News & Events

Sound of Freedom, released Angel Studios on July 4, 2023 shines a light on the  darkness of human trafficking.   This powerful film leaves few viewers untouched by it's message.  With more than one million tickets already sold many will be called to take action to end this agregious assault to the life and dignity of human persons.  Where do we begin?  How can we make a difference?

Begin by knowing the facts about human trafficking... 

• Human Trafficking is not a distant problem.  

This form of modern day slavery occurs in every US State and Territory.  A 2016 study published by Creighton University found in a single month more than 900 ads selling individuals for sex in Nebraska.  Many Nebraska communities were identified as hot spots for sex trafficking based on the number of online ads per capita.  (Creighton Human Trafficking Initiative).  According to I've Got A Name,  a Faith-Based advocacy group in Lincoln, 1 out of every 250 high school and middle school students in Nebraska enter the commercial sex trade each year and more than 600 Nebraska human services providers have identified sex trafficking victims younger than 17.

• Not All Trafficking Victims are "Missing Persons"

"Trafficking" refers to the buying and selling of human persons as commodities.  An individual can be used in this way by another person while still residing in their community, living with their family, attending school, etc...  

Human trafficking victims can be any age, race, gender identity, sex, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, and socioeconomic class.  Causing anyone under the age of 18 to engage in a commercial sex act, regardless of using force, fraud, or coercion, is human trafficking under U.S. law (The Blue Campaign).

A young person in your own community / school / parish could be a victim of trafficking.   Watch for these signs (Shared Hope International) :

• Physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts

• Unexplained absences from class

• Sexualized behavior

• Overly tired in class

• Withdrawn, depressed, distracted or checked out

• Brags about making or having lots of money

• Less appropriately dressed than before or new expensive clothes, accessories or shoes

• New tattoo (tattoos are often used by pimps as a way to brand victims. Tattoos of a name, symbol of money or barcode could indicate trafficking)

• Older boyfriend or new friends with a different lifestyle

• Talks about wild parties or invites other students to attend parties

• Shows signs of gang affiliation (colors, notebook doodles of gang symbols, etc.)
   

• Human Trafficking extends beyond the sex trade.

Of the 40.3 million in modern slavery globally, the International Labour Organization estimates • 81% are trapped in forced labor • 25% are children • 75% are women and girls (The Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center).  

• Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?

• Has a child stopped attending school?

• Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?

• Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?

• Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?

• Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?

• Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?

• Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?

• Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?

• Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?

• Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?

• Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?

• Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?

• Help Exists.

There are numerous organizations across the state of Nebraska across the country and throughout the world dedicated to responding to reports of trafficking, providing healing and outreach to survivors, and implementing prevention efforts. 

If you observe indicators of Trafficking:

• Report  to the Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423 or www.ice.gov/tips.

• Get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting HELP or INFO to 233733 (BEFREE).  Chat the National Human Trafficking Hotline via humantraffickinghotline.org/chat.

• If you have information on goods produced with forced labor destined for importation into the United States, provide it to CBP at www.eallegations.cbp.gov and HSI at ICE.ForcedLabor@ice.dhs.gov.

• Report missing children or child pornography to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) or through their Cybertipline.

• If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.

• The Catholic Church in the United States is involved in efforts to end Human Trafficking. 

Learn more about the Church's efforts at:

Catholic Relief Services

Today is the Feast of St. Maria Goretti, Patron Saint of Abused Children.  Please pray for her intercession for the prevention of abuse and the healing of all who suffer its effects.

