By Sr. Marie Amata, C.K.
with Sr. John Marion, C.K.
Even when I was a child myself, I felt a longing to be a mother. My family and friends heard me say countless times as I was growing up, “I want to have 12 children!”
To bring life into the world and to nurture that life is a profound desire that God knits into a woman’s heart. It reaches the very core of who she is, of her identity: she is one who participates in God’s creative power, and daily, lovingly, cares for that life, helping to form in the child the great and exalted character that God desires for him. Motherhood is one of the most beautiful and noble callings that God has given to the human race. And He has given it to us as pure gift.
“It’s Snowing!” by Gail Gibbons.
Holiday House, Inc. New York, 2011, 32 pages, K-3.
By Fr. Lawrence Stoley,
Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Catholic Schools
It is interesting what a book can do in your life. For me, the book was “Six Great Ideas,” by Mortimer J. Adler.
By John McDermott
Vice President, Marketing & Development
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
There are some days in your life that you just never forget. For me, Jan. 2, 1996, is one of those days. Not only was that my first day working at Catholic Social Services, but later that night, you Husker fans will remember, Nebraska put a 62-24 beatdown on the Florida Gators for Coach Osborne’s second consecutive national championship. Ah, the good old days!
by Tom Venzor
We have arrived at the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January, and you all know what that means, right? The Nebraska State Legislature is in full swing and off to the races, as of Wednesday, Jan, 3.
“The Christmas Truce of 1914”
by Tom Streissguth.
Abdo Publishing, Minneapolis, 2016, 112 pages, Grades 6-9.
In the summer of 1914, Europe reaches a high state of economic security and social confidence. The philosophical movement known as the Enlightenment initiated 200 years earlier appears to be accurate. Mankind will make good decisions based on the inherent goodness in human nature. Old fashioned ideas, such as the need for redemption and original sin are just that: old fashioned. History is continually showing the benevolent nature of man. Until it doesn’t.
Tom Streissguth tells the grim story of the outbreak of World War I in this outstanding work of nonfiction. While concentrating on the entire conflict, he details the numerous truces worked out between soldiers on the opposing sides in December 1914. The title of this well-written book is “The Christmas Truce of 1914.”
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, are assassinated in Sarajevo. Now part of the independent nation of Bosnia, Sarajevo was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1914. Since the assassin is from Serbia, Austria declares war on the smaller country. This sets off the system of entangled alliances whereby countries pledge to declare war on any country attacking their allies. All the major countries of Europe are involved in these entangled alliances. A domino effect happens as countries declare war to protect their allies. By August 1914, World War I breaks out with all its fury.
The slaughter in the opening battles of the war is unimaginable. Military leaders on both sides order frontal assaults. But the day of Napoleonic charges are over and the machine gun becomes the Grim Reaper. By Christmas, 1914, all the armies are hunkered down in 7-foot deep trenches that extend 500 miles from the North Sea to Switzerland.
After months of carnage, something unusual and holy occurs. The soldiers stop fighting on Christmas Eve. The German armies begin singing Christmas carols such as Stille Nacht and the British soldiers then sing the same song, Silent Night, in English. On Christmas Day, the soldiers call a truce and begin burying the dead found in the space between the trenches known as “No Man’s Land.” Before long, a soccer ball is kicked onto the field and soldiers from both sides begin playing a match. Soon the soldiers are trading chocolate, cigarettes and Christmas goodies and laughing with each other.
The high commands of each side are appalled by this attitude. If this keeps up, the soldiers will soon refuse to shoot each other. Within several days, the armies are commanded to begin bombarding the other side again. With this, the “Give Peace a Chance” idea ends. The war will continue for almost four more years. It will become even more horrible when poison gas is used by the German army. Lest the British and French think they are innocent, they start using poison gas assaults on the Germans and Austrians.
This horror continues until Nov. 11, 1918. Knowing the war will be over at 11 a.m., both sides engage in furious bombardments and frontal attacks during the final four hours of the war. To put it mildly, the Great War, as it will be known, puts an end to the naïve, dangerous and stupid idea of the Enlightenment that mankind does not need a Savior and will always choose the good.
