, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity from a social and clinical services standpoint! This is why I am on my fourth set of tires!
To our many dedicated volunteers, please accept my most sincere gratitude and thanks. Without you, we would not be able to help the many poor and needy individuals and families who come to us on a weekly basis, in many cases in crisis. These equally-staggering statistics help one more easily understand why additional help is needed.
Writing a column like this is long overdue, for it answers a question that is frequently asked: “Father, what can I do to help?”
The possibilities are seemingly endless. We are in need of answering phones, filing, office and clerical work; helping in the accounting department; data entry; keeping our parking lots clean and tidy; helping at St. Gianna’s; helping at our First Friday Fish Fry outside of Lent (which benefits St. Gianna’s); cleaning, painting, gardening and yard work; helping in the food pantry; helping families to their cars with groceries; helping in our mobile food pantries (which stretch across the diocese); helping in our thrift stores (which involves sorting donations and working on the retail floor, being a personal shopper, picking up donations and delivering items as needed); keeping our vehicles clean; helping with maintenance, and many other items. Recently, some of our volunteers built shelving and remodeled a bathroom. The possibilities are truly endless.
For those who are interested, please call Curt Krueger (402-474-1600) for those living in the eastern part of the diocese covering Auburn and Lincoln; Tom Schik (402-463-2112) at our Hastings office; or Bill Sullivan (308-882-3005) who is at our Imperial location. The process is easy. It involves filling out a volunteer application and a form for a background check and you are off to the races.
In addition to thanking our many volunteers, be assured of the prayers of our staff for you and your families and intentions as well as my prayers as well.
Please also know that these words of our Divine Savior will apply to you in a special way after you enter eternal life, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much, enter into the joy of your master (Mt 25:23).”
In the 11 years since my ordination to the priesthood, I have had the privilege of getting to know many people, some of whom are now in nursing home facilities. Recently I visited an old man who because of adverse economic factors lost his job which led to the loss of his car and home. Now because of dementia, he is on the way to losing his mind.
During a recent visit, I was struck by the fact that he was not bothered by what he has lost because he knows that what he possesses, “an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison” (2 Cor 4:17), will not be taken away from him as long as he continues to cooperate with God’s abundant graces. St. Paul continues, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor 5:1).
After walking into his room I noticed it contained only a few items including a rosary on his night stand. After asking if he wanted to pray the rosary with me, he answered enthusiastically by saying “Yes!!” I was struck with the love and devotion he exhibited as he kissed the crucifix and image of the Blessed Virgin Mary between each decade. After reciting the Most Holy Rosary, he wanted my priestly blessing and kissed my hands. He loves to kiss the hands of a priest because with them he is able to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, receive absolution of his sins with the sacrament of penance and receive the sacrament of the sick which he has received several times. It was evident that although he lacked earthly riches, he possessed true wealth, which was his sole concern. I must confess it was difficult for me to hold back the tears.
On Sunday, Sept. 26, the gospel talked about the “rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores” (Lk 16:19-20). As the story goes, both the rich man and Lazarus died. The former went to hell, because he lacked true wealth and the latter to the bosom of Abraham because he possessed it. Unfortunately the rich man’s wealth was only used for himself and not others. He did not love God and his neighbor as himself.
I would like to thank all our donors who help us spiritually with their prayers, materially with their donated items of furniture, appliances, clothing, houseware items etc. and financially with their cash donations which allow us to help the Lazaruses that come to us and their families. Your generosity is evidence that you too possess true wealth within, which is God’s Divine Life, the Blessed Trinity or Sanctifying Grace within your souls, your ticket to paradise. Unlike the rich man in the gospel passage outlined above, you do love God and your neighbor as yourself. Please be assured of our continued prayers for you, your families and intentions!
Every year, many wonderful items and trips are auctioned off at our memorial golf tournament. The proceeds are used to help needy individuals and families.
Several years ago, the Marks family purchased a fishing trip on beautiful Lewis & Clark Lake which borders Nebraska and South Dakota. When the time came to leave for some serious fishing and fun, Dave Marks, his son Anthony and I met Dr. Mike Schilmoeller, the sponsor of this package, in Omaha and headed north. I was not concerned about the rainy and windy conditions because we prayed for a holy, safe and successful trip with good weather.
After stopping for some delicious fast food we purchased the needed provisions including steak (in case our fishing proved unsuccessful). After unpacking we soon found ourselves in our cabins in bed. I continued to pray because the wind and rain continued. As it turned out, the wind blew and the rain fell all night. I tried to stay confident as I fell in and out of sleep.
Morning came fast and after Mass and a delicious breakfast, we drove to the lake to meet Scott Madison, our guide. I was elated that the wind and rain stopped. Mike and I decided to fish off one of the piers that juts out onto the lake as Dave and Anthony headed on the lake in Scott’s boat.
After throwing my line into the lake and setting it on the pier without securing it, Mike said, “Aren’t you worried that a big fish could pull your line in?” “Nah,” I replied, “That’s not going to happen.” Seconds later we saw my rod and reel fly off the pier and into the lake like a rocket. As I grabbed the guard rail I saw my line disappear like a torpedo in the water. I remember yelling “Did you see that fish pull my line into the lake?!?!”
After this humiliation I was reduced to using my Popeil Pocket Fisherman (“As seen on TV”). After casting it into the deep, a fishing boat came to the rescue and asked, “We heard a fish pulled your line into the lake, can we help?” “How did you hear that?” I asked, forgetting that sound travels well on water, especially if you are yelling....
I quickly reeled in my Popeil Pocket Fisherman because their boat was heading for it. While reeling it in, to my surprise, I snagged the line that was pulled in by the fish. Not only did we get the rod back, but also the fish that pulled it into the lake. In addition, I hauled another nice one in with the pocket fisherman. No more humiliation.
Mike quickly pointed out that what we went through is like fishing for men: “Never give up on anybody even if you think their soul is lost. God’s graces can find a way to get them back.”
In the end Mike and I caught three nice ones, which were added to Dave and Anthony’s 13. It was turf and surf with S’mores over a nice campfire. Soon it was morning and the trip back home. We did not care it was raining again for God gave us a beautiful day and reminded us that He never gives up on us. We have access to His graces to the end. I would like to thank the Markses for purchasing this trip which helped us assist those in need.
Recently, Oct. 15, the Universal Church celebrated the memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus (otherwise known as St. Teresa of Avila), the first woman who became a doctor of the Church.
We know she was an attractive woman with a beautiful personality such that many were drawn to her on a natural level. Those who lacked a proper understanding of the Catholic faith could not understand her refusal to marry while others who did understand knew her bridegroom was Christ Jesus. Many who were drawn to her on a natural level were led to a closer relationship with God on a supernatural level. She, along with St. John of the Cross, did much to reform the Carmelite order of their day.
Shortly after entering the seminary for the Diocese of Lincoln, I was inspired to read her collective works. It is remarkable the number of times she mentioned her distain at writing down her experiences, stating it was only under obedience that she did so. We will be eternally indebted to her humble obedience, for any one of us can read her writings.
As a mystic she experienced many visions of God, mostly intellectual. Her description of the soul with its seven levels or mansions is most helpful for those serious about growing in holiness. Much ink has been spilled in explaining how one may advance through these mansions with the ultimate goal of achieving spiritual union with God in this world. Although few on this side of eternity reach this level of perfection, we are all called to it. Why do so few reach the seventh mansion? It is because of their attachment to the things of this passing world- things that will be taken from us eventually anyway. We need to be reminded that being detached to the things of this world does not mean that we do not enjoy them, but if we desire them. The more we are detached to the things of this passing world, the more attached will we be to God.
I would like to thank all of our benefactors to Catholic Social Services for their spiritual, financial and material help which is a sign of their love of God, their detachment to the things of this world and their attachment to God. Because of their generosity one of our staff members received this word of thanks from one of our clients, "Hello there … just wanted to write a thank you from all my heart. You have been so helpful for the past year financially and emotionally. I thank God in my prayers every day for special people like you. When I felt like I had no hope left, you were there to lift me back up and keep fighting. Thank you, Thank you."
This was a thank you note from one of our clients who received help with her rent and money for gas. In addition to this we loved the presence of Jesus in her as she saw the face of Jesus in us.
Please know that we at Catholic Social Services will keep all of you, your families and intentions in our prayers as we routinely pray for our donors each and every day. St. Teresa of Jesus, pray for us!
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Lk 12:2). This is true indeed. The Lord Jesus has, is, and will call to the priesthood and religious life sufficient numbers of young men and women to the altar and convent but sadly, many go the way of the rich young man Jesus encountered as recorded in Matthew’s gospel.
It was the young man who approached Jesus, not the other way around. After Jesus answered his question on what was needed to enter life, Jesus asked him to sell what he owned and follow Him. Tragically, because the young man was unwilling to give up transitory treasures, he turned his back on true treasure and went away sad (Mt 19:16-22).
People often wonder how a man can give up marriage, children, money, and other items on the laundry list of material items usually thought of by men considering entering the seminary.
I love to tell people that after the surrender, Jesus gives us infinitely more than the finite things given up. In this vein, I like using the comparison of a small pebble with a mountain. We priests give up the pebble and God gives us the mountain.
Under the umbrella of Catholic Social Services is prison ministry. "Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world … for I was in prison and you came to me" (Mt 25:34-36).
Recently at one of the state prisons an inmate asked me if I would hear his confession. It’s a safe assumption that residents in prisons across the country are in for crimes worse than removing tags from mattresses.
After uttering the words, "I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:23)," I watched a man slowly walk away visibly moved, a man filled with joy beyond description. Here was a man in prison that was set free. Every morning I utter these words from the gospel canticle of Zechariah, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; He has come to His people and set them free" (Lk 1:68). I thought, ‘If that is the only thing I do during my entire priesthood, it’s worth it giving it all up!’ Happily, these things frequently happen.
In addition to the sacraments of the Most Holy Eucharist and Confession that are celebrated in our prisons, there are bible studies and catechism classes offered. There are also volunteers that selflessly visit inmates and pray the Holy Rosary as well. A small part of our budget is used to purchase bibles and other materials to help in our prison ministry.
I would like to thank our benefactors, because, through your generosity we are able to minister to men and women who are serving time across the state. Please know that we are praying for you, your families and intentions.
Never forget these words of our Lord Jesus Christ who came to earth to set us free (Lk 1:68), "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Lk 12:2).
In the prayers of the faithful across our diocese we pray frequently for farmers, ranchers and those who raise livestock. We must never forget to pray for their safety, for theirs is a dangerous profession.
Recently a father of a large family was injured while working on a farm. Until he heals he will be unable to earn a living so the family can pay its bills including rent and utilities. While assessing their needs we discovered they owned one vehicle with high miles. Since their eldest child had started college, they were in desperate need of a second car. Because of our generous benefactors, in addition to helping them with their rent and utilities, we were able to give them a car. I do not believe they mind the minor cosmetic imperfections of their new vehicle because she runs like a top and mechanically is in great shape.
Also recently we came across another young family with financial difficulties. The father of the family was considering quitting trade school even though he needed only a few more months to complete his degree. With this specific degree, his prospects for finding a good paying job are excellent. This is needed to support the family and eliminate their debt. The only thing needed to continue his studies was a car. I am also elated to say that because of a generous donor, we were able to give them a good, running, used vehicle. They did not mind at all the faded paint since the engine purred like a kitty!
There is nothing quite like giving a car away. They might as well be new, seeing the look on the faces of those who drive them off one of our lots. Who says tears and oil do not mix or go together? They sure do when someone in need is given a car or truck.
I was overjoyed once again last night, after talking to an elderly woman who invited me to her home to look at her vehicle. She told me that since she is now homebound, she wants to donate her car to us. When I visit her in person, I will tell her that when we accept a donated car, it is either given away to an individual or family, sold and the profits used to directly help the needy, or placed in our fleet for agency use. Every day, one of our staff uses an agency vehicle to pick up and take clients to their doctor or other appointments, pick up food, bread or other items that are donated to us, or drive to one of our satellite clinical offices where they meet with clients in need of counseling. Those who donate vehicles to us can deduct this from their taxes while making a deposit in their retirement account in heaven.
I would like to thank all of our generous benefactors who have donated vehicles to us through the years and encourage others to donate to us their car or truck that they do not need or are considering replacing. Please remember that we at Catholic Social Services will keep you, your family and intentions in our prayers as we regularly pray for you every morning at 8:30. St. Christopher, pray for us!
I can think of one thing worse than needing help desperately; that is being lonely and in need. It is those who are poor and alone who cry out to God more intensely. "Turn thou to me, and be gracious to me; for I am lonely and afflicted" (Ps 25:16). "Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to thee! Do not hide thy face from me in the day of my distress! Incline my ear to me … I am like a lonely bird on the housetop" (Ps 102:1-7).
In my years at Catholic Social Services I have witnessed many needy individuals and families who have come through our doors for help. There is nothing worse than being alone and in need. All over southern Nebraska people like this will feel even more abandoned during Thanksgiving and the Christmas Season.
Those who read Seedlings might recall the blind woman I wrote about last year who called asking for food. Even though she was legitimately in need, she really wanted company - someone to talk to, someone to visit with her because she was lonely. After my initial visit, one of our volunteers starting visiting and helping her on a regular basis, which led to her joining the Catholic Church. She subsequently died, but not before receiving the sacraments of Holy Mother Church along with the Apostolic Pardon. She definitely is not alone now. The Lord indeed hears the cry of the poor (Ps 34:6).
Recently another woman who is elderly called me in distress. Due to some disabling medical problems, she is unable to drive and shop for herself. She is a widow without children and her relatives live hundreds of miles away. After talking to her for over an hour I discovered that it is her loneliness that is causing her the most suffering. Like that blind woman mentioned above, one of our volunteers will be getting involved to help her, not just with her needs, but with love.
I am grateful to all of our volunteers who help us across southern Nebraska. Our volunteers help us with clerical work, answering phones, helping in our fixed and mobile food pantries, our Christmas programs, in our thrift stores, our furniture and appliance drives, help with maintenance and vehicle repair, gardening, our First Friday Fish Fries outside of Lent for St. Gianna’s and many other countless tasks that are not mentioned here. I would like to thank all of our volunteers that have helped individuals like the above. Please pray that other men and women who feel called to help those who are alone and in need contact us, for we can only help those in need as described above only if we have the manpower to do so.
As mentioned above, loneliness is felt more acutely during Thanksgiving and the Christmas Season. Please also pray for those men and women, young and old, who never contact anyone for help, that their cries for help are heard soon. "Turn thou to me, and be gracious to me; for I am lonely and afflicted" (Ps 25:16)." "Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to thee! Do not hide thy face from me in the day of my distress! Incline my ear to me … I am like a lonely bird on the housetop" (Ps 102:1-7).
After talking to her for a moment while hearing her story, I realized she was lucky to be alive.
She is fortunate enough to have a supportive family she can live with as they help her raise her small children. After receiving assistance from our emergency service department, including a food pantry complete with a turkey, along with the number of our clinical department for some needed counseling, she left with moist eyes; tears generated by love and gratitude.
Unfortunately there are more like her, victims of domestic violence and those women escaping abortion and in need of assistance. Because of the generosity of the faithful of southern Nebraska and beyond, our second and biggest site of St. Gianna Women’s Homes will be opening soon.
I am exited to announce that on Sunday, Dec. 5, Ellen Soukup will perform on stage at the Rococo at 140 N. 14th St., Lincoln. Hors d’oeuvres will begin at 6 p.m. with the concert starting at 7 p.m.
Those who have heard her sing will want to hear her again, those who have not are in for a treat. Back again this year will be Mary Odgaard and the famous Cantabella singers from Pius. Also, I am elated to announce that Mr. Kevin Murray from Murray’s For Men of Stature will be performing a trumpet solo as well. Proceeds will benefit St. Gianna Women’s Homes.
We are again fortunate and blessed to have as our media sponsor for this event Spirit Catholic Radio, that powerful instrument of conversion that can be heard by tuning in at 102.7 FM. Because of Spirit Catholic Radio, numerous individuals young and old and families are enriched as souls are won for Christ and His Mystical Body, which is the Holy Catholic Church. We are truly blessed to have them in our midst.
I would also like to thank in a special way the ladies of the Diocese of Lincoln who are members of the LDCCW who recently conducted a diocesan-wide diaper drive. Through their efforts and the generosity of those who participated, an astounding 47,000 diapers were collected for various pro-life agencies across southern Nebraska, including Catholic Social Services, at a value exceeding $13,000! We at Catholic Social Services and the other agencies who benefitted from this drive also would like to thank those who donated diapers and cash to purchase them. We are hoping and praying this will be a yearly drive, because we are always in dire need of them.
I would also like to extend a special thanks to Kay and Jerry Wessel, who helped coordinate and collect them.
Before saying goodbye to the woman mentioned above, I noticed two little boys in her van. One was a beautiful baby boy, fast asleep in a car seat. As you might imagine, she needed diapers as well. Thanks to the women of LDCCW and those who donated to the diaper drive, we have plenty not only for her but for women like herself all across southern Nebraska.
I am deeply grateful to all of our benefactors for through their prayers, material donations, and cash contributions we are able to make a difference in the lives of many individuals, young and old as well as families who come to us on a daily basis for social and clinical services. Please know that you and your intentions are in our daily prayers!
