BENKELMAN (SNR) – The Grant Deanery Council of Catholic Women held its spring meeting at St. Joseph Parish in Benkelman April 2.
Women from five counties in southwest Nebraska participated.
The Grant Deanery includes the parishes of St. Joseph in Benkelman, Resurrection in Elsie, Mother of Sorrows in Grant, St. Patrick in Imperial, Holy Family in Palisade, St. Joseph in Stratton, St. James in Trenton, St. Mary in Wallace and St. John in Wauneta.
Those present began the morning with Mass celebrated by Father Matthew Eickhoff, pastor in Benkelman and Stratton and dean of the Grant Deanery.
Susan Ladenburger, president of the Altar Society of St. Joseph Parish in Stratton and president of the Grant Deanery, conducted the business meeting. Emily Cahow of Benkelman volunteered to serve as vice president for the Grant Deanery’s next term.
As speaker, Sister Rochelle Kerkhof of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, was asked to describe the structure, inner workings and expectations of a “generic” consecrated religious congregation: How does a typical religious order function and remain sustained?
Sister Rochelle identified and explained typical details surrounding consecrated religious life as stipulated by the Church. Photo postcards from her specific congregation, distributed to each participant, further enhanced her message. The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity have served the parishes of the Grant Deanery since 2018.
A report on the work of Catholic Social Services in southwest Nebraska, specifically through St. Isidore’s Gift & Thrift, was reviewed by Marianne Sullivan, whose husband Bill manages the store in Imperial. Attendees learned how funds raised at the thrift store are dispersed to several communities in southwest Nebraska. Sullivan discussed plans for a CSS fundraiser this summer and encouraged women from all parishes in the deanery to be involved.
The Benkelman women provided a noon meal followed by the distribution the door prizes donated by the various parishes. Father Eickhoff urged all to continue their ministries and much needed services within their local churches.
From Jan Schultz of St. Patrick Parish in Imperial
