As you might remember, three of the four elements of The Expanding the Works of Mercy Campaign were the establishment of a downtown Lincoln social services center, St. Gianna’s, a home for women escaping abortion and domestic violence, and a permanent site in the western part of the diocese. I am happy to report that with the grace of God and the support of our donors we have done just that. In addition to having four fixed sites across the diocese, we now have 15 clinical sites for counseling across southern Nebraska.
I am grateful to Father Bernard Lorenz and the parishioners of St. Patrick’s in Imperial for letting us use their old parish hall for the initial site of our St. Isidore Gift & Thrift Store. Not long after the establishment of this new center, we started using the profits of the store to help needy individuals and families in the western part of the diocese. We need to reiterate that this project is not just for the Imperial area but for the entire western sector of the diocese. That is why one of our goals is to have buildings in cities out west that will be collection centers for furniture and appliances that can be periodically picked up or taken to St. Isidore’s in Imperial. Why? Because the profits of this new store will be used not just in Imperial, but across the western portion of the diocese.
Recently, we were fortunate enough to purchase a beautiful building in downtown Imperial for the permanent site for St. Isidore’s. The building is currently being renovated. In addition to containing retail space in the front of the building, sorting space in the back of the building, there will be an office for meeting with individuals and families in need by a social services case worker and most importantly, a beautiful chapel with the Blessed Sacrament so that staff, volunteers, clients and people who are in the store will have the privilege of adoring our Eucharistic Lord truly present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
Also recently, we conducted a furniture and appliance drive and what was collected in Lincoln was placed in a 24’ box truck and driven to Imperial by yours truly. Since the gas gauge is non-functional, I had to fuel-up every several hundred miles. I was elated that upon arrival, there was plenty of help to off load the beautiful items that will be in the store for our grand opening on September 11th. I am most grateful for the many volunteers that helped unload the truck. It only took 15 minutes! I am also excited to inform you that Bishop Conley will be at our grand opening and will bless our new St. Isidore Center.
Please remember that you are all in our prayers! Please pray for us! St. Isidore the Farmer, pray for us!
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