About one month ago, Father Paul York received word from his physician that he had acute leukemia with a poor prognosis.
He had been feeling tired and fatigued, which prompted a visit to his doctor. He decided to give a round of chemo a try. I had the privilege of getting to know him better after his retirement because he was in the same Jesu Caritas group with Father Larry Gyhra.
Jesu Caritas groups usually meet on a monthly basis for prayer and fellowship. Father York’s group had been in the habit of meeting where I live because it was also the residence of Father Larry Gyhra, a fellow member, during the last 10 months of his life. I often tried to meet up with them over their lunches because I loved Father Tvrdy’s dynamite soups and a brief visit with the group’s members.
Father York had a sweet spot in his heart for the poor which was manifested in part by his generosity to CSS.
Early one morning just days before his death, I paid a visit to Father York in the hospital. Seconds after walking into his room, he ripped off his oxygen mask and exclaimed, "Where is my check book? Where is it?" "Right over there," I answered. "Good, because there is a diaper drive going on and I wanted to make a donation."
He was visibly short of breath. He was referring to the diocesan-wide diaper drive the ladies of the LDCCW were conducting. After writing a check he continued, "Now, how are you doing?" "Fine," I retorted, "but how are you doing?" "I just finished making my funeral arraignments."
He was more interested in talking about others and their needs than those of himself. That was typical Father York. He died a holy death but not before thanking God for a lifetime of blessings, including his latest illness. He passed into eternity surrounded by prayerful family members and friends.
We will soon be celebrating Thanksgiving when many of us gather with family and friends while sharing a meal. My prayer is that all of us will pause during Thanksgiving and thank God the Father for giving us His only begotten Son, God the Son for dying on the cross for us and starting His Church in which we find salvation, and God the Holy Spirit who strengthens us with His seven gifts.
In addition to thanking God, I want to thank our many benefactors who through their prayers and generosity have helped us touch numerous lives across southern Nebraska, which will prompt them on Thanksgiving to thank God for the help they received through our hands which are your hands of charity. Please know and never forget that not only do we at Catholic Social Services keep you and your intentions in our prayers, but many of our clients do as well. Some of them have told me that they pray for our donors because they know well that the funds we use to help them come from you. Have a blessed and holy Thanksgiving!
Several weeks ago Jack Crowley, one of our board members, invited me to a Husker game. It had been years since I saw the Huskers in action at Memorial stadium. Needless to say, things have changed in the stadium over the years. It was amazing to see more than 85,000 excited people in one place.
Aren’t there a little over 90,000 Catholics in the 24,000 square miles of the Diocese of Lincoln? Do they not all exhibit even more zeal for the faith than a stadium full of fans on game day, albeit in the silence of their hearts, when they attend the holy sacrifice of the Mass? I thank God for the ones that do and pray that the ones who do not will some day.
Recently we celebrated the memorial of the 117 individuals who were brutally put to death in Vietnam between the years of 1820 to 1862, including Father Andrew Dung-Lac. These are among the 130,000 men, women and children who were similarly put to death, some by decapitation, strangulation and other unspeakable ways between the 16th and 19th centuries all because they were followers of Jesus Christ.
The above number is a conservative estimate of those who were butchered. It is likewise estimated there were even more martyred, not including the hundreds of thousands who suffered severe hardships for the same reason – being Christian. The above-mentioned Memorial Stadium in Lincoln could not have held them all.
For more than 20 centuries, countless men, women and children all over the world have suffered, died and continue to do so for the faith Jesus our King gave us through his apostles. This staggering number known in the intellect of God will be publically revealed on the last day when Christ the King comes on the clouds to judge the living and the dead.
Anyone who has read the lives of the saints can attest they all share two qualities: loving God with their whole heart, soul and mind, and their neighbor as themselves (Mt 11:37-39). Even though our many benefactors have not or will most likely not have to make the choice between their lives or their faith, the very existence of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska is proof they love their neighbors as themselves.
As we continue our Advent preparation for the coming of the Christ Child into our hearts at Christmas time, let us remind ourselves that "Our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich" (2 Cor 8:9).
Let us go and do likewise, not only sharing our time, talent and treasure for the material needs of the poor but be even more concerned about sharing with others our most valuable treasure, our Catholic faith.
Please remember that by preparing adequately for the coming of the baby Jesus into our hearts at Christmas time spiritually, we will prepare ourselves for the second coming of Christ the King at the end of time, when our mortal bodies will rise from the dead to die no more.
Please also remember that we at Catholic Social Services will keep you and your intentions in our prayers. St. Andrew Dung-Lac and his companion martyrs, pray for us!
Immediately before typing these words, I returned a call from a worried young mother of two little girls. She is now in a new apartment after having escaped a domestic violence situation. She is elated to be starting anew, but is in need of furnishings for her new residence. I was told that she is in need of a table and chairs (so she and her girls can eat!) a sofa, end tables, lamps and a microwave oven for the kitchen. With much gratitude to our many benefactors who donate material items to us such as furniture and appliances, I was happy to tell her that someone would be calling her and the needed items would be delivered to her. Sometimes clients like this are in need of other things as well, such as assistance with rent or utilities to get them going or even food or other items that many of us take for granted.
Let me reiterate my gratitude once again to our faithful donors who help us spiritually with their prayers, materially with their in-kind donations of furniture, appliances, kitchen ware, household items, lamps, food, cars, etc, and financially with their cash donations so we can continue to help and love Jesus who lives in the poor and needy.
Since many more individuals and families are coming to us on a daily basis, we at Catholic Social Services have decided to hold a holiday dinner at our St. Joseph Center in Lincoln (23rd and O streets) Saturday, Dec. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. All proceeds will be spent on emergency services across the diocese – from the Colorado border west to the Iowa and Missouri borders east, and from the Platte River north to the Kansas border south. The proceeds from this dinner will help us assist more of the needy individuals and families that come to us for help like the lady described above.
What is on the menu, you ask? There are two choices: first, roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut; and liver and onions – all served with mashed potatoes and gravy. Also included are coleslaw, bread, dessert and, of course, everyone’s favorite, kolaches! All of this is for $10 plus tax at the door, and remember, it is all-you-can-eat!
I realize that not all people love liver and onions. I, for one, do, and like many, prefer that it be prepared a certain way. When planning for this event, Pat Walbrecht in our office mentioned she would like to prepare it with a tomato-and-bacon-based sauce. Since it was a new one for me, I was skeptical. Yesterday we at CSS were able to taste the new creation, and I must confess it was the best liver and onions I have ever tasted.
If you are daring, you can judge it for yourself Dec. 18! For those who will be coming, thank you, for those who cannot, thank you for your prayers for the success of this event because it will benefit needy individuals and families all across southern Nebraska!
When renovating our new St. Joseph Center located at 23rd and O streets in Lincoln, it was important to us to have a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament accessible to the general public. Those who have visited us know this beautiful chapel named after our patron St. Joseph is front and center with a door just off our waiting room.
Recently, I greeted a homeless man I see from time to time as he was warming himself in our lobby. He looked like the Michelin man because of the multiple layers he was wearing. After saying hello I asked, "Where are you sleeping?" He replied, "Oh, here and there." He is one of those in the city who refuses to stay at any kind of shelter. Since we give bread away daily, I seem to see him more frequently.
After giving him some additional items including food that he could easily carry, I asked, "Would you like to visit Jesus?" He eagerly followed me into the chapel. Knowing he is a lifelong Catholic, I had a hunch he would appreciate it even more. I was right.
After entering, he asked in a loud voice, "How long has this been here?" I explained we have had this beautiful chapel since the beginning. Concerned about leaving his bags unattended, which represents all of his earthly belongings, he promptly returned to the lobby, grabbed his bags and returned to the chapel for an extended visit. As I left him, I explained he was welcome any time to visit the best gift of all, our Eucharistic King.
Later that same day, we received word we were awarded a grant tied to our capital campaign. We had been waiting for a considerable time for an answer. After informing John McDermott of the happy news, I said in front of the door of our chapel, "Let us go inside and thank Jesus for this gift."
After saying this I noticed a woman who had come in for assistance in the lobby standing nearby looking at us with a funny look on her face.
"Jesus really is in this next room," I said. "Would you like to see Him?" She immediately left her place in line and followed us into the chapel.
After entering she promptly sped past me and went to the first row of pews and sat down and stared at the tabernacle which is well-illuminated. After exiting the chapel she had a different look on her face, one of peace and joy. While she was sitting in front of Jesus, I said to our Blessed Mother, "Well Mother, I brought your Son another one." Knowing that the Mother of God will take care of her I told her she was welcome any time for a visit.
These encounters happen on a regular basis. As we exchange and open presents around the Christmas tree, let us not forget that the gift that mattered most was the gift from God the Father and our Blessed Mother at that first Christmas - the Christ Child who came to die for us and start a Church in which we find our salvation.
I would like to thank our benefactors for making our new St. Joseph chapel a reality. Soon I will be sharing more exciting news about our new chapel in Hastings and two others in the diocese that are in the plans. May you have a Blessed Christmas and Holy New Year!
God has made our intellects for knowing the truth and nothing but the truth as helped by God. Did not Jesus say, "I am the way, the truth and the life" (Jn 14:6)? He is the source of all truth as He is Truth incarnate.
Recently before offering a television Mass at the Blessed John XXIII Diocesan Center, I was handed a note with the instructions to call a man who was tricked into giving a ride to a woman from out west to an abortion clinic in Lincoln. Her husband had recently left her for another woman, then returned for a brief period before leaving again. After being abandoned the second time, she discovered she was pregnant. At a local clinic, she was told not to worry because it was not yet a baby, only a blood clot. An appointment was made for an abortion and she left with the address and directions to a place she was told would get rid of her ‘blood clot.’
After reaching the frantic man on the phone, he informed me that while in route, he recognized that the address given him was the local abortion mill in Lincoln run by Planned Parenthood. He was well aware where it was because he had gone there before to pray rosaries for life. "Don’t take her to the clinic," I said, "take her instead to our office. After I have offered Mass I will meet you both there."
After meeting them at our office we immediately went into our St. Joseph Chapel and said a prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It was then I knew she was a Catholic. Soon she told me about her husband, her pregnancy and the clinic where she was told that her unborn baby was not a human being. Soon her ignorance was removed as she saw for the first time what a 10-week-old fetus looked like. Needless to say her mind was made up; she wanted to save the life of her little baby.
Since she lacked medical insurance, I called a doctor friend who agreed to see her. I informed him that we would raise the necessary funds to help pay for her care, for God has big plans for her baby, who was known and loved from all eternity.
Thanks to a generous family, this woman and her three children (two born and one unborn), had Christmas gifts to unwrap. When I arrived at her house with the presents, I thought to myself, "This is the smallest house I have ever seen." It has one room that serves as the living room, a small kitchen, one small bathroom and a tiny bedroom. It was obvious that the mother and her two daughters were sleeping in the same bed. ‘We will have to return with a fold-out bed and some other items,’ I decided. Thanks to our generous donors, we are able to help this woman and many others like her.
As we continue to celebrate what remains of the Christmas season and the upcoming New Year, let us thank Almighty God who came to us as an unborn child, was born, suffered and died so we could live eternally. Jesus, who came to us as a baby, have mercy on us! Saints Mary and Joseph, pray for us! Help us have a Holy and Happy New Year!!
What would you be willing to give up for God?
The answer is found by gazing at a crucifix. In 1774, Elizabeth Bayley was born into a wealthy family in New York City. Her father was a physician and her mother, a daughter of an Anglican minister. At the age of 20, she married a wealthy merchant named William Seaton, with whom she had five children. With time, illness and financial troubles shook her family. When it was recommended that William seek a warmer, drier climate, they set sail for Italy.
Not long after arriving, William’s illness progressed to the point of death. It was during this time, due in part to the influence of their host family who were business associates, she was exposed to Catholicism. Eventually, after the death of her husband, she made it back to New York City.
After returning, while sitting in the pews of her Episcopal church, she would gaze out the window and down the street to the local Catholic church with the internal message, ‘I am present in the Most Blessed Sacrament here, not where you are.’
Before long she knew what she needed to do. I refuse to believe she lacked a premonition knowing she would lose her friends if she joined the Catholic Church. Despite this, she entered the Catholic Church in 1805, losing her friends in the process. After becoming involved with Catholic education she went on to found the Sisters of Charity in Emmetsburg, Maryland, dedicating her life to serving the poor and needy. She died in the year 1821.
As St. Elizabeth was growing old a little boy named John Neumann was born in Pranchatice, Bohemia to a family of humble means. He eventually entered the seminary and was told he would not be ordained in his native land because of the over abundance of priests! After hearing there was a dire need for priests in the United States, especially to the growing immigrant population, he decided to leave in the middle of the night to avoid a tearful goodbye with his beloved mother. He never saw her again. After his ordination to the priesthood in New York City he became one of a handful of priests to serve around 200,000 Catholics.
One of the joyful moments of a newly ordained priest is to offer a Mass of thanksgiving the day after their ordination in the presence of their family and friends. St. John Neumann offered his in the absence of his family. St. John went on to become the fourth bishop of Philadelphia and became one of the fathers of the Catholic schools in the United States. Even now miracles have been occurring through his intercession, many of whom are with children.
What are we willing to give up for God? Jesus said, "No one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundred fold now in this time … and in the age to come" (Mk 10:29-30). Many of us might not have to give up family or friends for Jesus but whenever a sacrifice is made of time, talent and treasure for Jesus who lives in the poor, we are denying ourselves to the benefit of others and are laying up treasure in heaven. Thanks for assisting those in need by helping Catholic Social Services!
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage" (Heb 2:14-15). Isn’t there a little fear of death in some of us, and a lot of fear in many more of us? Yet we are told not to fear death because if we remain in Christ, we shall never die.
I hate to say this but after graduating early from High School but before starting college I racked up a ‘few’ speeding tickets. ‘Who told my auto insurance company? How did they find out?’ I thought. After the rates increased astronomically, I ditched my shiny red car, purchased an old F-250 Ford pick up truck to save money on insurance so I could continue to drive. While inspecting her I noticed only two tiny spots of rust on two fenders. Since she was only $400 I drove her home.
After sanding away the two tiny rust spots I noticed more and more rust. I kept sanding and removing rotten metal until I was missing a big chunk of two fenders. Because buying another box was out of the question, I used two pieces of chicken wire fence, strips of fiberglass and body putty to patch the big holes in each fender. After a little primer I took her to several body shops in the area for an estimate on a paint job. After being turned away and laughed at, I took her to Earl Scheib’s and they painted her Mediterranean Blue for $99 plus tax!
None of us like getting sick and growing old (which are effects of Original Sin). People are constantly going to doctors to ‘get fixed.’ Some need an engine overhaul, akin to a cardiac bypass, or a transition or suspension repair, akin to a hip or knee replacement. Some prefer a little plastic surgery akin to face lifts or a little Botox. But eventually like cars that end up in the junk yard, after our souls separate from our bodies they end up in the grave. "In the sweat of your face you shall return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Gen 3:19). Thank God He became one of us to die, so we can live eternally.
Yes, if we remain in Christ, we shall never die and unlike restored cars our bodies are in store for the ultimate restoration – the resurrection of our dead bodies, to be reunited with our souls to shine forever like the celestial bodies in the sky (Dan 12:3; Matt 13:43).
As for cars and trucks, please spread the word that we are in dire need of vehicles. When one is donated to us, we either give it away to a needy individual or family, sell it and use the funds to help those in need of rent, utilities, medicines, grants for counseling etc, or put them in our fleet as we use donated vehicles to pick up bread, food, material items, deliver items to the poor, take clients to medical appointments, to the store. etc., while you receive a tax break!
Remember these words of Jesus, "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day" (Jn 6:54). The ultimate body restoration!
On Jan. 20, the Universal Church celebrated the memorial of Pope St. Fabian who was described by St. Cyprian as "incomparable." He was a local farmer who traveled to Rome after the death of Pope Anterus in the year 236. During the election of the next Holy Father a dove was seen to have flown down from above and landed on his head. Taken as a sign of divine providence and of the Holy Spirit, he was elected as the next Vicar of Christ.
After his ordination, according to some accounts, he baptized Emperor Marcus Julius Philippus. Nevertheless under the reign of Emperor Phillip, the Catholic Church experienced a brief period of peace. It was during this time, Pope Fabian did much to build up the Church while defending the truth. Unfortunately, the next emperor was not cut from the same mold and restarted the persecution of Christians which involved their arrest, torture and death. Pope St. Fabian was arrested and put to death Jan. 20 in the year 250. Though it was a dark era, the one true faith spread throughout the Roman Empire. Catholics would have to wait another 63 years for the Edict of Milan which decriminalized Christianity.
Each year Catholic Social Services gives the Cor Christi (Heart of Christ) award to someone who demonstrates through their actions the love of Jesus Christ to their neighbor. This year, I am elated to announce that someone who chose Pope St. Fabian as their patron saint will be receiving the Cor Christi award - Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz. Many of you know of the many good things he has done not only for our diocese but for the Universal Church.
