By Dennis Kellogg
Director of Communications
Nebraskans will have the chance to participate in a first-of-its-kind fundraiser involving all three dioceses May 1. The Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving will give Catholics across the state and beyond the opportunity to financially support parishes, schools and ministries throughout Nebraska.
The effort has the support of all three bishops in Nebraska. Archbishop George Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Bishop James Conley of the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln and Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt of the Catholic Diocese of Grand Island will each discuss the unique project during a special hour of programming on Spirit Catholic Radio May 1. They will each appear on the Spirit Mornings show between 7 and 8 a.m. Central Time to start the Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving.
“We have a shared history, a shared heritage and a shared mission,” Bishop Conley said. “This is a great chance to work together to help sustain the Lord’s work throughout Nebraska.”
Approximately 200 Catholic organizations across the three dioceses have registered to take part in the event. People can go online to nebraskacatholicdayofgiving.org, select which Catholic entities in the state they would like to receive their donations, and then make that donation with one click.
Archbishop Lucas, Bishop Conley and Bishop Hanefeldt will begin the Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving with the Spirit Catholic Radio interview. Spirit Mornings hosts Jen Brown and Bruce McGregor will interview them about the impact of the Catholic faith on the state.
“As Catholics, we are called to engage the world with charity and truth, through Jesus Christ and his Church,” Bishop Conley said. “Let us continue to collaborate to carry out his work in service to those in our community who are in need, as we have done in the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln for nearly 150 years, always remaining true to our mission.”
Organizers of the Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving said the initiative hopes to inspire faithful stewards throughout the state to share their blessings willingly and lovingly to Catholic parishes, schools and other ministries that have affected their lives. The stated goal is to empower organizations to raise critically important funds necessary to fuel the mission-driven work being accomplished throughout Nebraska, and to raise the public awareness of the work of Nebraska Catholic ministries, individually and collectively.
The advanced giving phase is already underway. The online giving platform at nebraskacatholicdayofgiving.org is accepting donations, and organizations can also enter details of offline donations they have received as part of this project. On May 1, everyone is encouraged to take a few minutes to donate to a favorite Catholic organization in the state, ensuring the success of this first Nebraska Day of Giving.
“By working together, we can help Catholic organizations, parishes and schools throughout the state, raise the critically important funds to continue their work spreading the gospel,” Bishop Conley said.