However, this book demonstrates that by turning to loving friendship, mankind can move past hatred and open itself up to healing. I highly recommend Tom Streissguth’s book, “The Christmas Truce of 1914.”
by Rachael Tvrdy,
Director of the Office of Family Life and Discipleship
The Vatican issued a press release Jan. 4, clarifying widespread objections surrounding Fiducia supplicans, the Declaration written by Cardinal Victor Fernandez, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), allowing blessings for same-sex couples. As a graduate of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies, I feel compelled to offer my personal opinion to the milieu.
by Tom Venzor
I often joke that Advent is not only a beautiful time to contemplate the coming of the Christ Child, but it’s a great time to pray for the coming of the Nebraska Legislature.
Given how close in proximity the two events are, this wisecrack is very much a reality for me. The month of December has the Nebraska Catholic Conference engaged in serious preparations not only to receive Christ into our hearts yet again, but to make sure that our i’s are dotted and our t’s are crossed for the upcoming legislative session.
by Bob Sullivan
Are New Year’s resolutions Christian? The resolutions which bring you closer to Heaven are, and this resolution will do just that.
A lot of people haven’t made a retreat for a very long time. Regardless of the reason for that, I believe it is time to reconsider. If you want a superb New Year’s resolution, resolve to go on a retreat in 2024.
by Katie Patrick
About four years ago, my husband and I accompanied a young woman, “Rose,” to the custody exchange site in Lincoln so that she could safely connect with her ex-husband to exchange the kids for the weekend. The custody exchange location in Lincoln is near the Lincoln Police Department on 27th Street and provides families the opportunity to meet publicly, in a monitored place. There were a few other cars and families coming and going while we waited.
By Fr. Craig Clinch,
Pastor, St. Cecilia Parish in Hastings,
Director of Hispanic Ministry, Hastings area
The beat of the large drum could be heard four nights a week in Centennial Hall at St. Cecilia Parish the month leading up to the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12. Around 30 parishioners, ages 5 to 65, gathered to practice the rhythmic dance called the Matachines. The Matachines are religious and cultural Mexican dance groups that dance especially around this time of year, a sign of devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Fidelia Marez began dancing with the Matachines, when she was about 14 or 15 years old at San Antonio Parish, Durango, Mexico.
“Star of Wonder”
by Leena Lane and Elena Baboni.
Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tenn., 2007, 29 pages, K-2.
by Tom Venzor
A few weeks ago, bishops from across the country met in Baltimore for their annual United States Conference of Catholic Bishops “plenary assembly.” The bishops discussed and voted on various matters, such as causes of canonization for—God willing—future saints, liturgical developments, the problem of racism in America, and leadership positions within the USCCB.
by Tonya Olson,
Imperial volunteer, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
When was the last time you had an annoying little earworm that kept distracting you?
by Fr. Brian Kane,
Rector, St. Gregory the Great
Seminary; Director of Seminarians
“Faith makes nothing impossible and renders meaningless such words as anxiety, danger, and fear, so that the believer goes through life calmly and peacefully, with profound joy—like a child, hand in hand with his mother.” - St. Charles de Foucauld
As Christmas approaches, we see a desire to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Word made flesh, as we are inundated with Christmas lights, advertisements in stores and online, music on the radio, and decorations in our homes. Although advertisements often lack the word Christmas, it is hard to deny a deeper draw within each person toward God.
In columns over the last several months, I’ve focused on a three-fold goal of seminary formation, building on the seminarian’s faith that St. Charles de Foucauld talks about in the quote above, leading to a “profound joy” that comes through intimacy with God, forming men to be “healed, mystic, teachers.” The gift of spiritual healing opens doors to a deeper faith. It lays a foundation for seminarians, and all of us, to have a mystic encounter with God.
by Fr. Brian Wirth,
Director of Rural Life
One of the biggest misconceptions about farming is that once harvest concludes, farmers are able to sit back, relax, and do less during the winter months. This belief is far from the truth.
“The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank.
Doubleday, New York, 1995, 340 pages, Grades 8 through adult.
By Katie Ostgren
Director of Development & Stewardship,
Diocese of Lincoln
As he burst through the door after getting home from school the other day, my 7-year-old was filled with an unusual level of excitement. He was yelling for both my husband and me.
“Mom! Dad! Where are you?” Before we could even say, “Welcome home!” he had thrust a crumpled up paper sack colored with marker directly into our faces.
“I have a gift for you!” he exclaimed. “Open it!”