Under his guidance and leadership as President of the Board of Directors of Catholic Social Services, we have conducted our first-ever capital campaign entitled Expanding the Works of Mercy, which has allowed us to do just that – assist more needy individuals and families across the 24,000 miles of the Diocese of Lincoln. I and all of us in the Diocese of Lincoln owe him a debt of gratitude for these and the countless other things he has done for us. For one thing, as many seminaries across the world have contracted or closed, he has built St. Gregory the Great Seminary, which educates seminarians in our diocese and others across the nation. Attempting to list all of his other accomplishments would be far beyond the scope of a column like this.
That said, I hope you are able to attend our annual Celebration of Caring Banquet Sunday, Feb. 20 at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln. The social hour starts at 4:30 and the dinner and program at 6 p.m. In addition to giving you an update on the activity of the agency over the past year, I will be sharing some new and exciting news. In addition, there will be great food and a little entertainment. Please join me if you can at the Cornhusker Hotel Feb. 20 and together we can thank Bishop Bruskewitz as he accepts the 2011 Cor Christi award. For those who cannot attend, please keep him and his intentions in your prayers!! St. Fabian, help us all imitate the love of the heart of Christ!!
I am saddened as I ponder the kind of the music many people listen to, especially younger ones. Many artists sing lyrics and produce music videos full of impure words, dances and images. Once in a homily I witnessed smiles and smirks on the faces of young people after mentioning how sinful it is watching MTV.
Not long ago on a warm summer day, I pulled up to a red light and stopped. There was a car to my left, also stopped. It was one of those long red lights that seemed to last forever. Since the windows of both cars were opened, I could hear music blaring from the young man’s car stereo. Sitting next to the driver, who appeared to be a man in his early 20s, was a little boy around 9 to 10 years old. The lyrics were sexually charged and full of profanity. I felt horrible for that little boy. As the car sped away after the light turned green, I was left saddened.
Many upcoming artists have a thirst for fame and fortune while risking their salvation in the process of seeking it. That much of the popular music is rotten should not be a surprise since good and bad music have existed from the beginning of time. Why? Because creation has fallen because of Original Sin, our bodies are no longer properly subject to our souls. We need to cooperate with God’s graces to avoid sin and grow in holiness.
One of the earliest written accounts of bad music was heard by Moses and Joshua after Moses had received the commandments and was returning to the house of Israel on the base of the mountain. The Lord God said to Moses, "Go down; for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves" (Ex 32:7). As He descended and approached the people, he heard music and dancing as the rebellious Israelites were found dancing around the golden calf made by the hands of Moses’ brother Aaron (Ex 32:4, 19).
As for good music, David played the lyre (1 Sam 18:10), the psalms were meant to be sung by the music of the lyre and harp and in heaven we will be singing a new song" (Rev 5:9).
That said, if you are ready to hear some great music, I am excited to invite you to our 8th annual Trumpet Fest Sunday, Feb. 13 at 3 p.m. which will be held at the Pius X High School gym at 6000 "A" Street in Lincoln. Every year Kevin Murray of Murray’s for Men of Stature coordinates this wonderful event. This year’s performers include Mac McCune, Kevin Murray, Barb Schmit, Darryl White, third-grader Maria Pytlik, UNL trumpet studio students and more. Every year I am amazed at the talent and quality of the music. Always a treat is the ‘joint jam session’ at the end. During the event, a hat will be passed for a free-will offering which will help us assist poor and needy individuals and families across the diocese. I hope to see you there for a little dose of ‘good music.’ Thanks for your love for Jesus who lives in the poor and please remember you are in our prayers!
Individuals and families in need sometimes feel they have nowhere to turn. Recently a woman came to one of our four sites across southern Nebraska in need of assistance. With moist eyes she explained that her electricity would be turned off later that day. She was worried because she had five children and the temperature was in the teens and single digits.
One of our emergency service specialists called the power company, confirmed the details of her story and informed them we would be sending them a check for the full amount. After hearing this, the woman asked if she could pray with our emergency service staff member. She was visibly moved to tears. While weeping, she stated that praying was something she knew she neeed to do for a long time but needed help getting started.
While sitting below a beautiful image of the Sacred Heart, a crucifix, and looking at another beautiful image of St. Therese of Lisieux (who said she would be spending her time in heaven helping people on earth) they said a simple prayer of thanksgiving. After this long overdue prayer she opened up further, informing us that one of her little boys made microwave popcorn earlier in the day so he would have some food to eat after their electricity was turned off. Before leaving and in front of a beautiful picture of the Holy Family in our lobby she knelt down in front of everyone and gave praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God. She then went her merry way. "I will give fervent thanks to the Lord; before all I will praise my God" (Ps 109:30).
This is not an unusual experience. Although we help individuals of all races, creeds and religions, without any conditions, some want to pray and others are drawn into our chapel off our lobby. Sometimes during the day I will intermittently drop into our chapel to visit and talk to our Eucharistic King. Sometimes I see clients sitting and praying. I am elated to report that our goal is to have a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament in all four permanent sites across southern Nebraska with access to the public. In each chapel there will be beautiful stained glass windows to enhance worship. That said there are opportunities for our donors to purchase these windows in memory of a loved one or for their families. There will be a plaque for each window asking those who read it to keep the respective deceased person or family members in their prayers. So far the response has been tremendous, something I am most grateful for. I am thankful to Bishop Bruskewitz for his permission in this most important endeavor which will lead to greater sanctity among our staff and volunteers and will draw many who come to us to Christ. So far this is a reality in two of the four sites, with plans for the remaining two sites.
I would like to thank our many donors who are making this goal a reality, for their spiritual support without which we could not function, their material support of donated household items including cars, and their cash donations which allow us to help needy individuals and families like the woman outlined above. Please be assured of our continued prayers for all of you, your families and intentions!
Only a few days ago, the Universal Church celebrated the memorial of St. Scholastica, the sister of St. Benedict. She consecrated herself to God, entered the religious life and followed her brother to Monte Cassino. Many of us are familiar with the story related to us by St. Gregory the Great, the patron saint of our diocesan seminary. She used to meet her brother once a year in a small building on monastery property. They spent the day talking about God, heaven, angels and saints.
One on occasion shortly before her death in the year 547 as her brother prepared to depart after a long day discussing things divine, she asked him to remain even longer so they could continue their heavenly discourse. After refusing her pleas she buried her head in her hands and asked Almighty God to intervene and intervene He did. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a raging tempest appeared complete with sheets of rain, thunder and lightning forcing her saintly brother to stay through the night. After Benedict charged, "May God forgive you, sister. What have you done?" She answered, "Well, I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery." It was shortly after this St. Benedict saw a vision of her soul flying to heaven after her holy death. In response to this episode St. Gregory the Great famously said, "It is not surprising that she was more effective than he; since, as John says, God is love, it was absolutely right that she could do more, as she loved more."
Recently an elderly couple came to one of our offices pleading for help. They had been living on the edge ever since their retirement and could not always make ends meet living on Social Security. Since many of their teeth were missing, it was evident they lacked funds to pay a dentist as well. In addition to caring for themselves, they had a son with a mental disability they did their best to support. They asked for help paying a utility bill. They left our office in joy for they received the help they needed. How were we able to assist them? We paid their utility bill with the money our benefactors had donated to us. Why do our donors send us money and remember us in their wills? Love. It is as simple as that. "God is love" (Jn 4:8, 16). And the evidence we love God is if we love our neighbor (Jn 4:19-21). And the evidence of our love of neighbor is the giving of ourselves to our neighbor with our time, talent and treasure. When true love is present, it is something that cannot be extinguished. "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it" (Song of Songs 8:7).
At Catholic Social Services we thank you for your love of God. It is the reason I love to say in many of my thank you letters, "Thank you for your love of Jesus Christ who lives in the poor and needy (Mt 25:31-46)." Please never forget that we love you in return and remember you, your families and intentions in our prayers and Masses at Catholic Social Services. Never forget the wisdom of St. Gregory the Great; namely the more we love, the more we will be able to do and accomplish on this road to heaven. Sts Scholastica, Benedict and Gregory, pray for us!
She got into her car with her three children, one aged 14, the other a toddler and another in her womb. She knew she needed to leave but did not know where to go.
She was running from a man who wanted to kill her and their unborn baby. She only knew she wanted to save her unborn baby, her other two children and her own life.
"I need to drive," she thought, so drive she did. With her three children and the few bare necessities they could cram into their car, in a hurried fashion she started driving west. As the car sped down the road, their minds were spinning, the mother whose concern was getting away, the 14-year-old who pondered the unknown along with the loss of her friends, and the toddler who thought this was the longest ride she ever took, while the unborn baby’s heart kept beating and beating.
Meanwhile, halfway across the country, another 14-year-old young woman in Lincoln, Nebraska named Erin Williams wondered, "What can I do to help unborn babies and their mothers?"
Erin came up with the idea of creating a pro-life t-shirt to benefit St. Gianna Women’s Homes, a safe refuge for women escaping domestic violence and abortion named after her favorite saint, St. Gianna (who gave her life to save her unborn baby). "I want to be just like her!" she told me.
She designed the front of the shirt to say, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you," along with an outline of a heart with two baby feet within. On the back one finds a red cross with the words, "Pro-life Guard," and "Save the Unborn." Thanks to Father John Sullivan and Mrs. Holly Kruger, the principal at Blessed Sacrament School in Lincoln, this beautiful t-shirt is available to the entire school as a uniform option. Thanks to Msgr. Perkinton, a flyer will be sent to the Catholic Schools in the diocese for those who would like to purchase them while helping St. Gianna’s.
It is only by the Providence of God this woman is now in a safe temporary location here in Nebraska. When I told her she could stay at St. Gianna’s which will be open in just a few short months, she was filled with tears of joy. When I informed Erin that the proceeds from the sale of these t-shirts would be used to help this woman and her three children, she too was filled with joy.
I am thankful to Father John Sullivan, the superintendant of Blessed Sacrament, Mrs. Holly Kruger, the principal, Msgr. Perkinton, others who have helped with this project and especially Erin Williams, a special young woman.
I would also like to thank Erin’s mother, who said anyone can obtain them on the Blessed Sacrament website at blessedsacramentlincoln.com.
When asked why permission was given to students at Blessed Sacrament to wear these t-shirts, in lieu of their regular uniform tops, Mrs. Kruger responded, "These kids love them and want to wear them. It’s powerful when a middle school child is seen with a pro-life t-shirt as a witness to the sanctity and love for unborn life." Well said. St. Gianna, pray for us!!
On Sunday, Feb. 20, Catholic Social Services celebrated its 24th Celebration of Caring Banquet, where we awarded our good shepherd Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz the Cor Christi award while giving him a beautiful statue of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. In his remarks, Bishop Bruskewitz said he accepted the award in the name of the people of southern Nebraska because of their charity. During the program part of the evening, I had the opportunity to share what the faithful of the Diocese of Lincoln have accomplished through Catholic Social Services and what is new.
Last year by the grace of God and the generosity of the faithful, Catholic Social Services provided $1.6 million of direct services to nearly 24,000 individuals and approximately 14,000 families across southern Nebraska. Some of the highlights include nearly $90,000 in clinical grants to nearly 200 clients who were non-insured or under-insured; nearly $87,000 in emergency services to needy individuals and families; over $115,700 in rent and utility assistance to our transitional housing clients; $755,609 in food was given away including $353,231 for our St. Andrew Mobile Pantry in Ashland, Auburn, Crete, David City, Falls City, Geneva, Fairbury, Hebron, Tecumseh, Wahoo, Seward, Superior, Sutton, Harvard, Holdrege, Orleans and Imperial; 33,067 sack lunches were distributed in Hastings (an increase of nearly 40%); $157,883 was utilized for 106 refugees; 19 vehicles were given to clients at a value of $19,000; $80,000 in material items were given away from our thrift stores (including furniture, appliances, houseware, kitchenware, etc); and $50,000 in personal care items, school supplies, diapers and more were distributed to needy families. Also, through our backpack program (a collaborative effort with Lincoln Food Bank, Open Table in Hastings, and Hastings College) 169 students in Lincoln and Hastings are given a pantry in a backpack - enough food for the weekend.
In addition, we are elated that our social service staff in Hastings (and soon our clinical staff) has moved into their new home, named after St. John Vianney, located on 333 W 2nd Ave. This is the new site for our social services, food pantry (on the first floor) and the clinical department (on the second floor with a separate entrance). Instead of paying rent for three separate locations, we now own a single larger site. The monies saved will allow us to assist even more individuals in south central Nebraska.
I am also pleased to announce that our new St. Isidore Gift & Thrift Store in Imperial is doing so well that we now are using the proceeds from the store to help even more needy individuals and families out west.
We are blessed to report that after moving to a beautiful new location in Auburn, the Orscheln Farm and Home Store has given us their old building - which is conveniently located next to our St. Francis Gift & Thrift Store. Just weeks after celebrating our seventh anniversary in Auburn, we will be able to expand. After a needed renovation, we will soon have social and clinical service offices, increased warehousing and thrift store floor space and most importantly a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament.
By taking the remarks of Bishop Bruskewitz farther, by the grace of God, these are the accomplishments of the faithful of southern Nebraska and for this we are most grateful. Please know we will continue to keep you, your families and intentions in our daily prayers!
In the early 70s during my high school years, a handful of buddies decided to ‘hang out’ together. Since this was nearly 40 years ago, I cannot remember what we were doing before gathering at the home of one of my high school friends, perhaps it was after a football or basketball game. As we gathered in the basement, this friend of mine went behind the bar and proudly showed us his father’s hidden stash of pornographic magazines.
I remember being shocked and felt horrible seeing his son standing in front of us proudly displaying the several magazines that were his ‘favorites’ among the many that were secretly hidden by his dad. In addition to feeling sorry for my friend, I immediately thought, "What about his mother, the wife of his father? How could his dad do this?"
A recent study published by OnlineMBA.com reveals that 40 million Americans regularly visit porn sites, a staggering 70% of men between the ages of 18-24 visit porn sites in a typical month. While the majority of porn users are men, 33% of porn users are women. In addition, 20% of men admit to watching porn online at work in addition to their on-line viewing at home. Sadly, according to this on-line study, the most popular day for viewing porn was Sunday.
The statistic most tragic was that the average age a person first views porn is at age 11. Now because of advancements in technology all a child or teenager needs to do to view porn is go to a computer or another electronic device rather than find their father’s hidden stash. This harmful and deadly addiction leads to other sinful actions while damaging marriages and relationships between parents and their children.
Thankfully, there is help for those affected. The first and most efficacious remedy is the sacraments, frequent reception and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession and the frequent use of the sacramentals such as the holy rosary and spiritual reading. In addition to this, counseling plays an important role for many.
I am happy to announce that the clinical department at Catholic Social Services will hold an 11-week men’s purity group starting April 5 entitled ‘Integritas.’ The first session will focus on the explanation of the group’s purpose and confidentiality. The topic for the first meeting will be the definition and meaning of sexual sobriety. The titles of the following sessions are entitled, "Why are we here? What do we want? Daily renewal, actions of recovery, connection, healthy relationships, control as the problem, focus on the present moment and increasing willpower." The purpose of this 11-week group is to help move the will away from the vice of lust as it makes progress with the grace of God conjoined with the best of psychology in the virtue of chastity. Whether this leads to a future support group for men struggling with this pervasive addiction in the future remains to be seen. For those interested, please call our Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center at 402-489-1834.
Please keep this most important endeavor in your thoughts and prayers as we attempt to help some of the many individuals around us move closer to God by growing in virtue. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us, Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us, St. Augustine, pray for us!!
Editors note: visit the Diocese of Lincoln website Freedom from Pornogrphy page
I heard someone once say, "A little self denial never hurt anyone." Not only is this true, if done with the right intention, it is a tremendous help in growing closer to God. If done with the wrong intention, it is a hindrance in growing closer to God.
We are told in Paschales Solemnitatis number 6 proclaimed by the Congregation for Divine Worship that "The annual Lenten season is the fitting time to climb the holy mountain of Easter." We know in climbing any mountain, we need places to put the pegs in which ropes are attached that help us climb to the top. On Ash Wednesday we learned from the gospel that the three pegs to help us climb to the mountain of Easter are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
I imagine any seasoned mountain climber will say that the placement and manner in which pegs are placed are everything in ensuring a safe assent. The same can be said with the practice of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
During the time of the prophet Isaiah the Lord God said, "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? … I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts … Bring no more vain offerings … Remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow … Is this not the fast that I choose … share your bread with the hungry … bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked … cover him?" (Is 1:11-17; 58:6-7). In other words, the motivation for prayer, fasting and almsgiving should be love and nothing else.
Jesus himself said, when we pray, fast and give to the poor (almsgiving) we should not do so to be noticed by others but to do so for the love of God in secret, and in doing so we will be rewarded by our Heavenly Father who sees in secret (Mt 6:1-18). As for helping the poor for the right reasons, St. Leo the Great said, "There is no more profitable practice as a companion to holy and spiritual fasting than that of almsgiving."
Since my first day as director of Catholic Social Services, I have met many of the faithful of southern Nebraska who donate to Catholic Social Services in order to help needy individuals and families across the diocese. Without exception money and material goods are given out of love for Jesus who lives in the poor and needy (Mt 25:31-46), and for this I am greatly edified and thankful. Most of the people and families that receive help feel the love of our benefactors which is a reflection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on fire for love of us.
