“Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told by a Cat,”
by Jeanne Perego, illustrated by Donata Dal Molin Casagrande.
Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 2007, 32 pages, Grades 4-5.
by Tom Venzor
God willing, if I grow old, I can be one of those people who can say something like, “I’ve lived through 15 presidents, five queens of England, seven popes, etc.” But for I can say only that three popes have reigned during my lifetime. But each has profoundly affected my life as a Christian.
“The Holy Bible: The Infancy Narratives”
St. Matthew, Chapter One and Two. St. Luke, Chapter One and Two.
by Tom Venzor
This will be the last column you’ll get from me until Jan. 13 when the Southern Nebraska Register fires back up the press. Lots will take place between now and then. Christmas, for one. Then New Year’s. Just days after, the beginning of the 108th Nebraska Legislature. And probably some zero-temperature days sprinkled throughout.
by Katie Patrick
Jesus ministered in all kinds of ways, even when those he ministered to did not want to be ministered to at all – much like mothers ministering to their children.
Before you become a mom, you might dream of what it will be like. You spend time wondering what their hobbies will be and who their friends will be. You are convinced they will cherish all the wisdom and advice that you plan to share, and you pray fervently that they stay close to God. So imagine the surprise when your children become teenagers and have no intention of listening to you at all. That was me for most of junior high, high school, and early college.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Vicar general, Diocese of Lincoln
Where would we be without women and motherhood? Where would we be?
I don’t know about you, but around this time of year I sure could take a nap. Especially during these times when life is difficult and confusing. This time of year is filled with stress. Bills. Planning. Online shopping. Due dates. Finals. Tests. We are stressed. We are stretched. We are tired. Many feel like crying. We could all use a nap.
“Letters From Father Christmas”
by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Baillie Tolkien.
Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1999, 111 pages, Grades 2-4.
by Tom Venzor
Late last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 258-169 to pass the so-called Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA). Following a similar vote by the U.S. Senate, the RFMA then headed to President Joe Biden’s desk. President Biden signed the bill into law Tuesday, Dec. 13.
by Katie Patrick
Last week’s article was about how Albert Maribaga, our refugee employment specialist, ministers to others “as he goes on his way” like Jesus did. In this week’s article, I want to share a little bit about the Canossian Daughters of Charity, who I served with for one year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Dear Readers: It is hard to believe that another year has flown by. This is a list of all the booktalks published from Dec. 17, 2021, through Nov. 23, 2022. I hope that the recommendations have been helpful to you and your family. As the famous English writer, Walter de la Mare said: “only the rarest kind of the best can be good enough for the young.” I have tried to reflect his wisdom in the books I have reviewed this year. It is an honor to write for the Southern Nebraska Register. Have a very Merry Christmas.
- Terrence Nollen
by Tom Venzor
Nebraska’s 108th Legislature will convene in less than one month. The opening days of session are both joyful and stressful. New Senators will be sworn in, while family and friends look on with excitement. Legislative leadership will be elected. And bill introductions will begin in full force.
By Katie Patrick
Advent is upon us and up until a week ago, all I could think about was how to stop being such a Martha. Then my mom recommended a book to me by Joanna Weaver, “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.” Some of you, I’m sure, have heard of it, and have read it.
“Remember Pearl Harbor: American and Japanese Survivors Tell Their Stories”
by Thomas B. Allen.
National Geographic Society, Washington D.C., 2002, 56 pages, Grades 4-6.
By Bob Sullivan
While the title of this column isn’t quite as catchy as “Keep Christ in Christmas,” the goal is very similar, and maybe even more necessary.
First, Christmas is not about Santa Claus, it is about Christ. And Santa Claus actually comes from a devotion to St. Nicholas of Myra, a bishop in the 300s in what is now modern-day Turkey. Devotion to St. Nicholas is an indirect devotion to Christ, because St. Nicholas imitated Christ and brought the Gospel to many people. The Church celebrates his feast day Dec. 6 each year (a.k.a December Sixolas. I made the word “sixolas” up so it would kind of rhyme).
by Tom Venzor
We are now one month out from Election Day and one month away from Nebraska’s 108th Legislature, First Session. While one may reasonably think that this period between the elections and the beginning of the state legislative session is a calm and quiet time, this is actually far from the reality. So, what’s going on right now as the state prepares for another legislative session?
“Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation” by Diane Stanley, illustrated by Holly Berry.
Joanna Cotler Books, 2004, 48 pages, Grades 2-4.
by Katie Patrick
Several years ago, Father Fulton, then executive director of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska, shared with us in his Messages of Hope article, “A Litany of Thanksgiving,” which he received from the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters (Pink Sisters) in Lincoln.
