Longtime parish, school volunteer honored in Omaha

A woman who began her volunteer work for St. Bernard Parish and School by stuffing church bulletins after grade school volleyball practices was honored last month by the archdiocese’s Stewardship and Development Office.

 

Margaret Nicolini was recognized Dec. 14 at the office’s annual education and network series prayer service and Christmas social, this year held at Mount Michael Benedictine School near Elkhorn.

 

“It was very humbling,” Nicolini said of receiving the stewardship and development award. “There are so many people who do so much. I am glad the archdiocese is recognizing the good things going on at St. Bernard.”

 

Located in a largely low-income area of north Omaha, St. Bernard offers a community of faith and learning for people in need, said Nicolini, who retired several years ago after a career in information technology. 

 

“I believe St. Bernard is an anchor in the community,” she said.

 

Nicolini’s service to the parish and school includes volunteering at parish events and working on the parish finance committee and pastoral council, spearheading a strategic planning process, helping establish an annual fund and a parish library, and developing a tuition assistance program for students from low-income families.

 

“Margaret truly is a blessing to our St. Bernard Catholic community,” said Rose Flores, director of development and alumni relations at St. Bernard. “Her dedication and devotion to St. Bernard comes straight from her heart, which greatly explains the success of her work.”

 

Shannan Brommer, director of the archdiocese’s Stewardship and Development Office, presented the award – a glass cross – to Nicolini. 

 

Similar awards have been given out in the past honoring volunteers in schools and parishes, but it has been a few years, said Kaitlyn Maloney, an archdiocesan Stewardship and Development officer. 

 

“We really saw a need to recognize and lift up someone who is dedicating time and energy to our schools and parishes,” Maloney said. “It is good for them, and good for others to see their hard work brought to light.”