By John Soukup
for the Register
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS) welcomed community members from across Lincoln and beyond to a “Sustainability Open House” April 24, offering an afternoon filled with education, engagement and environmental inspiration.
Held in alignment with Earth Week, the event showcased CSS’s commitment to care for God’s creation rooted in Catholic social teaching. Families, teachers, and neighbors gathered to take part in a variety of interactive activities, including a coloring contest, nature exhibits, and bee-keeping demonstrations. Food trucks provided local fare, while attendees toured the CSS Community Garden, where sustainability practices are actively being lived out.
A special highlight of the afternoon was the visit from Bishop James Conley, who joined Poe Dee, CSS director of refugee resettlement, for a blessing of the community garden. As part of CSS’s sustainability core value, the garden is being transformed into a space where refugee families resettled by CSS can till the soil and grow their own crops.
“This initiative not only supports sustainable living but also fosters healing, empowerment, and belonging for newly arrived families,” explained Dee.
The bishop’s Easter Week blessing served as a symbolic start to the planting season.
“It was beautiful to hear the bishop while a light rain fell,” said Brenda Roerty of Lincoln. “As the daughter of a farmer, the rain felt like a blessing in and of itself, and to add prayer to that much-needed moisture was the perfect combination.”
Another important element included discussions with science teachers from Lincoln Catholic schools before the event.
“We worked as a team to engage youth creatively, including in experiential learning at the open house,” said Jamie Carson, CSS sustainability director. “Our shared responsibility of caring for creation is key.”
Community members also had the chance to review and offer feedback on CSS’s in-progress Sustainability Plan, contributing ideas and perspectives to help shape the organization’s long-term approach.
“Commitment to sustainability has existed for a long time at CSS,” explained Carson. “Our efforts are best illustrated through the work of our thrift stores. We seek to extend the lifecycle of donations through regifting to a family in need, reselling items in our stores (or via e-commerce to fund our programs), and recycling items that might otherwise end up in the landfill.”
Though the event took place in Lincoln, it marked the beginning of a broader outreach effort, with similar sustainability outreach planned in Auburn, Hastings, and Imperial. CSS is committed to expanding this dialogue across southern Nebraska, ensuring that voices from all communities are part of this important conversation.
“We were honored to share this space with so many passionate individuals,” added Carson. “From the bishop’s blessing to community feedback on our sustainability plan, this event was a beautiful example of how faith, stewardship, and community come together to build a better future.”
