By S.L. Hansen
for the Register
Regnum Christi in the Diocese of Lincoln is preparing for its fundraising golf tournament on Friday, Sept. 20, in Lincoln.
Designed for fun and fellowship, the annual event has raised more than $84,000 in the past five years, which has enabled Regnum Christi to support several Catholic and not-for-profit organizations that have high impact locally, nationally or internationally.
Regnum Christi is Latin for “Kingdom of Christ.” It is a worldwide movement that fosters Christ-centered spirituality in people its four vocations: Legionaries of Christ (its priestly congregation), Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi and the Lay Members of Regnum Christi. With more than 30,000 members in 38 countries, the organization’s mission is “to reveal Christ’s love to people, form them as apostles and launch them in their God-given mission.”
In the Diocese of Lincoln, Regnum Christi sponsors small group weekly encounters, monthly opportunities for reflection and spiritual direction, and retreats at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly. Members also sponsor holy hours for life, father-son camps at Camp Kateri Tekakwitha in McCool Junction, street evangelization, and the Rosary Crusade.
With funds raised from its annual golf tournament, the group sponsors organizations and programs such as Helping Hands Medical Missions, the Knights of the Holy Eucharist, Leadership Camp at Camp Kateri, and Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House.
Father Gary Coulter, director of Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House, said Regnum Christi members found their own retreats to be so fruitful, “They have decided to make it one of their beneficiaries, which helps keep our retreats affordable for all to attend.”
Helping Hands Medical Missions organizes doctors, dentists, nurses and other medical professionals to visit developing countries with volunteers who provide translating, outreach and other services. These medical missions give impoverished people life-changing health care services such as well-baby checks, distribution of antibiotics, surgeries, and dental procedures.
The Knights of the Holy Eucharist, a Franciscan community founded by Mother Angelica in 1998, relocated to the Diocese of Lincoln in 2016. They serve the diocese in several different ways. They train altar servers, assist with retreats and camps, and help distribute food to those in need.
Leadership Camp is the diocese’s summer camp program for altar servers entering grades 6 through 9. Older high schoolers can serve as junior counselors. In addition to traditional summer camp experiences like hikes and campfires, the boys experience worship, inspiring talks and adoration. Several young men have realized their vocational calling to the priesthood or religious life while attending Leadership Camp.
A new endeavor added this year is I’ve Got a Name, a program that is striving to help victims and potential victims of sex trafficking in Nebraska. The non-profit organization began as events in 2010 and 2011 to help fight sex trafficking specifically in southeast Asia. With funds raised at those two events, more than 2,400 girls were rescued from the sex trade in that region.
Since 2012, I’ve Got a Name has refocused its efforts on fighting sex trafficking here in Nebraska. Professionals reach out directly to girls and women who need to be rescued and healed from the crime of trafficking. Simple acts of kindness in schools, prisons, and other places women and children are most vulnerable lead to building a strong relationship that helps victims escape trafficking.
The group also addresses the demand for sex trafficking with a men’s outreach program that involves education, resources and prayer. Men are educated about how societal problems such as pornography and the sexualization of children can lead to participation in sex trafficking.
The men are equipped to take a personal pledge and set an example for others, including their own sons and daughters.
“This injustice affects us all,” said Paul Yates, executive director. “It can happen in the house across the street with the white picket fence.”
I’ve Got a Name offers speakers for schools, churches, community clubs and other organizations to help raise awareness of the problem and how the crime happens in Nebraska. Contributions from corporate sponsors, churches, foundations and groups like Regnum Christi go a long way in raising awareness and providing necessary resources to victims.
“I always say I’ll take a prayer over a dollar any day because this is a spiritual battle, but we do need resources,” Yates said. Citing the 101 personal visits his team made to victims just during the month of July, he noted, “We use money for the heart and soul for the survivors and victims.”
All golfers are welcome to participate in Regnum Christi’s annual golf tournament at Lincoln’s Crooked Creek Golf Course Friday, Sept. 20. Check-in is at 9 a.m., and the shotgun start begins at 10 a.m. Range balls are provided, and lunch – with awards – follows. The cost is $125 per person or $500 per team of four. It also includes a raffle, mulligans, and other games for additional costs.
To register for the golf tournament, visit thechristusfoundation.org/events and click on the “Annual Golf Tournament” banner.
To learn more about joining Regnum Christi, contact Lincoln section directors: Dan and Barb Schepers at 308-233-2028.
