Welcome to the September Council Connect | | Know Him, Love Him and Serve Him! | | | | |
President - Val Able
Dear Sisters in Christ,
Do you remember the excitement of show and tell back in elementary school? I can still recall how thrilled I was to bring a treasured stuffed animal or little keepsake from home — something close to my heart that I couldn’t wait to share with my classmates.
When I later became an elementary teacher, I quickly learned that show and tell day was sacred territory. Nearly every child arrived clutching something special. I often wondered whether their parents knew
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what had been tucked into those backpacks. One particular day stands out: a kindergartener came in practically bursting with excitement, carrying a brown grocery sack folded tightly at the top. It looked a little heavy for him, but he marched right up to the front of the room.
When he opened the bag, he pulled out what looked like a large, rough, brown coconut — but it wasn’t. With great pride, he announced that his dad worked at a meat packing plant and had brought him something from a cow’s stomach. It was a giant hairball. The class erupted into nervous laughter and cries of “yuck!” and “gross!” I have to admit, it was the strangest show and tell item I’ve ever seen.
At our LDCCW Fall Gathering & Meeting on September 19th, you’ll have your own opportunity for a grown‑up version of show and tell — and thankfully, no hairballs allowed.
I invite you to bring a devotional object or an item from your prayer corner to share as you introduce yourself. These items will be placed on a table for everyone to enjoy throughout the day. My hope is that this inspires some of you to create your own prayer table, home altar, or a special shelf in your home — a gentle reminder to your family that Jesus dwells there.
I look forward to seeing each of you on Saturday, September 19th at Sacred Heart Parish Hall in Crete, Nebraska.
Your servant in Christ,
Val Able, President LDCCW
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SPIRITUALITY COMMITTEE
Chair: Shelly Chloupek & Chris Cooney
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Have you ever had a huge project that left you overwhelmed? You did not even know where to start? It is a project you genuinely want to finish yet you are overcome with thoughts of failure?
This is how many of us feel as we try to increase our prayer life. We do not know where to begin. Our days are filled with chores, work, activities, and people. How can we fit in even a small amount of prayer?
I look at Teresa of Lisieux, The Little Flower. Do not think of increasing your prayer life as a huge project. Think of it as doing little prayers all day long. Place prayer cards at various places in your home, car, or workplace.
Examples would be the bathroom mirror for morning prayer, your bedside table for night prayer, your car for St Michael to protect you and your passengers, the kitchen sink for as you cook or wash dishes, a decade of the rosary as you fold clothes.
If you give it some thought, you can think of many different places to put cards or notes to remind you to pray. This can be a “Little Way” to increase your daily prayers.
Chris Cooney
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Divine Mercy
Chair: Bonnie Damrow
Mercy Stations
These stations do not follow the traditional set found in churches. But, like the Stations of the Cross, may be said any time of the year, not just during Lent.
Begin each station with:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
Pause briefly, meditating on the Passion of Jesus. Then say the invocation given below, followed by: have mercy on us and on the whole world.
1. For the sake of His institution of the Eucharist as the memorial of His Passion...
2. For the sake of His agony in the Garden...
3. For the sake of His being scourged and crowned with thorns...
4. For the sake of His being condemned to death...
5. For the sake of His carrying the Cross...
6. For the sake of His falling under the weight of the Cross...
7. For the sake of His meeting His afflicted Mother...
8. For the sake of His accepting help in carrying the Cross...
9. For the sake of His receiving mercy from Veronica...
10. For the sake of His consoling the women...
11. For the sake of His being stripped...
12. For the sake of His being crucified...
13. For the sake of His death on the Cross...
14. For the sake of His being buried...
15. For the sake of His being raised from the dead...
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us and on the whole world. (Three times)
The Hour of Great Mercy
In His revelations to St Faustina, Our Lord asked for special prayer and meditation on His Passion each day at the three o'clock hour, the hour that recalls His death on the Cross. "As often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for the poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world - mercy triumphed over justice. (1572)
The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion, by Fr. Seraphim Michalenko. MIC with Vinny Flynn and Robert A. Stackpole
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Legislative Government Commission
LEGISLATIVE & GOVERNMENT
REPORT
By Alice Licht-Anderson
Legislative Commission
LDCCW is bringing back a favorite event , the 2027 Legislature will face mounting budget shortfall issues and Labor Day kicks off intense campaigning for the November 3 General Election. Read about these items in the Legislative and Government Report this month.
