Trouble Keeping Up

Details: 21 September 2012

Recently, I received a phone call from a concerned grandmother about her granddaughter. She is having trouble keeping up. Because of the unexpected heat wave this year, her utility bill skyrocketed into orbit. I must admit, I cannot remember a summer so hot. Being a child of the fifties, I’ve been around a few years. Never in my life have we had a stretch of so many hot days. She said that although the family could pay part of the bill, they were unable to pay the whole amount.

Knowing how hard it is to do laundry and to cook meals without electricity, I was eager to help. Unfortunately, because of the lack of electricity, they lost all of their frozen and refrigerated food. I mentioned that we could also help re-stock their home pantry.

At our recent Bountiful Harvest banquet in Hastings, I reminded the faithful who were present that we are celebrating our 80th anniversary this year. It was in 1932 in the midst of the Great Depression that Bishop Kucera started Catholic Social Services. Ever since, we have been helping individuals and families all across southern Nebraska, like this single mother and her children, thanks only to the grace and blessings of God and our generous donors. Without the help of God and our benefactors, not only would we not be able to help those in need but the agency itself would not have lasted. Only through your prayers and the continued blessing from Almighty God will we be able to continue.

Recently, I received an e-mail from Sr. Bernadette at St. Gianna Women’s Homes. It said, "Dear Father, this is a special request, that you bring up our need for diapers at St. Gianna, (size 3, 4, & 5) in an upcoming Register article. We have exhausted our supply!" Since many of the women at St. Gianna’s come to us escaping domestic violence and abortion with only the clothes on their backs, they are in desperate need of most everything. Even though we subsidize their rent and utilities, they often times have trouble ‘keeping up’ with the ‘essentials.’ We are there for them even with these needs. How can I not mention this request from Sr. Bernadette in Seedlings?

I have been told, "Father, it is important to thank donors seven times!" Unfortunately, I know that I fall short in this. That said; let me take this opportunity to thank God Almighty for His abundant graces over the past 80 years and also to all of you, our faithful donors. Please be reminded that I and the rest of our staff pray for you daily in our offices. We start each day by thanking God and by praying for our donors, clients, staff and volunteers. Please also know we will continue this as we embark on our next 80 years and beyond. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us, Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us, all of our Patron saints along with all of the angels and saints, pray for us!