As this Lent unfolds, please know we are deeply appreciative of your prayers, fasting for others and your almsgiving in the form of material donations of items around the house not needed including food, and your cash donations according to your means to Catholic Social Services. Please know that we at Catholic Social Services will likewise remember you in our prayers, fasting and other sacrifices during this holy season of Lent. May you have a holy assent to the mountain of Easter!
Last year, a single woman in her 30s with multiple problems, many of which are medically related, insisted on moving to Florida.
At the time she was unemployed and was at the point of an eviction. She unfortunately lost a good-paying job. She related that once she went Florida, she would not encounter any difficulties finding employment. She was even more convinced a horse stable would employ her. She even had one identified. I tried in vain to convince her otherwise, despite laying out a short- and long-term roadmap to independence by staying in Nebraska.
Despite our offers to help her she exclaimed, "Father, all I need is a rental car and you will never see or hear from me and my pets again!" She was convinced that once she crossed the Florida border, her problems would melt away like wax in a flame, including her medical difficulties.
Shortly after arriving in Florida, she called twice, pleading for help. I was unable to call her back since she lacked a phone. After a while, her calls stopped. Time after time, I tried returning her calls, using the numbers she gave, to no avail. After numerous attempts at returning her calls, I gave up. She did not call, either. ‘She either is working somewhere or she dropped of the face of the earth,’ I thought.
Recently, out of the blue, I received a call late one afternoon, "Hello, it’s me!" She somehow made it back to Nebraska. "Do you have a space heater?" she asked.
After returning to Nebraska, she was fortunate enough to find a job and was waiting for her first paycheck. She is staying in an unheated room off someone’s home. Her plans include finding an apartment once she is paid.
After purchasing a space heater, I made plans to meet her at a local bus stop after her work was over for the day. She looked good but somewhat thinner. She was happy to see me. After giving her the space heater and some funds to buy food, I gave her a blessing and left knowing we can blow the dust off the old plans for independence, minus finding a job.
I do not have the opportunity to get to know many clients as well as I have this woman, but our goal is to love Jesus Christ present in each person as they see the face of Christ in us. There are many ways we can assist someone like this. Help with finding employment, first month’s rent, utilities, deposit, food, clothing, vehicles, insurance, furniture, appliances, house wares, counseling, or literally anything needed for someone to gain back their independence.
Please pray for this woman, and all of the clients that walk through our doors. We pray first and foremost for the salvation of their souls, and secondly for their material and psychological needs.
Thanks to our generous donors across southern Nebraska and beyond we are able to help her and others like her, for she is one among many sons and daughters of God the Most High that walk though our doors. I love also to remind our benefactors that you, your families and intentions remain in our regular prayers.
We are all familiar with the story of the rich man and Lazarus given to us by Jesus, as recorded by the evangelist St. Luke in the sixteenth chapter of his gospel. The rich man remains nameless while the poor man’s name we know.
We are told that the rich man not only was dressed to the hilt with expensive clothes but he ate the finest most delicious foods while poor Lazarus wished only for the scraps that fell from his well-adorned table. To make matters worse, dogs roaming the streets used to lick his sores. Eventually the tables turned when they both died. While the poor man was carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham, the rich man found himself in the fires of hell. One wonders if the rich man, now eternally poor, thought of the hunger pains Lazarus experienced while living as he longed for the water-soaked finger tip of Lazarus on his scorched tongue (Lk 16:19-31).
One may also wonder if the Apostle James recalled this story as he wrote his epistle. In it we are told that faith without works is dead and cannot save. This is what we call ‘dead faith,’ faith without love. St. James says, "What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘God in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead … You see that a man is justified by works and not faith alone" (Jas 2:14-26).
Of course we cannot work our way into heaven by ourselves. We simply cannot save ourselves by ourselves. We need help, we need a Savior. Scripture is clear that we are saved by the grace of God. It is by this saving grace entitled ‘Sanctifying Grace’ that leads to living faith, faith formed with love that leads to our salvation. We receive this saving grace for the first time with baptism and is extended and completed by the sacrament of confirmation. Since the effects of original sin remains after baptism, we must cooperate with God to remain in the state of sanctifying grace. Thank God that we have the seven sacraments, which are founts of grace. Every time we receive a sacrament we receive grace. The two sacraments we may receive frequently are the Most Holy Eucharist and Confession. When received frequently we obtain the ability to practice our faith in a living or loving manner.
I am constantly edified by the living or loving faith of our donors and volunteers who by their generosity of their prayers, penances, time, talent and treasure they share with Catholic Social Services we are able to love Jesus present in the poor and needy. Did not Jesus tell us our salvation is dependent in serving His presence in the poor? Did He not tell us that what ever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters we do to Him (Mt 25:31-46)? Last year, with your help, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska assisted around 24,000 individuals across southern Nebraska. Many thanks to all of our donors for without you, there would not be a Catholic Social Services. Please remember that you remain in our daily prayers!
Are our hearts stony or fleshy? This is a life and death question.
One might think I’m talking about a medical condition akin to a sclerotic heart, one that has been ravaged by multiple infarcts or heart attacks or some inflammatory process that has rendered the heart with areas of scar tissue. Such a heart is an inefficient pump which could ultimately lead to further infarcts or heart failure or both leading ultimately in an untimely death.
No, I am talking about the human soul described sometimes as the ‘heart.’ This is what we mean when we talk about having devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which breaks when we sin.
Our souls, or hearts in this sense, were created to hold or contain the very life of God, or Sanctifying Grace. Our first parents were created with it. They lost it when they rebelled against God. After their disobedience against God, their fleshy hearts became stony. Covenant after covenant were broken, even the covenant with Moses.
It is God the Father who saves us through His Son, the "Word made flesh" (Jn 1:14), in the Holy Spirit. In Old Testament times, because of Original Sin, that Word from the Father had to be inscribed on stony tablets. They were given to Moses. Since the Word was inscribed on stony tablets and not on fleshy ones, no one was able to keep it. This was the reason that the "Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (Jn 1:14).
Now through the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Word can be inscribed in our hearts. This was predicted by the prophet Ezekiel around the time of the fall of Judah. The Lord said, "I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses … a new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you … I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ez 36:25-26).
Yes, it is through baptism Original Sin is removed, in that the person receives the very life of God into their souls for the first time, and if they are at or past the age of reason, actual sins are likewise removed. Since the effects of Original Sin remain, we need regular installments of Divine Life via the other sacraments especially Confirmation, Eucharist and Confession to not only remain in the state of Sanctifying Grace, but grow in it.
Days ago, a married man with cancer was at risk of losing his home because of the inability to catch up on his rent and utility payments. We were able to help only because our donors have fleshy hearts. Only a fleshy human heart is able to obey the greatest two commandments of the law, words that were formerly inscribed on stony tablets but now on the fleshy hearts of people living in the state of grace, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind … You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mt 22:37- 39).
Thank you to all who are generous with Catholic Social Services, for without you we would not have been able to help this and many other individuals and families who come to us in crisis. Please know that you all remain in our special prayers. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us, Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!!
Recently while walking through our lobby adjacent to our St. Joseph Chapel I heard a man say, "Father!" I turned and heard him ask, "May I have a word with you?"
"Of course," I replied. After sitting with him a moment he explained although homeless, he was fortunate to have found a job at one of the local fast food restaurants in town. There was only one glitch; he needed 20 dollars to obtain a prep/cook permit from the Health Department. Without it, he was out of luck. I wondered why the restaurant did not cover the cost but later found out they only covered the cost for management staff. I still wonder why….
Fortunately, we have on staff a woman named Pat who runs our first-rate, flamboyant, friendly, fast, filling, flavorful, fun, fabulous, fantastic, fine, fancy, fascinating, First Friday Fish Fry outside of Lent for our new St. Gianna Women’s Home. She has a Food Protection Manager level permit with the Health Department. I said, "We have someone on staff that can help. Can you wait a moment to speak with her?"
After verifying his employment and speaking to someone at the Health Department she found out there was a class that very evening, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. After informing him there was a class that evening and Catholic Social Services would pick up the tab, he sprung up from his chair and hugged her like he had won the lottery, like there was no tomorrow.
After arriving at the Health Department a few moments before 6 p.m., Pat found several staff members outside the classroom registering students and collecting money. It was there she found him second in line. He did not want to be late, so he came early. After she encouraged him he said once again, "Miss Patty, thank you for everything!"
When someone donates funds to Catholic Social Services one may wonder, "Where will my money be spent and on whom?" This is just one of the countless stories of people we assist all across southern Nebraska. Whether it be an individual like this or a family in need, we help fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord from the Colorado border west to the Iowa and Missouri borders east and from the Platte River north to the Kansas border south. Whether it is help with rent or utilities, medical expenses, grants for counseling, food, clothing, furniture, cars, or any other of the seemingly endless things we help people and families with, this story is just the tip of the iceberg.
Last year, with the generous help of our benefactors, we were able to help more than 20,000 individuals. When someone like the person described above thanks us, he is thanking all of you.
Let me take this opportunity to relay my personal thanks and the thanks of all of us at Catholic Social Services for your prayers, financial and material help. Please know we are praying for you and your intentions.
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Please do not forget that later this month, Dr. Gianna Emanuela, the daughter of St. Gianna, is coming to Lincoln to speak and meet the faithful who attend. She will be talking about her mother, St. Gianna, at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. We will look forward to seeing you then!
Countless individuals and families come to us with broken lives. We are here to help them pick up the pieces.
Many need help starting over. Often this means finding an apartment. Despite finding one, some need help with security deposits and items to make an apartment or house a home, such as furniture, appliances, kitchen items, lamps, bedding, towels and countless other things. Some are in need of a vehicle in order to drive to work. If not for the generosity of our benefactors who donate material items, we would not be able to help individuals and families described above. Just weeks ago, we helped a family, formerly homeless, by supplying them with many of the items listed above.
Recently I received a call from a St. Teresa parishioner named Arnie Hausner. "Father, when can you come over? I’ve sold my home and want to donate the furniture and household items to Catholic Social Services!"
Helen, Arnie’s wife of 55 years, passed away in March of 2010 and he has now decided to move into his daughter and son-in-law’s home in Omaha. Not only is he excited about the move, he is relieved after finding a buyer for his home. His next decision was what to do with the furniture and other items in his house. Instead of having an estate sale or auction, he decided to donate the items to us so they could go to individuals and families in need.
"I’ll be over next Thursday afternoon" I said. After arriving at his home, I was greeted at the door, "Come right on in Father!" After entering, he asked me if I wanted anything to drink. "Would you like a beer?" He asked. "Oh, a glass of water would be fine," I replied. "Are you sure?" he said. I replied, "Are you having one?" "No, I gave it up for Lent!" A few minutes later Arnie and I were visiting in his living room, he was drinking an orange juice and I was drinking a cool glass of beer. Didn’t St. Paul say a little wine was OK as recorded in 1Tim. 5:23?
After a while he said, "Want to walk around while I show you what you are getting? You can take your beer with you!" As it turns out, we will be getting most everything.
After the tour, I learned of his great love and devotion to our Blessed Mother and the Holy Rosary. When he falls asleep saying it, he keeps going when he wakes up. I know that it is this same living faith that has led to his decision to donate the material items in his home to the poor. "You are making a deposit to your 401(k) in heaven!" I said.
I then asked if I could take a picture of him and write about him in the Southern Nebraska Register. He was a little reluctant at first but changed his mind when I said, "When other people read this, they will say to themselves, ‘If Arnie did this, so can I!’"
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Arnie and everyone else who donates material items of things not needed to us for we could not do the things we do without your donations. Please know that we at Catholic Social Services will keep all of you in our daily prayers!!
Earlier this spring, I received a phone call from Laura Duggan, the coordinator for the Sacred Art Show. They will hold their third annual "Sacred Art Show" April 29 and 30 at the Blessed John XXIII diocesan center in Lincoln. We are grateful that each year the participating artists donate 10% of the proceeds to St. Gianna Women’s Homes, a safe haven for women escaping domestic violence and abortion staffed by the Marian Sisters.
This year there will be more than 20 artists from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana and Arizona. There will be painters, sculptors, jewelers, woodcarvers, muralists, fiber artists, mixed media artists and photographers. Friday night there will be a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception from 5:30 to 9 p.m. with an admission price of $5. Priests and religious will be admitted free of charge.
Saturday, the show continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission. It is a perfect time to pick out items for your home or a gift for others, perhaps a wedding gift to adorn the home of a newlywed couple. I am confident that those who are able to attend will not be disappointed with the lovely art work that will be present.
While I am on the topic of beautiful works of art, earlier last week while driving through the lovely state of Missouri, I saw one of the most beautiful sunrises which rival some of the ones here in Nebraska where the skies are wide open.
I immediately thought of my grandmother Margaret who lost almost everything in the Great Depression. She would say, "Look at that beautiful painting in the sky! God put it there for everyone to enjoy! It does not matter if one is rich or poor."
The late Pope John Paul II, who will soon be beatified, was asked why he loved getting up early in the morning. He said he loved watching the sun come, not only because of its inherent beauty, but also because it is a reminder of our own future resurrection from the dead.
As lovely as a beautiful work of art and a sunrise or sunset is, they all fall short of the infinite beauty of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. As we get set to celebrate the Easter Triduum, let us be reminded that we are celebrating the definitive victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death and the opening of the gates of heaven to those who have left this world marked with the sign of faith. No longer is there a cherubim with a flaming sword guarding the way to the tree of life (Gen 3:24). Now we have access to the tree of life which is the cross and its fruit, the Holy Eucharist, what Ignatius of Antioch calls the ‘medicine of immortality.’ He who eats this fruit will be likewise raised on the last day to share this incomprehensible beauty and glory (Jn 6:53-58).
Our prayer at Catholic Social Services is that you and your family will have a holy and blessed Easter and Easter Season. Please know that you, your family and intentions remain in our prayers. Jesus, the risen Lord, have mercy on us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
Less than 24 hours before typing these words I received a call from my earthly mother about my earthly father. She, in a concerned voice said, "Something is wrong with your father." Before long and after looking him over, I decided to take him myself to the emergency room rather than call for an ambulance. In addition to labored breathing at rest, he was definitely not himself. After quite a struggle, I managed to get him buckled up and off we went.
During our ride to the hospital I could not get him to respond too much except when I asked, "Do you love our Blessed Mother?" After asking this question, he mustered enough strength to say in an enthusiastic but weakened tone of voice, "Oh Yes!!!"
After receiving sacramental absolution and the anointing of the sick and after some intravenous fluids, he seemed a little more responsive, although not ‘himself.’
He once again perked up after being asked, "Do you want to say the rosary together?" I marveled at the man who had difficulty answering questions like, "Do you know what year it is?" who now was leading the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary. His ‘go to’ mysteries are now the glorious. Witnessing his love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the holy Rosary and God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is a great consolation to me, not only as his earthly son but also as a priest.
Why is it that so many non-Catholic Christians have a problem with the Mother of God? Certainly, some of it is confusion of what true devotion to the Virgin Mary really is. Without Mary, we would not have Jesus, and without Jesus, we would all be damned.
Certainly, Mary is not the source of divinity, but she is the Mother of God since she is the mother of a person who happens to be God and man. It was the divine person of the Son of God that assumed a human body from Mary. Therefore, Jesus is a divine person with two natures, divine and human. Not only is the Blessed Virgin Mary the Mother of God she is also our spiritual mother as well. If she is the mother of the head of the Church, she is also the mother of the members of the Church. We do not adore or worship her, but love and venerate her and her intercessory prayers for us are most powerful.
There are two places in the bible that explicitly state she is our mother. In the Book of Revelation it says, "Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus" (Rev 12:17). In addition, when Jesus told John the apostle, "Behold your mother" (Jn 19:27), He was speaking to all of us in an extended sense.
I would like to thank all of our donors who assist us with their spiritual, material and financial support which is evidence that they understand the above concept. We all are brothers and sisters with a Heavenly Father and a spiritual mother. And it is this familial love that generates love of our many poor brothers and sisters. Please know that you remain in our prayers.
After four years of careful planning, Bishop Bruskewitz consecrated the altar and Chapel of St. Gianna and blessed our second and largest location of St. Gianna Women’s Homes.
Run and staffed by the Marian Sisters, this new home will be a safe haven for women and their children escaping domestic violence and abortion under the protection and patronage of St. Gianna, wife, mother and physician. Providentially this consecration and blessing was done by Bishop Bruskewitz on April 28, the feast day of St. Gianna.
For those who may not know her story, St. Gianna was a wife, mother and physician who developed a tumor on her uterus during her fourth pregnancy. She was given a choice by her doctors - her life or the life of her unborn baby.
Instead of choosing a hysterectomy (which would have ended the life of her baby) she chose a riskier procedure which ultimately led to her death one week to the day after giving birth to a beautiful little girl named Gianna Emanuela. As a physician herself, she knew of the risks involved in the choice she made. She died so another may live. "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (Jn 15:13).
We are very grateful to St. Gianna, whose intercession was very powerful, for in the planning and construction of this project she opened many doors for us. Why would someone not be interested in saving lives in eternity when saving lives was something they were interested in while living in the realm of time? We are confident she will continue to intercede for us in the running of this beautiful center going forward.
