By Cathy Blankenau Bender
Editor-in-chief
An elementary school principal can easily log more than 10,000 steps in an average school day: attending meetings and walk-throughs, performing various duties and providing coverage, remaining visible and present to students and staff.
For Curt Feilmeier, principal at St. Peter School in Lincoln, each trip to and from his desk during Catholic Schools Week added 40 more steps than usual, thanks to the ingenuity and generosity of the school community – and a brightly colored cardboard maze.
By Katie Patrick
The sound of trumpets will once again fill St. Joseph Church in Lincoln Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m., as musicians and community members gather for Trumpet Fest 2026, an annual charity concert benefiting Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS).
By Sarah Leon,
Client Relations Specialist at Lincoln
“Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15: 23-24
My name is Sarah Leon, and I am the new Client Relations Specialist here at the Lincoln office. What St. Mother Teresa teaches about how we should treat each human person as if it were Christ Himself whom you were encountering, is the essence of how I can do my job well. I love working at the front desk and having the opportunity to first encounter people and show them the merciful face of Jesus. Whether we’re assisting clients with paperwork or providing hygiene bags to those experiencing homelessness, each interaction is a chance to offer a listening ear and a joyful smile. For me, this embodies “hope in the Good Life”—paying attention to small details and trusting that no small act goes unnoticed by God.
Let's gather together to celebrate and support HOPE IN THE GOOD LIFE on Saturday, March 14th!
On this episode of Hope in the Good Life, John Soukup talks with Kevin Murray about Trumpet Fest, an annual concert that combines musical excellence with a mission of service. Kevin shares how the event began in 2004 and highlights the high caliber of musicians involved—from talented young students to seasoned professionals—performing a surprising variety of music in the beautiful acoustics of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lincoln. He also reflects on Trumpet Fest’s impact as a fundraiser for Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska, raising more than $50,000 since its inception, and what continues to inspire him to bring the event back each year, including this year’s concert on February 15.
By Katie Patrick
As the wind howls outside my home late in the evening, I can’t help but think of those less fortunate living on the streets, managing piles of dirty, damp blankets and coats weathered by previous nights’ storms and loaded onto push carts with shabby wheels that squeak as they are pushed. The backpacks they wear are weathered too, yet they hold the only belongings they have.
CSS AUBURN/ST. FRANCIS GIFT & THRIFT AUBURN- WEATHER CLOSURE 1/23 & 1/24
Due to forecasted weather conditions, Catholic Social Services Auburn and St. Francis Gift & Thrift will be CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC on Friday, January 23rd, and Saturday, January 24th.
The latest 180 with Katie highlights December at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska as a powerful month of “hope in action.” John Soukup and Executive Director Katie Patrick share how staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners came together across southern Nebraska to serve families, support those experiencing homelessness, and bring comfort during the holiday season. From food markets, thrift stores, and outreach efforts to record-breaking generosity and life-changing moments of personal care, the episode shows how small acts—meals shared, coats given, prayers offered—made a lasting impact on hundreds of lives throughout December.
Our latest HOPE IN THE GOOD LIFE newsletter shares stats and stories from across southern Nebraska.
By Katie Patrick
During the Advent season, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska witnessed—more than ever before—the humbling generosity of our donor community. Your response to the urgent needs of the poor and vulnerable across all of southern Nebraska came in many forms: financial gifts, gift cards, donated items, and prayer. These truly sacrificial offerings are held close to our hearts and are never forgotten.
