Providential gift

Details: 10 January 2014

I recently received a phone call from a woman who is suffering from a chronic illness and the sequela associated with it. She is a remarkable woman whom I have known for years. She is in love with her Catholic faith and has a strong devotion to the Holy Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. I can confidently say she is not a complainer.
During a recent visit at her home, she handed me an envelope stuffed with cash and informed me she had been saving up for a rainy day and wanted me to have some of it for someone less fortunate. I knew she loved God but this was a confirmation of her love, for God is love and the evidence of our love of God is our love of neighbor, and the evidence of our love of neighbor is our sacrifices for them (see the first letter of John). Remember the parable of the rich man whose name is unknown and the poor man named Lazarus in chapter 16 in Luke’s gospel?
Soon after our visit, I found myself in front of another Catholic grandmother and mother. Tears were streaming down her cheek for she was facing an eviction from her rental house. She had nowhere to turn. Her husband was unemployed and she was looking feverishly for a job. I remember thinking St. Joseph the Worker would help find employment, and the money in the envelope was about the same amount she needed for the back rent. Soon I was on the phone with the woman who made the donation and asked, “Do you know what you just did? You just helped a family stay in their home with your donation.” She was moved and quite pleased.
In my ten years at CSS, I have found that fundraising is easier when those who donate know where their money is going. Whether it is assistance with rent, utilities, or other emergency services, food, furniture, clothing, cars, disaster relief, help with grants for counseling services for families and individuals young and old, we assist those across the 24,000 square miles that is the diocese of Lincoln. Now in our 82nd year, we are helping almost 30,000 people yearly from the Platte River north to the Kansas border south, from the Iowa and Missouri borders east to the Colorado border west, because of the help of our loving donors like the lady mentioned above. Your help is vital because nearly all the funds that come to us are from private individuals.
My prayer is that you, your family and friends have a blessed and holy 2014. Please know that we at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska pray for you daily, especially in our six chapels.
I am happy to announce that we have highlighted our six chapels in our first ever calendar. If you would like us to send you one, please send me an email to my address listed here by my name.
May we all grow closer to our Eucharistic King, Jesus Christ our Lord, High Priest, Savior and King. Happy New Year!