Summer - Bethlehem House

SUMMER 2015
Stork
The
BethlehemHouseOmaha.org
DELIVERING YOUR BETHLEHEM HOUSE NEWS
A Life on the Line
When Marie Discovered She Was Pregnant,
a Trip to Abortion Clinic Revealed God’s Plan
One week after ending
an unhealthy and violent 3.5 year relationship, I took a home pregnancy test.
The test read “pregnant.” My stomach dropped. Believing the test
must be wrong, I took a second
test.
It was positive: I was pregnant. I
bawled.
I wasn’t ready for this life change. I
had just escaped a bad relationship
and I had to finish my semester of
school as a full-time student. In the
same month I lost my housing and
my job.
My life was spiraling.
My doctor confirmed I was about
six weeks pregnant. That confirmation came exactly one week after
my first and last physical fight with
my boyfriend.
After telling family, no one supported me having my baby. They
didn’t support the idea of adoption
and I really never thought about
that option much nor pursued more
information on it.
They did, however, support me
having an abortion. I, too, thought
that would be the best option. At
the time, I didn’t think about my
actions ending my child’s life. Abortion was a solution to a problem.
MJ & Company Photography
Miranda, a 2013 resident, has made herself available to share her story in hopes it will give
other women in crisis an opportunity to experience the loving support offered by Bethlehem
House. Through her hard work, Miranda inspires people with her ability to overcome hardship
and to accomplish great things. See what she’s up to now on page 6.
I called the abortion clinic in Bellevue on a Wednesday. I was now
eight weeks pregnant. They had an
opening for the following day.
I remember pulling into the parking lot and seeing the building. It
was surreal. The place looked like
death.
I had been feeling as if I was about
to make the wrong decision. Once
in the parking lot, I knew I couldn’t
go through with it. I felt as if God
was asking me to rely on Him.
When I was 18, my doctor told
me I would never have a child. So
I questioned why I would throw
away the baby’s life because of my
circumstances.
I also kept thinking about my life
years down the road and wondered
how I would feel each time my
baby’s birthdate passed.
I got out of the car anyway hoping
to see if there was information I
could get from inside to help me
feel more confident in my decision.
Also, I wanted to see if there were
any resources available to me since
I was now homeless and jobless.
I walked into the clinic and I was
told they had nothing for me and I
was asked to leave.
I started to return to our car. It was
intense. The father of my baby was
very upset and wanted nothing to
do with me or the baby.
I looked to my mother and received
no reassurance that I was making
the right decision. I was overwhelmed.
Thankfully, there were two people
standing on the sidewalk calling
out to me telling me they could
help me make a better decision
and that I should come with them
to get the information I needed.
I knew if I went with them and
chose to keep my baby, my exboyfriend would leave me alone. I
knew what I needed to do.
I spent the next two hours across
LIFE LINE continues on page 5
The Hilton has been generous to Bethlehem House, making it possible to host
our event in their stunning ballroom on the evening of October 3rd.
PRE-REGISTER
$75/person with option for those 35 and under to pay $45.
Validated parking.
Valet parking is $15/car.
SPONSOR
Dinner - For details, contact Mary at (402) 502.9224
Corporate table - $1,000
Community table - $750
STAY
The Hilton has blocked 10 rooms at $99. These rooms are first come, first serve
and must be booked by Sept. 11.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Monica at (402) 502.9224 or [email protected]
church Liaisons
We are seeking volunteers who are passionate about the mission of
Bethlehem House to serve as the lead contact person within your
church community as a Church Liaison.
Volunteer liaisons will educate their church members on ways to
support our mission (pray, volunteer, donate) and communicate and
promote important events and opportunities to church leadership and
members.
We ask for a minimum one year commitment to include attending a
one-time orientation, quarterly meetings and spend two-four hours per
month on tasks promoting our mission.
For more information, contact Elizabeth:
(402) 502.9224
[email protected]
director’s message
keeping her baby. In 2014, seven women either
considered abortion or were being pressured to
abort their babies before moving into Bethlehem
House. Since opening in 2005, we have lost one
person to abortion.
BethlehemHouseOmaha.org
2301 South 15th Street
Omaha, NE 68108
(402) 502-9224
The reality is, we’re not in control. Despite
choices made opposite of our hopes for mom
and baby, we stay strong knowing the Lord is
not asking us to be successful; rather, He asks
us to be faithful in all we do.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Kevin Bartak
VICE PRESIDENT Tony Krings
SECRETARY Mary Pat Sacco
TREASURER Dick Muller
Mike Bojanski
Deacon Terry Ficenec
Rich Gilloon
Fr. Lloyd Gnirk
Steve Knight
Dr. Ralph Kramper
Linda Maher
Ernie Mascarello
Erin McCartney
Jodi Sunderman
Craig Vavak
STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mary Crosby
FAMILY LIFE DIRECTOR Gina Tomes
AFTERCARE SPECIALIST Liz Gelnette
SPIRITUAL CARE & FAITH ADVISOR Ann Lenz
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT Monica Mora-Handlos
OVERNIGHT COORDINATORS
Gina Dinges | Marcy Thompson | Nina Kampe
the beauty of celebrating 10 years
As you’ll hear Ann, our spiritual care and faith
advisor, often say, “The outcome is none of our
business; it’s God’s business. He is working in
ways we may never see or hear about.”
