A little over two years ago, the past president of the Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (LDCCW), Ann Jansky, pulled me aside at one of their meetings and informed me she wanted to make St. Gianna’s her president’s project. I was, of course, elated. She had a dream- one that was recently realized because of the love and generosity of the members of the LDCCW.
Her dream was that each Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) would, over the course of her two-year term, collect enough items to furnish and outfit an apartment or home (minus the furniture) and bring them to the convention. This includes bedding, pillows, kitchenware, wastebaskets, crockpots, coffeemakers – literally anything it takes to make a house or apartment a home. The idea was born in her mind after hearing that most of the ladies that come to St. Gianna’s escaping abortion and domestic violence do so with virtually nothing and leave with everything needed to run a household.
When I saw the items collected, I was overwhelmed. Then later when a resident at St. Gianna’s talked to the ladies gathered in the parish hall, they were overwhelmed at hearing her story… a story that has culminated in her entering the Catholic Church. She herself was tearful as she related her story and that she and her children are now safe and sound at St. Gianna’s. Then, Sisters Karen Eden and Carol Hohmeier talked to the ladies about the services that St. Gianna’s offers. When it was my turn to talk, I reiterated my gratitude to Ann and all of the members of the LDCCW.
If this was not enough, I was presented with checks from the various deaneries across the diocese totaling nearly $15,000. I once again was overwhelmed by the love and generosity of the ladies of the LDCCW. This money is vital for the women and their children at St. Gianna’s for they live there rent free.
Yes, Ann had a dream, one that was realized because of the love of God present in the ladies of the LDCCW. Please know that we at CSS and St. Gianna’s will keep the ladies of the LDCCW, their families and intentions in our prayers. St. Gianna, pray for us!