By Mother Ann Marie Zierke
Marian Sisters
Almost every Christian home is known to have some form of a Christmas crib or crèche. One would be hard-pressed to find a Catholic (or even Christian) Church without a Christmas scene including the infant Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (as well as an ox and donkey).
While there are scenes in the Roman catacombs of Mary holding the baby Jesus, the tradition of outdoor crèches can be traced to St. Francis of Assisi.
by John Haag,
Lincoln Warehouse Manager,
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
The number 81—keep that in mind for a bit.
You are probably wondering where this is going, and will it require me to dust off my math skills? Together, we will dip our toes into one of the program areas of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS), and no math skills are required!
“Chasing Bright Medusas: A Life of Willa Cather” by Benjamin Taylor.
Viking, New York, 180 pages, Grades 11 and higher.
by Tom Venzor
Pro-abortionists unveiled ballot initiative language Nov. 16 seeking to establish a “right to abortion until birth” in the Nebraska constitution.
Joined by you, the Nebraska Catholic Conference, along with our statewide pro-life friends, Nebraska Family Alliance, Nebraska Right to Life, and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, will be wholly dedicated to defeating this effort as we fight for the very lives of preborn babies and moms.
by Jeff Schinstock
A new ballot initiative to amend the Nebraska State Constitution is on the way. The initiative, called the “Protect the Right to Abortion Constitutional Amendment” is currently in the petition stage gathering signatures. Here in Nebraska, we need to take this seriously. Every abortion ballot initiative that has come to a vote in any state since the overturning of Roe v. Wade has gone to the pro-abortion side – all of them.
by Katie Patrick
After nearly 25 years of working at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska, Bill Meduna, vice president of operations, has retired. We celebrated his retirement Friday, Nov. 3, with nearly 50 staff members and most of his immediate family in attendance.
By Fr. Michael Ventre,
Chief Administrative Officer,
Aquinas Catholic Schools, David City
Cardinal Francis George served the Church in America well as priest for 51 years and as bishop for 24 years until his death in 2015. His last appointment was Archbishop of Chicago from 1997-2014. As he approached his retirement, many asked a very logical question, “What will your legacy be?” In one of his final homilies to the lay faithful of the archdiocese, he gave a remarkably beautiful answer, “You are my legacy.”
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Where would we be without women, our moms, grandmas, and motherhood?
Dear Readers:
Another year seems to have flown by. The reviews listed below are from Dec. 16, 2022, through Nov. 17 of this year. I hope that the books I have reviewed have helped you and your families. This bibliography is a list of books that I believe will build the character and faith of young readers.
by Fr. Justin Fulton
Peace to you.
On behalf of Bishops Conley, Bruskewitz, and Finn and all of the religious and priests of the Diocese of Lincoln, here’s to a wonderful, blessed, safe, and happy Thanksgiving!
By Marion Miner
Associate Director of Pro Life and Family Policy
“Out of the depths I cry to thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice!” Psalm 130.
By April Boellstorff
Regional Director in Auburn,
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
Rarely do I view the security cameras while away from work. However, I logged in one Saturday morning to verify the connection and to see which National Honor Society teens stopped by to help. What I witnessed from the outside looking in made my heart explode. Like a great movie, I could hardly stop watching.
by Jeremy Ekeler
Associate Director of Education Policy
When I interviewed for the role of associate director of education policy at the Nebraska Catholic Conference (NCC) I was basically unaware of the organization’s vital role. I had been in education as an administrator, coach, and teacher for more than 15 years, but was not aware that the NCC acts as both the spear (advocate) and shield (protector) on matters of incredible consequence to Nebraska Catholics: life, marriage, religious freedom, human dignity, and education.
Despite this ignorance, the Lord consistently asked me to consider living up to the NCC motto of “Bearing the light of Christ in the public square.” He asked me to be open to departing a principalship I loved, to very publicly wear my faith on my sleeve in a trying culture, and to trust His nudges by interviewing for the NCC’s open education policy position.
By Victoria Fassett
Campus Minister
UNL Newman Center
I love that at the Newman Center we kick off the month of November with HuskerCatholic Live!, our biggest fundraiser of the year and an impressive gathering of faithful and generous people. There is something beautiful about bringing together the people that make all the work we do throughout the year possible and celebrating with them what the Lord is doing in the hearts of so many college students across the UNL campus. The night was full of stories, from individual students’ conversions, to our growing OCIA class, and the countless students met during Fall Outreach by our FOCUS team and student leaders. The Lord has clearly been moving in a powerful way this year.
by By Fr. Christopher Kubat
Pastor, St. Andrew Parish in Tecumseh
At the wedding feast of Cana, the Virgin Mother of God noticed the moment the newlywed couple ran out of wine.