“Summer Green to Autumn Gold: Uncovering Leaves’ Hidden Colors”
by Mia Posada.
Millbrook Press, Minneapolis, 2019, 32 pages, K-4
by Katie Patrick
At Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska we dream big – and one of those dreams is to maintain a community garden at our downtown Lincoln office.
by Bob Sullivan
A prominent Nebraska newspaper recently published an apologetics piece on Drag Queen Story Hours (DQSHs). These are events in which men dress in flamboyant women’s clothing and makeup, and read children’s books to a group of young children.
“All of a Kind Family: Hanukkah”
by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky.
Random House, New York, 2018, K-3.
by Tom Venzor
This is one of those columns that will be written before a significant event occurs, but that will be published after that event has occurred. That event is Election Day, as you might have guessed. And while I would love to give you my $.02 on how the elections went, God still has not given me the gift of fortune telling in the way He gave that gift to the prophets of old. So, my armchair post-election analysis will have to wait and, for now, I’ll stick with some other tips and tricks now that we are in a post-election world.
by Katie Patrick
It’s a common question we often find ourselves asking kids, especially recent high school graduates. As guests at a graduation party, we gravitate toward that youngster still wearing the cap and gown and ask, ‘So, what do you want to be when you grow up?’
Never do we hear a response predicting a life of poverty, abuse, or depression, but like in the case of Wendy, life sometimes has a way of not going as we plan.
“The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain” by Eugene Yelchin
Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts, 2021,
Reading Level: 5-6, Comprehension Level Grades 9 and higher
by Tom Venzor
Note: This column is the fourth of several columns that will run up through Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 8). No single column on the theme of voting as a faithful Catholic can cover every important point that is required for voting with an informed conscience. The hope of these columns is to hit on some major themes Catholics should consider during an election cycle. I highly encourage you to read "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States." This relatively short, but incisive document covers significant ground on the theme of voting as a faithful Catholic, and it is well worth your time.
When this column hits your mailbox, there will be only days left before General Election Day Nov. 8. While in-person voting at your local election commission or county clerk’s office will be available until Nov. 7, the last resort for voting will be showing up to the good ol’ fashioned ballot box. If you are not a regular voter, please do take this election seriously. In fact, take every election seriously. Our moral act of voting is critical to our democratic republic form of government. Through voting, we divest our power to elected officials to make decisions that should represent our values. The actions of elected officials are the foundation for the laws and governance that guide our society.
by Katie Patrick
What a joy it was to be at Bountiful Harvest in Hastings—in person! Last Sunday, we celebrated the good work of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska with all of our donors and prayerful supporters from central Nebraska. Having hosted the past two events virtually, I can’t tell you how amazing it was to be with everyone.
“Stella” by McCall Hoyle.
Shadow Mountain, 2021, 168 pages, Grades 4-6.
by Tom Venzor
Note: This column is the third of several columns that will run up through Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 8). No single column on the theme of voting as a faithful Catholic can cover every important point that is required for voting with an informed conscience. The hope of these columns is to hit on some major themes Catholics should consider during an election cycle. I highly encourage you to read "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States." This relatively short, but incisive document covers significant ground on the theme of voting as a faithful Catholic, and it is well worth your time.
The Second Vatican Council document Gaudium et Spes lays out a beautiful presentation of conscience: “Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment…. For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God…. His conscience is man’s most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in his depths.”
This article was guest written by my husband, Ryan.
This time of year many of us enjoy the experience of a little intentional fear—we maybe watch a scary movie, or go to a spooky house, and the kids (and, let’s be honest, sometimes the adults) like to dress up and give each other a good fright.
The month of October is, for many, a time we can safely and comfortably add a little fear and fright to our lives. Studies show that many seek out fear as a form of excitement, and that a scary movie can release the same kind of endorphins as a roller coaster, and mostly for the same reason. We are able to artificially induce pleasure hormones as a response to temporary stress—we “lived” through the roller coaster, and we “lived” through the scary movie, so our body learns this is a safe and healthy way to approach fear and that we will safely arrive on the other side, no worse for wear.
“This Way Charlie”
by Caron Levis, illustrated by Charles Santoso.
Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York, 2020, 40 pages, K-3
by Tom Venzor
Note: This column is the second of several columns that will run up through Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 8). No single column on the theme of voting as a faithful Catholic can cover every important point that is required for voting with an informed conscience. The hope of these columns is to hit on some major themes Catholics should consider during an election cycle. I highly encourage you to read "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States." This relatively short, but incisive document covers significant ground on the theme of voting as a faithful Catholic, and it is well worth your time.
