Recently while walking through our lobby adjacent to our St. Joseph Chapel I heard a man say, "Father!" I turned and heard him ask, "May I have a word with you?"
"Of course," I replied. After sitting with him a moment he explained although homeless, he was fortunate to have found a job at one of the local fast food restaurants in town. There was only one glitch; he needed 20 dollars to obtain a prep/cook permit from the Health Department. Without it, he was out of luck. I wondered why the restaurant did not cover the cost but later found out they only covered the cost for management staff. I still wonder why….
Fortunately, we have on staff a woman named Pat who runs our first-rate, flamboyant, friendly, fast, filling, flavorful, fun, fabulous, fantastic, fine, fancy, fascinating, First Friday Fish Fry outside of Lent for our new St. Gianna Women’s Home. She has a Food Protection Manager level permit with the Health Department. I said, "We have someone on staff that can help. Can you wait a moment to speak with her?"
After verifying his employment and speaking to someone at the Health Department she found out there was a class that very evening, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. After informing him there was a class that evening and Catholic Social Services would pick up the tab, he sprung up from his chair and hugged her like he had won the lottery, like there was no tomorrow.
After arriving at the Health Department a few moments before 6 p.m., Pat found several staff members outside the classroom registering students and collecting money. It was there she found him second in line. He did not want to be late, so he came early. After she encouraged him he said once again, "Miss Patty, thank you for everything!"
When someone donates funds to Catholic Social Services one may wonder, "Where will my money be spent and on whom?" This is just one of the countless stories of people we assist all across southern Nebraska. Whether it be an individual like this or a family in need, we help fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord from the Colorado border west to the Iowa and Missouri borders east and from the Platte River north to the Kansas border south. Whether it is help with rent or utilities, medical expenses, grants for counseling, food, clothing, furniture, cars, or any other of the seemingly endless things we help people and families with, this story is just the tip of the iceberg.
Last year, with the generous help of our benefactors, we were able to help more than 20,000 individuals. When someone like the person described above thanks us, he is thanking all of you.
Let me take this opportunity to relay my personal thanks and the thanks of all of us at Catholic Social Services for your prayers, financial and material help. Please know we are praying for you and your intentions.
~
Please do not forget that later this month, Dr. Gianna Emanuela, the daughter of St. Gianna, is coming to Lincoln to speak and meet the faithful who attend. She will be talking about her mother, St. Gianna, at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. We will look forward to seeing you then!
-
Youth Protection +
-
Evangelization & Catechesis +
-
Catholic Schools +
-
Youth Ministry +
-
Family Life & Discipleship +
-
News & Media +
-
Directory, Maps & Mass Times +
-
Diocese Home +