The opening of St. Gianna’s is coming at the right moment for our first resident, who just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. His mother recently escaped an abuser who wanted to kill her and their unborn baby.
Through the grace and providence of God she has found us here in the Diocese of Lincoln. If it was not for St. Gianna’s, I do not know where she would go. While she is at St. Gianna’s we will use our existing programs to transition her and her children to a safe and permanent place in the community. Meanwhile, she and her children will have a safe, furnished home. As a Catholic, she is excited that Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is present in the chapel and for the opportunity of hearing Mass as well.
I am elated to announce that Gianna Emanuela, the little baby that St. Gianna died for, will be coming to Lincoln Thursday, July 21 to visit St. Gianna’s. I have been in contact with her and her brother Pierluigi (who I have had the privilege to meet and who hopefully will visit at a later date). After arriving in Lincoln and a visit to St. Gianna’s, those interested will be able to see and hear her talk about her mother. The exact time and place of this is to be determined.
Please keep St. Gianna’s in your prayers - a safe place of refuge for women and their children all across the diocese.
I would like to thank Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Gianna and all the angels and saints for their intercession as well as Bishop Bruskewitz, the clergy, religious, especially the Marian Sisters and laity of the diocese of Lincoln for their support. St. Gianna, pray for us!
Recently a not-so-young man needed help getting to one of our offices in the diocese for help. He was fortunate enough to have a friend who was kind enough to give him a ride. Once inside, he inquired whether we had a box spring for his mattress. Usually, it’s the other way around. Most of the time individuals need either a mattress or a mattress or box spring as a set. I cannot ever remember anyone coming in requesting only a box spring. I guess there is a first time for everything. Apparently, the springs sprung and he was on a mission for new springs in spring.
Once inside our office he was quite pleased we had one we could give him. Since the case worker who was helping him heard from one of our warehouse specialists that a nice big easy chair was picked up at some generous person’s home she asked, "Are you in need of a big easy chair? We just picked one up, and if you would like, we can give it to you as well." To this he clapped his hands and was filled with joy as he told us he was in need of one of those as well.
As she filled out the furniture voucher, while explaining the options for getting his new big easy chair home, she gave them the address and explained where the warehouse was. After leaving the office, they thought they would take a chance and drive by. Sure enough, one of our warehouse specialists was their working away.
After stopping and producing the said voucher, within minutes, the big easy (chair!) was loaded into the van and the box spring was tied and secured to the roof. After returning home our emergency services specialist who helped him received a phone call from a thankful and happy man who relayed his gratitude, for not only did he get what he asked for but a big, beautiful, and comfortable easy chair. I got the impression from talking to her that he had won the lottery.
This is just one more example illustrating the importance of material donations in addition to the all important financial ones. In addition to using donated funds to pay rent, utilities, medical expenses, grants for counseling and other things that fall under emergency services, it would be cost prohibitive to buy new furniture, appliances, household items, vehicles etc. for needy individuals and families. I love saying that we will take almost anything that is in good working order, including big easy chairs!
What a good lesson for us all. Isn’t it easy taking the blessings we have for granted? Let us be even more thankful for our Catholic faith, which was founded on the apostles by Jesus Christ Himself, which has been handed down to us through the centuries. Let us also be most thankful for the seven sacraments, those founts of grace, most especially the Blessed Sacrament which St. Ignatius of Antioch called, "the medicine of immortality." Our prayer at Catholic Social Services is that you and your family continue to have a blessed Easter Season as we continue to keep you in our daily prayers. Thanks for your support!!
Hello to those who have never read my column, who saw the title and started reading.
About eight years ago, I was invited to hunt pheasants with a group of men somewhere in Nebraska. After pulling into the homestead where we were to hunt, I was introduced as ‘Father Kubat,’ to the group. After exchanging pleasantries, we jumped inside several pickup trucks and headed to the first field where we were told were plenty of birds.
After most everyone drove off, I was left with a young farmer in his early 20s. "Father, you can ride with me!" he said. After jumping into the truck, I immediately noticed a pornographic calendar prominently taped to the dashboard and there was ‘Miss November’ in an immodest pose, in her birthday suit. Inside the truck, our eyes met and the look on his face I will never forget. What did old father do? You might be wondering.
There was no question what I was going to do. Saying ‘How about those Packers?’ or letting him think that ‘boys will be boys’ and ‘it’s no big deal’ was not an option. Once I saw the calendar, I knew immediately what I would do. The only thing I didn’t know was if he would get angry. There is nothing worse than hunting next to an angry man with a loaded shotgun, knowing you are the object of his anger.
As we sat there in that awkward moment of silence, I slowly reached over, took down the calendar and while destroying it, gently said that this is something that is very offensive to God and his soul. In that moment, I learned that even though he was not a Catholic, he deep down inside knew it was wrong and took it very well. I cannot remember the rest of our conversation, but it involved some simple counsel, something that only is possible in the brief moment Almighty God gave me with this young soul.
Several months ago I wrote about this topic with some statistics that need not be reiterated. However, let me remind our readers that the habit of viewing pornography is epidemic and now only ‘a click away.’ The connection between this habit and other impure habits are certain, especially for men, including impure actions with self and others. All of these activities constitute grave matter. Let us be reminded that the three elements for mortal sin are that something be of grave matter, one knows it, and chooses it. Didn’t Jesus say in the fifth chapter of Matthew that even looking at a woman with lust constitutes the sin of adultery (Mt 5:28)? This includes pinup calendars hanging on dashboards of pickup trucks.
Fortunately, the antidote for these and other sinful habits is grace from sacraments, namely the Most Holy Eucharist, its frequent reception, Eucharistic Adoration in church, and the frequent use of the sacrament of Penance or confession. Another powerful weapon is the daily recitation of the Holy Rosary.
In addition to this, let the reader be reminded that Catholic Social Services has professionally trained staff in our clinical department who specialize in the treatment sexual addictions. Also remember, because of the generosity of the faithful, we have a grant system for those clients in need of counseling who are either un-insured of under-insured.
Thank you to all of our benefactors who support us, making our grant system possible. Please remember, you will remain in our prayers. By the way, I had a great day of hunting, first for souls and then for pheasants.
Editors note: visit the Diocese of Lincoln website Freedom from Pornogrphy page
Those of us old enough to remember may recall the tornado in Omaha of 1975. It touched down in Sarpy County west of 96th Street and didn’t lift off the ground until it reached Benson Park 10 miles away.
At the time, it was the costliest tornado in US history. Three people died and 138 were injured. I remember working at Target several miles away and taking cover away from the big windowpanes in front of the store, since there was not a basement. I can only imagine what would have happened if the tornado would have cut through that crowded store.
Since our house was built on a hill, my mother could easily see the funnel cloud as it touched down.
Recently, an even more devastating EF-5 tornado struck Joplin, Missouri. Unlike the tornado of ’75 in Omaha, the loss of life was much higher. As of June 3, the death toll has risen to 138. More than 8,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, with 500 commercial business likewise affected. The deadly tornado cut a 6-mile path through town.
Stories in the press outlining the suffering of the many victims, as well as the love and generosity of those who have stepped in to help, abound. Like other disasters that have occurred near and far, Catholic Social Services is here to help. We are in the process of collecting food, water and monetary donations for those affected and will continue to do so. We will soon be trucking the material items down to the affected area to help relieve some of the pain and suffering of our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. This is what it means to be a fellow member of the mystical body of Christ. When other people suffer, we suffer too. When other people rejoice, we rejoice too. Even though we in Nebraska are miles away, since we are fellow members of the mystical body of Christ, we too feel the pain. "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together" (1 Cor 12:26).
Because of the generosity of the people of southern Nebraska, Catholic Social Services, your arms and legs of charity, were able to respond to horrific hurricane Katrina with cash donations and a semi-trailer loaded with more than 23,000 pounds of material goods (including food and water) to victims and families displaced in shelters. Our trip down south is one I will never forget.
The same was true for the central Nebraska ice storm and even later the ice storm in southeastern Nebraska of unhappy memory. Both times we were able to respond with generators and gas vouchers along with money for needy families who could not work because businesses were closed due to the power outage. Then there was the earthquake in Haiti and the Tsunami in Japan. Over and over again, the loving people of the Diocese of Lincoln have responded lovingly and prayerfully.
Please remember to keep the living and deceased victims of this latest tragedy as well as the other ones mentioned in this column in your prayers. Let me take this opportunity to thank you once again for your generous and loving responses. Please know that we at Catholic Social Services will keep you, your families and intentions in our prayers.
Now that the visit of Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla is close at hand, the details of her visit are solidified. I am elated to announce that she will be giving a talk to the public about her mother, St. Gianna, Wednesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. in the Cathedral of the Risen Christ. Please note this is a change from what I earlier stated in a previous Seedlings column.
Her mother St. Gianna, canonized by Blessed John Paul II in 2004, was born in Magenta, Italy October 4, 1922 to loving and faith-filled parents. During her early life she spent considerable time prayerfully discerning her vocation. After earning a medical degree from the University of Pavia in 1949, she opened a clinic in Mesero in 1950. After further training at the University of Milan she concentrated her efforts in pediatrics. Like other saints, she had an intense love for the Blessed Sacrament and the poor which affected her private life and her medical practice. She was involved in Catholic Action, helping young girls, and in the society of St. Vincent DePaul.
She married Pietro Molla on September 24, 1955 at the basilica of St. Martin in Magenta. They were blessed with Pierluigi in November 1956, Mariolina in December 1957, and Laura in July 1959. During the first trimester of her fourth pregnancy, she developed a fibrous tumor on her uterus. As a doctor, she understood the gravity of the condition, not only for herself, but for her unborn child. Instead of choosing a procedure which would have led to the death of her unborn baby, she chose a riskier procedure, the simple excision of the fibrous tumor, leaving intact her uterus containing her unborn child. She knew exactly what she was doing. Her heroic choice ultimately lead to her untimely death at the age of 39. She died one week after the birth of Gianna Emanuela on April 28, 1962. Shortly before her due date, she was quoted as saying to her husband Pietro, "If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate, choose the child, I insist on it. Save him." While dying and holding her little baby, she felt intense suffering knowing she wouldn’t be alive to raise her, but her joy was even greater, knowing her sacrifice saved her life. What a perfect patron for our home for women escaping domestic violence and abortion!
We are truly blessed that Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla is coming to Lincoln to talk to the faithful about her mother St. Gianna and her father Pietro. She has followed in the footsteps of her mother and is also a medical doctor. My prayer is that we will see you in Lincoln to hear her speak if you are able. It’s not every day we are able to meet and hear the daughter of a canonized saint.
After her stop in Lincoln, Dr. Molla will be traveling to Kansas City, Kansas where she will be speaking at a conference entitled Being Faithful Even Unto Death, Catholic Wisdom on the Treatment of the Disabled and Dying, sponsored by the St. Gianna Physicians Guild. Other speakers include Cardinal Raymond Burke, the prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. I hope to see you at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ Wednesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. Please pray for the safe travels of Dr. Molla to the United States and back to her home in Italy. St. Gianna, pray for us!
Last week, on Oct. 20, the Universal Church celebrated the memorial of St. Paul of the Cross. He was born in the town of Ovada in Genoa, Italy on Jan. 3, 1694, and was educated in a school for boys run by a local priest. From an early age he developed an ardent love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament while attending Mass daily with frequent visits and time spent in front of the Eucharist in adoration. Once during time in front of the tabernacle as a young boy, a heavy bench fell onto his foot causing a wound serious enough to cause considerable bleeding. He responded by thanking the Lord for "the rose sent from God."
As a young man he turned down an inheritance from an uncle along with a marriage proposal and decided to follow his calling to the priesthood. He went on to start a religious order, called the Passionists, which exist today with more than 2,200 members. It is said the only book he used during his long life of over eighty years was the cross. Did not St. Paul say, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Cor 2:2)?
I love to point out that when gazing upon a crucifix, one can see all of the virtues. What humility it took for the God made man to allow Himself to mount the cross. What patience it took to remain silent as a lamb sent to the slaughter. We can see perfect obedience to the Heavenly Father. It would be beyond the scope of this brief column to elaborate further, but what love it took for love incarnate though innocent, to die for guilty adoptive brothers and sisters. Jesus said, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mk 8:34). Dying to self for the benefit of others was the example that countless men and women have followed since that horrific but salvific death on a Friday afternoon.
I am edified and most grateful to our many benefactors who continually share with us their time, talent, and treasure. Only students of the cross step out of themselves to make time to volunteer, and to donate funds to ease the sufferings of the members of the mystical body of Christ. Whenever I get on my knees and ask for help, God sends me someone or a group of people who respond to the need at hand, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Mt 7:7-8).
Please let me take this opportunity to thank once again those who support us with your prayers and penances, those who volunteer with their time and talent and those who support us monetarily for without you, there would not be a Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska. Next year, we will be celebrating our 80th year as an agency which was started during the Great Depression by Bishop Kucera. We are only here because of 80 years of love and support of those who read, study and live the textbook of the cross! May the souls of our deceased patrons rest in peace and may God bless you all!
Over the years, we at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska have learned to expect the unexpected. From small donations to large, from individuals young and old, God continues to inspire generous people of southern Nebraska to assist us in our mission of loving Jesus in the poor and needy (Mt 25:31-46).
When it comes to our food pantries, we are usually low during the summer and early fall months. This is understandable because donating food is easier to remember during the Advent, Christmas and Lenten seasons. I would like to thank all of our individual donors who have helped our pantries over these lean summer and early fall days. If not for all of you, we would have had to suspend giving food away to those who are in need.
Recently, an anonymous donor called and informed us that they had sent a check for $10,000 to Market Place IGA for food for our pantries. All that was necessary was to call and inform them what items we needed for delivery! In a few short days, we unloaded a semi-trailer full of food and essential paper products such as toilet paper. This was the ‘shot in the arm’ we needed to get us to the Advent and Christmas seasons. This was an answer to many of our prayers.
I would like to thank this generous soul for this tremendous gift and all our other donors who make what we do possible. Every year, we assist more than 20,000 individuals (23,000 last year) in a number of ways, including food. Thank you to all of our donors, large and small. In addition to these large gifts, there are countless other smaller donors, who send us money on a monthly basis. These smaller monthly donations add up quickly and are the backbone of our agency. We couldn’t exist without them as well. We are most grateful for them all.
Please know that we at Catholic Social Services of southern Nebraska will keep you in our thoughts and prayers!
When Moses saw the burning bush on Mount Horeb while tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, he noticed the bush, although on fire, wasn’t being consumed. As he approached it, he heard the Lord say, "Moses! Moses! … I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Ex 3:1-22). After revealing Himself to Moses, he was given the lofty task of freeing his fellow Israelites from the slavery of Pharaoh.
One of the images of God the Holy Spirit is fire. When we cooperate with God after receiving His Divine Life into our souls after receiving the sacraments of baptism and confirmation (and especially with the frequent reception of the sacraments of confession and the Holy Eucharist), the fire of the Holy Spirit transforms us rather than consumes us.
On July 13, the Universal Church celebrated the memorial of St. Henry. While a young man, he had a vision of St. Wolfgang, the bishop of Ratisbon, who was responsible for his education. In the vision, St. Wolfgang pointed to the words, "After six." Thinking he would die in six years, he started preparing for a holy death in earnest. After the six years were up, he was elected emperor. Some would argue this was a sentence worse than death because of the grave responsibility before Almighty God for being a holy and just ruler.
Before his marriage to St. Cunegunda, they both vowed to live chaste lives in the pattern of Sts. Mary and Joseph. After his election he spent his time defending and promoting the growth and well-being of Holy Mother Church and the salvation of souls. Upon entering a city he sought out the nearest church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and kept watch all night in prayer. This dedication to prayer and the desire for holiness allowed the fire of the Holy Spirit to transform him into the saintly instrument of God that he was.
I often marvel at the generosity of our benefactors. Why does someone donate to Catholic Social Services? It is because the fire of the Holy Spirit has moved them to support the mission of loving Jesus present in the poor and needy. There is no other reason.
Recently, we helped a single woman living in her car escape homelessness. Without our generous donors across southern Nebraska she would still be living in her car. She is extremely grateful for your help, which was generated by the transforming fire of God the Holy Spirit.
Whether it is help with grants for counseling for individuals un-insured or under-insured, or help with emergency services like the woman described above, or help with material items of goods around the house not needed, our patrons have for almost 80 years assisted us as a result of the transforming nature of the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Please know that we at Catholic Social Services will continue to keep you, your families and intentions in our daily prayers. Sts. Mary, Joseph, Henry, Cunegunda, Wolfgang and the whole Heavenly Host, pray for us!!
It’s once again time for our annual Catholic Social Services Memorial Golf Tournament, dinner and auction. It will be held at Hillcrest Country Club (located on 9401 "O" Street) on Friday, Aug. 12.
This year we are honoring Father Mark Tasler. Father Tasler was born in Lake City, Iowa on April 25, 1954 to Norm and Arlene Tasler. Before entering the seminary, he traveled extensively as an employee of Frontier Airlines. He was ordained by Bishop Glennon Flavin on May 26, 1990.