We read in the second chapter of John’s Gospel, “When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said to her, ‘O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’”
At the intercession and request of Mary, Jesus changed his mind, and changed six stone jars filled with water into wine. For more than 2,000 years, our Blessed Mother has been directing her children to her Son.
“The Three Questions”
Jon J. Muth, writer and illustrator.
Scholastic Press, New York, 2002, 32 pages, Grades 1-3.
by Tom Venzor
On Halloween, abortion extremists in Nebraska announced a trick they’ll play on Nebraskans over the upcoming campaign season: a full-fledged ballot initiative effort to enshrine Roe v. Wade-style abortion protections in the Nebraska state constitution. What does this mean for pro-lifers from now until November 2024? Plain and simple: we have an all-out (spiritual, political, and cultural) battle ahead of us to protect babies and moms from a dangerous ballot initiative that threatens not only the health and safety of Nebraskans but also their very lives.
by Katie Patrick
While most of my days are spent sending emails, reviewing grant applications, discussing financials, meeting with our leadership team, and sending thank-you letters to all of our amazing donors, I had the opportunity to do some direct client service work last week.
At Catholic Social Services, the staff is busy preparing for the holidays, both Thanksgiving and Christmas, hoping to spread holiday cheer through our various food and gift programs, not to mention the increase in refugee arrivals and uptick in requests for financial assistance. It’s an “all hands on deck” season and I was grateful for the opportunity to pause my routine and jump in!
by Fr. Thomas Brouillette
Vicar General, Catholic Diocese of Lincoln
Last Friday I asked the K-5 students at St. Michael School in Hastings if they had ever heard of the George Washington Bridge, sometimes called the GWB.
Many of us, when we were in seminary in New York, traveled Interstate 80 for 1,300 miles from Lincoln all the way to the GWB. It is the world’s busiest bridge leading from New Jersey into Manhattan from west to east. In 2019 alone the bridge carried between 275,000 and 300,000 vehicles a day; 104 million vehicles traveled between New Jersey and New York and from New York to New Jersey. The bridge was completed in 1931 with eight lanes, and in 1962, six more lanes on the upper deck were added. Today the toll fee to cross the bridge from Jersey into New York is $17 cash, and around $14.75 at peak hours if you have an EZ Pass. It is a “Super Bridge”!
by Fr. Brian Kane
Rector, St. Gregory the Great
Seminary; Director of Seminarians
“Do you want to be well?”
While this may not be the question you expect when you visit the doctor’s office, this is the first thing Jesus asked the man who lay beside the pool of Bethesda in the Gospel of John (5:1-9).
by Fr. Brian Wirth,
Director of Rural Life
I don’t know about you, but the fact that we are already more than a week into November seems absurd. Yet, here we are. As the saying goes: “Time marches on.”
For our farmers and farm families across the diocese: whether the fall harvest continues to progress along or you have harvested the sought-after and wholly satisfying “final pass” (the final row of crop combined for the season), our hearts are full of thanksgiving and gratitude for you.
“Dear Mr. Dickens”
by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe.
Albert Whitman & Company, Chicago, 2021, 32 pages, Grades 2-4.
by Sister Mary Fidelis, C.K.
Directress of Novices and Postulants
School Sisters of Christ the King
As the days get shorter, and the Church year draws to a close, the topic of time has come to my mind. I’ve had a love-hate relationship with time. Mostly hate. It seems I never have enough of it. It’s true that I don’t have enough of it (24 hours/day, just like everyone else) when I consider what I think I should be doing with it. I picture a perfect life (virtuous, productive, etc.) that, alas! is not what I’m living.
by Tom Venzor
Jeremy Ekeler (NCC’s associate director of education policy) and I had the blessing to be in Italy last week. We were there with dozens of other state Catholic conference directors from across the country. State Catholic conference directors typically get together to discuss our work a couple times a year. However, every 10 years we try to make a pilgrimage to Rome.
by Katie Patrick
After nearly three years of planning and construction, our newly-renovated and expanded headquarters in Lincoln is open for business!
“Fever, 1793” by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York, 251 pages, Grades 5-7.