WE’RE BRINGING BACK A FAVORITE - A GREAT DOUBLE FEATURE!
After hearing from so many of you that having an event at the Nebraska’s Governor’s Mansion was so much a part of a day at the Capitol, the LDCCW is bringing it back in conjunction with the Nebraska Catholic Conference’s “Catholics at the Capitol.” We are sponsoring an afternoon at the Mansion from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 6, 2027. Catholics at the Capitol has been scheduled for the following day on Wednesday, April 7. The Mansion visit will include a tour, a briefing from an elected official, a greeting from the Governor’s family and refreshments. We thought this timing would also be advantageous for those wanting to attend both of these events. Nebraska Catholics from across the entire state - the Archdiocese of Omaha, the Diocese of Lincoln and the Diocese of Grand Island - are invited and welcome to attend. It will be based on a first-come-first-served basis for the first 64 sign-ups. More information will follow next year to register your attendance for the meeting at the Governor’s Mansion as well as attending Catholics at the Capitol Day. Mark your calendars now to join us.
2027 LEGISLATURE FACING BUDGET SHORTFALLS BASED ON CURRENT PREDI CTIONS
Revenue forecasts predict a $208 million budget shortfall for the year ending June 30, 2027. The Nebraska Legislature will face this as they convene in Lincoln in January. Based on that projection and current revenue forecasting, another $800 million or more is projected for the July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2029, two-year budget as the Appropriations Committee begins their work in the next session. It’s the long, 90-working day session with expected adjournment in early June of next year. Throw all that in with a continuous concern about high property taxes and you can expect to hears lots about this during the next two months prior to the November 3 General Election.
LABOR DAY HISTORICALLY KICKS OFF FALL ELECTION SEASON
With the 2026 November 3 General Election about 60 days away, campaigns are gearing up for fall advertising blasts, mailings, going door-to-door and debates to secure spots in federal, state and local offices.
You hear it plenty - “Elections Have Consequences!” This year there are several consequences facing voters in Nebraska and throughout the United States. Vying for state positions include 25 out of 49 State Senators, candidates for Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Auditor and State Treasurer. At the federal level, all three Nebraska Congressional Districts and one of our two U.S. Senate positions will appear on the ballot.
Leadership in the Nebraska Legislature will change at the beginning of the 2027 Session. Chairmen of the Appropriations Committee, Natural Resources Committee, Transportation Committee, Education Committee, Executive Board and the Speaker of the Legislature are all “term-limited” effective in January of 2027. Leadership positions are important to all of us watching legislation. One of the Speaker’s roles is to set the daily agenda. That is of key importance for passage of any legislation. The Appropriations Committee sets the budget and spending for the state. This then sets the stage for the Revenue Committee’s recommendations for tax levies to meet budget requirements. The Education Committee deals with many of our school issues and funding ideas for education. These new chairmen will be elected on the first day of the Session in January.
The Governor’s race has taken an interesting twist with former state senator and financial advisor Brett Linstrom, (Omaha) a Non-Partisan, who has submitted petitions to place his name on the ballot. He joins current Republican Governor Jim Pillen, (Columbus) a hog producer, Democrat Lynn Walz, (Fremont) a former state senator and educator and Rick Beard representing the Legal Marijuana Now party. Mix that with a highly contested Senate race and we’re in for lots of campaign commercials and mailings for the next two months.
Please take the time to look at the positions of the candidates. There is a lot at stake both at the state and federal level this year.
Till next month,
Alice Licht-Anderson
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Leadership Commission
Last month I mentioned the “General Bucket List” of ideas for the Leadership Commission. One of our “pails” was Training! The LDCCW will continue to host training sessions around our council. I attended sessions in Geneva and Lincoln this past year. Not only did we learn about the importance of our PCCW’s in our parish, but we also gathered as Catholic women. Our greatest resource – the Catholic women! Here we met new people, we were reacquainted, we shared ideas, we laughed and we gathered as women of faith. What better group of women to have as mentors! I encourage you to attend one of the training gatherings. More information will be on these once dates are set. Another opportunity to gather will be on Saturday, September 19 for our Full Board Meeting in Crete at Sacred Heart Parish. Registration is from 8:00 – 9:00 AM. Another opportunity for fellowship with Catholic women across our diocese.
