By Kathy Rowell,
LDCCW president 2020-22
Every year, the LDCCW asks the Parish Councils of Catholic Women (PCCWs) and Altar Societies to submit a report of charitable works performed by their members over the past year. Although 2020 was a year of challenges and roadblocks, that did not hinder the women of the Lincoln Diocese. Parishes found ways to reach out to others and pray, lead and serve during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s mission was: “Be charitable; Be God’s hands in the world; Grow in spirituality; Lead by example; Perform the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.”
The challenge: “Avoid personal contact; Mass and Church services restricted or cancelled; Do not visit the nursing homes; No community at funerals; Hospital visits forbidden; Quarantine.”
The answer: “Adapt; Find ways to serve; Pray; Lead; Serve.”
In the book, “Do Something Beautiful for God,” Mother Teresa gives us this message to ponder:
“The very fact that God has placed a certain soul in our way is a sign that God wants us to do something for him or her. It is not chance; it has been planned by God. We are bound by conscience to help him or her.”
I found this to be true when I looked through the Charitable Works Surveys for this past year. Many parishes remarked how limited their options were this year due to the Covid restrictions, but they found other ways to do the work of the Lord.
Spirituality
In a year of Mass restrictions and being separated from the Sacraments, members prayed for priests and seminarians through the Seven Sisters apostolate and the Adopt-a-Priest program. They supported, in prayer and donations, Funds for Nuns, the Burse for seminarians, the Pink Sisters, FOCUS and Pi Alpha Chi, the Catholic sorority at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Virtually or by distancing from others, Mass was available on TV or computer, members attended Eucharistic Adoration, conducted Bible studies, provided Spanish Bibles and Missals for prisoners, held days of recollection and prayed countless rosaries, novenas, and offered sacrifices and prayers. Some slipped into church to spend a few minutes in the quiet presence of Our Lord.
Leadership
The women of our diocese celebrated LDCCW Sunday by recognizing the many charitable acts performed in the parish and around the diocese. Some had displays, recognized the women at Mass or celebrated with rolls and coffee after Mass. Several women attended Catholics at the Capitol and met with their senators; this is leadership in action.
World Marriage Day was also celebrated across the Diocese with each parish recognizing the importance of good marriages as examples of the little church in the home. Each year, the LDCCW supports Spirit Catholic Radio during the fall Care-a-Thon. This year, in conjunction with the Diocese of Grand Island, the Diocese of Des Moines and the Archdiocese of Omaha, we were able to raise more than $11,000 with the matching funds. Wonderful job, ladies.
Service
The Lord said what we do for the least, we do for Him. The women of the Diocese of Lincoln certainly take that statement to heart. In supporting all life, from conception to natural death, the LDCCW supports several pregnancy centers and Birthright of Lincoln through donations of diapers, clothing, praying at abortion clinics, holding baby showers and monetary donations. Several parishes make funds and goods available to those in need in the community. Some parishes make quilts and blankets, collect clothing for children and adults, have food drives and donate everything from personal hygiene items to furniture to benefit Catholic Social Services and the women at St. Gianna’s residences around the diocese.
Catholic Social Services also benefits from the generosity of the women. There are many women who volunteer at CSS and the thrift stores across southern Nebraska. Truck loads of donated items are unloaded, sorted and distributed through CSS. Volunteers help with the lunch program making and distributing meals to the homeless and the marginalized in our communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented parishes from holding their fundraisers this past year. This may have hindered the ability to do some of their annual charitable works, but it opened up other opportunities to serve. Many parishes reported ministering to families who were dealing with COVID-19. Meals were dropped off on porches and retrieved by the family. Shoppers made grocery runs or picked up medications to take to families.
Food pantries were supported. Nursing home residents were sent cards or were visited by families outside their windows. Parishes organized people to call parishioners to check on their welfare. Many sewing machines were put to use making masks for schools, hospital workers or anyone needing a mask. Funds were collected to pay for utilities or offer assistance with other needs.
Mothers became teachers when schools switched to remote learning, and teachers became “tech savvy,” giving instructions via Zoom continuing the education of our children. The women in the Diocese of Lincoln stepped up to the challenges they faced and did what they could to serve others during the past year.
It is hard to compose an article describing the “Spirituality, Leadership and Service” the women in the pews of the churches of southern Nebraska have performed over the past year. There are many more Works of Mercy that could be included, but so many were done in silence without thought of recognition. They were done out of love for each other. May God bless you all for your generosity, kindness, compassion and empathy. You truly are the hands of Jesus in this world.