In my last column, we talked about how to handle “imperfect candidates” when they inevitably appear on your ballot. Toward the end of that column, I mentioned one important principle to keep in mind, which has been articulated by the U.S. Bishops. This principle is that “all issues do not carry the same moral weight.” As Catholics we have an “obligation to oppose policies promoting intrinsically evil acts” and this demand “has a special claim on our conscience and our actions” when it comes to voting for candidates.
by Katie Patrick
Maybe it's age, but it seems that the older I get, the more joy I experience when I see young people serving the poor. When young people are in our food markets or at our thrift stores or organizing coats to give to other children in need, I feel hopeful; hopeful that despite all the craziness in the world today, we are raising another generation of kids who desire to know and serve the poor. Working at Catholic Social Services, I’m pretty spoiled because I get to feel that way fairly frequently.
“Mysteries of the Holy Rosary: The Life of Jesus and Mary”
by Jane Morrone and Heather Lean, illustrated by Yorris Handoko.
With Love Above Books Inc., 59 pages, 2022, K-3 and Adults reading for family.
by Katie Patrick
In Lincoln, our staff at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska has just one week left in our current location at 2241 O Street.
by Bob Sullivan
It is that time of year again, when all Christians are reminded that politics and religion are to be kept neatly in separate silos, never to mix, and one never to influence the other. Somehow, all Christians are expected to vote according to purely secular ideals, having wiped all notions of faith and morals from their memories before filling in the ovals on election day.
“If I Built a School,” by Chris Van Dusen
Dial Books for Young Readers, New York, 2019, 32 pages, K-2
by Katie Patrick
“There can be nothing more excruciatingly contradictory to a Christian than the death of a child. Nothing can be a more brutally cold reminder of the pain that resides in this world, and the beauty that sits beside it. We who are still here afterward are flooded with pain and grief at the loss of innocent life, while our faith tells us that those innocent lost would be confused by our tears as they dance and bathe in the beatific vision, holding the hands of Christ, never once having to wonder and worry through life if they would ever get there.
by Tom Venzor
Note: This column is the first of several columns that will run up through Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 8). No single column on the theme of voting as a faithful Catholic can cover every important point that is required for voting with an informed conscience. The hope of these columns is to hit on some major themes Catholics should consider during an election cycle. I highly encourage you to read “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility” from the Catholic Bishops of the United States. This relatively short, but incisive document covers significant ground on the theme of voting as a faithful Catholic, and it is well worth your time.
Since time immemorial, it seems candidates for public office have been placed on a pedestal. Too often, on both sides of the political transaction, it is thought that the election of some aspiring politician will “fix all our problems.” Candidates on the campaign trail are often characterized—and even sometimes bill themselves—as having “the solution” to (insert the political problem of the day). Voters, on the other hand, are often looking for the silver bullet candidate who is going to fix (insert the political problem of the day).
“School’s First Day of School,”
by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson.
Roaring Book Press, New York, 2016, 40 pages, Grades K-1. First reviewed August 2018
by Tom Venzor
With great joy, I can say that this year’s pro-life banquet and conference was a success. One for the books, as the saying goes!
This year’s event brought together nearly 500 pro-lifers from all across the state of Nebraska. The crowd continues to grow year after year, new faces are added to the count, and fun is had by all.
And while much can be said about the weekend, I want to distill my experience into two points.
by Katie Patrick
Thank you, Jesus!
These are the words that always precede the sales update that I receive each Monday morning from Mark Main, our Thrift Store Manager in Lincoln. In fact, even before he gets to the numbers, after he gives thanks to God, he praises his thrift store staff, volunteers, donors, and customers. Only then will he go into the sales of the previous week breaking it down by item category.
"The Wanderings of Odysseus"
by Homer, retold by Rosemary Sutcliff, illustrated by Alan Lee.
Delacorte Press, 1995, 119 pages, Grades 5-8.
by Tom Venzor
Ready or not, here it is: Election Season!
Nov. 8 (Election Day) doesn’t sound like it’s right around the corner, but for many people—particularly, candidates running for public office—it is. Political candidates are feeling the pressures of time and resources, asking themselves how many doors can they knock on yet and how many flyers, mailers, and ads can they still squeeze in. They are counting down the days until ballots are cast and their fates—after countless hours of campaigning—are decided by family, friends, community members, and otherwise complete strangers.
by Katie Patrick
We are incredibly grateful for the efforts of Mike Hosek, co-sponsors BetterLife Lodge 426 and Knights of Columbus Council #13576 (from St. Patrick Church in Lincoln), and the many volunteers who helped with this year’s Walk to End Hunger event, held Sunday, Aug. 7 at Pius X High School in Lincoln.
