In this episode, we travel to Auburn, Nebraska, to sit down with Dr. John Crotty, a longtime board member of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska. With more than 20 years of involvement, John shares why his commitment to CSS has remained strong—and how he has witnessed lives changed through acts of compassion, care, and faith. Through personal insight, this conversation highlights the real impact of generosity and invites listeners to be part of that mission, especially during the Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving. Make your donation now at csshope.org/NCDG and it will be matched dollar for dollar!
One of my favorite days of the year is just around the corner—Give Hastings Day. It is a day that showcases our community’s generosity as neighbors come together to support local nonprofits and strengthen the place we all call home. Each year, I am amazed at what Hastings can accomplish in just 24 hours.
Catholic Social Services is excited to participate again this year on May 7, with all proceeds benefiting our Open Table Sack Lunch Program.
Open Table provides free sack lunches to an average of 100 people every day. With a “no questions asked” approach, we serve everyone with dignity, compassion, and care.
By Fr. Kenneth Borowiak
for the Register
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS) knows well the meaning of the familiar idiom: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
CSS provides a myriad of services and support systems to individuals and families. It operates a food market and meal services for those with food insecurity. CSS provides immigration legal services, refugee resettlement services, St. Gianna Homes for Women, a prison and re-entry apostolate, and a host of other outreaches and ministries. Yet many people, including Catholics, are not aware of or do not understand the comprehensive breadth of the work of Catholic Social Services.
By Veronica Barreto Rosa
St. Gianna Program Specialist
I encountered this verse while reading the Second Epistle of St. Peter, and it has stayed with me as I have tried to understand what it truly means to trust in God’s timing: “With the Lord a day can mean a thousand years, and a year can be like a day.” 2 Peter 3:8.
It is a simple idea to express, yet far more difficult to live out in daily life.
On the evening of March 14th, we were blessed to have approximately 400 supporters gather at Embassy Suites in Lincoln for our annual Celebration of Hope Gala & Silent Auction. The evening centered on our theme “You Are Not Alone,” highlighting the message that no one is beyond God’s mercy and no one walks alone through the struggles of life.
St. Louise Gift and Thrift has recently rolled out a new opportunity for volunteers: our Thrift & Sip evenings
St. Francis Gift & Thrift volunteers show up week after week, serving with dignity, integrity, empathy, trust, and sustainability. I couldn’t be more appreciative of every volunteer who gives their time, talent, and heart.
This 180 second update gives you a clear, real look at how lives are changing across Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska. From record growth last March in our thrift stores to powerful one-on-one encounters with individuals and families, you’ll hear how your support is making a difference right now by helping people find stability, dignity, and Hope in the Good Life.
By Julie Perry,
St. Francis Gift and Thrift Store Manager
By definition, a volunteer is a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task. At Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS), it is so much more. It is showing up with heart and compassion, and serving with CSS’s core values of Dignity, Integrity, Empathy, Trust, and Sustainability.
By Katie Patrick
Two weeks ago, I shared the story of a young woman who was living in an unsafe situation. Her mom reached out to me on Christmas Eve begging for local resources that could help her daughter. The parents lived in another state, and with a little more information, I gathered that the daughter was a drug user and the parents forbade drug use in the home.
While there may have been other reasons that the daughter chose to live in a city a thousand miles away, the reality of her being so far from her family—her natural safety net—caused deep physical and emotional distress. In other words, due to distance and previously severed relationships, the crisis displaced the family as the primary responder. When this happens, neighbors and the local community become the next line of support—followed by organizations.
UPDATE: St. Francis Gift & Thrift (Auburn) will have adjusted hours for Thursday, April 9th OPEN 8:30-12:30 (CLOSED 2:00-6:00).
This Easter season, the Lincoln Catholic community is focusing on something simple, but powerful. The community is leaning into the message of hope.
Members of the CSS team and other nonprofit agencies share insights regarding shifts in Nebraska's refugee resettlement landscape.
Catholic Social Services and
Southern Nebraska Register
Around 400 supporters gathered March 14 at the Embassy Suites Lincoln for the annual Celebration of Hope Gala & Silent Auction hosted by Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS), an evening centered on the message that no one is beyond God’s mercy and no one walks alone.
The event, themed “You Are Not Alone,” highlighted stories of faith, redemption, and the Church’s call to accompany those on the margins.
Featured speaker Johnny Ray shared a powerful testimony of hope that began in the darkest moment of his life.
HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - Catholic Social Services has relocated to a new building in Hastings, aiming to create a more welcoming environment for residents seeking family support services.
In the latest 180 with Katie—a quick, three-minute update—CSS Executive Director Katie Patrick and Development Officer John Soukup share how your support is making a real difference in both immediate needs and lasting transformation. From a powerful story of faith and generosity at “Mercy Station” in Lincoln to record numbers of families served with basic necessities—and lives being changed through the prison and reentry apostolate—February was filled with impact made possible by you. You’ll also hear how growing donor support and expanding sustainability efforts are helping strengthen our mission of providing more Hope in the Good Life for the future.
Read the latest uplifting HOPE IN THE GOOD LIFE updates!
In this video, we share more about the 2026 Heart of Christ Award recipients: the St. Gregory the Great Seminary Propaedeutic Year Seminarians.
