NEWSLETTER

Director’s Corner | Adoption:  A Special Blessing With The Help Of Catholic Charities |
Chapman Recovery Efforts Under Way |
Family Thankful For Christmas Gifts Provided Last Year |
Family Makes Progress After Receiving Counseling Help In Concordia |
 Program Helps Women, Families | Youth Programs Receive Grant From Sam's Club |
Hauser Elected To Catholic Charities' National Board |
Marriage For Keeps Staff Receives Training |
Donations To Catholic Charities Recognized |
 

DIRECTOR'S CORNER
By Karen Hauser, Ed.D.

We must do more to meet growing needs

It is now the Advent Season-a time of preparation, of hope, and of anticipation. I want all of us to enjoy this season and to cherish our families, friends and neighbors.

I am also greatly troubled. When I reflect on what I have done for the least of my brothers and sisters it is a grave concern. We have received over 3,000 persons through our doors at Catholic Charities this year. It seems that never before have I seen such enormous needs. We have pregnant moms asking for food and shelter. We have people seeking help with rent and utilities because they have lost their job or had a medical emergency. We also have our youth programs which present with so much hope and promise for the future but need that extra direction to stay on the right path.

I feel an obligation to do as much as we can to have an impact on peoples lives. But I also feel just how much energy it takes to stretch to do more. I recently heard on national news that the need is about 35% greater right now than it has been at any time in recent history. We are experiencing it a Catholic Charities and I know other helping agencies in our area have also seen a rise in requests for help.

I pray more than ever in these troubling times that by some miracle God will see fit to give us the energy and resources to provide help, hope and encouragement to the most deserving ones in need.

Let us each count our blessings and reach out to help someone in need this Advent and Christmas Season.

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ADOPTION:  A SPECIAL BLESSING,
WITH THE HELP OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Everything good comes from God! That is so easy to remember when things are going good and you feel the world is on your side. But what about a couple that desperately wants children and yet has heartache after heartache. Even then—God has his hand in everything and everything truly comes from God.

When we found out that we couldn’t have children, many emotions and trials came our way. Thank goodness for Catholic Charities. We first learned about the adoption services that Catholic Charities has to offer through Fr. Bill, a dear friend of ours. We weren’t sure how the process worked but Fr. Bill took the time to sit with us and explain it. Jan took the time to help us with our profile and was constantly reassuring and so very kind in leading us through the steps.

So after that journey of faith, we were connected with a Catholic Charities agency out of state and thus met and fell in love with our child! We were there when he was born and heard his very first cry. We held him and were overcome with emotion of how much love one can have in their heart for a child that was conceived in the hearts of a childless couple. Of course with adoption, nothing is final until the papers are signed—and through the days as we waited for things to become final and watched as the birth mother almost changed her mind—Fr. Bill and Jan were a phone call away and helped us understand that God has a plan for everything—and to trust in that.

Now, many years later we look back at the experience and remember so vividly the details of that time. We could not imagine any other child in our life but our precious son. He is truly a gift from God. Daily we look at him and remember those children who are not so lucky and don’t have the chance to live. The children who will never be able to use the talents and gifts that God has given them. We know it was not an easy decision for our birth mother, but she wanted so much more for her child than what she was able to give to him. As Christ died for us, a birth mom also has a bit of herself die when she gives her child up for adoption and yet I hope she realizes that she has given us the most precious gift that anyone could ever give.

Through it all, God truly had his hand in everything. It is amazing the qualities that our child has—qualities that are just like us. He was truly designed for us by God—we just needed to have faith and be patient as the details were worked out in His time and not our time.

Whether you are a mother thinking of giving your child up for adoption, a couple wanting to adopt or just someone who needs the services that Catholic Charities has to offer, we encourage you to visit with them and remember that God has his hand in everything and know that whatever journey you are on, you are not alone.

One final thing we learned on this journey—a child does not belong to us or to any couple. The child belongs to God. As parents, we are simply given the gift and the awesome responsibility of being parents. Our job is to help the child on his or her journey to know their Heavenly Father. Yes, our son has brought us so much joy and we in return are to bring that joy to God.

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CHAPMAN RECOVERY EFFORTS UNDER WAY

Everywhere you look these days in Chapman recovery is underway. Construction repairs are going on. Roofers are busy. And people are beginning to move back into homes. The process since the tornado has been slow and frustrating for those who suffered losses. But right now there seems to be new hope.

