Welcome to the June Council Connect | | |
Consecration of the Lincoln Diocese to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 12, 2026 7:00PM
Cathedral of the Risen Christ
All are welcome to join Bishop Conley for an evening of adoration, music, reflection, and the opportunity for confessions
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President - Val Able
Life Changing Moments
The phone rang. I picked up the receiver. On the other end, my best friend was shouting like a crazy woman, “Val, we have a baby!” She hung up quickly, and I later heard she was running through the streets of town shouting, “We have a baby! We have a baby!”
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In that moment, she and her husband's lives changed. They had been married for 15 years, and Elaine had dealt with endometriosis and was told she could not have children. So, they applied to an adoption agency and waited for this call for ten years—almost giving up hope.
Joy and Sorrow
Other unexpected knocks on the door and phone calls didn’t bring joy. They brought deep pain and grief—and they forever changed my life. For example, on New Year’s Eve in 1985, the phone rang and I was told my dad had died of a heart attack at age 57. Or the time an officer knocked on my front door to tell me I needed to go to the hospital: my brother had been in a fatal motorcycle accident. Ross was twelve years younger than me—only 19 years old. I believe God has allowed these moments in my life to make me stronger in faith. We all have them: moments of joy and moments of sorrow that forever change our hearts.
Those moments—whether joyful or heartbreaking—can either leave us stuck in what just happened or draw us into deeper trust. They remind us that faith is not only for the big events, but for the ordinary minutes in between, where we choose again and again to live with and for Christ.
The Retreat Invitation
I recently attended a retreat at the Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly. The title of the retreat was “All or Nothing: Living Moment to Moment with and for Christ.” It was there that I heard about Sr. Clare Crockett—an Irish Catholic religious sister who learned to live her life in the moment.
Click here to read more...
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HALOS
We would love to fill this space with articles and pictures from YOUR parish PCCW events! Please submit your articles to ldccwpreseident@gmail.com.
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SPIRITUALITY COMMITTEE
Chair: Shelly Chloupek & Chris Cooney
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Divine Mercy
Chair: Bonnie Damrow
Fathers Day is coming soon. And so is the 40 hour Adoration for Priests on the very same weekend, June 12-13 at the Villa Regina Motherhouse, 4100 SW 56th St. Lincoln, NE. This would be a perfect time to sign up HERE for an hour of adoration at a time of your choice or the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Jun 12 at 3:00 pm."There is more merit to one hour of meditation on My sorrowful Passion than there is to a whole year of flagellation that draws blood; the contemplation of My painful wounds is of great profit to you, and it brings Me great joy."" (Diary, 369)
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SPIRITUALITY COMMITTEE REPORT:
June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our President, Val Able, has chosen a blessed trio of hearts ( Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Chaste Heart of St. Joseph) for a special devotion during her two year term of office. This is a great month to start praying for the fruitfulness of the next two years of Val’s term by contemplating the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I'm sure we will be hearing much more about how these special hearts can bring grace into our lives and those of our families.
The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is Friday, June 12, followed by the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary so a Novena would begin on June 4. While there are many prayers to the Sacred Heart, here are a couple links to common prayers.
Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - EWTN
Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart | EWTN
Pray More Novenas - Novena Prayers & Catholic
Devotion
One of the projects that falls under the Spirituality Commission is the Adopt a Priest Program. We are encouraged to pray for our priests and to remember them on special occasions to show our support and gratitude for their Priesthood. Because June is the month when many priests move to their new assignments and when the newly ordained get their first assignments, I wanted to remind LDCCW members to pray for these men and suggest a few ways to remember them in their move.
Read more about how to honor your priests HERE.
So in closing, I offer this Morning Offering to the Sacred Heart:
O most holy heart of Jesus,
Fountain of every blessing,
I adore you, I love you, and with lively sorrow
for my sins,
I offer you this poor heart or mine.
Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly
obedient to your will.
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Legislative:
Alice
Licht-Anderson
THE MAY PRIMARY ELECTION IS HISTORY AND CAMPAIGNING FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION WILL BEGIN SOON!
Television, radio, newspapers, direct mail and social media campaigns begin soon for the
fall General Election for many state-wide and local races in Nebraska. Major races
affecting issues we watch include a U. S. Senator and three Congressional spots, the Governor and Attorney General’s offices, twenty five legislative positions and four members of the State Board of Education. I encourage you to take some time to
research and get to know the candidates, especially those running for the Legislature, in
your area. Click here to see who will appear on the November ballot!
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WHAT DO THESE INITIALS MEAN?