“Mrs. Katz and Tush”
By Patricia Polacco.
Dragonfly Books, New York, 32 pages, 1992,
Grade 1-3 and adults.
By Fr. Rafael Rodriguez
Pastor, Cristo Rey Parish in Lincoln
The other day I was in a meeting, and I asked a few parishioners: “What does Cristo Rey mean for you?”
One of them answered: “We have at Cristo Rey a spiritual home.”
“In Every Life” by Maria Frazee.
Beach Lane Books, New York, 2023, 32 pages, Grades 1-4.
Life is a gift given to us from God. We need to respect life and do everything we can to nurture it in our families and neighbors.
by Tom Venzor
Politics can easily become infatuated with naming one’s enemy. Nothing says what you stand for like saying who your enemy is, and what your enemy doesn’t stand for. You see this, perhaps most clearly, during campaign season. It’s a popular tactic that brings in the votes and the money.
This tendency to paint human people—flesh and blood—as our enemies is a tendency that Joe Heschmeyer, Catholic Answers staff apologist, recently (and rightly) critiqued at our annual Bishops’ Pro-Life Banquet. But on what basis did Heschmeyer make this critique?
The simple answer: Sacred Scripture.
by Sandra Svajdlenka
CSS Office Manager, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
During this Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, I wanted to share my story to help honor and raise awareness for those babies who were born sleeping, those who were carried but never met, those who were held but did not go home, and the ones who came home but could not stay.
by Fr. Justin Fulton
Peace be with you. Greetings! A blessed Nebraska autumn to you and yours!
by Fr. Alec Sasse,
Vocations Director
When I became the Vocation Director for the Diocese of Lincoln in June of this year, I knew that I needed to find the right “sales pitch” for men who were potentially called to discern the priesthood.
“Give your life to Jesus and you’ll always be filled with peace…” “As a priest, you’ll never be bored…” “I mean, come on, you get to hold Jesus in your hands!” “Trust me, laundry gets a lot easier…” These were all true, but they didn’t quite resonate as “give your life away” true to me.
by Fr. Brian Wirth,
Director of Rural Life
During the fall season, one week I always look forward to is the first week of October: In view of the liturgical calendar, these are the saints we as a Universal Church have the privilege of honoring: St. Thérese of Lisieux; the Guardian Angels; St. Francis of Assisi; St. Faustina Kowalska; Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary.
by Katie Patrick
Every year for the past eight years, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska, in partnership with the Knights of Columbus, has hosted the annual “Coats for Kids” community event. Together, we distribute hundreds of coats to children who would otherwise be left in the cold or wearing donated, worn coats that don't quite fit. This year’s event was particularly special as it took place in our newly designed building, tailored for events just like this one!
by Tom Venzor
When I was a bit younger (and stupider) I had little regard for commemorative events. These events seemed unnecessary and perfunctory. They seemed to me to be forgotten before they even started, and at best served the purpose of making people feel good for ever so slight a moment. As I’ve grown older (and reality has knocked some sense into me), I’ve recognized the foolishness in these immature thoughts.
“Keeping the City Going” by Brian Floca
Atheneum books, for Young Readers, New York, 2021, 40 pages, Grades 1-3
by Katie Ostgren
Director of Development & Stewardship, Diocese of Lincoln
When we talk about the benefits of Catholic schools, we often talk about Catholic identity, academic rigor, and great communities. But we often fail to draw the appropriate amount of attention to one of the best aspects of Catholic education, in my experience: the educators themselves.
by Sr. Veronica,
Marian Sisters of the Diocese of Lincoln
Who is St. Francis of Assisi, and what would he say to us today, living in a country known for its lifestyle of abundance, many seeking happiness in material things?
“Knight Owl” by Christopher Denise.
Christy Ottaviano Books, Little, Brown and Company, New York, 2022, 48 pages, K-3.
by Katie Patrick
From hot summer days to frigid winter ones, a particular homeless man comes into our office at Catholic Social Services. He wears baggy, worn-out clothes that haven’t been washed for weeks, likely what he’s slept in each night as well—sometimes under bridges and in doorways, never quite resting because it’s difficult to trust others for fear they might steal his blanket, or worse.
by Jeff Schinstock
God, completely out of love, has revealed himself to his people in many different ways through the centuries. We see it from the beginning, how he walked with Adam and Eve, or showing up to greet Moses in the burning bush. God desires to be present with us. Of course, God becoming man in the incarnation and living with us, both fully human and fully divine, was an unbelievable revelation to us about himself.
