By Father Christopher Kubat
I love traveling the Diocese of Lincoln, from river to shining river, creek and border. By doing so, I have the opportunity to meet many people, young and old, from all walks of life, some in need.
Several months ago, I met a young woman at her place of work, somewhere south of the Platte River, north of the Kansas border, between the Colorado, Iowa and Missouri borders. Because of my regular travel schedule, I had encountered her numerous times. Being a priest, she felt she could share some personal things about her life.
I will never forget her informing me that once her boyfriend learned she was pregnant, he became abusive and abandoned her.
Like many young people of today, she has no religious background but is attracted to goodness and holiness, hence her openness to talking to a priest. After learning she was scared and alone, I felt moved by the Holy Spirit and handed her my card, telling her to contact me if she ever needed anything.
As the weeks turned into months, the implanted embryo in her womb, animated by a soul individually created by God, turned into a fetus and then to a full-term baby girl and was born into this world crying.
Because of complications of childbirth, the mother was not able to return to work promptly and ran out of paid leave at her place of employment. She tried getting help from a number of agencies with no luck. Facing eviction, she remembered the card I had given her.
After coming in and meeting with one of our case workers, we paid her rent and car payment, preventing homelessness and a vehicle repossession. Now that she is back to work she is happy beyond description. Days ago I ran into her while we were both working and she was happy to see me, telling me how beautiful her little girl is.
My prayer is that by the grace of God, someday soon, they will both be received into the Catholic Church- their one true home.
I would like to thank our many supporters who make what we do possible. Those who support us are moved by the Spirit to do so, as we are moved by the Spirit to help those people and families who God sends our way. May your Easter season continue to fill you with grace upon grace!
