Welcome to The 2021 April Effect |
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Random thoughts from your President |
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A NEW OUTFIT FOR EASTER
So, I heard some reporters on a tv show talking about outfits they purchased last year but were unable to wear due to Covid restrictions and how they were looking forward to being able to put them on and wear them in public soon. That got me to thinking. I remember my Mom making three matching outfits as gifts for us girls one Easter. My two sisters and I were all decked out in a new dress and hat – an Easter outfit. I doubt that we thought a lot about what went into making them – the planning, the hours spent sewing after working all day or even the pride Mom felt when we put them on for the first time – it was just something Mom did for us. There are a lot of things like that in our lives. Things we take for granted.
So, I started thinking about outfits - the planning and searching that goes into the selection to have just the right one. I thought about how excited we were when we finally got to show them off. A new outfit changes us. Our mood is brighter. We feel good about ourselves. There is a bit more confidence in our step. Can the right outfit really do all that? I think it can.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary – outfit 1 : the act of fitting out or equipping (as for a voyage or expedition) 2a : a set of tools or equipment especially for the practice of a trade. b : a clothing ensemble often for a special occasion or activity. c : physical, mental, or moral endowments or resources.
Every year during Lent we begin the outfitting process in anticipation of Easter. We equip ourselves for the journey through Lent. We gather the tools we will need – prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We choose our sacrifices and decide on additional prayers or services. We eagerly plan for our “voyage or expedition” through the next 40 days. We know our destination and keep our eyes focused on the miracle of Easter.
Our outfit for Lent is like a clothing ensemble for a special occasion. Just as the priest laid a white cloth on us at our Baptism as a symbol of our new life as a child of God, our sacrifices, prayers and a good confession leading up to Easter help prepare us to renew our Baptismal promises . We have changed over the last 40 days or so. We present ourselves to God as a person who has grown in spirituality.
Physically, mentally and morally we have been renewed through the endowments and resources available to us during Lent. Endowments are not earned; they are a gift. We do not become outfitted by what we do, but by the grace of God through these endowments. The acts, sacrifices, prayers and almsgiving open us up to those endowments of grace, and that is what we wear on our souls on Easter.
Happy Easter….Kathy Rowell (and my sisters)
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Spirituality Commission - Ellen Jirovsky
ellenjirovsky@outlook.com - 402-705-2612
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Report of Spirituality Commission for The Effect April 1, 2021
“Read this and your thinking will be changed forever.”
How’s this for an opening statement for a spirituality article?
The Nebraska State Department of Education has released its standards on health and sex education for next year. Governor Pete Ricketts firmly rejected the whole 64-page set of regulations. God bless him. He says the entire compilations was written not by teachers or scientists or doctors, but by political and those with disruptive agendas. Unfortunately, the set of standards is out of the Legislature’s hands. WE MUST protest this and WRITE IN our refusal to let our children be subject to “learning beyond their means” and “exposed to situations that should be ‘discussed in the home’, not at school.” (Governor Ricketts)
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Here is the statement written by Governor Ricketts, released on March 11th. Headline:
“Governor Ricketts Calls On State Board of Education to
Scrap Politicized Sex Education Standards”
“The new standards from the department would not only teach young children age-inappropriate content starting in Kindergarten, but also inject non-scientific political ideas into curriculum standards...sensitive topics addressed by parents at home, not by schools.”
“The draft standards were developed with the help of political activists, and without the input of key mainstream organizations. I am urging Nebraska parents to speak up now, and to share their reaction with the department, so it can be made a part of the formal record to the full board.”
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Please, as a Lenten project; as a parent, grandparent, any relative; in this year of St. Joseph as strong Guardian of the Holy Family—let your feelings be known!
Here are the addresses to formally protest the very bad new sex ed standards:
Here are two websites to read the 64 page document, with each grade listed:
Get with a neighbor or friend to write your letter together on a computer.
Please write in and let your voice be heard.
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Date: March 11, 2021 at 11:25:39 PM CST
Subject: Standards for Health
To the Nebraska State Board of Education School Health Standards Committee:
This evening we read the news release by Governor Pete Ricketts, sent to us by a friend.
Health Education is supposed to prepare young students for living healthy and happy lives, educating them in all ways possible. Helping boys and girls avoid bad situations and encourage good behavior is a goal of the school system in general.
The Sex Education Standards proposed are NOT good. At all. There are many areas too inappropriate for little ones. There are discriminatory comments—which is discrimination in itself. I am appalled that fifth graders must learn that sexuality is a continuum. NO, sexuality is male or female. Sixth graders are to be told there are drugs that assist someone in transition of their sexuality? Are you kidding???!!!!
