‘Tis the Season

Details: 03 January 2014

As many around us have stopped celebrating Christmas, we Catholics are still in the midst of our Christmas celebration which lasts until January 12- the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River.
It has been a wonderful Advent and Christmas here at Catholic Social Services. On Monday, December 23, we celebrated our annual Toy store at the St. Joseph Center in Lincoln.
As parents stood in line waiting to pick out toys for their children, I did my best to hand out candy and cookies and even took some of them into the chapel after asking, “Want to see our newly decorated chapel?” All who entered were surprised by the beauty of the chapel, the nativity set and flowers. While inside I prayed aloud for them and their families. I am sure by the reaction of some, it was the first time they ever darkened a door of a church or chapel.
One of the volunteers told me as a little boy, his mother received toys for him at the Catholic Social Services Toy Store. He was here as a way to “give back.” Another said he was here because Curt Krueger, our director of social services of the eastern sector of the diocese was his “BoysTown dad.” After my prayer with our volunteers before the toy store opened, Curt pointed out that the toys were just instruments or tools we were using to love those who were coming for help.
Then on Christmas Eve, a middle-aged man came in with a woman who appeared to be in her twenties. I thought at first he was her father. He was just doing her a favor by giving her a ride to CSS for her food pantry. I could tell by the age and condition of his truck and his appearance he, too, was in need. While praying in the chapel, I noticed he made the sign of the cross. He explained how he grew up Catholic. How easy it is for some to fall away. As we prepared to take the food to his truck, I asked him if he received anything. After replying, “No,” I slipped him a $50 gift card to a local grocery store someone had just slipped me. Immediately after exclaiming, “Wow!” His elderly dad called him on his cell phone. I remember wondering how old his father must be… “Hi dad …. I’m giving a young woman a ride to CSS for some food, and a nice man gave me a $50 gift card!!” They both drove off happy.
I would like to thank everyone who helped assist the many individuals and families that came to us. Because of the generosity of our donors, around 3,000 needy children received toys this Christmas in conjunction with our multiple Christmas programs across the diocese. Thank you for helping them have a merry and blessed Christmas!