After his ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us. Right there on Pentecost, the Church was born and began to continue the mission of our founder Jesus Christ. But we should never pretend that carrying out, or even understanding the mission has been easy. From the earliest days there were disagreements.
by Katie Patrick
One of the many blessings we have received at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska over the past year has been the expansion of several of our programs, including our Immigration Legal Services program in Lincoln.
“Nebraska: The State of Volleyball”
By Lincoln Journal Star.
Lincoln Journal Star Books, Lincoln, Neb., 2009, 111 pages, Grades 7-11.
by Tom Venzor
It’s last call!
This year’s Bishops’ Pro-Life Banquet and Conference is on Oct. 6 and 7. And registration closes at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1. If you’re lucky and call into the office (402.477.7517) on Monday, we might still be able to squeeze you in.
In either case, the clock is ticking and you need to act and seats are filling up fast. So, to join hundreds of your closest pro-life friends as we celebrate the great pro-life work taking place throughout Nebraska, go to www.NEcatholic.org and register for the annual Bishops’ Pro-Life Banquet and Conference.
by Bob Sullivan
My Sept. 8 column, “Catholic men: be honest,” created a little discussion with a few of my friends. As a result of those discussions, I thought I would continue the topic this week.
By Victoria Fassett
Campus Minister
UNL Newman Center
“Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, ‘What do you seek?’” John 1:38
The first weekend of September, we invited our student leaders on a retreat aimed at getting to know the Holy Spirit more deeply. We spent the weekend at Broomtree in South Dakota in extended prayer, fellowship, and worship. We’ve hosted many of these retreats before, but this was the first one tailored specifically to the students who have said yes to living mission.
By Fr. Christopher Stoley
Sacred Heart Church, Crete
Hispanic Ministry
The times I feel most like a priest are when I am doing things in Spanish.
Allow me to explain: a priest, by definition, is one who offers sacrifice. If there is anything that has described my Hispanic Ministry experience, it’s sacrifice. To be clear, that’s not a bad thing—it makes me feel like a missionary, giving up who I was, in order to be who the people need me to be. This has been invaluable in my ministry as a priest, in my service to both the Hispanic and the Anglo populations. In order to clear this up, I should probably take you through my journey into Hispanic Ministry.
by Tom Venzor
Nebraska’s latest pro-life law has been under attack since the moment it was advanced by a super-majority of State Senators and signed into law by Governor Jim Pillen. But the attacks aren’t the end of the story, thank God! Recently, pro-life values have won again in Nebraska.
This last session, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB574 (introduced by Senator Kathleen Kauth of Omaha), which provides two critical protections for human dignity. The first protects children from the rise of transgender ideology. LB574 prevents children from being exposed to so-called “gender-affirming surgeries” which harm children by removing otherwise healthy body parts. It also significantly regulates access to puberty-blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones, which minors have had unfettered access to prior to this legislation.
The second protection is for preborn babies, and ensures that babies are saved from abortion once they are 12 weeks gestational age.
While we, of course, want to see more significant protections for children and babies, LB574 is a significant step forward toward safeguarding human dignity and saving lives in Nebraska.
by Katie Patrick
Thirty-two years have passed since Tran first set foot in the United States. As a young boy, he left Vietnam alongside his mother, driven by the hope of a better life.
“Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe”
By Steve Sheinkin. Roaring Books Press, New York, 2023, 243 pages, Grades 7 and higher.
by Fr. Thomas Brouillette
Vicar General, Catholic Diocese of Lincoln
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Courage and Hope.
I was asked to share some thoughts with you by way of introduction. Bishop James Conley asked me to take the role of vicar general in our diocese, and that he had prayed a lot about it and my name kept coming to mind. I was wondering if he hadn’t confused me with many of our other priests in our diocese that share the name ‘Tom.’ A few different ways, I suggested others are more than qualified for the position and could take the job. As you can see, I didn’t prevail.
by Veronica Hotovy
St. Gianna Program Manager
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
Roughly a year and a half ago, we began our first Bible study at St. Gianna Women’s Home, upon the request of the visiting Christ in the City missionaries. While I wasn’t certain exactly how successful our turnout would be, we agreed, thankful that the female missionaries wanted to live out a part of their service at St. Gianna’s.
by Tom Venzor
Pro-Life Party! The annual Bishops’ Pro-Life Banquet & Conference is just around the corner, and you should register! Pro-lifers from across the state of Nebraska will convene in Lincoln Oct. 6-7 to celebrate all that we have accomplished in this first year since the demise of Roe v. Wade.
