LINCOLN (SNR) – Olga Prendes, a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Lincoln, died in October at the age of 95. She was born in Havana, Cuba and became a resident of Lincoln in 1963.
Prendes was a member of many organizations, and was an auxiliary praying member of the Legion of Mary at Blessed Sacrament Church in Lincoln.
After Olga’s death, her family wanted to donate memorial money in her name to the Legion of Mary at Blessed Sacrament. The Legion of Mary is responsible for assisting the parish pastor with spiritual works of mercy.
The Legion is not allowed to accept monetary donations, however, so members had to find a way to direct the funds elsewhere.
In December, Pope Francis declared a worldwide “Year of St. Joseph” in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church. The Legion of Mary decided to purchase a statue of St. Joseph, in memory of Olga. The statue was then donated to the pro-life center in Lincoln where the Legion of Mary Curia holds monthly meetings.
“I am honored to be able to donate St. Joseph’s statue in honor of an amazing lady who touched many lives,” said Sandy Payne, president of the Legion of Mary praesidium at Blessed Sacrament and the Lincoln Curia.
Father Thomas MacLean, as assistant diocesan pro-life director, celebrates Mass every week in the pro-life center on Tuesdays, the day Planned Parenthood performs abortions at their facility across the street, and pro-lifers gather to pray for and offer assistance to the women entering.
He blessed the donated statue before a recent Mass in memory of Prendes, remarking that she taught him Spanish years ago.