MJ & COMPANY PHOTOGRAPHY
Life is messy and unpredictable. When we
welcome a new mom into our home, we have
little idea of the journey that has brought her to
our door.
With time, we build relationships with one another. In the safety of our family unit, we grow
and seek futures filled with possibilities.
As a staff, we often find ourselves marveling
at the beautiful transformations happening in
this place. Together, our family enjoys sharing
many joyful moments with you, but the road is
not easy.
There are days when it’s difficult to understand
how to navigate situations and feelings, especially when a mother may feel uncertain about
OUR MISSION
Bethlehem House provides support to pregnant
women to choose life for their unborn child in a
Catholic, residential environment both during and
after pregnancy.
The Spirit is moving at Bethlehem House and
we see it when we witness little miracles. We
have our eyes wide open to God’s presence in
each person.
Thank you for trusting us to be good stewards
of your generous support. Together, with our
volunteers, we will continue to prayerfully work
toward building a culture that respects the dignity of each person.
With love,
MARY CROSBY
I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean
that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore, will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
DID YOU KNOW?
Whenever possible, we
use photos of babies born
to women who are either
currently residing at or are
graduates of Bethlehem House.
― THOMAS MERTON, THOUGHTS IN SOLITUDE
You will know when the baby in the photo is one of
our Bethlehem House babies when you see the icon
of the stork, above, along with the baby’s name.
GO ONLINE TO SEE GREAT PHOTOS
FROM OUR MOST RECENT EVENTS:
BETHLEHEMHOUSEOMAHA.ORG
YOU’VE GOT MAIL!
Start receiving our newsletter, The
Stork, in your email inbox.
CHARITY GOLF OUTING | page 8-9
Go to www.BethlehemHouseOmaha.org and click on
“Subscribe” to sign up.
BOW OR BEAU CAKE DECORATING CONTEST | page 10-11
Our newsletter is one of the best ways to learn
about the women and children living and learning at
Bethlehem House.
Fore! Golfing a Good Game for a Good Cause
Cupcake Island Takes the Cake at Baby Fair
THE HUMBLE LILY PROGRESS REPORT | page 12-13
Sledgehammers & Pearls
2 | THE STORK | SUMMER 2015 | www.BethlehemHouseOmaha.org
HEALING HAPPENS IN THIS PLACE
Celebrating 10 years of service seems a bit surreal if you ask Family Life Director, Gina Tomes.
The years are filled with memories of women
who have come and gone.
When we think of the more than 150 women who
have called Bethlehem House home, we find that
each has changed us in some way, forever. The
women inspire us and keep us motivated.
Each life – both mother and child – matters to
us. Our relationships are personal and genuine.
Our authenticity proves fruitful as we watch the
beauty that often comes from working through
painful situations and emotional wounds of the
past, together.
Because healing happens in this place, women
are working towards amazing goals. Not including former residents already in college, four of
our current residents plan to attend College of
Saint Mary this fall and another plans to start
the LPN program in January. Two more ladies
are continuing their current studies at UNO and
Metropolitan Community College.
WE WALK IN FAITH
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going...
Bethlehem House educates each woman on child
care and personal life skills to assist them to be
self-sufficient.
BH SEEKS OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND SERVICES TO MORE WOMEN, CHILDREN
We have taken some big leaps of faith this year.
In the spring, we held our inaugural golf scramble
(a success!) and we signed a lease at 90th and
West Center Road to start building the dream of
The Humble Lily, a secondhand boutique that will
help generate monthly income to sustain our mission (see page 6 for details).
We are doing our best to be good stewards of
the many generous ways our community donates
to this mission. We have been given an incredible
gift that we must sustain and grow and it takes
your continued assistance to make it work.
We are capable of doing more and impacting
a greater number of lives. Currently, our volunteer Board is reviewing our ability to expand our
outreach in hopes of creating an opportunity for
us to serve our moms for an extended amount of
time via aftercare housing.
Aftercare Housing will afford a percentage of
women living at Bethlehem House the opportunity to transition into an apartment where onsite
staff would be available to provide extended support services for up to one additional year. Additional housing would also give us the ability
to serve women who are already parenting children in their care. This is a gap we wish to fill.