These young men embody the spirit of Christ through their humility, service, and willingness to accompany those in need. Their year of formation has been marked by deep prayer, intentional community, and a commitment to living out the Gospel in tangible, compassionate ways
In this powerful 2026 Stories of Impact video, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska shares real stories of courage, healing, and transformation.
By Katie Patrick
The first Friday of Lent marked a retreat day for the staff at Catholic Social Services. Our St. Teresa of Calcutta Committee, composed of CSS staff from across our different offices and programs, organized the day for us.
Father Timothy Danek, newly appointed clergy for the incarcerated, celebrated Holy Mass and gave one of three talks. Staff signed up to bring homemade soups and bread, and we had Eucharistic adoration continuously that day.
“Our new building and location will enable us to expand services and keep human dignity at the forefront of our vision to inspire hope and love in every encounter.”
By John McDermott
Vice President, Marketing & Development
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
One of the first things we do when we are planning for our annual Celebration of Hope Gala & Silent Auction is to come up with a theme for the event. The theme sets to the tone for the evening and conveys the message we want to share for that year’s event. The process usually begins with suggestions being tossed around, and then tossed out because they just don’t “feel right.” Then, right on cue, the Holy Spirit inspires one of the committee members to say, “What do you think of this for a theme?” followed by a suggestion that is the perfect message for the evening.
Megan Conway from 10/11 News sits down with CSS Development Officer John Soukup to share more about our upcoming gala and silent auction.
“Christ is in the poor. Christ loves the poor. Christ desires for us to love the poor.” In this episode of Hope in the Good Life, we hear from seminarians of St. Gregory the Great Seminary who volunteer with Catholic Social Services Community Street Outreach. Together with Alexis Broulliette who leads this program, they share powerful stories of encounter, transformation, and what it truly means to bring the Heart of Christ to the streets of Lincoln. This year, these men will be honored with the Heart of Christ Award at the Celebration of Hope Gala & Silent Auction — a celebration of hope lived out in action.
Read all about it! Here's the latest HOPE IN THE GOOD LIFE updates from across southern Nebraska!
In a small warehouse building on Lincoln’s O Street, toy collectables, books, sports memorabilia and ceramic Christmas decorations are neatly sorted on the shelves. Vintage Husker gear, jackets and jeans line the walls.
By Jonathan Kiehl
“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19)
Starting over is always challenging and exciting. There are new landscapes, new possibilities, and new blessings; but it can also cause fear. There are so many unknowns, possible failures, and perceived dangers.
By Katie Patrick
Last Friday, we had our first open holy hour at Catholic Social Services’ St. Joseph Chapel in Lincoln. This holy hour was organized so that staff, volunteers and the public could spend intentional time together praying for our clients and their intentions. In a way, we wanted to transform our daily works of mercy that occur in the front lobby, in our food market, on the streets, and in meeting rooms into moments of silence, gratitude, and trust in God’s presence.
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.
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.
In this episode, John Soukup revisits a story of welcome that still matters today. In the aftermath of the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan, CSS Volunteer Jeff Kanger opened his home to an Afghan family seeking safety and security, hosting them until Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska helped secure a permanent home through its refugee resettlement efforts. As the new year begins, this conversation reminds us that welcoming the stranger isn’t a one-time response to crisis, but an ongoing commitment to mercy, dignity, and Hope in the Good Life.
In this November episode of 180 with Katie, Executive Director Katie Patrick and Development Officer John Soukup look back on a month of strong community engagement, increasing need, and hopeful moments across southern Nebraska. The 180 second episode highlights record social media reach, generous donor and grant support, and meaningful impact through food assistance, family support services, immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, sustainability efforts, and the Prison & Reentry Apostolate. From Thanksgiving baskets and holiday outreach to community events and behind-the-scenes ministry, this episode offers a snapshot of how Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska continues to bring Hope in the Good Life to thousands of neighbors each day.
“I’ve heard of one family that faced the decision of whether or not to get Christmas presents for their kids or have a decent Christmas dinner,” said CSS Development Officer John Soukup. “We don’t want families to have to go through that kind of decision-making.”
In this episode, we take a look at meaningful and tax-wise ways to give as the year comes to a close. Host John Soukup sits down with planned giving expert Jim Gustafson, to explore simple year-end gifts, monthly giving, IRA charitable distributions, appreciated assets, grain donations, Donor Advised Funds, and more. If you’re considering a year-end gift to CSS or another nonprofit, this conversation offers clear, practical insight on how your generosity can make a real impact.
By Katie Patrick
For the second year in a row, Catholic Social Services has chosen a patron saint of the year. The CSS team offered thoughtful and inspiring nominations, each reflecting how the saints have embodied the works of mercy throughout history (Who did we pick? More on that another time!). As their leader, I was moved to see how deeply our team identifies with the mission of serving the poor and vulnerable — striving, in its own way, toward sainthood. Shouldn’t we all?
EXTRA EXTRA! Read all about the latest CSS HOPE IN THE GOOD LIFE news!
By April Boellstorff
Regional Director in Auburn, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
Auburn CSS had originally planned to distribute 40 Thanksgiving meal kits, complete with a turkey and all the trimmings, to local families in need. When the Thanksgiving request line opened, all 40 meals were claimed within five minutes!