He served in several parishes in the diocese of Lincoln, most recently as the pastor of St. Joseph Parish in York. He served the faithful with love and devotion as a reflection of the heart of Jesus Christ. In addition to an ardent love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, Father Tasler exhibited a great love for the poor and needy and regularly golfed in the annual Catholic Social Services Memorial Golf Classic. He also had a great interest in supporting the seminarians of the Diocese of Lincoln. I will never forget his visit to Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmetsburg, Maryland shortly after I arrived. His prayers, kindness and support during that visit will never be forgotten. We are privileged and honored to hold this year’s memorial golf tournament in his honor.
As in previous years, there will be a variety of silent and live auction items to bid on. There is something for everyone! Some of the items include a 1981 Mercedes Benz 240 D, a one-week stay for up to six people at Tortuga Club, Grand Cayman Island, four tickets to the Denver Broncos/NY Jets game in Denver including accommodations and travel money, a Golf Nebraska package, a four-night stay in the luxurious Prairie House on Lake Sinissippi, Wisc. for up to eight people, several hunting trips in Nebraska, two tickets to the Nebraska/Ohio State football game, a snow blower, a lawnmower, a Braque du Bourbonnais puppy and many more items. To list them all would be beyond the scope of this brief column. The auction is slated to start around 7 p.m. and all are invited.
Usually we offer several pin flags autographed by sports celebrities. This year for those interested in politics, we have an autographed Catholic Social Services pin flag by Sarah Palin.
What is a Braque du Bourbonais you may ask? It is a French hunting dog which originated in the province of Bourbonais, France in the sixteenth century. Not only are these dogs noted for hunting, they are considered great family dogs. Included with this dog will be its initial exam and shots.
The success of this event is crucial to our mission of assisting the many needy individuals and families that come to us on a daily basis.
Writing this gives me yet another opportunity to thank our many benefactors. This includes our corporate sponsors, those who donated items for the auction, our golfers, golf committee members, staff and volunteers and of course the Tasler family who agreed to let us honor Father Tasler.
Eternal rest grant onto his soul O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen!
I am sometimes amazed at what comes ‘out of the mouths of babes.’ Recently a little boy named Joey Welty invited some of his friends to a Saltdogs game marking his birthday. Instead of bringing gifts he asked them to bring food for our St. Francis Food Pantry. After meeting at St. Joseph Church in Lincoln, they were driven to Haymarket Park for the game. Each child brought a bag of food for our pantry which was delivered personally by Joey.
When he arrived he said, "Hi Father, you can call me Joey!" After unloading the food (which filled the trunk of his mother Mary’s vehicle) we posed for a picture in our pantry with some barren shelves in the background. I explained we have a good supply of food during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in addition to the season of Lent. I further explained that every year during the summer months our pantry shelves are low. I explained that this gift of food was timely and most appreciated.
Meanwhile, across town a group of children decided to hold a ‘Quarter Carnival’ for St. Gianna Women’s Homes. The host children were Rose, Grace and Joseph Seeman, Carlos, Olivia, Adelina and Celia Herrera, Ella Williams, Annie and Tess Timmerman and James Hansen. The carnival was held at one of the parent’s backyard.
Fortunately I was able to attend and was amazed at the variety of games held and the number of kids present. After all was said and done we were presented with a check of $118 to St. Gianna’s. Not bad for only one week of planning and advertising by word of mouth!
I would like to thank all of these children for their love of Jesus who lives in the poor and needy, and their parents because this behavior did not come out of a vacuum. This happened because of the love and example of their parents. Let us therefore not be amazed at what comes ‘out of the mouth of babes!’
I am happy to announce that it is once again time for our annual "Bountiful Harvest" celebration in Hastings, Nebraska! It will be held in the Hastings City Auditorium Sunday, Sept. 11. The social hour begins at 4:30 p.m. with the dinner/program at 6 p.m. This year we have so much to be thankful for because God has blessed us with a new site on West Second Street, our new St. John Vianney Center. We have named it after this saint who had a great love for the poor and needy. His powerful intercession was important in procuring this new site.
Now instead of paying rent for a social services office, a counseling office, and a thrift store we now own one site where all services are located. The savings are allowing us to help more individuals and families in need. Last year, because of the generosity of our donors, volunteers and staff we were able to help more than 7,300 individuals and 2,600 families in the south-central region of the diocese out of this office.
Located at 333 W. 2nd St., this beautiful new center is the site of our social services offices with a larger food pantry located on the ground floor, our Immaculate Heart Counseling Center with a separate entrance to the outside located on the second floor, our St. Joseph Gift & Thrift store, and a gated parking lot.
The jewel of our new center of course is Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel with the Blessed Sacrament. It is a beautiful chapel with stained-glass windows of the Holy Family and St. John Vianney. Now clients are free to stop in the chapel and spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Out of one location we are now able to offer social services to those in need of rent and utility assistance, help with weatherizing their homes, material assistance with kitchen, school and cleaning supplies, diapers, car seats, clothing, personal care items, furniture, appliances, cars and other items not mentioned here. Also, through our grant system, we are able to assist those in need of counseling who are un-insured or under-insured. In addition to providing food to walk-ins, our St. Andrew Mobile Food pantry is going strong. Now food is purchased and trucked to more than a dozen smaller communities across southern Nebraska from the greater Hastings area all the way to Imperial and points in between.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our generous donors to this yearly effort such as our Patron of Mercy, Corporate, Banquet, Table and individual sponsors as well as our Bountiful Harvest banquet and corporate committee members for their indispensable help. They truly love Jesus present in the poor and needy (Mt 25:31-46).
I hope to see many of you there Sept. 11. As we pray for the living and deceased victims of the tragic attack on our nation which occurred on this day, let us also pause to thank Almighty God for the selfless and generous people of southern Nebraska who make the existence of Catholic Social Services possible as we get closer to our 80th birthday! Please know that all of you are in our daily prayers!
St. John Vianney, pray for us!
On Friday, Aug. 26, during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Bruskewitz, our two new interns and the rest of our clinical staff took an oath of fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Our two new interns are Antony Bond from Institute of Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Va., and Maria Riccardi from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind.
When one takes an oath of fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church one is taking an oath of fidelity to the truths Jesus Christ has revealed to us in Sacred Scripture and Tradition as guarded by the Magisterium. Before doing so, it is necessary to know what truth is and where it comes from. Those who claim to be atheists are unable to answer these two questions. When one knows the answer to the first question, there is no need to ask the second. The only logical conclusion for an atheist is that truth exists only because there is a God.
When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate He said, " ‘For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’ (Jn 14:6)’ " We can be absolutely certain Pilate now knows what and who was standing before him that most important day.
Immediately after telling His disciples that He would go and prepare a place for them, Thomas asked Jesus, " ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me (Jn 14:1-6).’ "
Not only is God truth, He is life, love, mercy, justice, etc. Unlike ourselves, these attributes of God are part of His very essence. We are not truth, life, love, mercy, justice, etc, but if we have God within ourselves we can possess them and with the grace of God practice them as virtues in a heroic manner similar to the saints and martyrs that have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.
Unfortunately, Christians worldwide are now being persecuted by the loss of conscience rights in the realm of the work place. Now instead of being forced to offer incense to idols or face torture and death as in the first few centuries of the Church, the choice now is between their professions or an action contrary to the faith.
When we recite the Nicene Creed each and every Sunday, let us recall the countless men and women, young and old, some mere children, who have suffered and died for the one Truth that is Jesus Christ. Let us be consoled because it is this truth that makes us free (Jn 8:32). This is what our baptismal promises require: living faithful lives. Let us do so not because of fear but because of love. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (Jn 14:15).
Please pray for the continued success of our clinical program in which the Catholic faith is incorporated into counseling. Because of the generous support of our benefactors, last year, we provided nearly $100,000 of aid to those who are un-insured or under-insured.
We are blessed to have Antony and Maria join our well trained clinical staff. Please be assured of our prayers for you!
I know a couple named ‘Clem’ and ‘Norma’ who in the past regularly purchased weekly lottery tickets. The numbers chosen were a compilation of their children’s ages. Each week they would take turns buying tickets, and together as they watched the evening news they eagerly waited for the end of the telecast as the news anchor announced the winning numbers. Even though the odds they would ever win were astronomical, they figured, "somebody has to win…"
Then one evening the unheard-of happened. The anchor announced their numbers. They were more than shocked, they were outright flabbergasted. They then knew what it was like to win the lottery. What a feeling! It was worth millions! Then the celebration began. I imagine their minds were reeling. ‘What will we do with the money? Then old Clem said to Norma, "Well Norma, where’s the ticket?" In a worried tone Norma responded, "Cut it out Clem! Don’t you have it? It was your turn to buy it!" Then Clem retorted, "No it wasn’t, it was your turn!" They suddenly realized there would be no jackpot in their lives. Easy come and easy go. It was something they joked about later in life.
Imagine the many people who dream of winning the lottery not realizing the greatest treasure lies right in front of their fingertips. This greatest treasure is not silver, gold or any other perishable thing (1 Pet 1:18) but God Himself who dwells among us (Jn 1:14). Not only does God dwell among us spiritually but corporally or physically in the Blessed Sacrament. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, that the Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life …for in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch" (CCC 1324).
Since the Blessed Sacrament is really Jesus Christ, not only are we encouraged to receive Him in this most august sacrament more than once a week if possible we are also encouraged to make time during our busy schedules to adore Him in our parish churches. In the Roman Ritual entitled, "Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass" it says, "The faithful should make every effort to worship Christ the Lord in the sacrament, depending upon the circumstances of their own life. Pastors should encourage them in this by example and word" (#80). This is what St. Ignatius of Antioch called, "the medicine of immortality" for when we regularly consume the Eucharist worthily we will be raised on the last day and live forever (Jn 6:53-58).
So far, Catholic Social Services has four chapels with the Blessed Sacrament which are open for not only our staff and volunteers but clients who come to us in need. Numerous clients have walked into our chapels off the street and have experienced the peace only God can give.
Recently we had exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in one of these chapels for the first time with a one hundred year old monstrance. It is my prayer that with volunteers, we can expand the times for Exposition. Please continue to pray for us during your time with Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar as we pray for you!
Whatever happened to Clem and Norma? Fortunately, they were devoted to the Greatest Treasure and both died holy deaths. I am confident I will see them again!
I’m elated to announce that the second annual "That Takes the Cake, a Frosted Fundraiser" for St. Gianna’s Women’s Homes will be held Sunday, Oct. 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Pius X High School, 6000 A St., Lincoln. All the proceeds will be used to help women across the diocese who are escaping domestic violence and abortion.
As many know, St. Gianna’s has two locations: a 24-apartment site complete with a chapel dedicated to St. Gianna, and a three-bedroom home staffed by the Marian Sisters of the Diocese of Lincoln. They are assisted by a group of dedicated volunteers, wonderful ladies who are indispensable to our mission.
Our equally-dedicated board members of St. Gianna’s, mostly women, have been working hard planning this year’s event. Like last year, there are two divisions for entering cakes and more - professional and celebrity. I mention ‘more’ because this year, under the professional category, those entering may bake and decorate a cake, cupcakes, or a gingerbread home.
Those who attended last year were amazed at the incredible cakes entered. Words here are inadequate to describe them. All of these works of art will be auctioned off in a silent auction so they can be taken home, shown off, and eaten!
During the event, there will be a cake walk with incredible cakes and other items to take home. For those present last year, remember how much fun that was? In addition, there will be a cake-decorating demonstration and a cake-eating station where those attending may consume complimentary cake and refreshments courtesy of our sponsors!
There are a number of corporate sponsorship opportunities available: The Event Sponsor at $5,000; The Icing on the Cake Sponsor at $2,500; That Takes the Cake Sponsor at $1,000; and The Bakers Dozen Sponsor at $500.
For those busy celebrities in need of someone to bake their cakes, you’re in luck. For $100 we will find someone to do the baking and decorating. They can also customize the decorating to fit your ‘celebrity theme.’
Last year, I jokingly said, "real men make their own cakes!" and decided to make my grandmother Margaret’s super secret spice cake. I remember calling my mother and telling her, "Now mom, I really need to do this myself!" When I arrived at mom’s house, the cake was already in the oven.... Needless to say, I decorated it myself which was obvious to all, which garnered a lot of mercy votes. In the end, I was told that it tasted great.
Admission is $5 per person and $25 per family. Tickets are available at Catholic Social Services (located at 2241 O Street) during regular business hours and at the door the day of the event. For more information you may contact John McDermott at Catholic Social Services at 402-474-1600 or Deb Schulte at 402-217-0655 or 402-489-7326.
Just weeks ago a woman at St. Gianna’s related to the sisters that last year was the worst year of her life, but thanks to St. Gianna’s she now feels happy and safe. I hope to see you there at the event and may God bless you! St. Gianna, pray for us and for the success of this important event which will benefit women and their children in desperate need.
I am excited to announce that we will be holding our fourth annual Bishop Flavin Memorial Sporting Clay Tournament at Oak Creek Sporting Club (located near Brainard) Saturday, Oct. 22. All the proceeds will be used to ease and assist the suffering and needy across southern Nebraska.
As many of you know, the event was named after Bishop Glennon Flavin, who was an avid hunter and sportsman. The Oak Creek Sporting Club is located 3.25 miles off of Highway 92 on Road W, about 40 miles from Lincoln on Highway 79. Once at the club, follow the signs through the yard to the event.
What is sporting clays? It may be described as golf with a shotgun, with each station having clay targets flying to and fro from different challenging directions. Registration and shooting games are from 8 to 10 a.m. with the main event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be held at 1 p.m. with the raffle drawings and the awards ceremony. This year is no different than previous years as there are many prizes for our participants.
I am equally excited to announce that this year we will have a silent auction item, a handsome French Brittany Spaniel whose father I hunted with. They are tremendous hunters, retrievers and make great family dogs. My administrative assistant Pat has been puppy-sitting "Gabe" and has nothing but good things to say about this little guy. He is well on his way to being housebroken and has not had any inside accidents. He is kennel-trained and sleeps through the night. This particular puppy’s father is a show dog with a bloodline having numerous champions and his mother is a field dog specializing in pheasants and quail. She also has champions in her bloodline. While walking in the park, his nose is to the ground, sniffing, and he loves water. He has been ‘wormed’ and has had his distemper and Parvo shot. And yes, he is very cute!
We are blessed that each year we have women shooters who keep us men on our toes. The first year we held this event, I was on the same team as Char Kriz, who broke many more sporting clays than I did. I just got over it last week and only now am able to joke and write about it… So you ladies who pack heat, please consider registering! Last year’s event was a "blast" and this year’s promises to be bigger and better!
Please pray for the success for this year’s event. Our patron saint for this event is St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother. St, Gabriel, pray for us and for the success of this year’s event!
For registration information, visit www.cssisus.org. To place a bid on the puppy, call (402)430-5626.
At our annual Celebration of Caring and Bountiful Harvest banquets, we present details on the services we provide at Catholic Social Services. Those who have attended or have read our publications know there are two arms of the agency - clinical and social services.
Our social services include emergency services (including our fixed and mobile food pantries), disaster relief, refugee and immigration services, and our St. Christopher car program to name a few.
Our clinical services are directed by Dr. Aaron Stratman. He oversees our Immaculate Heart Counseling Center in Lincoln and our nine satellite offices in Auburn, David City, Falls City, Hastings, Nebraska City, the Newman Center, Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, Plattsmouth and Wahoo. Our staff currently consists of four licensed psychologists, five master-level mental health therapists, and two pre-doctoral interns.
Our highly-trained mental health professionals provide individual, group, and family therapy to individuals young and old. They utilize the best psychological theories and techniques while incorporating elements of the Catholic faith. We accept most insurance plans and Medicare, and have a grant system for individuals who are un-insured or under-insured, thanks to the generous support of the people of southern Nebraska. Last fiscal year through this grant system, we provided over $100,000 in services to those who were unable to pay.
Services are provided for most psychological difficulties including, anxiety, depression, marital difficulties, behavioral problems, addiction, eating disorders, parenting, bipolar, and personality disorders, and post-abortion counseling. In addition, we answer the Project Rachel/post-abortion counseling hotline for the entire state of Nebraska. Dr. Stratman also directs our APA-accredited, pre-doctoral internship program that is part of the Nebraska Internship Consortium for Professional Psychology.
I am excited to announce that Catholic Social Services has added two new mental health professionals to our highly-trained staff. Heather McQuillan, M.S. joined the CSS Clinical Team in July. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska, as well as her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Heather brings experience with children, teens, and young adults, as well as marital therapy. In September, Heather also began providing services at a new satellite office in Wahoo.
Marcel Lanahan also recently joined our clinical staff. Marcel graduated from Notre Dame and earned a Master of Arts in counseling from the Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH. He will be spending his time in the Falls City, Auburn, and Nebraska City satellite sites. He will be able to counsel individuals and couples including children for their mental health needs.
We are blessed to have both Heather and Marcel join our highly-trained staff of counselors who are dedicated to serve the people of southern Nebraska. You can be confident that our staff will continue to provide top quality mental health services while incorporating elements of the Catholic faith. Let me once again thank our benefactors who donate to Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska. Because of our generous donors we will be able to continue serving those who need our services but for some reason are un-insured or under-insured. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us, Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
vI've heard it said, "There is nothing like going to the dump!" For those who feel this way, I respectfully disagree. Over the past 12 months, I have gone on at least four "dump runs," two that are personal and two for CSS.