     

Catholic Charities has been involved with the disaster relief from the beginning. We have joined the Chapman Area Long-term Recovery Team which reviews applications for help. We have worked with Central Kansas Mental Health Center to obtain a grant to provide counseling and education on disaster recovery to the public and in the schools. We also presented a check for $10,000 to the Recovery Team to assist individuals who need help. Karen Hauser, Director of Catholic Charities, serves on this team consisting of representatives from the local churches, agencies, and community groups who review the applications for assistance. We have given assistance to people to replace beds and mattresses, repair vehicles damaged from the storm, repair furnaces, and cover additional rent assistance to name a few. The tornado had such a devastating effect with many of the losses not covered by insurance. Working with a local team it is obvious that team members know their community and who is the most in need of help. In a small community people really pull together in a time of crisis.

The week of November 12-18 has generated a lot of excitement in Chapman as TV cameras rolled for the Extreme Makeover Home Edition crew came in to town and with the help of hundreds of local volunteers, built a home for a family, a community center with a safe room for the town, and basketball courts in the town park. Volunteers also assisted on repairs for many other homes in Chapman. I walked around taking pictures of some of the homes still being repaired and thought about how much strain this had put on individuals and the entire community. I think it is fitting though in this time of the Advent Season to see the recovery underway and that sense of hope resurfacing. Catholic Charities will continue to be there as long as we are needed but are thankful that so much activity is in progress. We keep Chapman residents and all of those affected by storms and disasters in our Diocese in our prayers.

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FAMILY THANKFUL FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS
PROVIDED LAST YEAR

I was happy for my kids, they were excited to have presents for Christmas. “To see their smiles on their faces and being so grateful.” Even though I could not do that for myself, my kids know that there are people who care about them and that they are important for me. I really appreciated it because their Christmas turned out to be so much better.

I was thankful for the help that was given to me. Things happen out of your control – for example, when you do not receive child support or your vehicle needs to be worked on. Money can only go so far, being a single mother of three.

Our Christmas last year was very special; my kids were very happy with everything that they had received and were very grateful.

It was such a big relief to know that our family was being helped for Christmas, otherwise that would not have been a good one. My kids know and understand my situation, which it is not always easy and understand that I need help at times. I believe that when my children grow up they will always remember the help that we received. My kids have said that when they grow up they in turn will give back, since they know first hand what it is like to receive when most needed.

Thank you very much.

The Jones Family

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FAMILY MAKES PROGRESS
AFTER RECEIVING COUNSELING HELP IN CONCORDIA

This year our counseling clients have increased-most likely due to the increasing stress in our world. In Concordia Husch Hathorne, LSCSW, sees many kinds of clients ranging from individual men and women to older adults, couples, and families. It’s always difficult to assess how much help has been truly beneficial for a counseling client—so much change occurs after the counseling is long over.

And there are different kinds of counseling needed for each different kinds of problems. Short term behavioral solution based counseling is helpful for some problems, while longer term help is needed for more entrenched kinds of problems such as domestic violence or organic mental health issues.

Not all of our clients come in feeling hopeful however.

One such woman came in expressing feelings of suicide and serious depression. She was a recently separated mother of four children –all teens, and she was isolated in a new town, and without a job.

Through extensive interviews the woman relayed that her husband has been physically and emotionally abusive towards her and the children. Her husband, who worked in another state, was not sending her any financial support, and the family had trouble keeping their utilities on and the pantry stocked. Additionally she needed help with getting on top of her depression and was referred to a medical evaluator to assess her for medication and assist her in stabilizing her mood.

The client was struggling with whether or not to end the marriage. She had been struggling with this question for some time, and we were able to meet with her husband and children to see if reconciliation was possible. When she determined that her husband was not able to change his behavior towards her and the children, she decided to leave the marriage and rebuild her life and self esteem.

Taking the steps towards this new life was very hard for her. There were times when she questioned her decision, and fell back into old habits of self doubt, and expressing her anger at her children in frustration. But she continued to take the steps necessary to rebuilding her life and she also returned to church during this time.