“Be mindful of God’s presence. Intentionally call to mind God’s presence throughout the day. Recall that God is nearby while working, walking, cooking or speaking with others.” - Brother Lawrence
Carlece Kenner
Leadership Commission Chair
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Service Commission
Boxes of Joy—have you heard of it?
Admittedly, I only knew about it at a high level initially, but learning about its real purpose and impact gave me the kind of full-body goosebumps that come with overwhelming pride and a deep sense of service and purpose.
The LDCCW Service Commission has participated in Boxes of Joy for many years. The core purpose of this initiative is to help us grow in our faith as participants, share Christ’s love, and unite those in common faith to bring joy in the form of Christmas gifts to children in impoverished countries.
For the Diocese of Lincoln, Boxes of Joy represent a Catholic work of mercy that unites parishes, schools, and families. The program serves as a beautiful blend of evangelization and charity, helping participants grow in their own faith while providing children with toys, clothing, hygiene items, and a rosary accompanied by the beautiful story of Jesus.
if you’d like to participate in Boxes Of Joy, reach out to your parish PCCW for further details and more information can be found on
https://crosscatholic.org/box-of-joy/ and a list of needed items for boxes can be found here:
https://crosscatholic.org/blogs/2025/02/a-joyful-celebration-of-gods-love/
Julie Rosenbaum & Trish Seidl
Service Commission Co-Chairs
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50 Days for 50 States
As our Nation prepares for the 2026 Mid-term Elections, LDCCW would like to invite everyone to a special time of prayer for our Country.
We will begin on
Monday, September 14, 2026 concluding on Monday, November 2, 2026.
Each day during these 50-days a different State will be offer up in prayer.
The prayers can be done privately, with groups, by families, or even as a Church activity. The prayers can be formal like the Rosary or a Chaplet. One may use a map of the United States each day while touching the day’s State offer an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. One may pray to a favorite Saint asking them to pray along throughout the 50 days. These are all just simple examples, what is important is committing to praying for the whole 50 days.
Below is the list of the States divided into 7 weeks plus one day. We hope that Parishes will put the weekly lists of States into their Sunday Bulletins. A great use of one’s social media is to do a posting of the different daily State thought out the 50 days. Let us storm the heavens on behalf of our Nation. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises “and if My people, upon whom My name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land.”.
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Please join us in this special time of prayer for our Nation.
List of States by weeks:
Week One: Monday, September 14, 2026 to Sunday, September 20, 2026
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut
Week Two: Monday, September 21, 2026 to Sunday, September 27, 2026
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana
Week Three: Monday, 28, 2026 to Sunday, October 4, 2026
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts
Week Four: Monday, October 5, 2026 to Sunday, October 11, 2026
Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada
Week Five: Monday, October 12, 2026 to Sunday, October 18, 2026
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio
Week Six: Monday, October 19, 2026 to Sunday, October 25, 2026
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee
Week Seven: Monday, October 26, 2026 to Monday, November 2, 2026
Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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ATTENTION!
DEANERY OFFICERS & PARISH CCW OFFICERS
Please bring an updated list of your officers to the Fall LDCCW Meeting in Crete on Sept. 19th.
The list should include all contact information: name, officer position, parish, deanery, email, mailing address, and phone.
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Fall Care-a-Thon
Wednesday, September 23rd
12:00 (Noon) – 1:00 PM
Call: 855-571-1027
Calling all diocesan women to help further the mission of evangelization by dialing 855-571-1027 and making a pledge to Spirit Catholic Radio.
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Social Media Manager
Heather Lipovsky
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!
Please send to ldccwsocialmedia@gmail.com
Be sure to like and follow our Pages at Facebook Lincoln Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and Instagram--instagram @ldccw.catholicwomen
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The 2026-2028
LDCCW Executive Board Members
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2026-2028 Officers:
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
September - Grant Deanery—St. Monica Prayers
September - Month of Our Lady of Snows - Patron of CCW Secretaries
September 8 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 15 - Our Lady of the Rosary
September 18 - Executive Board Meeting, Schoenstatt Shrine, Crete, NE
September 19 - Full Board Meeting, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Crete, NE
September 29 - Feast of the Archangels
Pope’s Intentions for September - For the Care of Water
Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.
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