"Hitty: Her First Hundred Years"
by Rachel Field, illustrated by Dorothy P. Lathrop.
Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, 1929, 207 pages.
by Katie Patrick
In collaboration with several community partners, including St. Patrick Church in Imperial, and Educational Service Unit 15 in Trenton, our staff in Imperial had the privilege of serving a family in desperate need of food and financial support.
With Dad injured and unable to work, and Mom battling cancer, the three children opened their front door to 13 boxes of food and a check that would help cover rent and several other utility bills. The family was incredibly grateful for the support!
by Bob Sullivan
St. John Nepomucene Church was the site of Father Kapaun’s baptism, his ordination and his first Mass, as well as his first assignment as assistant and then as the pastor. The parish was – and remains – predominately Czech, and many of the adults in the parish still spoke Czech as their primary language in 1940. Father Kapaun’s first language was English, but he also spoke Czech.
The church was recently restored, and its high altar and side altars are stunning. It is also a very large church for the small community of Pilsen, which currently has about 65 residents. We arrived on Pentecost, and the pilgrimage’s chaplain, Father Curtis Hecker, served as the main celebrant.
“Little Rat Rides” by Monika Bang-Campbell, illustrated by Molly Bang.
Harcourt, Inc., New York, 2004, 48 pages, Grades 2-3.
by Katie Patrick
There’s always been something comforting to me about the sound of a sewing machine, in part because of my efforts in the Congo, where I support an ever-growing group of women learning how to sew, but it’s also the memories that I have sewing with my mom and my grandma.
by Tom Venzor
The countdown is on for this year’s Bishops Pro-Life Banquet and Conference. We are just 14 days away from the state’s greatest pro-life dinner and educational conference. You know what this means: go to www.NEcatholic.org, and get yourself registered! If you would like to register by calling our office, please feel free to do so (402.477.7517).
This year’s banquet will take place Friday, Sept. 23, and the conference follows Saturday, Sept. 24. All of the activities will take place at the Embassy Suites in downtown Lincoln.
This year’s theme (“And the Word Was Made Flesh”) has us diving deep into effectively communicating the pro-life message in a post-Christian and an ever-changing digital era. We will do this by focusing on the model and life of Jesus Christ as the way forward for our pro-life efforts.
by Bob Sullivan
As we headed out of Peabody, Kan., the rain stopped, but we could see dark clouds northwest of us which I hoped to be moving to the northeast. After about an hour, it was apparent that it was moving directly toward us.
At about the time the rain hit, we were on a dirt road, and had walked about half a mile north of a couple of farmsteads. The support team checked with the families who owned the farmhouses and they gladly allowed us to get out of the open and out of the path of potential lightning and crowd into their barns, under their awnings and onto their covered porches.
by Tom Venzor
The annual Bishops’ Pro-Life Banquet and Conference is right around the corner, and you won’t want to miss out! This last year has been one for the record books and there will be much for us to celebrate as a pro-life community as we dive into this year’s banquet and conference theme, “And the Word Became Flesh.” You can register at www.NEcatholic.org.
This year’s banquet will take place Friday, Sept. 23, and the conference follows on Saturday, Sept. 24. All the activities will take place at the Embassy Suites in downtown Lincoln.
“The Woman in the Trees” by Theoni Bell.
Tan Books, Gastonia, North Carolina, 2020, 209 pages, Grades 8 and higher.
“Margaret's Unicorn” by Briony May Smith.
Walker Books, London, 2020, 32 pages, Preschool-Kindergarten.
by by Marion Miner, associate director of Pro-Life & Family Policy
Most readers of the Southern Nebraska Register will remember that last spring the Nebraska Legislature fell just two votes short of passing a law that would have, from the moment of conception, provided protection for preborn babies from elective abortion. That bill (LB933) was forward-looking in nature; it would have come into effect if and when the U.S. Supreme Court ever overruled Roe v. Wade.
Of course, that long-awaited day did finally come—on June 24, the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade. This was (and will for all time be) a joyous day. But because of our failure to pass LB933 in the spring, Nebraska was not adequately prepared for that day in law.
by Katie Patrick
We need your help! Vote for Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska during UBT’s Big Give. Voting closes Friday, Aug. 26.
Union Bank & Trust is giving $100,000 apiece to 10 different charitable organizations to fund projects or initiatives that will benefit the community. Three nonprofits will be selected in each of the large and medium categories and four nonprofits will be selected from the small category. Each category has roughly 20 nonprofits.