Catholic Charities of Concordia were able to partner with Toys For Tots and with Jill and Mike Lamm’s help with (anonymously) providing Christmas gifts for the children, as well as a gift for their mother. The tears of gratitude the client expressed at having her children not have to suffer through Christmas morning without presents under the tree were heartfelt.

At the end of two years, she decided to go forward in her decision. She became employed. At about the same time she met another man who, through careful examination and a new set of eyes to assess his worthiness- she fell in love again. The new partner was not welcomed in her life carte blanche however--but instead with many opportunities to determine whether or not his behavior would be different from her early relationship patterns. Repeating patterns in relationship is very common and one of the necessary elements to confront when effecting a change in your life. This client was committed to looking at, and talking about what she needed- to her new partner, and to establish common interests and values which supported the relationship from the beginning. She watched his behavior and cautiously determined his intentions towards her family using the new skills she acquired from her work in therapy.

Some time later the children reported being happier, feeling more secure in the home, and enjoying the company of their mother’s new partner. The couple became engaged, and, are now planning their wedding. Though this client continues to work on her on-going mental health issues and relationship difficulties, she makes better choices and feels higher self esteem. Her story is one of many stories about the power of faith and the courage to make the changes needed to live a happier life.

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PROGRAM HELPS WOMEN, FAMILIES
 

This is a program operated by Catholic Charities through all our offices in the state of Kansas. It is offered as an alternative to abortion and provides assistance to pregnant women during their pregnancy. These are a few examples of people who have received help through this program.

My most memorable client was a middle aged woman, married with five children who came into the office requesting assistance with food. She became pregnant without planning to be and her husband was an unemployed laborer who had recently become injured. The woman worked part time at a fast food restaurant but her doctor had ordered her to bed rest and so now she could no longer work. She requested gas and food vouchers. Later she requested rental assistance when it became apparent the family wouldn’t be able to pay their rent and feared eviction.
She applied for SRS assistance but was unable to obtain the assistance she needed until a month ahead due to state requirements. We were able to give her a food voucher, gas voucher and help with a months housing assistance.

Another client came to the office in a quandary about her pregnancy. She was a young woman who had become pregnant and she was struggling with the decision to abort or not. Her boyfriend was supportive of the pregnancy and wanted to marry her. Neither of them was employed and they lived with his family. Through counseling the young woman decided to continue with the pregnancy, marry her boyfriend and both she and her then fiancé got jobs at a new fast food restaurant. They made plans for their wedding, and the pregnancy progressed healthfully. We were able to offer counseling, and food vouchers for this couple. She did not qualify for food stamps due to her living situation but we were able to assist her in applying for WIC and Medicaid for the delivery.

Another client came in as a married woman whose husband had just been laid off from his job. They were very young, and the pregnancy was unplanned. They had just rented a house but without a job weren’t sure they could afford to keep the baby and move into their own home. They were unqualified for state assistance due to his recent employment. We were able to find local resources for the couple through the food bank , offer them temporary food voucher as well and offer rent assistance so that the decision to become a family was more manageable .The young woman chose to come in on her own to counsel about parenting and baby care additionally.

For more information about this program contact any of our offices in the Salina Diocese.

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YOUTH PROGRAMS RECEIVE GRANT FROM SAM'S CLUB

A Sams Community Grant of $1,200 was awarded to the Catholic Charities youth programs. The funds will help children and youth with educational and enrichment activities, support parent groups and enrich the lives of youth and their families.

Assistant Manager, Michael Koelsch, Linda Saur, presented a check to Maribel Panuco, Hispanic Services Coordinator during a staff meeting on November 12th, 2008

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HAUSER ELECTED TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES' NATIONAL BOARD

Dr. Karen Hauser received word in September that she was elected to serve on the national Catholic Charities USA Board of Trustees representing Region G. This region includes Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas Nebraska and Missouri. Also running for this seat was Tom Mulhern, CEO of Catholic Charities, St. Louis, MO.

Dr. Hauser will receive an orientation to the board on December 4 at the national office in Alexandria, Virginia. This will be followed by board meetings on December 4 and 5, concluding with an evening mass.

Karen states that she wants to be a voice for the rural areas of our country. “I have always spoken up for people in small cities, towns, and farming communities who are struggling. As Catholic Charities USA pushes its campaign to reduce poverty they must recognize that it is not just an urban issue. Sometimes we are left out in the national agenda because of our population count, but America needs the productivity of these regions. Addressing healthcare and social services in these areas is more difficult because of the difficulty of attracting qualified people to provide services in less populated areas. The impact of faith-based organizations cannot be overlooked. That faith commitment to provide help to our brothers and sisters in need is so important.”