Please stop the whole process here and start again. Employ professional medical personnel, psychologists and neurologists, plus true social scientists to prepare a new curriculum.
This is appalling. It was written with an agenda of political underhandedness.
Young people are exploring and developing eventually into mature citizens—under no circumstances should the “hint” of gender identity change come about.
These ages are unable to decide what clothes to wear, and we are advising them on deciding what sex they may be?
My background is physical education teacher, swimming instructor and dance instructor; wife, mother, and grandmother.
Consider me completely baffled that this travesty of assembled crap has been submitted for approval.
Ellen E. Jirovsky
Seward, NE.
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Divine Mercy Chair- Jeanette Stengel
jstengel15@gmail.com - 402-759-4811
Divine Mercy Sunday - April 11, 2021
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THE DIVINE MERCY DIARY OF ST. FAUSTINA (1310) When one is ill and weak, one must constantly make efforts to measure up to what others are doing to a matter of course. But even those matter-of-course things can not always be managed. Nevertheless, thank you, Jesus, for everything, because it is not the greatness of the effort that will be the works, but the greatness of the effort that will be rewarded. What is done out of love is not small, O my Jesus, for Your eyes see everything. (53) I do not know why I feel so terribly unwell in the morning. I have to muster all my strength to get out of bed, sometimes even to the point of heroism. The thought of Holy Communion gives me back a little more strength. And the day starts with a struggle and ends with a struggle. When I go to take my rest, I feel like a soldier returning from the battlefield. YOU alone, my Lord and Master, know what this day has contained.
DIVINE MERCY CELEBRATION ON APRIL 11, 2021. In the Diary 699, Jesus tells St. Faustinia and us that the celebration is to be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially poor sinners. The soul that will go to Confession, (within a reasonable time before the feast )and receive Holy Communion shall receive complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. It is my desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter.
MANKIND WILL NOT HAVE PEACE UNTIL IT TURNS TO THE FOUNT OF MY MERCY (Diary 699)
A Blessed Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday Celebration to all.
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Pi Alpha Chi's "Sugar High with Pi Alpha Chi" on Thursday, April 8th from 5:30-8:30 PM in the greenspace between the Newman Center and Phi Kappa Theta. Tickets are $5 each and we will be serving donuts and ice cream!
Or if you would like to donate, please visit crowdchange:
Please note that it benefits St. Gianna's Women Homes.
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Service Commission - Kathy Rentschler
Krentschler21@gmail.com 402-423-8210
8200 S. 91st Street Lincoln, NE 68526 402-429-4706
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Happy Spring! Enjoy the warm winds and sunshine!
We will be having an in person meeting April 17 in Geneva. If you have any used eyeglasses and/or rosaries, please bring them to the meeting. They will be collected and donated to those in need. Please have eyeglasses in cases or wrapped in paper towel. Rosaries will be sent to missions.
Have a Blessed Easter!!
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Leadership Commission - Judy Weston
ldccwleadership@gmail.com 402-984-5856
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Happy Easter!
I am surprised Lent moved so quickly! I feel that my Lent was not as productive as I had hoped. We explained our home life to a person asking us to volunteer and we had to decline because of our caregiving duties. She lovingly told us we were doing God’s work at home. It’s funny the perspective one gives us when we are at our most distress.
Remember, every day is a start to making your life better as a Catholic Christian.
Be strong, and be loving.
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Update your rosters
If you are having trouble logging into the spreadsheet please text me at 402-984-5856 and I will coach you through it.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
APRIL 2021 EVENTS
WAHOO AND YORK – St. Monica prayers
April 1 – Holy Thursday
April 2 – Good Friday
April 2 – start Divine Mercy Novena
April 3 – Holy Saturday
April 4 – Easter Monday
April 11 – Divine Mercy Sunday
April 15 – LDCCW Executive Board Mtg. via Zoom 7:00 pm
April 17 – LDCCW Full Board Meeting at Geneva 9:00-3:00 In person/Zoom
April 26 – Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel (Patroness of CCW)
Holy Father’s Intention: Violence Against Women – We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded.
Year of Saint Joseph - 15 ways to gain an indulgence in the Year of St. Joseph (listed in the December 18 issue of the Southern Nebraska Register). I will pick one to highlight each month.
April -- #12 Pray an approved prayer to St. Joseph on the 19th of any month.
The official prayer of the Year of St. Joseph
To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our afflictions, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness.
