By Katie Patrick
Because the poor were fed, clothed and sheltered at a personal sacrifice, the pagans used to say about the Christians, “See how they love each other.”
In our own day the poor are no longer fed, clothed, sheltered at a personal sacrifice, but at the expense of the taxpayers.
And because the poor are no longer fed, clothed and sheltered, the pagans say about the Christians “See how they pass the buck.”
These striking words from Peter Maurin, co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, are just as relevant today as when he first spoke them nearly a century ago.
"Welcoming the Stranger" is a call to offer hospitality, shelter, and a sense of belonging to those who may be displaced, unfamiliar, or in need of assistance. It's also a Work of Mercy and thus an important component of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska's mission. In this podcast, CSS team member and attorney Brad Brestel shares how the CSS Immigration Legal Services staff helps provide hope for a new life in America with affordable legal aid.
By Katie Patrick
Springtime is often associated with new life and fresh beginnings. After a long, cold winter, nature reawakens—birds chirp, flowers bloom, and the grass turns green. In my backyard, for example, near our Marian statue, our rose bushes, which struggled last year, are beginning to show signs of hope.
Just like those rose bushes, there are many people in our community who are given the chance to grow and rebuild, no matter how difficult their past has been. One such person is Jacob, a young man who, after more than a decade in federal prison, is navigating his own journey of transformation with the help of Catholic Social Services and RISE.
By John Soukup,
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
Stories of transformation and newfound hope are emerging from behind prison walls throughout the Diocese of Lincoln. Many incarcerated men and women are experiencing the Catholic faith in powerful, personal ways.
The Diocese of Lincoln’s new Prison and Reentry Apostolate (PARA) focuses on bringing Christ’s love to incarcerated individuals and supporting their journey back into society. The apostolate is directed by Levi Baus, who is also the Volunteer Coordinator for Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS). Hear Levi talk about this Work of Mercy and how it’s bringing Hope in the Good Life.
By Katie Patrick
On Mother’s Day, we often picture flowers, breakfast in bed, handwritten cards, and perfectly behaved children. But for one mother in our community, the day begins—like most days—with quiet sacrifice and deep faith.
Maria, like many immigrant mothers, balances her own dreams with her children’s needs. Before the day starts and while her children are still asleep, Maria sits with her coffee at the kitchen table and opens her U.S. Citizenship workbook. It’s been more than 10 years since she and her children made the dangerous journey to the United States. Two of the children are too young to remember the trip, but Maria remembers it all—the fear, the uncertainty, and the early years of hardship.
By John Soukup
for the Register
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS) welcomed community members from across Lincoln and beyond to a “Sustainability Open House” April 24, offering an afternoon filled with education, engagement and environmental inspiration.
Held in alignment with Earth Week, the event showcased CSS’s commitment to care for God’s creation rooted in Catholic social teaching. Families, teachers, and neighbors gathered to take part in a variety of interactive activities, including a coloring contest, nature exhibits, and bee-keeping demonstrations. Food trucks provided local fare, while attendees toured the CSS Community Garden, where sustainability practices are actively being lived out.
By Katie Patrick
The call to the peripheries isn’t just for popes and bishops. You can go to the peripheries, too.