I remember one such time I borrowed a van without seats and drove to my parents’ home. I had intended to spend the day clearing brush in their back yard and taking it to the local landfill.
Upon arriving and opening the garage door, I gazed upon the 30-plus years of "stuff" piled in the garage and thought, "Now is the time to purge this garage of all of this ‘junk’!" Some went in the van for a dump run, the rest of the good items were set aside for Catholic Social Services.
After opening all of the doors of the van, I started loading up the many items that have been collecting dust for decades. There was an old screen door, old pieces of wood (sorry, Harry…) and many other sundry items. Soon the seat-less van was completely filled with items ‘squirreled’ away over a 30-year period.
Upon arriving at the city dump I rolled down the window and smelled an old familiar odor, one that will never be used as a cologne or aftershave fragrance. After paying the customary fee, I was given directions to where to ‘dump’ the contents of the van.
After waiting in line for a moment, I backed the van up and threw the items with reckless abandon into a pile already present. It was a liberating feeling, and I drove away feeling free. Yes, the dump is a place where one can take their problems and leave them there.
When I hear, "There is nothing like going to the dump," I say, "Isn’t going to confession like this?"
When someone goes to confession, they may have to wait in line for a moment after which they take their garbage of sin inside the confessional. After absolution, they walk away liberated, with their souls cleansed. The penance given is like paying the dump fee.
But let none of us wait till the garage is filled with ‘stuff,’ or our souls with sin. Let us throw out what is bad and donate what is good to CSS on a regular basis, and receive the sacrament of penance frequently to rid ourselves of sin and to receive a frequent dose of grace, or God’s divine life.
While talking about dump runs, most material donations to Catholic Social Services are wonderful, but every once in a while people bring us items that are only good for the dump, hence the need for us to go on periodic dump runs. This necessitates having several box trucks which are used to pick up items from generous people like you, delivering items to the poor and needy and on occasion going to the city dump.
Because of the daily use of our trucks, we are now in need of another box truck. We have found a 2003 Ford E-350 with a 14-foot box with low miles for only $12,750. With a trade-in and some money that has come in we are only in need of $3,000 to make the deal work.
We are praying that some generous souls will come forth so we can keep on trucking…
Thanks to all of our benefactors and please remember, you are all in our daily prayers!
Recently, we added another town to our St. Andrew Mobile Food Pantry program: Minden.
For those who are not familiar with this relatively new program, we at Catholic Social Services decided that since many families across the Diocese of Lincoln cannot come to one of our fixed food pantries, we needed to figure out a way we could serve those living outside the areas served by them. Since we have a fleet of large box trucks, we decided we would, on a regular basis, purchase food and truck it to towns across southern Nebraska. Since the inception of this program, we have been slowly adding cities to the list.
At each mobile pantry, we work with the local pastor and parish volunteers for the distribution of the food pantries in locations such as the parish hall. So far it has been a huge success and is growing.
A few weeks ago, our St. Andrew Mobile Food Pantry traveled to Minden to serve needy families in Kearney County. Father Nicholas Baker greeted us with open arms, along with a group of parish volunteers and 25 students from Minden High School. We were set up for the distribution of canned goods, frozen meats, and lots of bakery items in record time. Father Baker told me, "I am amazed at how much food was given away!"
We served 75 families, totaling 248 individuals, at this first-time Mobile Pantry in Minden. Families were very grateful for the additional boxes of food. A young mom with three children was especially grateful. With tears in her eyes she told Christine Cook, "You have no idea what this means to me my husband and our kids. My husband’s income is all we have and his hours got cut several weeks ago. We really needed the extra help, thank you so much!"
It wasn’t long ago a tearful elderly woman and her middle-aged daughter told another volunteer at another site, "Thank you so much! We literally did not know where our next meal was coming from!" Stories like this abound, one of the reasons our volunteers keep on helping.
As of the time of this writing, we are now serving Ashland, Auburn, Crete, David City, Falls City, Geneva, Fairbury, Hebron, Minden, Tecumseh, Wahoo, Seward, Superior, Sutton, Harvard, Holdrege, Orleans and Imperial. In addition to these cities, we have made plans to add Shelby to the list in 2012.
I would like to extend a special thanks to our benefactors who donate to Catholic Social Services so we can purchase the food for this sorely needed program, the pastors whose support is essential for its success, and our staff and our many volunteers from the parishes. Without them, this program would have failed at the onset.
Didn’t we all see some of the white stuff to remind ourselves that summer is gone and winter is here? Now that the temperatures are falling, the shorts, short-sleeved shirts and sandals are now in the closets waiting for next spring. We are all getting out our long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, mittens, gloves, stocking hats, winter coats, thermal underwear and boots. In the midst of this yearly exchange it is easy to think nothing other than wishing we lived somewhere warmer.
Recently as I was walking across the parking lot on a cold morning, I was stopped by a man I estimate to be in his early thirties. After saying hello, he asked me if we were hiring. While stating we did not have any openings I noticed he was wearing only a light windbreaker. "Do you have a winter coat?" I asked. "No, this is all that I have!"
Shortly after this conversation, he left our office with a warm, heavy leather coat, gloves and a sack of food that some generous persons donated to us.
Then there is the story of a young man battling cancer without any warm clothing either. He came to us asking for assistance. He was referred to us by a concerned individual who knew in her heart that we would help him. Looking back, he had the look of someone in dire need. For some people, asking for help is the hardest thing to do. After further questioning, and a home visit, we found out he was heating his small apartment with his oven with the door opened and needed furniture as well. Only because of our loving patrons were we able to give him some warm winter clothing, food, pay his utility bill, help him obtain his medicines to battle his cancer and bring over some needed furniture.
I wish I had a dollar for every time John McDermott has said, "Father, your Seedlings column is the most powerful tool we have to spread the word!" We could have a pizza party for all of our volunteers! Every time I have mentioned a need in this column, generous loving people have responded. Not only are we truly grateful for the help of our benefactors, I am not kidding when I say we pray for you every day as an agency.
Every year around this time, people from across the diocese donate winter coats, sweaters, scarves, gloves, mittens, boots, stocking hats, and other warm winter clothing items to Catholic Social Services. Now that we have four permanent sites, distributing them to those in need is getting easier every year.
Please consider donating any of the above mentioned items to one of our four sites across the diocese, Imperial, Hastings, Lincoln or Auburn. In addition, if you know of anyone in need of warm winter clothing, please contact us so we can make arraignments to getting the needed clothing to those individuals and families who need them. By working together, we will continue making a difference in the lives of many.
Please know that we at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska will keep you, your family and intentions in our prayers. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Joseph and all of the angels and saints in Heaven, pray for us!
There are three legs to the stool of stewardship: ‘time, talent and treasure.’ As we celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, let us remind ourselves of the many blessings God has bestowed on us. The first and greatest gift God has given us is the gift of Himself in the Blessed Sacrament. This is the pearl of great price that the finder went to purchase after selling everything he owned in order to obtain it (Mt 13:45-46).
There are two aspects under the category of ‘treasure,’ material and cash donations. As you might know, items donated to Catholic Social Services are either given away to a needy individual or family, or sold at reduced amounts and the proceeds used to fund our many programs such as grants for counseling services for uninsured or underinsured persons, or for emergency services such as rent, utility assistance, or for some other critical need.
Recently, a woman came into one of our four thrift stores looking for a freezer to purchase. "What size do you need?" One of our staff members asked. "One big enough to hold 10 raccoons!" After hearing this, I did some checking and the most interesting recipe was for raccoon in a sour cream sauce… I think I will stick with beef, chicken, pork and turkey. I have no idea what she and her family are having for Thanksgiving.
Then there are the many turkeys that have been donated to Catholic Social Services. I would like to thank the handful of benefactors who donated turkeys to us. Because of you, many needy families will be able to enjoy a delicious baked turkey dinner complete with the trimmings. We have had several ‘turkey giveaways’ in multiple locations across the diocese.
Just days ago we received a call concerning a young pregnant woman in need. Even though she is not at risk of having an abortion and is not a victim of domestic violence she is homeless and in need of some medical attention. Since the shelters in town are full, we immediately checked her into an extended stay motel while we find her an apartment she can afford. Since she does not have the money for the security deposit, we will be able to help her with this along with furniture, and other needed kitchen and house ware items necessary to make an apartment a home. Without our generous donors she would be spending Thanksgiving on the street. As one of our staff members met her at the motel, she was given some needed food. We are also making sure she will be receiving the necessary medical help.
The two other legs of the stool of stewardship belong together. They are ‘time and talent,’ and perhaps are the most difficult of the three in many ways. We have multiple volunteer opportunities at Catholic Social Services. The most difficult part is finding the time to participate. Before writing this column Curt Krueger said, "Father, make sure and ask for more volunteers for St. Gianna’s!" We especially need help over Christmas. I am very grateful to our many loving and dedicated volunteers some of which have been with us for years.
I would like to thank all our many benefactors who help us with their time, talent and treasure. Without you, there would not be a Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska! Our prayer is that you have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!
Now that the largest site of St. Gianna Women’s Homes has been open for more than six months, there are many moving stories to share.
Even though each woman’s story is different, each share one common element: all of the women at St. Gianna’s have fled a violent situation and now feel safe and secure. Since we are also concerned about the spiritual well-being of our residents, I am happy to announce that a baby of one of the ladies who fled to save him from abortion has been baptized. This beautiful boy, created in God’s image and likeness, now has the Blessed Trinity indwelling in his soul.
I am elated to announce that our annual concert, An Evening With Ellen & Friends: Celebrating the Season, a benefit for St. Gianna Women’s Homes, will be held Sunday, Dec. 11 at the Rococo Theater, 140 N 13th St., Lincoln. Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 6 p.m. and the concert will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and all proceeds will help support St. Gianna Women’s Homes.
I would like to thank recording star Ellen Soukup along with her special guest Gene Klosner, who will be performing with her. Performing with them are Father Dave Korth, Ellen’s husband John and their daughter Carolyn, and The Spectrum Singers from Pius X High School in Lincoln.
Also back by popular demand is Dr. Cary Ward and his CSS Concert Band! In addition to this star-studded lineup, there will be some special surprises. Please be reminded that like last year, there are multiple levels of corporate sponsorship opportunities available.
What could be more satisfying than listening to great music and singing, satisfying multiple taste buds with delicious finger foods and desserts, while knowing that your support will directly benefit women who have and will be escaping violent abusers - some of whom have and will be escaping to save their unborn babies?
If I have heard it once, I have heard it many times from the three Marian Sisters at St. Gianna’s: when these ladies see their new home, furnished with beautiful furniture and beds adorned with lovely quilts handmade from ladies all across the diocese, they weep.
There is a special room at St. Gianna’s where these ladies can "shop" at no charge for household, hygiene and other items given to us by our generous donors. Since we are in the seventh month of the project, some are already ready to move on to a safe and permanent location. Because of our generous benefactors, we are able to help them with the same items when they move out, including furniture for their new homes.
I would like to thank Ellen and her talented friends, our corporate sponsors, and everyone involved in planning this year’s concert. I would like to thank in a special way Spirit Catholic Radio because without them, this concert would not be a reality.
For those of you who are free and able to attend this yearly event, I look forward to seeing you Dec. 11. For those who cannot, please pray for the success of this important yearly endeavor. Together, we can help these women and their children in need. St. Gianna, pray for us!
To reserve your tickets, call Lisa at (402) 450-5529. The reservation deadline is Dec. 6.
Not long ago on a flight to somewhere, I found myself sitting in an aisle seat next to an individual sitting next to the window who seemed like they had an allergy to priests.
Not only did this person seem depressed and angry, this individual either looked out the window or downward - always away from me. After takeoff, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my concealed weapon which cleared security, my rosary beads. Does anyone else look upon these powerful beads as bullets that scatter demons and help us grow in holiness?
After 15 minutes or so I holstered my weapon and said to the person next to me, "I just said that rosary for you!" Then came a cry for help. Soon after the tears slowed, I found myself hearing the person’s confession. After some brief spiritual counsel and the words "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," I now gazed on a face that reflected peace and joy. I have often recalled this event in my mind and prayed for this individual since that providential meeting in the clouds and thought how much this person would have benefited from counseling that incorporates elements of the Catholic faith.
There are many reasons why individuals become wounded psychologically. Let us remember, not every individual responds the same way after the trauma of abuse, domestic violence, abortion, divorce, marital infidelity, or after one of the many other causes not listed.
Recently, the director of counseling services at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center at Catholic Social Services, Dr. Aaron Stratman, attended the Healing Vision International Conference. This conference focused on deepening the understanding of the aftermath of abortion and was organized by Vicki Thorn, the foundress of Project Rachel. Dr. Stratman was able to attend, in part, by a generous contribution from the Knights of Columbus Council #10510 at St. Peter Church, of which he is a member.
The conference confirmed the overwhelming evidence of the devastating, severe, and long-lasting emotional, psychological and spiritual difficulties an abortion can have on mothers, fathers, and on society in general. While many of you probably know about these negative effects, the hope often lies in the services and the specialized counseling that the IHM Counseling Center provides throughout the state. I know that Dr. Stratman is planning to select the most interesting and palatable information from the conference and present that information to many parishes.
Remember, God’s ocean of mercy is infinite and available to anyone who seeks it. If you or someone you love, a mother, father, grandparent, sibling, or friend has been affected by an abortion, please call the Project Rachel hotline at 1-888-456-HOPE (4673) to schedule an appointment with one of our Project Rachel counselors. Not only will someone be willing to listen with love and empathy, they will also be able to direct the person to a priest who will offer God’s mercy through the sacraments. Sometimes it’s hard to accept God’s mercy unless we remove the psychological impediments. There is help. There is hope! Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us!
Vehicle donations to Catholic Social Services are very important. When a generous soul donates a car, truck or van, we either give it to a needy individual or family, place it into our fleet so we can take clients to doctor appointments etc, pick up bread and smaller items, or they are sold and the profits used to fund our many important programs.
A number of years ago some generous patron donated a white F-150 Ford pickup truck to CSS. She isn’t the prettiest truck on the road, but she comes in handy when we need to pick up or deliver smaller items, or when our bigger box trucks are tied up. Old Father even uses it from time to time when needed. Although the cosmetic defects were of no concern, the tailgate was broken. This made it difficult to use and gave us something to "offer up."
Not long after adding this to our fleet, a homeless man from out of town showed up. "Father, I need your help!"
Since it was so long ago, I cannot remember exactly what we did to help him (we help more than 20,000 people each year). A few days later, while struggling with the broken tailgate he said, "Father, thank you very much for helping me! What can I do to repay you? Can I fix your tailgate?" "No," I relied, "It’s OK." Despite his insistence, I declined his offer.
A few days later, I noticed a different tailgate on our white truck. The old, broken, white tailgate had been removed and was replaced with a blue tailgate - which was painted over with white paint. It was a hurried job, done with a paint brush and with a lot of blue showing. It was obvious we had a ‘hot blue tailgate’ on our hands. As for the mechanically-inclined homeless man, we never saw him again. I wonder why….
I immediately called the police and explained that a grateful client had stolen a blue tailgate, painted it over with white paint, and installed it on our old white pickup.
After some laughter, the officer informed me that no one had reported one stolen, but if he did, he would tell them where to find us. That was almost four years ago, and the truck is still in good running order, and we use it frequently.
This is not unusual – it is not uncommon that clients who receive help at Catholic Social Services often become supporters of some kind – although usually not by breaking the seventh commandment. What was unusual in this case was the manner in which he helped us.
It is true that charity is ‘infectious.’ When our loyal donors help us spiritually with their prayers, materially with donated items around the house or farm not needed, or financially with a cash donation according to their means, their love spreads. "God is love" (1 Jn 4:8, 16), and "We love, because he first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19). When we love our neighbor, it causes them to in turn love us and others in return.
As we continue our Advent journey to Christmas, remember that it was at that first Christmas we received the greatest gift of all, of God Himself into our lives as a little baby. To all of our generous donors, thank you! Please know that you are in our daily prayers!
Ever since the opening of St. Gregory the Great Seminary on the south end of Seward, there have always been cats.
The cats are a helpful addition, keeping mice, rats and other pests at bay within the confines of the seminary grounds. I usually see them when I go there to teach since their cat house is near the entrance where I park my car.
As one might expect, each year one of the female cats gives birth to a batch of cute kitties. They are fast learners. One of their most important lessons is to stay away from moving cars.
Last fall was no exception. After the birth of a fine-looking bunch of furry little felines, one of the slower learners was injured by someone’s car. After the tragic accident, the little kitty was left paralyzed from the waist down. As much as the little guy tried and tried to walk, it managed only to claw its way forward with its front paws while dragging the rest of its limp body forward. Because of this and the associated pain, the consensus was to put it down. It seemed like the right thing to do and everyone agreed except for Sister Fetzer (an alias).
As soon as Sister Fetzer became aware of the plan, the nameless kitty disappeared from sight. No one knew of his whereabouts. She cleverly hid the little guy in the only place she figured no one would dare to look – her bathtub. Soon, after considerable prayer, love and care, little Gimpy was back running with the rest of the pack, albeit with a gimp.
