Story by Randy Porter
(SNR) - Mary Hurst of Johnson Lake speaks from personal experience.
“I definitely approve of the services of St. Gianna Women’s Homes,” said Hurst, formerly of Arapahoe. “Any place like that is just wonderful.”
There was a time she was in need of a place like St. Gianna’s, which assists women and their families fleeing domestic violence. It also helps women being coerced into an abortion. Each family receives a secure home to deal with the trauma caused by abuse, become self-sufficient and learn to develop healthy relationships.
In the spring of 2011, the women’s homes opened a 24-apartment unit. The diocese already operated a three-bedroom home in Lincoln. It serves women of all faiths in the Diocese of Lincoln, but St. Gianna Women’s Homes will not make any recommendations or referrals contrary to the Catholic faith.
It is staffed by the Marian Sisters, and operated by Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska, an agency of the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln. The Marian Sisters are a community dedicated to serving God and the Church in the diocese, with their motherhouse located in rural Waverly.
“I was beaten myself in a previous relationship so I have a soft spot in my heart for people going through that,” Hurst said. “Now, I’m in a wonderful and loving marriage.”
A hair dresser for 59 years, she retired last summer when she and her husband sold their house with the salon. She could have liquidated nearly $10,000 of hair products she had remaining; however, she had already made up her mind to donate them to a women’s shelter. After hearing about St. Gianna’s from her longtime friend, Sherry Cacy of Arapahoe, the spirit moved her.
Hurst donated all the products to St. Germanus Parish specifically for St. Gianna’s.
Cacy has been a member of the parish more than 30 years. Her husband, Mike, is a lifelong member. The long-time interdenominational friendship between Hurst and Cacy led to the significant contribution to St. Gianna’s Women’s Home.
“I realize those people have to leave with little or nothing,” Hurst said, “and it’s good to have something nice for yourself when you get there.”
They may feel so terrible, she said. They may feel it’s their own fault, even when it’s not.
The products Hurst donated include many types of shampoos, various brands of hair spray, different styling products, nail products such as polish and accessories.
Some women using St. Gianna’s may not be in a financial position to buy these types of products, Hurst said. That’s another reason for her generous contribution.
Her beauty shop was near the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Arapahoe, which draws bus loads of visitors in a non-pandemic year.
