By Fr. Justin Fulton
Recently, I was able to take some time away from the office and visit my mom back in the hometown of Auburn.
It was nice to have a few days experiencing the summer that shaped me for 18 summers of my life. I would go to coffee with the local farmers. I went fishing at a pond. I did some small-town golfing, went to my uncle’s farm, watched some baseball, and re-connected with a lot of good friends and family. It was refreshing to see the stars at night again and live simply. I am grateful for the time to get back to the roots where people know me as “Hacksaw” or “Fult” and not necessarily as “Father Fulton.”
Upon leaving back to Lincoln after the time spent back home, I realized how important community is in our formation and our lives. Talking with former coaches, teachers, mentors, and friends and realizing the impact they had on my life was humbling.
Really, if one thinks about it, we are a product of our own experiences. The experiences and relationships we have in our lives reflect in the very life we live.
Our values come out in actions. Our actions form our character. All of these are impacted by the way we are formed and the experiences we encounter. Although never a proper substitute for the family, we at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska attempt to provide community, family, and support for all of the clients we help. Many of our clients have not had the opportunity to be built up and loved by family and community. We do our best to make up for this injustice.
Whether it is feeding the hungry and impoverished, providing housing so that families can remain families, teaching English and offering citizenship classes for those seeking a new beginning, counseling those who have no one to turn to, or simply smiling at someone who needs a friendly smile—CSS lives the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the love of the Blessed Trinity in its mission. Providing community and experiences that will truly lift up the human person, it is humbling to witness the work our staff and volunteers perform throughout the year.
Throughout this summer as we gather to build community in back yards, ballfields, boat docks, and brick-lined streets, may we offer prayers for the good work CSS provides for those who do not have community.
Here’s to lemonade, iced tea, ice cream, fireworks, lightning bugs, sweet corn and God’s blessings. Let us live greatly! Enjoy your summer, stay safe, and pray!
Thank you for your support and prayers for Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska!
May God bless us always!
