The Power Of Prayer

Details: 28 May 2010

When special requests come to us for needed items, I always respond, “Start praying that God will provide.” Often after a short while God does so.

Not long ago, I received a call from an elderly couple from a small town in rural southern Nebraska who needed a vehicle that could carry a mobilized wheelchair. Their 23-year-old van, which was retro-fitted for a hoist, had broken down. It was the wife who used a motorized wheelchair. They lacked the funds to repair their van and needed help.

Soon after the death of Father Milton Thomas, we received word he had left his vehicle to Catholic Social Services. It was great news since his Buick Rendezvous had a wheelchair lift. It was an answer to our prayers. Father Thomas had been in the diocese for years, initially as a Crosier father and later as a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. He was well known in the greater Hastings area for he had been the pastor of St. Ann Parish in Doniphan when the construction of the present church was started.

After informing them we had a vehicle that might work, they found a neighbor to drive them to Hastings. They were introduced to Mr. Tom Schik, who told them, “Here are the keys to your new vehicle, let’s go see it.”

“What was it like?” I asked the couple. “Mercy!” he informed me. “I was flabbergasted, floored and surprised!!” “It’s real schnazzy!” she added as I was on speakerphone. “I guess God has not forgotten us!” I was also told that it is a lot easier on gas compared to their old van. Oh, the power of prayer!

This is another reminder that in addition to the usual items that people donate to us (furniture, appliances, beds, mattresses, bedding, vehicles, clothing, house wares, knick knacks etc.), we are in need of other items that are used by handicapped individuals as well.

As a reminder, donated material goods are either sold in one of our four thrift stores (St. Francis Gift & Thrift in Auburn, St. Joseph Gift & Thrift in Hastings, St. Isidore Gift & Thrift in Imperial, and St. Louise Gift & Thrift in Lincoln) and the profits used to help individuals with emergency services (rent and utility assistance, help with medical expenses and many other items), or for grants for those who are un-insured or under-insured and in need for counseling services; or given away directly to individuals or families in need. Other material donations that are vital to us are perishable and non-perishable food items for our fixed and mobile food pantries all across southern Nebraska from Imperial to Falls City.

These, combined with cash donations from our generous benefactors, and most importantly, your prayers, allow us to help around 20,000 individuals across southern Nebraska annually. That said, please accept my heartfelt thanks to all of you and know that all of us here at Catholic Social Services will keep you, your family and intentions in our prayers. No matter how many times I hear sentiments of gratitude from those who you help us assist, I will never get used to hearing, “I was flabbergasted, floored and surprised!!”