· NCCW -National Council of Catholic Women
· LDCCW – Lincoln Diocese Council of Catholic Women
· DCCW – Deanery Council of Catholic Women
· PCCW – Parish Council of Catholic Women
PCCW stands for Parish Council of Catholic Women. It refers to the organized body of Catholic women at the parish level who support the mission of the parish through prayer, service, and leadership.
A PCCW includes women in every season of life—new parishioners, mothers and caregivers, widows, long‑time members, and emerging leaders. Whatever their circumstances, they are the women of the parish who share their gifts in ways that fit their time and abilities.
In many communities, this parish women’s organization may have been known as an Altar Society, Circle, or Tabernacle Society. The term PCCW is used today to reflect the full scope of women’s contributions beyond any single ministry.
Here are some examples of just a few things that you will find the women in your parish doing today:
· Praying daily for the parish priest(s) and for their holiness
· Supporting parish liturgies and sacramental celebrations (for example, First Communions and Confirmations)
· Caring for parish facilities and hospitality by cleaning, organizing, and preparing for special events
· Serving the sick and homebound through visits, calls, and practical help
· Participating in charitable outreach such as Meals on Wheels, Moms in Need, having food drives, volunteering at CSS, etc.
PCCWs are the foundation of the Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (LDCCW).
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Service Commission
As we reflect on Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower of Jesus, we’re reminded of her simple yet powerful “Little Way.” She showed us that holiness isn’t about doing big, dramatic things—it’s about doing the small, everyday things with great love.
For the women of LDCCW, this can look like sharing a kind smile while helping with coffee and rolls after Sunday Mass. Our local PCCWs offer so many little ways to serve. Maybe it’s placing a fresh rose by Mary’s statue, giving a ride to a parishioner who can’t get to Mass on their own, or helping out with BINGO at a care center and bringing a bit of joy to others.
None of these acts may seem extraordinary on their own—but when they are done with love, they become something beautiful. Like Saint Thérèse, we are called to let love shine through in the little things.
Service Commission Co-Chair
Julie Rosenbaum
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WE WANT YOU to know… All Women of the
Lincoln Diocese are members of the LDCCW!
Founded in 1932 by the Most Rev. Louis B. Kucera, Bishop of Lincoln, the Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (LDCCW) is a women’s organization dedicated to living the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
In 1958, Bishop James V. Casey set bold goals for the women of the Diocese of Lincoln: develop leaders, invite each woman to contribute $1.00 per year to support the Council, strengthen ministry through the Newman Center and St. Thomas Orphanage, and encourage an Apostleship of Prayer in every parish.
Because of generations of sacrifice—and the generous sharing of time, talent, and treasure—LDCCW has grown into a strong, statewide network of Catholic women serving the Church at home and around the world.
For the next two years, we’re focusing on three goals—and we’d love you to be part of them:
1) Lead women closer to Christ through the Council.
· Grow in relationship with Christ through prayer, fellowship, and sharing our spiritual journeys.
· Build community at every meeting—everyone is welcome.
· Appoint a hospitality chair to help women connect and feel at home.
· Invite and encourage all women of the Diocese of Lincoln to attend meetings.
2) PRESIDENT’S PROJECT: Strengthen the Domestic Church by supporting families in our diocese.
· Inspire families of all ages to live their faith at home by embracing their call to be a Domestic Church.
· Share practical, doable ideas for bringing Jesus into daily family life.
· Partner with Catholic Social Services (CSS) to identify families and projects in need—and put hands and hearts to work in our communities.
· Offer a gift to newly married couples as a joyful reminder to open their homes to the love of Christ.
· Grow devotion to the Sacred Hearts of the Holy Family.
3) Learn about six religious orders in the Diocese of Lincoln.
· Invite a representative from each order to share their history, charism, and ways we can support them.
· Visit motherhouses when possible, to learn more firsthand.
Why pay $1.00 in dues? Because when $1.00 is multiplied by 22,000 women in our diocese, it becomes a powerful force for good. Together, we support pregnancy help centers, provide diapers for mothers in need, assist families through Catholic Social Services, support our priests and religious, and help bring food, clean water, clothing, and hope to people locally and around the world. Your $1.00 truly makes a difference!
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One for the Books!
A Book Review by Fr. Thomas McGuire
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The Gulag Archipelago: An Experiment in Literary Investigation by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn abridged authorized by the author, Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2007. It has seven parts. The longest part has 22 chapters, the shortest three. I finished a few chapters each night. Not everyone will like it due to names of people based on Russian (but not an overwhelming amount), names of Russian places, etc. It takes patience. I learned not to let it distract me.
The author notes, “In this book there are no fictitious persons, nor fictitious events…” It is “an experiment in literary investigation,” of the author’s own experiences but more of what other people have told him of their experiences. And he makes many personal comments along the way. Some sarcastic, others deep reflections on what he describes. I quote from the chapter, “The Ascent.”
“Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either – but right through every human heart – and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained. And even in the best of all hearts, there remains… an unuprooted small corner of evil…
“After the difficult cycles of such ponderings over many years, whenever I mentioned the heartlessness of our highest-ranking bureaucrats, the cruelty of our executioners, I remember myself in my captain’s shoulder boards and the forward march of my battery through East Prussia… and I say, ‘So were we any better?’
“When people express vexation, in my presence, over the West’s confusion – I recall too: ‘Were we, before passing through the Archipelago, more steadfast? Firmer in our thoughts?’
“And that is why I turn back to the years of my imprisonment and say, sometimes to the astonishment of those about me, ‘Bless you, prison!’…
“All the writers who wrote about prison but who did not themselves serve time there considered it their duty… to curse prison. I… have served enough time there. I nourished my soul there, and I say without hesitation: ‘Bless you, prison, for having been in my life!’
“(And from beyond the grave come replies: It is very well for you to say that – when you came out of it alive!)”
In my opinion, this book is very much worth reading. It would take patience. One may be put off by the descriptions of cruelty experienced by prisoners of the Gulag. However, the insights of the author are the rewards of this book. They are often profound, raw, and spiritual.
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CHECK OUT THE DIOCESAN WEBSITE
Do the pictures of your PCCW Officers and sanctuary look as old as this? Here is a guide on how to update your parish pictures, PCCW Activities, and Historical Highlights.
Step 1: Go to lincolndiocese.org/LDCCW website
Step 2: Scroll down until you see the word "Deaneries." Click on your deanery and a list of parishes will come up. They are in alphabetical order. Parishes in a black font did not submit information. If this is the case, you can submit pictures and information to the email addresses below.
Step 3: Check to see if pictures need updating. If so, make yourself a note to take a new picture.
Step 4: Check to see if your Activities need to be updated, make note of changes.
Step 5: Check to see if any Historical Highlights need to be added, make note of additions.
Once you have gathered your new pictures and other information, please send updates and photos to BOTH Fr. Coulter and the Southern Nebraska Register.
fr.gary-coulter@lincolndiocese.org
register@lincolndiocese.org
Let’s work together to get this site updated!
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Social Media Manager
Heather Lipovsky
Hello Ladies!
Keep sending pictures of PCCW events in your parishes!
Social Media is spreading the word of our organization and reaching more women across the diocese!
Be sure to like and follow our Pages at Facebook Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and Instagram--instagram@ldccw.catholicwomen God bless!
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Meet the 2026-2028
LDCCW Executive Board Members
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We welcome our new Board members for the coming term:
PRESIDENT: Valerie Able
PRESIDENT ELECT:
Kathy Rentschler
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: Donna Havlat
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: Barbara Kadlec
THIRD VICE PRESIDENT: Michele Chambers
RECORDING SECRETARY: Joyce Reich
TREASURER: Carrie Magorian
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Teresa Koch
AUDITOR: Karen Dey
SPIRITUAL ADVISORS:
Fr. Thomas Lux and
Fr. Thomas McGuire
To get to know more about them, please click HERE to find out all the details!
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Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel
God of heavenly wisdom, You have given us Mary, Mother of Jesus, to be our guide and counselor. Grant that we may always seek her motherly help in this life and so enjoy her blessed presence in the life to come. O Mother of Good Counsel, patroness of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, intercede for us, that we may be wise, courageous, and loving leaders of the Church. Help us, dear mother, to know the mind of Jesus, your God’s children. May our labors of love on earth enhance the reign of God and may God’s gifts of faith and living hope prepare us for the fullness of the world to come. Amen
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LDCCW Mission Statement
The Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, under the authority of the Bishop, seeks to grow in holiness and to live out our faith through the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy in the service of God and His Church.
SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY:
To admonish the sinner
To instruct the ignorant
To counsel the doubtful
To comfort the sorrowful
To bear wrongs patiently
To forgive all injuries
To pray for the living and the dead
CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY:
To feed the hungry
To give drink to the thirsty
To clothe the naked
To visit the imprisoned
To shelter the homeless
To visit the sick
To bury the dead
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Upcoming Events
June - David City Deanery—St. Monica Prayers
June 7 - Corpus Christi
June 12 - Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 21 - Father's Day
June 24 - Nativity of John the Baptist
June 27 - Our Lady of Perpetual Help
September 18 - Executive Board Meeting, Schoenstatt Shrine, Crete, NE
September 19 - General Board Meeting, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Crete, NE
Pope’s Intentions for June--For the Values of Sports
Let us pray that sports be an instrument of peace, encounter, and dialogue among cultures and nations, and that they promote values such as respect, solidarity, and personal growth.
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