While walking though Gianna’s Java & Gelato in Lincoln, perhaps to sample one of our new flavors, I spied Father Harlan Waskowiak and Father William Holoubek imbibing several of our specialty drinks with a gelato chaser, or visa-versa.
After a nice conversation with the good fathers, Father Holoubek informed me he had four boxes of donated items for St. Gianna’s Women’s Homes that were collected by St. Mary’s Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) in Sutton.
When we were finished conversing, he pulled over to the side of the building where my vehicle was parked and we placed the four boxes with a mop, broom and dust pan into the back of my rig. There was also a combination of housewares and kitchen items. These are much needed because when women and their children graduate from St. Gianna’s, they take all of the items in their kitchen with them, including plates, silverware, small kitchen appliances, tea towels and other sundry items. When we clean and turn their apartments over, we re-stock all of these items for the next woman. I cannot tell you how overwhelmed these ladies are at “graduation,” when they learn they are able to take these items with them.
Thanks to the members of the Lincoln Council of Catholic Women (LDCCW) which are all of the parish councils (PCCWs) combined. Without them, we would not be able to do what is described above.
The next day, as Sister Karen Eden, Sister Bernadette Radek and I unloaded the above items, I only hit Sister Karen in the head once with the broom handle. It was a scene from the Three Stooges. As you can see from the picture, she was no worse for the wear. And as a religious sister, her forgiveness was almost instantaneous.
I would like to thank all of the ladies and parishioners at St. Mary in Sutton for this gift of love to St. Gianna’s. Please know that we at St. Gianna’s and Catholic Social Services are praying for you, your families, and intentions (as we do for all of our supporters). St. Gianna, pray for us!
