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.
By John Soukup
for the Register
Since the 1970s, Vietnamese refugees have played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural and social fabric of Lincoln, Nebraska. Their journey to the city began in the aftermath of the fall of Saigon in 1975, when Lincoln was designated a “Refugee Friendly” city by the U.S. Department of State. This designation marked the beginning of a thriving Vietnamese community that continues to leave a lasting impact on the city.
A key player in this effort was Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS). Founded in 1932, the organization expanded its mission in 1948 to include refugee resettlement. Working closely with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the U.S. Department of State, CSS provided vital assistance to arriving refugees—including transportation to medical appointments, cultural and community orientation, English and citizenship classes, and job placement support.
By Miranda Schumacher
Development Officer at CSS Hastings
Our vision at Catholic Social Services is to inspire hope and love in every encounter. We’re here to help our neighbors, like Annette, who come to us in their most challenging times yet are so grateful for the assistance they receive. We’re here thanks to many of you, our partners in hope, because of your past support through Give Hastings Day.