As a finalist in the large category, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska highlights the need to go “Back to the Basics” as we live our mission of performing the Works of Mercy in response to the call of God, and we are asking for your support to provide food, shelter, and clothing to those in need.
by Bob Sullivan
After 7 a.m. Mass, the tables of breads, boiled eggs, fresh fruit, and energy bars lined the farmhouse lane which would lead us back to our shorter walk that day. It was supposed to be 14 miles, but due to recent rains, we had to walk 2 miles out of our way to take the fourth alternate route, making the day an 18-mile walk.
Trailers hauled our camping gear off to the evening’s camp site, as we met some new and old friends and noticed that some of the pilgrims were limping a little more than they were the previous day.
It was a warmer day, and sunscreen and shade were essential for everyone. However, the humidity was still unusually low, and the route continued to be flat. We all know that much of Kansas is flat, but I have learned to appreciate that now.
The volunteers continued to do a fantastic job of taking care of everyone, and for the first time, I noticed that the nurses were helping direct traffic and were walking as well. Later that night, I saw them helping each other treat their own blisters, much like Father Kapaun had likely needed support from others while he served as their chaplain.
By this time, Jimmy and I had made some new friends. While we pretty much walked the entire route with each other, we would chat with many others as we slowed down before we overtook them or as they slowed down then walked past us. It was on day two that we met Peggy.
Peggy had been on nearly every pilgrimage since it started but she didn’t seem to have a personal story about Father Kapaun. Later we learned that she did have a personal story. Her father, Patrick Schuler, was Father Kapaun’s driver and assistant during the Korean War. The most iconic picture of Father Kapaun shows Father Kapaun standing in his vestments in front of an Army Jeep. On the hood of the Jeep is an army blanket, a crucifix, Mass altar cards, and the missal. The young man kneeling in the photo was Private Patrick Schuler, Peggy’s father.
Because of the alternate route, the pilgrimage volunteers had to search for a farm willing to let them set up and serve us our lunch. They found an agreeable family in time for more than 275 pilgrims and volunteers to flood in and overrun their large and very shaded yard for an hour.
During lunch, a friend of mine who just happened to choose to go on the pilgrimage this year as well – though we didn’t know the other one was going – happened to sit down where the nurses soon set up their temporary clinic. After a little while he thought he might have them look at the soles of his feet due to an increasing level of discomfort he had experienced as the morning had worn on. He looked concerned and with one glance at his feet, I knew I would have limped into one of the volunteer vehicles miles earlier.
He asked me if they looked bad and I jokingly told him I had briefly turned away and wept. I didn’t, but I hoped a little humor would ease the pain a bit. The nurses had to inform him there was little they could do to relieve his pain or keep his feet from becoming even more blistered. They patched him up to the extent that was possible, and he hobbled the last nine miles.
After lunch, Nick Dellasega told the pilgrims about his miraculous survival from a sudden heart failure during a 5k run in Wichita when he was 26 years old. Near the end of the race, he collapsed face first, skidded to a stop and began to convulse. Several people rushed to his aid, some of whom were his relatives.
As his uncle, who happened to be a doctor, began CPR on Nick, his 14-year-old cousin Jonah dropped to his knees and prayed for Father Kapaun’s help.
Others began to pray that Father Kapaun would come to Nick’s aid as he was rushed to the hospital. Looking back at the incident, many people believe they saw the hand of God, and the hand of Father Kapaun, in the unlikely series of events which led to Nick’s recovery.
Nick walked the entire pilgrimage with us as he has done many times in the past. Earlier that day, I spent 15-20 minutes walking and talking with Nick, who was more interested in listening to me than talking about himself.
That night we had live musical entertainment from a couple of singer-songwriters as a family pulled up and fed us as many homemade loose-meat beef burgers and as much potato salad as we could eat. I can’t imagine how much food we all packed away that night. One of the musicians was Father Kapaun’s nephew, Ray Kapaun.
The evening breeze cooled us all down, and by 7:59 p.m., I was in my cot. I don’t remember 8 p.m. There was a very busy train track adjacent to our camp that night, but I only briefly heard one or two trains all night.
As we packed up our tents on Saturday morning, we looked forward to another cool day which had a chance of rain. Mass was celebrated on the Peabody, Kan. baseball field during a light rain. One of the pilgrims held an umbrella over the makeshift altar for much of the Mass.
“The Song of Bernadette” by Franz Werfel.
St. Martin’s Press, New York, 1942, republished 1970, 575 pages, Grades 10 and higher.
by Tom Venzor
One critical lesson we can all learn from the overturning of Roe v. Wade was that the so-called right to abortion was never treated as “settled law” in the United States. From the moment Roe v. Wade was decided, dissident voices rose up to call out the injustice of Roe. This revolt occurred for the nearly 50 years leading to Roe’s demise in the recent Dobbs case. As the proverbial phrasing goes, we should take a page out of this playbook.