Dear God,
We ask you to help all those who suffer from abuse. Help them find healing and peace in their life.
May Maria Goretti, who was strengthened by Your Grace, join with us in prayer for healing of all victims of abuse, particularly those abused as children or young adults.
Grant us your Love that we might reach out to them in Your Name with hope in times of trial.
As Maria prayed for her attacker, grant us the grace to pray for the true conversion of all involved with the abuse, that they might seek Your Mercy through prayer and penance.
Loving God, pour into our hearts and lives your healing Spirit, that the sacredness of every human person might be respected and protected as the precious image of God.
Help us to live in the peace which MariaGoretti had found in Christ and in the love of his mother Mary.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer by Diocese of Corpus Christi

One in four people will be affected by a mental health problem at some point in their lives, yet the stigma surrounding mental health silences many and prevents faith communities from responding compassionately and effectively (The Sanctuary Course for Catholics).  May is Mental Health Awareness Month and May 15 is the Feast Day of St. Dymphna, patron saint of nervous and mental disorders.  Please consider one or more of the following means of providing outreach and promoting awareness in the month of May:

• Pray with Pope Francis on May 8  The Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (CMHM) partners with the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network and Click to Pray to offer a Monthly Day of Prayer for Mental Health. Each 2nd Monday of the month, CMHM will offer prayers and a blog post, connected to the Pope's monthly prayer intention.  You may pray with us via the Click to Pray app or the Click to Pray website.

• On the feast day of St. Dymphna, May 15, join the Catholic Psychotherapy Association and parishes across the country in offering a Mass intention for those afflicted with mental health issues and for the mental health practitioners who support them.

  • Invite Mental Health Practitioners to attend the mass and receive a blessing. 
  • Host a Resource Fair following the mass or on another date in May. 
  • Find Worship and Liturgy Resources here:  

    • Prayers of the Faithful - National Catholic Partnership on Disability

    • Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers | Worship and Liturgy Resources (catholicmhm.org)

• Distribute St. Dymphna and St. John of the Cross Prayer Cards

  • ​​​​​​​Saint Dymphna and Saint John of God Prayer Cards | NCPD - National Catholic Partnership on Disability
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​https://www.thekatiefoundation.org/storedonate.html

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Wear Green Ribbons to promote Mental Health Awareness

• Offer The Sanctuary Course for Catholics in your parish.  The course is available in English and Spanish on  Formed or at: https://sanctuarymentalhealth.org/catholics/. 

• Share information about Mental Health Ministry and consider developing a ministry in your parish.  Learn more at:  https://catholicmhm.org/  (Grant funding is available through the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers to develop lay Mental Health Ministries in parishes, to promote awareness, and to offer outreach.)

• Share the book When a Loved one Dies by Suicide by Bishop John Dolan and Deacon Ed Shoener. 

  • ​​​​​​​Or show the video series at your parish.  The series is available on Formed or at:  https://catholicmhm.org/whenalovedonediesbysuicide

• ​​​​​​​Offer Welcome and Hospitality.  Find guidance here: 

  • ​​​​​​​compassion-in-action.pdf (hhs.gov)
  • reachongoutwithhospitality.pdf (ecatholic.com)
  • How to Be Inclusive and Welcoming | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
  • Supporting People with Mental Illness in your Parish | NCPD - National Catholic Partnership on Disability

• Promote the diocesan initiative to facilitate Access to Mental Health Care

Worship Guide

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Pope Francis Prays for Those with Mental Illness and Victims of Suicide

"I would like to remember our brothers and sisters who suffer from mental illness, and also victims – often young people – of suicide. Let us pray for them and their families, so that they are never left alone, or discriminated against, but instead are welcomed and supported."

Angelus on World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2021

Every home a safe haven… that is the goal of Safe Haven Sunday, a movement inspired by the United States’ Bishops 2015 Pastoral Response to Pornography, Create in Me a Clean Heart.¹  The US Bishops recognize that the impact of pornography is far reaching.  In the words of Archbishop Charles Chaput, “Pornography is a problem and is causing great confusion in our culture, marriages, homes and faith communities. Children are the most vulnerable; their brains are still developing and are most impressionable.^”2   
READ MORE 
(page 24 of the January / February 2023 WNC Magazine)

Join us at weekend Masses March 5, 2023 to pray together in support of parents, the protection of youth, and the building of safe havens within every domestic church.