In this new Dobbs era, we will focus on our theme of the truth, and how it sets us free. This is a critical theme in an age of misinformation from numerous sources, including those who are supposed to be the most reputable and truthful in their dealings.
by Fr. Brian Kane
Rector, St. Gregory the Great
Seminary; Director of Seminarians
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Luke 5:4
As we prepare for the annual Bishop’s Appeal for Vocations collection at the end of September, I want to be a voice of thanks on behalf of the young men discerning a call to the priesthood. The faithful of the Diocese of Lincoln are crucial in encouraging vocations to the priesthood and supporting our seminarians in reaching that goal.
by Fr. Brian Wirth,
Director of Rural Life
Despite the triple digit heat wave we experienced a few weeks ago, slowly but surely we are inching closer to the best season of the year (No, not pumpkin spice season): the season of fall.
“The Women Doctors of the Church” by Collen Pressprich, illustrated by Adalee Hude.
Our Sunday Visitor, Huntington, Ind., 2022, 36 pages, Grades 3-5.
by Katie Patrick
In a world that often seems preoccupied with the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is heartwarming to witness young people stepping up to make a difference in their communities. Recently, 15 students from Hastings College did just that by volunteering for a day at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska.
by Bob Sullivan
In the past few years, some Catholics have noticed that there are fewer and fewer men involved in an active life of faith in parishes across the country. Catholic men such as Bishop Emeritus Thomas Olmsted, Matthew Christoff, Father John Hollowell, and others, have written and spoken about this as a crisis in the Church.
by Sr. Fiat Marie, C.K.
A school year is an interesting thing: It begins, and then we begin counting down to the end, only to end and then begin another school year.
by Tom Venzor
In a press conference Aug. 30, opponents of school choice (so-called “Support Our Schools”) announced the outcome of their 90-day effort to gather signatures in an attempt to repeal the Opportunity Scholarships Act. This is a good chance to tell you what opponents announced at that press conference, what it means, and what’s next.
“Yukie’s Island: My Family’s World War II Story”
by Kodo Kimura and others. Illustrated by Kodo Kimura. Roaring Brook Press,
New York, 2023, 48 pages, Grades 2-4
by Amy Reisen,
Coordinator of Youth Evangelization and Discipleship
What a whirlwind the last four months have been. The warm and sunny summer days seem to just fly by each year. In my time as a teacher, I remember always thinking summer would be the time to rest, relax, and refresh. Instead, those months came with seeing everyone I hadn’t seen, resetting all the areas of my classroom I had neglected during the school year, and ultimately trying to fit a whole year’s worth of catching up into two and a half months.
by Tom Venzor
Last week, my beautiful wife, Makayla, and I looked upon the angelic face of our precious daughter, Julia Rose Venzor, for the first time.
I’ve sat staring at my computer for a good 20 minutes trying to figure out what else I should say besides this. I’ve developed several different openings or themes for my column, but nothing has taken root. So, instead, you’re getting my scattered and selected thoughts about the gift of human life… and a cute picture of my beautiful little girl!
by Rachael Tvrdy,
Director of the Office of Family Life and Discipleship
In 1988, Pope John Paul II wrote an apostolic exhortation “Christifidelis Laici” (Christ’s Faithful Laity) calling the laity “to be the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” This document is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.
“Eyes that Kiss in the Corners” by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho.
Harper/Collins Children’s Press, 2021, 40 pages, Grades 1-3.
by Fr. Ryan Kaup
In June, at age 35, I moved back to college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).
