by Tonya Olson,
Imperial volunteer, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
When was the last time you had an annoying little earworm that kept distracting you?
What is an earworm, you say? It’s that catchy song running on repeat in your head. Recently, the song “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” was that earworm for me. Thank goodness I like that song! I think it was fitting in the month of November that God put that song on my heart.
In that month when we focus on gratitude, here at Catholic Social Services’ St. Isidore in Imperial, it is also our “Awareness Event Month.” On the second Friday in November, CSS of Imperial hosts a trivia night for area teams to show off their Nebraska competitive spirit and knowledge, while learning how CSS Imperial walks with the poor and vulnerable nestled in the most southwestern corner of the state.
This year we had 17 teams attempting to be smarter than those at the table next to them, while also outbidding each other on generously donated auction items. It sounds as if it would be cutthroat and intense, but it’s not. If you were viewing it from 10,000 feet, you would witness the sound of laughter, a smile turning into a frown or vice-versa, asking for help and then high-fiving, persevering in the face of frustration, celebrating, singing, clapping, groaning and accepting both victory and defeat.
You would see multiple tables covered in the most delicious food, all donated. Donated door prizes were so numerous that almost everyone went home with something. Emcees bantered back and forth, giving any comedian a run for his money. Judges tabulated scores, and students ran after answer sheets. The event highlights the sharing of so many blessings that flow from God.
We at CSS Imperial are praising God for all the blessings that come out of our trivia night, and the opportunity that it gives us to multiply and share those blessings with someone whose electricity just got shut off in frigid temperatures, or a young single mother struggling to pay her rent, or an ill elderly person needing medical help, to name just a few. “Praise Him all creatures here below!”
Our trivia night has been successful for two years running. But at the end of the night, we hope the trivia questions that stick with you the most are:
For when I was hungry, did you give me food?
For when I was thirsty, did you give me drink?
For when I was a stranger, did you welcome me?
For when I was naked, did you clothe me?
For when I was ill or in prison, did you care for me?
“Trivia Night” is fun and competitive, but may we all seek the ultimate prize of Jesus Christ the King, who is the true champion of this world.
Praise God the Son who is the course.