Very recently, two problematic policies have been making their way through the federal political process. These two policies are the misnamed “Respect for Marriage Act” and the United States Department of Agriculture’s misguided school lunch rules.
by Katie Patrick
Fore! A word traditionally used when a golfer mis-hits his or her golf ball and it has either a chance of hitting or landing near a bystander or to signal to others to watch for the golf ball as it veers off course. We may or may not hear that word a lot today at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln as Friday, Aug. 5 is our CSS Memorial Golf Classic and Auction.
This year, our 2022 Tourney will be held in memory of Sandie Gonnerman.
by Bob Sullivan
The Father Kapaun Pilgrimage started 15 years ago with a small handful of people, including Father Eric Weldon, who knew a few things about Father Kapaun and who wanted to help his cause for canonization in some way.
by Marion Miner
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overruled Roe v. Wade last month and returned authority to the states to protect preborn human life, has opened a new pathway for us in pro-life states like Nebraska. Cleared of the monstrous tangle of legal obstacles that had built up since 1973, this pathway is nevertheless still full of snags and hazards. One of the most noxious is rampant mis- and disinformation about consequences of pro-life bills for mothers and the medical profession.
by Katie Patrick
Remember that time you went to the bank to resolve an issue with an automatic payment to your utilities company? After spending nearly an hour on the phone trying to resolve the issue you decide to go to the bank and speak to someone in person. Once you got to the bank and discussed your issue with the teller, she transferred you to a personal banker. You sat down at his cubicle and explained the issue once more, but unfortunately he was unable to help you.
“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane”
by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline.
Candlewick, Press, Cambridge, Mass., 2006, 200 pages, Grades 3-5. First reviewed 10/19/2009.
by Marion Miner,
Associate Director of Pro-Life & Family Policy
In the Catholic liturgical calendar, June 24 is the day we usually celebrate the birth of St. John the Baptist, the great forerunner of Christ who leapt for joy in his mother’s womb upon hearing the voice of Mary—John’s first encounter with the presence of the preborn Jesus.
This June 24 was a little different than usual. The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus takes place each year on the Friday following the second Sunday after Pentecost. This year, that happened to be June 24. On this day we devote ourselves more fervently to Jesus in His Sacred Heart, pierced for our sins on the Cross and burning with an all-consuming love for every human person—the high and powerful of this world as well as the very least of us.
by Katie Patrick
It is time to come together for Bridging Forward!
On June 23, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska joined dozens of other local nonprofits leaders from Adams, Nuckolls, Webster, and Clay counties to hear a presentation on Bridging Forward.
Bridging Forward is a program launched by United Way of South Central Nebraska and Community Impact Network that aims to reduce poverty by 30% by 2030 in the four-county area. This translates to 700 households or 1,700 individuals. In these counties, 12% of people live in poverty, which is two percent above the state average. Alongside that, there are more than 1,400 open jobs.
by Bob Sullivan
Father Kapaun1 was a priest in the diocese of Wichita, Kan., in the 1940s and 1950s. He also served as a chaplain in the U.S. Army during that time. As a Captain and Chaplain in the 8th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division, his job was to serve the spiritual needs of all the men in his unit and Regiment, regardless of their faith, though many appeared to have converted to Catholicism because of his example.
by Tom Venzor
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring “that all persons held as slaves” in states that were yet in rebellion against the United States “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free[.]” Yet, these historic words would remain ineffective in the State of Texas for another two years. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived with his troops into Galveston further declaring that “in accordance with a proclamation from the executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”
by Katie Patrick
Are you ready for the U.S. Citizenship test?
Question 1: What is the supreme law of the land?
“Portrait of the Son: A Tale of Love”
by Josephine Nobisso, illustrated by Schluenderfritz.
Gingerbread House, Westhampton Beach, N.Y., 2021, 32 pages, Grades 2-4.
“Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away”
By Meg Medina, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez.
Candlewick Press, Somerville, Mass., 2020, 32 pages, K-2.
by Tom Venzor
Religious Freedom Week is right around the corner (June 22-29). It is a great time of the year to more intently pray, reflect, and act to promote religious freedom, which is our “first, most cherished liberty.” But before we dive into the contents of Religious Freedom Week, I want to invite you to an upcoming religious liberty event.
On Monday, June 20, at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln, the Nebraska Catholic Conference will host “Bishops and Brews.” This event will be an opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate religious freedom. The event begins at 7 p.m. with a social hour featuring some local breweries (cash bar), followed by a religious liberty panel discussion at 8 p.m.