When I moved to UNL this time, instead of wearing a Blink 182 T-shirt and ill-fitting jeans like I did at 18, I donned a Roman collar. Instead of a damp dorm room in Smith Hall, my accommodations are a comfortable rectory (big upgrade). And instead of a soul searching for meaning, I’ve arrived with a heart burning with a mission to find the lost souls on campus.
by Katie Patrick
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS) in Auburn operates not only as a place where those in need can secure food for their families, or where an individual living on a fixed income can access emergency cash assistance when their only vehicle needs repair, nor is it only a place for local folks to shop at the St. Francis Gift & Thrift. It is, in fact, much more than this. Catholic Social Services in Auburn provides essential services that go beyond the surface, touching hearts and uplifting spirits.
by Tom Venzor
A hodgepodge of thoughts, Tom… is that the best you have for us this week? And the answer is “Yes! That’s the best I have!” I now invite you into my stream of consciousness and hear what I have to say about some important, slightly related topics. Unlike the Grateful Dead, it won’t be a long, strange trip, it’ll be a short, informative, out and back.
By Fr. Bernard Lorenz
St. Patrick Parish in McCook
Hispanic Ministry
Mom is calling us home to the family.
Mom who? The Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), Mom of Jesus and all humanity. (John 19:26-27) In the 38 years of priesthood that the good and gracious God has allowed me to celebrate, I have come to know and love my mom Mary, mother of Jesus, more and more.
“A Gift for Nana” by Lane Smith.
Random House, New York, 2022, 40 pages, Grades K-3.
by Katie Patrick
For the past 27 years, Catholic Social Services has hosted the CSS Memorial Golf Classic and Auction in memory of one of our own. We have recognized former volunteers, donors, staff and community members who have impacted our mission by performing the Works of Mercy in response to the call of God.
by Tom Venzor
The misplaced effort to repeal historic school choice legislation in Nebraska is now, thank God, in countdown mode. There are fewer than 30 days for opponents of school choice to collect signatures in the effort to repeal LB753, the Opportunity Scholarships Act.
by Fr. Brian Kane
Rector, St. Gregory the Great Seminary; Director of Seminarians
“Lord, where are you staying? Jesus replied, Come and you will see” (Jn 1: 38-39).
By Fr. Brian Wirth
Director of Rural Life
Whether growing crops on the farm, or flowers and vegetables in gardens, one of the biggest challenges of raising plants revolves around weeds. With or without moisture, weeds still find a way to make their presence known.
“I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906”
by Lauren Tarshis.
Scholastic, Inc., New York, 2012, 94 pages, Grades 4-5.
by Tom Venzor
We’ve been talking a lot about school choice lately, but it’s hard not to. Our recently passed law, to get more scholarships to low-income families, has the power to transform generations of children by offering them more and better educational opportunities. But that legislation is being threatened by opponents who seek to repeal the law. So, what can you do to protect school choice for Nebraska families? I’m glad you asked, because these future scholarship families need your help today!
By Sr. Melissa Moxely, M.S.
Marian Sisters
I had the privilege of going on a Marian pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, and Medjugorje in May 2023, with the help of many generous benefactors and the support of my community, the Marian Sisters of the Diocese of Lincoln. I experienced Mary calling me to her heart as my spiritual mother to these holy apparition sites.
by Katie Ostgren
Director of Development & Stewardship, Diocese of Lincoln
Around this time every year, I feel like the Ostgrens need to catch our pastor at the end of Mass and clarify something. Usually it’s me, with a bit of nervous laughter, saying something like, “Hey, Father! Long time no see—just wanted to let you know that we didn’t move, or ghost you, or anything like that—haha! We still belong to the parish, and we’re definitely still Catholic! OK—see you in August!”
by Rachel Tvrdy
Community Engagement Coordinator, Marketing & Development
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
Do you recognize the quote, “no man is an island?” It’s the opening line of John Donne’s poem of the same name: “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.”
by Jeremy Ekeler,
Associate Director of Education Policy
In honor of the recent anniversary of his birthday, I’d like to tell you what the first Archbishop of New York, “Dagger” John Hughes, can teach the Nebraska faithful.
Hughes was born in English-ruled Ireland June 24, 1797. When he was 15 years old, his sister died. Because the British would not permit a Catholic burial, John smuggled in a handful of blessed dirt and sprinkled it on her grave. Historians point to this moment as an indication of Hughes’ rebellious streak. I would argue that was not a “streak,” that was his Catholic ethos.
by Jeff Schinstock,
Director of Religious Education
Growing up on a farm in southwestern Kansas, I always watched my dad, my grandfather and my uncle, and marveled at all the things they knew.
My favorite days usually involved a major mechanical job; we had lots of equipment that needed regular maintenance. On those days we were all four together and I would marvel at the conversations. There was always baseball talk, but they knew history and politics. There was also some religious discussion, often involving our own local parish.