As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.
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2020 Charitable Works Survey Results
Every year, the LDCCW asks the Parish Councils of Catholic Women and Altar Societies to submit a report of charitable works performed by their members over the past year. Although 2020 was a year of challenges and roadblocks, that did not hinder the women of the Lincoln Diocese. Parishes found ways to reach out to others and pray, lead and serve during the Covid pandemic.
Mission: Be charitable; Be God’s hands in the world; Grow in spirituality; Lead by example;
Perform the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
Challenge: Avoid personal contact; Mass and Church services restricted or cancelled; Do not visit the nursing homes; No community at funerals; Hospital visits forbidden; Quarantine
Answer: Adapt; Find ways to serve; Pray; Lead; Serve
In the book, Do Something Beautiful for God, Mother Teresa gives us this message to ponder:
The very fact that God has placed a certain soul in our way is a sign that God wants
us to do something for him or her. It is not chance; it has been planned by God.
We are bound by conscience to help him or her.”
I found this to be true when I looked through the Charitable Works Surveys for this past year. Many parishes remarked how limited their options were this year due to the Covid restrictions, but they found other ways to do the work of the Lord.
Spirituality – In a year of Mass restrictions and being separated from the Sacraments, members prayed for priests and seminarians through the Seven Sisters apostolate and the Adopt-a-Priest program. They supported, in prayer and donations, Funds for Nuns, the Burse for seminarians, the Pink Sisters, FOCUS and the Catholic Sorority. Virtually or by distancing from others, Mass was available on tv or computer, members attended Eucharistic Adoration, conducted bible studies, provided Spanish Bibles and Missals for prisoners, held days of recollection and prayed countless rosaries, novenas, and offered sacrifices and prayers. Some slipped into church to spend a few minutes in the quiet presence of Our Lord.
Leadership – The women of our Diocese celebrated LDCCW Sunday by recognizing the many charitable acts performed in the parish and Diocese. Some had displays, recognized the women at Mass or celebrated with rolls and coffee after Mass. Several ladies attended Catholics at the Capitol and met with their senators. This is leadership in action. World Marriage Day was also celebrated across the Diocese with each parish recognizing the importance of good marriages as examples of the little church in the home. Each year, the LDCCW supports Spirit Catholic Radio during the fall Care-a-Thon. This year, in conjunction with the Diocese of Grand Island, the Diocese of Des Moines and the Arch Diocese of Omaha, we were able to raise over $11,000 with the matching funds. Wonderful job. Ladies.
Service –The Lord said what we do for the least, we do for Him. The women of the Diocese of Lincoln certainly take that statement to heart. In supporting all life, from conception to natural death, the LDCCW supports several pregnancy centers and Birthright of Lincoln through donations of diapers, clothing, praying at abortion clinics, holding baby showers and monetary donations. Several parishes make funds and goods available to those in need in the community. Some parishes make quilts and blankets, collect clothing for children and adults, have food drives and donate everything from personal hygiene items to furniture to benefit Catholic Social Services and the women at St. Gianna’s residences around the Diocese.
Catholic Social Services also benefits from the generosity of the women. There are many women who volunteer at CSS and the thrift stores across southern Nebraska. Truck loads of donated items are unloaded, sorted and distributed through CSS. Volunteers help with the lunch program making and distributing meals to the homeless and the marginalized in our communities.
The COVID 19 pandemic prevented parishes from holding their fundraisers this past year. This may have hindered the ability to do some of their annual charitable works, but it opened up other opportunities to serve. Many parishes reported ministering to families who were dealing with Covid. Meals were dropped off on porches and retrieved by the family. Shoppers made grocery runs or picked up medications to take to families. Food pantries were supported. Nursing home residents were sent cards or were visited by families outside their windows. Parishes organized people to call parishioners to check on their welfare. Many sewing machines were put to use making masks for schools, hospital workers or anyone needing a mask. Funds were collected to pay for utilities or offer assistance with other needs. Mothers became teachers and teachers became “tech savvy” giving instructions via Zoom continuing the education of our children. The women in the Diocese of Lincoln stepped up to the challenges they faced and did what they could to serve others during the past year.
It is hard to compose an article describing the Spirituality, Leadership and Service the women in the pews of the churches of southern Nebraska have performed over the past year. There are many more Works of Mercy that could be included, but so many were done in silence without thought of recognition. They were done out of love for each other. May God bless you all for your generosity, kindness, compassion and empathy. You truly are the hands of Jesus in this world.
Kathy Rowell, LDCCW President 2020-2022
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