If anyone has seen an old slug jogging on the bike trail between the N Street bridge and the Devaney Center, it is yours truly trying to keep the blood pressure and cholesterol in line.
Through the years while jogging, I have come across men sleeping under the bridges over the trail. Now, looking back on the decision of starting a sack lunch program three years ago in Lincoln, in the wake of our successful sack lunch program in Hastings, it has been proved to be providential – not only for the homeless but for individuals and families in the area who are in need of a healthy nutritious meal. If you do the math, one meal a day frees up money in the budget for families who are living paycheck to paycheck.
Catholic Social Services is holding our 13th annual “Trumpet Fest” Feb. 14 in memory of Mac McCune, at Pius High School (located at 60th & A streets). The event starts at 3 p.m. and features talented musicians who have a soft spot for Jesus who lives in the poor and needy.
Thirteen years ago, Kevin Murray started this delightful event where professional and student musicians perform gratis, which is a testimony of their love for Jesus, while a hat is passed through the crowd for free-will offerings. To date, almost $20,000 has been raised to support the programs of CSS – namely, help with emergency services and grants for counseling services.
This year, our performers will include Darryl White, Kevin Murray, Barb Schmit, Dean Haist, Maria Pytlik, Matthew Boring, Dorothy Applebee, and the UNL Trumpet Studio. The musicians are so talented that every year I say to myself, ‘this was the best performance ever!’
If you are looking for something special, different and fun to do in the dead of winter, I encourage you to attend, and you too will be amazed. They make what is very difficult, look easy! For those who are unable to attend, please pray for the success of this wonderful event.
Please also pray for Kevin and the rest of the musicians who are planning to perform and of course the happy repose of the late Mac McCune who helped Kevin get this event off the ground 13 years ago. Please also pray for our sack lunch program in Lincoln because we wish to expand the hours of operation. This means we will need more volunteers to make and distribute them.
I would like to thank Kevin and all of the musicians for participating this year and please remember that we at Catholic Social Services will keep you, your families and intentions in our prayers. St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians, pray for us!
