News from around the archdiocese (Nov. 15)

ORGANIZATIONS

Holy Child Jesus of Cebu confraternity installed

On Oct. 26, the local chapter of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu (Holy Child Jesus of Cebu) of Greater Omaha was officially installed as the first cofradia (confraternity) of the worldwide organization in the archdiocese.

Father Noel Cogasa, vice rector for the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, in Cebu, Philippines, led the installation and enthroned a gifted replica of the Señor Santo Niño de Cebu statue at Saint Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha.

The tradition associated with the statue comes from explorer Ferdinand Magellen’s gift of a 12-inch wooden statue of the Christ Child to the local ruler of the island of Cebu upon the latter’s conversion to Catholicism in 1521. The image is now one of the most recognizable and beloved Filipino icons.

The public is invited to the upcoming Fiesta Señor 2020 honoring Señor Santo Niño de Cebu on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. at the cathedral. The event will include Mass, a traditional procession and authentic Filipino cuisine, as well as colorful performances and dances.

For more information about Señor Santo Niño de Cebu visit https://santoninodecebubasilica.org/.

SCHOOLS

Five honored at Prep’s Loyola Dinner

Creighton Preparatory School honored five individuals for their service and loyalty to the community, the school and the church at the 24th annual Loyola Dinner of Honor and Distinction at the Henry L. Sullivan, SJ Campus Center Oct. 23.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, received this year’s Sword of St. Ignatius award, recognizing his exemplary service for the greater glory of God. The honor recognizes those who employ the spiritual virtues of courage, loyalty and service to the church, which are associated with St. Ignatius of Loyola. An Omaha native, he grew up in Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Omaha and attended the parish school.

The Alumnus of the year award was given to Patrick Duffy ’90 for his commitment to living a life of service. Karen Van Dyke earned the Ancilla Domini honor, celebrating her example of fully sharing her God-given gifts with her family and community. Bob Carlisle ’76 and Cindy Heider were inducted into the 2019 Creighton Prep Hall of Fame for exhibiting personal lives of faith and distinguished service to Prep.

CSM students volunteer at Pine Ridge reservation

Nine College of Saint Mary (CSM) students spent their fall break serving others at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. From Oct. 17-20, the group delivered donations they brought, helped set up an affordable supply store at Crazy Horse High School, packaged meals for individuals in need and participated in traditional cultural activities, including a powwow.

“The most important thing I learned on this service trip was the true importance of giving back to others,” said student volunteer Sarahi Torres Alvarado. Student volunteer Grace Rooks added, “This trip was very eye-opening. It taught me a lot about what different types of people are going through and helped remind me of why I want to go into the medical field.”

This is the second year in a row that students from CSM have gone to the Pine Ridge Reservation to volunteer.

St. James/Seton student wins community service challenge

Emma Kreikemeier, a sixth grade student at St. James/Seton School in Omaha, is the winner of the second annual Catholic Schools Office’s community service challenge, “Shine a Light in the Community.” Catholic school students from all 71 archdiocesan schools were encouraged to think creatively about ways to serve their communities and explain those ideas on video. Kreikemeier will receive up to $1,000 to implement her idea, along with a $200 Amazon gift card.

Her project will create a “giving closet” for hygiene and clothing items to help students in need at Hartman Elementary School, which serves a large refugee population. Her winning entry video can be viewed at photos.app.goo.gl/DP6AqM7h3jYnDMmj7.

During the Nov. 4 announcement of the winning contestant, Father Ryan Lewis, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, said, “It’s really living out our Catholic education vocation to do for others. Emma’s project is a beautiful way to show others dignity. We are all so proud of her.”

Holy Name, CUES launch fundraising effort

On Nov. 7 the Men’s Club of Holy Name Parish and the CUES school system kicked off a joint effort to improve facilities at Holy Name School and sustain operations at the school and the other two CUES schools in Omaha — Sacred Heart and All Saints.

The “Restore the Glory Campaign” will raise $5 million to renovate the school’s field house and add a new entrance and community center to the school. The community center will be home to an after-school program in partnership with Hope Center for Kids. The effort, which already has raised $1.8 million, will also earmark 10% of funds raised for school operations.

CUES also announced its “Building a Foundation to Sustain Our Future” campaign to fully fund the three inner-city schools. Nearly $6 million of a $12.8 million goal has already been raised.

Fundraising underway for new school building in Winnebago

A $13 million fundraising effort is underway to build a new 33,000-square-foot school at the St. Augustine Indian Mission in Winnebago. The new facility will include nine classrooms for grades K-8, a gym, cafeteria, commons area, media center, and rooms for art and music.

The existing 52-year-old structure was not designed as a school and has a range of problems, including outdated electrical and HVAC systems, security deficiencies and structural problems.

As the only Catholic school in the archdiocese created to serve Native American students, the mission plays a critical role in providing a high-quality education to combat widespread unemployment in the communities it serves.

“Education in a faith-based, Native American cultural environment is key to building a brighter future for our students, improving life on the Omaha and Winnebago Reservations, and breaking the cycle of poverty,” said Father Mark Beran, director of the mission.

St. Wenceslaus School conducts food drive

Students at St. Wenceslaus School in Omaha held their 24th annual Canned Food Drive for St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry in Omaha Oct. 15 – Nov. 1. The students aimed to collect 23,600 pounds of goods, which would bring their 24-year total to 500,000 pounds. School counselor Cara Hilgert confirmed that, having brought in 23,750 pounds this year, the half-million-pound mark was reached.

A “stuff the bus” event was also held, collecting paper and baby supplies such as paper towels, toilet paper, toiletries, diapers and baby wipes.