March 3—St. Katherine Drexel
The Omaha Archdiocese has a connection with St. Katherine
Drexel. She founded St. Augustine
Mission in Winnebago, Nebraska in 1909 at the request of Bishop O’Connor to
serve the Native American people of the Omaha and Winnebago tribes. She also founded the Sisters of the Blessed
Sacrament to serve both Native Americans and African Americans. She also founded Xavier University in New
Orleans. By the time of her death in
1955 there were over 500 sisters teaching in 63 schools throughout the country.
St. Katherine Drexel did all this instead of living the life
of a rich heiress, which she was. She
had money equivalent to $250 million today.
But she dedicated her life and her fortune to those who were the
outcasts of American society. She gave
real meaning to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
We too are called to live the works of mercy in our daily
lives as we can. It might mean donating
time to the Francis/Siena House or clothing to Undie Sunday or helping the
RCIA program as a sponsor or joining the Knights of Columbus and assisting in
their good works. It also might mean
something as simple as giving a ride to someone or visiting a neighbor or
playing cards with someone in a nursing home.
Ultimately it may mean being nice when someone is mean to us and
forgiving instead of griping. Jesus
calls us to remember that we will be judged by how we serve him in others.
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