Recently, after a meeting with our board members for St. Gianna’s, I noticed a young woman enter our main office building. At first glance I thought she was someone who wanted to apply for a volunteer position, but soon realized she was someone who was in desperate need. After beginning a conversation with her, I could sense her concern.
"I just found an apartment today and have nothing." After a few questions I learned she is a single mother who recently lost custody of her small child. She was looking for employment so as to pay rent. She seemed upbeat and determined to start over. She had found an understanding landlord who had decided to take a chance on her. She had heard that CSS was a place where she might find some help. She was hoping for some furniture for her small new apartment.
"Do you have a bed?" I asked. "I have nothing," she replied. Nothing like starting from scratch….
Walking by our chapel reminded her of her confirmation in one of the parishes in our diocese. I’ve been there a number of times, covering for their vacationing pastor. After entering our St. Joseph Chapel, it seemed she had not been in church for a while. We knelt down and asked God to help her start over. It was then that Curt Krueger entered the building. After a quick phone call, arrangements were made to deliver what she needed for her small new apartment from our warehouse. Curt told her to come back if she needed further assistance.
Several days after this encounter, I thought about writing about her in Seedlings so those who read this can pray she may find employment so she can concentrate on her long-term goals, faith and family. Please pray that the few seeds planted in her soul will lead her to the return of the Catholic faith. She left our St. Joseph Center with gratitude.
Allow me to express my thanksgiving to Almighty God and to our generous donors who support us not only with their financial support according to their means but for their material support as well. If it was not for material donations, we would not have been able to help her. She might very well be sleeping on the floor tonight.
Unfortunately stories like this are not out of the ordinary- they happen all across the diocese. That said; please consider donating items around the home or farm not needed to Catholic Social Services so we can continue helping individuals like this woman. Since cold weather is coming we will need warm clothing, coats, sweaters, gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, boots and other cold weather items. Items such as these can be taken to St. Francis Gift & Thrift in Auburn, St. Louise Gift & Thrift in Lincoln, St. Joseph Gift & Thrift in Hastings and St. Isidore Gift & Thrift in Imperial. If you are in need of a pick-up of larger items, please call us!
When one donates something to Catholic Social Services, they usually never see the faces of those who will be helped. Please be reminded that it is the face of Jesus Christ present in the poor that our benefactors are helping. Please also be reminded that not only are our clients in our prayers and Masses, so are all of our generous patrons for without you, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska would not be celebrating their 80th birthday. Happy birthday, CSS!
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