by Katie Patrick
Isolation, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is 1) the act of isolating or the condition of being isolated; and 2) to set apart from others.
In 2012, David committed a crime and was sentenced to 12 years at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.
Twelve years is a long time. In the beginning, his girlfriend and friends visited him, as well as a couple of brothers and a sister. His mom visited weekly, despite the long drive. But as time went on, his friends became too busy, and his girlfriend moved on. By the time he neared release, only his mother remained a steadfast visitor.
By Jamie Carson
CSS Director of Sustainability
Imagine how watching a sunset creates a peace – a resolve that can be found in witnessing God’s creation.
Here in Nebraska, it’s fabled that summer holds our brightest and boldest sunsets, displaying the elements, shadows, and light bound up to create color in the sky. As summer turns to fall, it’s as if the sunsets dim and colors move to the changing leaves.
On Sept. 1, we entered into the Catholic Church’s “Season of Creation,” a time when we can be reminded of God’s great love for us by stopping to marvel at the world that he created for us.
KLKN visited our executive director and two supporters about our critical need for diaper donations.
A little over 25 years ago, John Brooks was invited to be a volunteer at Hastings Catholic Social Services. Despite a disability that has caused him to use of a scooter to get around, he still has the same joy and drive to bring Hope in the Good Life to those we serve. John will be honored for his volunteerism with the Love of Christ Award at the Hastings CSS Bountiful Harvest Celebration on September 29. In this podcast, John talks about why he loves to help feed those in need and what he gets back in return.
"John draws his inspiration from the apostles, who got fed up with listening to endless discussions about problems without ever solving those problems. In contrast, the apostles saw these problems and took action. John calls this the 'spirit of a disciple.'"
Our latest #HopeintheGoodLife newsletter shares more about the 2024 Love of Christ award winner John Brooks, who embodies the "spirit of a disciple in action. " We invite you to join us "in action" on September 29th at our Bountiful Harvest celebration in Hastings!
by Katie Patrick
On a swelteringly hot day in August, dozens of Knights and their families rallied around Mike Hosek, a member of St. Patrick Parish in Lincoln, as he led the fourth annual “Walk to End Hunger” event. What began in 2021 as a community engagement initiative through his employer, Better Life Insurance Agency, continues today under its sponsorship and the volunteer leadership of Mike and the Knights of Columbus.
During challenging times, it's essential to reflect on our blessings and consider sharing them with others. Including CSS in your will, trust, or other financial plans is an act of love and stewardship, creating a Legacy of Hope. In this podcast, we preview our Legacy of Hope presentation at CSS in Lincoln on August 22 at 7 pm. Scott Yates from the Catholic Foundation of Southern Nebraska gives us an idea of what you can do to have peace of mind and ensure that your values and priorities are honored long after you’ve left this earth.
By Katie Patrick
If you’ve recently experienced the intense heat and storms sweeping through southern and eastern Nebraska, you might be reflecting on the transient nature of our lives and the importance of planning for the future – or more likely, you’re dealing with tree limbs and spoiled food having gone too long without electricity. In any case, last week, as I navigated through the strong winds and a downpour on my way to our office in Hastings, my own thoughts turned to the need for preparedness. The chaotic weather was a reminder of how life can change in an instant and underscored the importance of planning for the future.
The 2024 Walk to End Hunger event August 4 has a goal of 35,000 pounds of food and dollars to support the CSS Food Market in Lincoln. Organizer Mike Hosek and Food Market Manager Kristina Brandl talk about how that goal will be reached and how desperate the need is to nourish our neighbors and bring Hope in the Good Life.
Inspired by the spirit and love of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, our CSS Food Market and Meal Program strives to provide nourishment and intentional care for those in need. Our July Hope in the Good Life newsletter shares more about the life of St. Elizabeth and how our program honors dignity with nutritious meals.