Joining us for this event will be Bishop Conley who will be featured in the panel discussion alongside State Senator Suzanne Geist of Lincoln (a tremendous pro-life and religious liberty champion in the Unicameral), and yours truly.
by Katie Patrick
In a few short hours—from the time I am writing this article—our CSS Hastings staff will gather at Chautauqua Park to celebrate our amazing volunteers. Joining us will be the many volunteers with OpenTable, an ecumenical organization of which CSS is a part, that provides more than 26,000 sack lunches every year to the homeless and low-income in Hastings. This picnic will be the cherry on top to a week packed with a focus on our food market and meal services programming!
by Bob Sullivan
The Eucharist has been in the news a lot lately, but not necessarily for the best reasons.
First, there was the study which showed that most people do not know or believe that the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. According to that study, 69% of Catholics believe that the bread and the wine do not become the flesh and blood of Jesus once consecrated, they simply conclude that they become symbols of Jesus. No wonder most Catholics rarely go to Sunday Mass anymore. If the Eucharist is just a symbol the Mass is a waste of time. Well, not a total waste. It is a nice way to pray – if you like that sort of thing.
But as you know, the Eucharist is not just a symbol.
by Tom Venzor
Election night at the NCC is a fun experience. Staff sit around at home next to their computers, iPhones, iPads, etc., watching results pour in through the Nebraska Secretary of State website and county election commissioner office websites. The first dump of votes usually occurs shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m., and votes continue to cascade throughout the evening, usually every hour. In the meanwhile, as vote tallies appear, preliminary analysis begins. Who is ahead or behind, and by how many votes, and what projections, if any, can be made—and will any of those projections stick.
There are inevitably some races that end up being too close to call on election night, others that are down to the wire, some races that are complete surprises, and others that go just as expected. This year was no different. But there is one set of races that is well worth reviewing.
That set of races is the State Board of Education.
By Katie Patrick
Here are some true words of wisdom from one of our most dedicated volunteers at CSS, Phil Wolfe. He and his family are members of St. John the Apostle Parish in Lincoln.
Phil comes to CSS weekly to help our refugee and immigrant clients prepare for their U.S. Naturalization interview, and for the past 15 years, he has volunteered reading to kindergartners, most recently at St. Patrick School in Lincoln.
"Sounder"
by William H. Armstrong, illustrations by James Barkley.
HarperCollins, New York, 1969, 116 pages, Grades 5-8.
by Katie Patrick
Give to Lincoln Day is just around the corner! In fact, early donations are now being accepted.
From May 1 to May 26, you can donate to Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska to help the poor and vulnerable in our diocese. Your donation will help the women and children at St. Gianna Women’s Homes. It will help families facing food insecurity and it will help cover rent and utilities for households in need. Your donation will help newly arrived refugee families and immigrant families and so much more!
Coordinated by the Lincoln Community Foundation, in partnership with local nonprofit organizations, this is an exciting day for several reasons.
LOOK BACK: 2007 review on "The Empty Pot"
by Demi.
Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1990, 32 pages, Grades 1-3.
by Jeremy Ekeler,
Associate Director of Education Policy
In my previous column I promised to offer ideas for implementing the newly released “The Identity of the Catholic School for a Culture of Dialog” (called “The Identity” from this point forward). As a refresher, “The Identity” was released by the Church to address the troubling trend of declining Catholic school enrollment caused by a culture of rabid secularism (tipping quickly toward anti-religious).
by Jeremy Ekeler,
Associate Director of Education Policy
On March 29, the Holy See’s Congregation of Catholic Education blessed us with the publication of “The Identity of the Catholic School for a Culture of Dialog” (called “The Identity” in this article from this point forward). This document is filled with rich and important teachings. In this column I will lay a foundational summary of the document. In my next column I will share ideas of to implement its teachings in our Catholic school communities.
Before getting into “The Identity” it must be noted that while Church documents are valuable and instructive, they are often overlooked.
by Katie Patrick
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska raised $28,034 during the annual “Give Hastings Day” this year, with donations going toward our Family Support Services, Food Recovery and Distribution, and St. Gianna Women’s Homes West. Organized by the Hastings Community Foundation, this online giving campaign raised and rallied support for 97 local nonprofits doing great work.
by Fr. Justin Fulton
Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!
Peace be with you.
This will be my last time writing the Messages of Hope column. For it, I would like to share
by Tom Venzor
I realize the title of this column sounds provocative. One might readily think that this article is going to address the issue of what to do during the primary elections, which are already underway through early voting, regarding candidates and the issue of abortion. Rather than address this topic here, you are better off reading Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Instead, this column will address two different topics, one being the upcoming election and the other being an update on the major U.S. Supreme Court case related to abortion. What will lack in provocation will not be lacking in important information, so I hope you keep reading
“Cress Watercress” by Gregory Maguire, illustrated by David Litchfield.
Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts, 2022, 216 pages, Grades 3-5.
by Katie Patrick
Some of my favorite childhood memories are of riding my bike to the library, Blockbuster and the nearby Quick Shop for Mountain Dew Slurpees with my sister and cousins. The independence and responsibility that my bike gave to me was pretty monumental back in the day. As these bike trips were well before cell phones and GPS monitoring, I remember going over the directions several times with my mom before being allowed to take off down North 81st Street to Adams Street in Lincoln.
Admittedly, I, like probably many of you, have an ever-growing nostalgia for those low-tech days. My cause for reminiscing over these memories from 20-some years ago is from something one of our clients recently said: “My 8-year-old has never owned a bike. This is a true gift!”
by Jeremy Ekeler,
Associate Director of Education Policy
The 60-day legislative session that concluded April 20 was a doozy by any account. With less than two years of experience I’m a relative neophyte in the policy world. But the grizzled veterans in the lobby only confirmed the obvious as they shook their heads and murmured, “I’ve never seen a session like this.” Yet as the dust settles the Nebraska Catholic Conference (NCC) can once again claim a strong showing across the spectrum of issues, including education.
My role is to advocate on behalf of our bishops for the 112 Catholic schools in Nebraska; nearly 30,000 students across the three dioceses. The goals are to form and support policies that help our schools, defend against policies that hurt, and find common ground with public education lobbyists on issues universal to education.
“Cornbread & Poppy”
by Matthew Cordell.
Little, Brown and Company, New York, 2022, 80 pages, Grades 2-3.
by Fr. Justin Fulton
Only Jesus Christ can take manure and make it a fertilizing agent, giving growth to seeds which will fuel and feed His children.
Only Jesus Christ can take dark clouds and heavy rain and bring about a glorious rainbow for the world to behold.
Only Jesus Christ can take the darkest of night and make it a perfect backdrop so that the brightest and most brilliant of stars show through it.
by Tom Venzor
There is a colloquial saying along the lines of “when one thing ends, another begins.” I’m not sure I’ve ever used it myself, up until now. But it’s the best description of what’s happening in Nebraska state politics.
“Kafka and the Doll” by Larissa Theule, illustrated by Rebecca Green.
Viking Press, New York, N.Y., 32 pages, Grades 2-3.
by Katie Patrick
In the Congo with my nonprofit organization, Totonga Bomoi, a passion project other than my full-time work at CSS, we teach a lesson to our aspiring female entrepreneurs about dreaming big.
by Marion Miner, associate director of pro-life & family policy
Note: Before reading the column below, please be aware that Primary Election Day is right around the corner (May 10) and early voting has already begun. To help you understand where candidates stand on the issues, the Nebraska Catholic Conference has officially launched the Nebraska Catholic Voter website (www.NebraskaCatholicVoter.com). At the NCV website, you can learn about candidates for Governor, Nebraska Legislature, State Board of Education, and U.S. Congress. Share our voter guide with your friends, families, and parishioners!
Last Wednesday, the Nebraska Legislature debated and ultimately failed to advance LB933, the Nebraska Human Life Protection Act. The bill, which would have made abortion illegal in Nebraska the day Roe v. Wade is overturned, needed 33 votes to break a filibuster and advance. It received only 31 (with 15 votes against and three absent) and therefore died in the first round.
St. Matthew’s Passion Account Chapters 26-28.
The Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition.
Oxford University Press, 2001, 1,516 pages.
by Fr. Justin Fulton
Do you mind if I share a couple of pictures with you?
by Bob Sullivan
Lately, there has been some talk about banning books across the country, and some encouragement to read banned books. While propaganda and misinformation can do a lot of damage, and many books and materials out there today are obviously propaganda, there may be a better approach when it comes to places that already have the books on the shelf.
“Ambushed! The Assassination Plot Against President Garfield” by Gail Jarrow.
Calkins Creek, New York, 2021, Grades 5-8.
“Mieko and the Fifth Treasure”
by Eleanor Coerr, calligraphy by Cecil Uyehara.
G.P Putnam’s and Sons, New York, 1993, 79 pages, Grades 3-5.
by Tom Venzor
The week of April 4 will be a historic week for the Nebraska Legislature and the pro-life movement. It will mark first round of debate on LB933, the Human Life Protection Act, which would protect preborn babies from the moment of conception if and when Roe v. Wade is overturned. This legislation was introduced by pro-life champion Sen. Joni Albrecht and personally prioritized by Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers.
If you have not yet contacted your State Senator about this legislation, it is absolutely critical that contact them now. You easily do so by texting LIFE to 50457.