“Catholic Charities USA is updating its strategic plan for the future. We are also preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the national organization in 2010.”

“At this point, I am very new to the national board. I am excited about being a part of the governing board of this great organization. I look forward to sharing with you the stories of the work of Catholic Charities from around the country and to make sure that the success of our work in the Salina Diocese is a part of that story.”

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MARRIAGE FOR KEEPS STAFF RECEIVES TRAINING

The Marriage for Keeps staff attended training for the Within Our Reach curriculum in Wichita, KS from November 10 – 13th. This was an intensive workshop taught by two of the gentlemen who wrote the curriculum: Lief Noll and Lawrence Ramos. Our staff is now fully trained to facilitate the Within Our Reach program. Staff in attendance were:
Vivian Orndorff, Regional Coordinator
Sharon Scaramozza, Family Specialist/Recruiter
Holly Hicks, Administrative Assistant
Jim Baumgardner, Facilitator
Mary Baumgardner, Facilitator

Within Our Reach is a curriculum from PREP designed to help couples achieve their goals in relationships, family and marriage. The curriculum is designed to build on the existing strengths of the couple and add critical life and relationship skills that will help participants to create safer, more stable couple relationships, and by extension, better environments for their children.

Please visit our website or call our office for more information on this free program.
www.manhattancatholiccharities.org
785-537-7066

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DONATIONS TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES  RECOGNIZED

Catholic Charities wishes to recognize those who contributed to the charitable works of the Diocese in 2008. We appreciate all that you have done to help us provide services to over 3,000 persons in need of help. If you have contributed and do not see your name on the list, please contact us to let us know so we can recognize you in the next newsletter.

Bequests:

Donald J. Moody
Ray Flesher

Memorials:

Maurice Flavin
Al Ptacek
Rita Riordan
Theresa Koster
Brody Meyers

Donations:

Diane Kuffler
Greg Paglia
JDR Management
Tom & Deb Denning
Charlie & Denise Joslin
Francis “Pete” Henrisey
Ed & Karen Splichal
Larry & Mille Triplett
Rosanne Gillis
Knights of Columbus
Catholic Daughters
Green Lantern
Sisters of St. Joseph
Jerome & Susan Hellmer
St. Nicholas Parish
Mrs. Almita Augustine
Hospira
Patricia Parsons
Dr. & Mrs. Eugene Jarus
Leatrice Rott
Anthony & Nancy Hittner
Dorothy Bussen
St. Mary’s Parish
John & Christa Vizner
Mary Mullin
Marcella Kovanda
Lois Nadeau
Salina Lodge #60 AF & AM
Virienita Linenberger
Helen Albers
Justin & Susan Deges
Mrs. Vera Girard
Phil Coleman
Rolling Hills UCC Church
Mark & Kathleen Farr
David Forristal
Marjorie Leis
Pavers, Inc.
Christine Robl
William & Jan Shirk
Miriam Slipke
Joe & Jane Handlos
Gerald & Ima Jean Chavey
Raytheon Aircraft
Sacred Heart Cathedral Council of Catholic Women

Kansas Prairie Celebration Donations

Access Storage, Inc.
Bennington State Bank
Vince & Laurita Berland
B.J. Koetting, Inc.
Bonilla Rentals
Brown & Vogel
Diocese of Salina
Citywide Self Storage
Consolidated Printing
Crestwood
Grain Belt Supply Company
Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
Green Lantern
Michael Gutierrez Designs
Hauser & Associates
LULAC
McDonald’s of Salina
National Red Designs
Pestinger Heating & Air Conditioning
Verlin & Elaine Pfannenstiel
Pinnacle Bank
Val & Tina Rohleder
Sacred Heart Cathedarl
Saint Elizabeth’s Church
Saint Mary’s Church
Salina Journal
Salina Media Group
Salina Vortex
Solomon Corporation
Solomon State Bank
Sunflower Bank
The Register
Triplett, Inc.
UMB National Bank
Wedel Financial Group
Weems & Peck Investment Strategies
                                                                                                                  
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