"He runs pretty good," said Father James Divis, the seminary’s spiritual director who pointed out that since Sister Fetzer is still among us, it would be premature to begin her cause for canonization. I was cautioned by Father Rafael Rodriguez after he learned of my desire to write about this, "Be careful! This place might turn into a cat infirmary!"
Consider what God has done for fallen, sinful, paralyzed humanity destined to be put down eternally. Not willing to write us off, God Himself became a little baby born in utter poverty, lived in utter poverty and died in utter poverty on the altar of the cross, stripped of the very clothes on His back.
As you ponder the mystery of Christmas, remember it was God who reached down from heaven and placed us in the arc of the Church at our baptisms, continues to sustain us with the grace of the sacraments, most especially with the food that leads to eternal life - the Eucharist. He has done this in order to save our lives so we can all run, dance and leap with joy eternally without any ‘gimps’ where we will see God face to face.
Let us spend our every waking moment concerning ourselves with those around us paralyzed in sin. Let us hide them in our hearts as we help nurse them back to health by our prayers and penances.
It is our prayer at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska that you have a blessed and merry Christmas and Christmas season. Please remember that the Christmas season extends all the way to January 9, where the Universal Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist. Infant Jesus, have mercy on us, Ss. Mary and Joseph, pray for us!
As the Christmas Season draws to a close, let us ponder the words of one of the better-known priests of the old covenant Zechariah, the husband of Elizabeth (a cousin of the Blessed Virgin Mary the Mother of God) and the father of John the Baptist.
As you recall, he was temporarily struck dumb because he didn’t believe the words of the archangel Gabriel who told him his wife Elizabeth, well past childbearing age, would bear him a son who he was to name John.
On the eighth day after the birth of John the Baptist, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, his tongue was finally loosed, after which he prophesied, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people" (Lk 1:68). Another translation is rendered, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free."
Although not exclusive to Catholic Social Services, one of its areas of service is to those who are incarcerated in prison. That said, there are a number of priests of the diocese who regularly minister and visit prisoners in prisons and jails across southern Nebraska.
Last year, one of the priests who visit inmates for CSS had the privilege of getting to know a man who started coming to his bible study/catechism class. After a while, the man in confidence told the priest the details of his life, the circumstances of his arrest and incarceration, and that he was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. Immediately after hearing what kind of cancer he had, the priest figured the man had about six months to live. Before long, the man received the sacrament of penance (Jn 20:23) and the Blessed Sacrament (Mt 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-24; Lk 22:19-20; Jn 6:48-59; 1 Cor 11:23-29). He then started attending Mass on a regular basis.
Visiting prisoners in the prison hospital is a unique experience. After clearing security, walking through a metal detector and getting patted down, one is led to the hospital ward. Each individual room is locked. The big metal doors are unlocked and locked each and every time the patient needs something.
When the time drew near, the visiting priest obtained the needed permission to bring the oil of the sick to the dying man. After a wonderful conversation, the man received the sacraments once again, including confession and the anointing of the sick (James 5:14-15).
The peace and joy of the sick man will never be forgotten by the priest and most likely by the prison staff. Not long after this, the priest offered the holy Sacrifice of the Mass for his happy repose.
"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free." Of course this means that the Son of God took on flesh to save us from the slavery of sin and death and the power of the devil. This is what he sets us free from. As for the man mentioned above, while in prison, after turning to Christ, he was set free from sin and the devil and after death, he was set free from his physical imprisonment.
Please pray for the many men and women who are in the jails and prisons across the diocese and for the priests and laity who care for them spiritually. Please pray for our benefactors who support prison ministry for Catholic Social Services for with their support bibles and other good Catholic reading materials can be purchased for the inmates, all for the purpose of setting them free.
Recently I received a phone call from a father of seven children. He was either en route to the store or inside with several of his youngest. Before I knew it I heard the oldest girl, now 5, say with excitement, "Mommy has a new baby boy in her tummy!"
Her father said that while unwrapping presents on Christmas, the girl stated in a serious tone, "Daddy, when the baby is born, he’ll think that Christmas is about presents!" Her dad replied, "That’s right; we will need to teach him everything." Not satisfied, she continued, "We are going to have to teach him that Christmas is all about Jesus!" Out of the mouth of babes… the greatest gift ever given to us by God the Father is the gift of His Son.
On Jan. 4, the Universal Church celebrated the memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975, she is the first native born citizen to be canonized. She was born in 1774 to a father who was a physician and to a mother whose father was an Episcopal priest. At 19, she married William Seton, a wealthy businessman who specialized in imported goods from Europe. She and her husband had five children and experienced much prosperity early in their marriage. She and her friends were part of the ‘High Society’ of New York City.
Soon tragedy struck. In the year 1802, because of the naval blockade by Britain during the Napoleonic wars and the loss at sea of several of his ships, William Seton was forced to declare bankruptcy. Soon after this he contracted a severe case of tuberculosis. Before long, on the recommendation of his physician, they found themselves in Italy because of the warmer and dryer weather. It was there that William died and Elizabeth was exposed to the truths of the Catholic faith.
After returning home she found herself sitting in the pews of her Episcopalian church, gazing out the window at the Catholic parish down the street with our Lord Jesus saying, "I’m over here, in the Blessed Sacrament!" After her conversion, her friends disowned her.
The rest of the story is history. With the help of Father Dubourg and Samuel Cooper, she started the Sisters of Charity, St. Joseph’s Academy and a Free School for the education of poor girls. She spent the rest of her life giving herself to them without counting the cost.
Shouldn’t we be saying to our Heavenly Father, "Abba, Father, when your children are born, unless they are shown your Son, they will think life is all about the things of this world that are passing away?" We should never be satisfied until we follow in the footsteps of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and be committed to teach people we come into contact with by our love that life is all about the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. Only He can lead us to our true home. He leads us by His self-sacrificial love. Let us all be imitators of this self-sacrificial love. Even before her conversion to the Catholic faith, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was dedicated to helping the poor. This only amplified after her conversion. Thanks to the self sacrificial love of our donors, we are celebrating our 80th birthday this year!! St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
I'm sure the decision to sign up for RCIA was a long time coming. RCIA, for those who might not be familiar with this acronym, stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It is within RCIA that an un-baptized or baptized non-Catholic takes classes in a parish setting with the ultimate goal of joining the Catholic Church. In addition to individuals who intend to enter the Catholic Church, others attend the classes just to learn about the Catholic faith which sometimes leads to a conversion. The classes usually start in the fall and finish with those entering the Church at the Easter Vigil.
As an individual progressed through RCIA classes in one of the parishes in southern Nebraska, it came to the attention of her pastor that in addition to some serious medical issues, she was living without any heat. After learning of her situation, he suggested contacting Catholic Social Services. She now has heat and is up-to-date on her rent. With the involvement of one of our case managers, we will be able to help her gain back her independence. Imagine how hard it must have been studying about the Catholic faith in a cold apartment while counting down the days to homelessness.
Next month, Catholic Social Services will be celebrating its 80th birthday in the context of its annual Celebration of Caring Banquet which will be held at the Cornhusker Hotel on Sunday, Febr. 19. The social time begins at 4:30 p.m. and the dinner program at 6 p.m.
Catholic Social Services was started by Bishop Louis Kucera in the midst of the Great Depression, to help needy individuals and families. Imagine how hard it must have been to fundraise during those hard times. For the past 80 years, the people of Southern Nebraska have been helping needy families and individuals like the one mentioned above through the loving arms of Catholic Social Services. Last year, with the help of our benefactors, CSS has helped more than 20,000 people. It is a tremendous testimony of the loving and generous nature of our donors.
As many of you know each year we honor an individual or a group of individuals by giving them the Cor Christi award. This award is given to those whose works of charity are a reflection of the Heart of Christ. This year we will be honoring Ruth McKinstry and Don Steward. Ruth has been a long time volunteer for Matt Talbot and other agencies, including Catholic Social Services. Don has been a volunteer from the beginning at St. Louise Gift & Thrift Store and is responsible for the men’s clothing section. One glance at the department will tell you how dedicated he is. Both have given of themselves tirelessly for the love of Jesus Christ present in their neighbor.
I hope those who are able will join us at the banquet to help us thank Almighty God for His abundant blessings over the past 80 years. If not, please help us thank and ask Him through the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and the rest of the angels and saints that we will be able to continue fulfilling the mandate to love Jesus in the poor and needy (Mt 25:31-46). Let us also remember in our prayers, the countless clergy, religious, staff and volunteers of CSS who have died over the last 80 years. Finally, please never forget that we at Catholic Social Services will continue to keep you and your intentions in our prayers!!
Every once in awhile, I will pound out the notes of the song, "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" from the musical "Oklahoma" when passing a piano. Invariably, if others are in earshot, I often hear, "I had no idea you knew how to play the piano, Father!"
"I don’t," I always say.
As a little boy, my parents signed me up for piano lessons with Mrs. Yechout. I will never forget those lessons as long as I live. I cannot remember how long my lessons lasted, but after a while, because of my insistence, I quit. The only thing I remember is the song, "Oh What a Beautiful Morning."
Quitting piano lessons is one of the two childhood decisions I regret most, the other is retiring from baseball in the seventh grade (because of my allergy to bench splinters). I retired with a lifetime average of .333 (I only batted three times).
I am reminded of the former regret every February for the last eight years when I hear the talented Dorothy Applegate play the piano as she accompanies the talented trumpet players in our annual "Trumpet Fest," without using any sheet music.
That said, I am delighted to announce that our ninth annual Trumpet Fest will be held Sunday Feb. 12, at 3 p.m. in the auditorium at Pius High School in Lincoln.
Every year, Kevin Murray of Murray’s for Men of Stature coordinates this wonderful event. This year our performers include, Kevin Murray, Mac McCune, Darryl White, Dorothy Applegate, Barb Schmit, Dean Haist, Jeff Patton, Brad Obbink, Debbie Bouffard, UNL Trumpet Studio students, and back by popular demand, fourth-grader Maria Pytlik. Other performers will be later announced.
Every year I am amazed at the talent and quality of the music. Not only were all of our musicians smart enough not to quit their music lessons as children, they all have been blessed by Almighty God with incredible talent.
During the event, a hat will be passed for a free-will offering which will help us assist poor and needy individuals and families across the diocese. I hope to see you there for a little dose of ‘good music.’ Thanks for your love for Jesus who lives in the poor and please remember you are in our prayers!
As most of you know, the two arms of our agency are clinical and social services. One of the vital and necessary elements of our clinical services is our Project Rachel or post abortion counseling program. Many women and men after having chosen an abortion suffer from an internal wound for the rest of their lives. Our mental health professionals are highly trained and ready to counsel these men and women who carry this wound inside often hidden from their family and friends.
One of the services that the Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center provides is responding to the Project Rachel post-abortive ministry hotline number for the state of Nebraska. One recent call which came to my attention illustrates the important role your prayers play in supporting the pro life movement.
This call actually originated out of state. A woman contacted Dr. Stratman because she was considering an abortion, even though she identified as a Christian who did not believe in abortion.
In her mind, she was in a "lose-lose" situation. If she had the baby out of wedlock, she would be alienated from her family and fiancé (who was not the father of the child). In addition, she believed she would ruin the life of her child’s father, a married man. If she chose to abort the baby, she would have to live with the secret, guilt, shame, depression, anger, and the possibility that all of the aforementioned consequences would occur anyway if her secret was discovered.
Of course, this call is relatively typical for the Project Rachel hotline. Mothers, fathers, and grandparents will call to obtain information and support for avoiding an abortion. Our counselors are trained to discuss these situations with the callers and direct them to the services they need. It is sometimes difficult when a woman who is considering or seeking an abortion calls the hotline. Listening to their stories and entering in to their wounded heart is part of the process that can help move a woman away from an abortion. They begin to feel understood and safe. They begin to understand that the decision they are making is life or death, just not their life and death.
We are not sure what the woman decided to do from the above call. At the end of the call, she was calm and thinking more rationally. She was quite intelligent and articulate, and she knew she needed to consider whether giving her baby the chance to contribute to her life and to our lives. All she needed to hear was someone who would give her the sense that she was able to endure the positive stress of having a baby much easier than the negative stress of having an abortion. When we receive calls from women considering abortion and are not sure what they will do, we name, spiritually adopt, and pray for the baby and her mother for the next nine months. I invite you to spiritually adopt Frances and her mother who called us and to spend the next nine months praying for them.
Even though we at Catholic Social Services accept most major insurances and Medicare, please do not forget that because of our generous donors, we have a grant system that helps clients who come in for counseling who are un-insured or under-insured for some reason. We are and will forever be grateful for your love and support. Please also never forget we are praying for you, your families and intentions!
[Editor's note: find out more or contact Project Rachel at: www.HopeAfterAbortion.com, 1-888-456-HOPE (4673), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]
I recently read about the life of Father Tan Tiande in a book entitled, "the Red Book of Chinese Martyrs" by Gerolamo Fazini.
Father Tiande was born in Shunde, in the province of Guangdong, China, in the year 1916. He was fortunate to have been born to a family that had been Catholic for many generations. He lost his father as a young boy and credits his strong faith to his mother and his parish priest, Father Chang Quing Qingqi. According to the written account he was a handful growing up, wanting to run outside all day and was unable to sit still for any length of time.
Despite his misbehavior, he remembers his mother never disciplining harshly and only was strict when it came to his "duties and reverence to God." He remembered distinctly his mother gathering together the family for prayer whenever one of the family members traveled. He entered the seminary in Hong Kong as a boy and after his philosophy and theology studies was ordained a priest in the year 1941.
After only a few years of ministering to the faithful, he was arrested by the communists and sent to a re-educational labor camp in northern China, the Chinese equivalent of Siberia. One of his many jobs was to bury the dead. This he frequently did because countless persons died from hunger and exposure to the harsh elements, for no other reason than being a Christian. In order to survive, he frequently ate rotten meat and tree bark.
During one stretch of his imprisonment, he was confined in a cell too small to recline. His guard was so harsh that he needed permission even to clear his throat. Many such prisoners broke under such horrible conditions. He remembers the only thing that kept him going was his faith in Jesus and his knowledge that his sufferings had meaning and value joined to the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the cross.
After more than 30 years he was released and returned to his home cathedral parish where he spent most of his time catechizing parishioners. It is striking that he was quoted to say that seeing the lack of charity between the faithful was more painful to him than any of the tortures he experienced during his decades long imprisonment.
Recently Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, the retired Cardinal Archbishop of Philadelphia, died at the age of 88. As a priest in 1971 he started the Catholic Migration and Refugee office in the Diocese of Brooklyn, one of the first in the country. He was often quoted to say, "We don’t help people because they are Catholic, we help people because we are Catholic." This is one of the hallmarks of being a Catholic. This is also true for us at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska. I frequently tell people that we serve individuals and families regardless of their religion, race or ethnicity. We do our best to help everyone because of the gospel mandate of Jesus Christ.
This is why Father Tan Tiande loved and forgave his persecutors, and why Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua started the refugee department as a young priest and why we serve the many individual families that come to us. We try to see and love the face of Jesus in them as they see and love the face of Jesus in them. Thank you all for your love of Jesus in the poor and needy for without you, there would not be a CSS. Please remember that you and your intentions remain in our prayers!
Due to a very generous patron, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska has two 4WD pickup trucks that we use to plow snow at St. Gianna’s two locations and our downtown service center. Several weeks ago after a one-foot snowstorm, I found myself plowing snow at our downtown location (which is named after St. Joseph). In the midst of blading the lot I noticed a man dressed in a snowmobile suit, walking across the parking lot toward the main entrance of the building. Since it was Saturday, we were closed. I could only imagine his disappointment after finding the doors locked.
It must have been my guardian angel who made me leave the pile of snow I was working on and drive toward him. His countenance brightened after seeing someone in a Roman collar in the cab of the truck. After a few moments, he related his story. He was a homeless man who looked like he was in his late 30s. He needed help staying at a nearby room for a bit longer as his job search intensified. He listed off the nearby businesses he was applying for employment. He was also in need of some food. I figured I had another half an hour left to complete the blading job, and told him I would visit him and his landlord after finishing.
Before long, after packing up some food in our food pantry, I found myself with this man and his landlord. After extending his stay and giving him food, the man, in a tearful state, gave me a bear hug in the presence of his landlord. Since I drove up in a four-wheel-drive pickup with the big blade in front, the landlord said, "Can you move the snow at one of my other properties?" I immediately thought to myself, "Hey, the money I earn could be used for the payment on the room and for extra emergency services for those in need!" Fortunately, this thought lasted only a fleeting moment. I replied, "Listen, you do not want me to clean your other property’s parking lot, I’m not a professional!!"
Then the homeless man interjected, "Oh, that’s not true, I saw him in action, he is real good!" I thought to myself, "This man is not helping the situation." After these comments, the landlord started begging, since his usual snow man was swamped. As I left them, one was happy and the other disappointed.
Just before writing this column, someone said, "Father, if it wasn’t for the snow, you would not have met that homeless man in need." What is also true is that if it wasn’t for our benefactors who help us spiritually with their prayers and penances, materially with food and other needed items, and financially with cash donations according to their means, I would not have been able to help this man or any of the other individuals and families that come to us each and every day we are open for business, and even the days we are closed!
Please remember that all of our patrons and their families and intentions are in our prayers. And if you need help with your snow removal, call a professional snow man.