Since January, we’ve had to find alternative supportive housing for 67 percent of the women who
have inquired about living at Bethlehem House.
We were not able to accommodate these women
in crisis because our home is not equipped to
house older children.
THE BEST WAY THAT
YOU CAN HELP US
RIGHT NOW
THIS IS YOUR TIME TO ACT
Today, we ask you to prayerfully consider becoming a Century Club member or to renew your
membership. Your donation gives us the ability
to educate women, promote self-sufficiency,
build community, grow family support, and save
lives.
Please use the envelope included in this newsletter to submit your financial gift and to specify
what type of support you can give.
Our Century Club members (those committed to
gifting $100 or more annually) make up 12.8%
of our budget, which is the largest percentage of
our revenue.
An annual or monthly commitment helps us to
plan for the year ahead. What we’re working toward is a greater understanding of what we can
hope for in donations each month.
Every person here is wanted, valued and loved.
Thank you for your part in this extended family.
And as of July 1, we also hired a part-time
volunteer coordinator and a full-time boutique
manager.
Birth Announcements
GEMMA
Born to Kathryn
November 22, 2014
IRELAND
Born to Erica
December 29, 2014
BABY BOY
Born February 2015
ARIA
Born to Samantha
June 25, 2015
CARLOS
Born to Candelaria
June 27, 2015
BH baby
Be sure to share it with your family and friends!
www.BethlehemHouseOmaha.org | SUMMER 2015 | THE STORK | 3
family life
Three Keys
Unlock Doors
Celebrating
Baptism
Bethlehem House has gifted a total of $11,300
in scholarship money to seven women since
September 2014. As a prerequisite to the Three
Keys Project, each woman completed a 9-week
financial literacy boot camp offered by Creighton University’s Financial Hope Collaborative
which is hosted at Bethlehem House semiannually.
BH baby
RACHEL, 2013 resident, was able to access the
Three Keys scholarship to help pay for her housing over the summer at the College of St. Mary’s
Mothers Living & Learning program.
Rachel is using her summer to prepare for her
fall semester classes with regular tutoring sessions by a Sister of Mercy. She’s also spending
her days working part-time through the college’s
work study program and at The Humble Lily by
Bethlehem House.
To hear Rachel’s story about life before Bethlehem House, visit www.BethlehemHouseOmaha.
org.
SHAYLA, a 2013 resident, accessed her Three
Keys to help pay costs associated with her housing. This opportunity allowed Shayla to utilize
her hard-earned paychecks to pay off her debt.
At age 21, Shayla works full-time and parents
two young boys. Her hope is to attend Cosmetology school in 2016.
TATIANA, a current resident, utilized her Three
Keys to pay off a car loan. Tatiana has maintained a full-time job since her first month of
residency at Bethlehem House. She has also
managed to save enough money to acquire
her housing which will allow her to move out in
July, one month before her baby is born. Tatiana
will be attending the College of St. Mary this
fall with hopes to earn a certificate in Medical
Interpretation.
R., a current resident, accessed her Three Keys
to help pay her car bills. This mommy works
part-time and maintains visits with her children
who are in foster care. She has faced several
health issues which have required her to undergo multiple surgeries. Accessing her Three
Keys has given her some financial relief during
her hospital recoveries.
We are currently out of funding for this program
and cannot award additional scholarships until
we meet our 2015 financial goals.
As we watch things curiously fall into place,
like international chastity speaker Jason Evert
choosing to stop by to give a private presentation, we know that we are simply instruments
blessed to be a part of something beautiful.
LIFE LINE continued from page 1
the street at Essential Pregnancy Services. A woman
named Mary let me know all
my options and provided me
with resources.
my pregnancy out of wedlock
was not a burden but a blessing.
She reassured me that I was
not alone. She then told me
about Bethlehem House and
Catholic Charities and what
each had to offer. I felt hopeful
for the first time.
I started to get excited about
my baby’s arrival. People in my
family began to support me.
Relationships were mending.
I visited Bethlehem House and
felt a warm welcoming from
staff and the ladies living there.
I knew it was the place for me.
Although I felt safe at Bethlehem House, my journey was
filled with ups and downs.
Emmily, above, holds her baby girl, Emma’lina. In May, Emmily listened to a presentation on chastity when international speaker
Jason Evert stopped by Bethlehem House to give a private presentation. “It was absolutely life-changing,” she said of the
presentation.
International Chastity Speaker
Gives Private Presentation
God’s Presence Filled Me: I Want This Baby!
MJ & Company Photography
Baby Ireland, pictured above, was the first baby to be baptized
in the Bethlehem House chapel on May 23, 2015. Fr. Kevin
Schneider presided over Mass and about 60 members of our
big Bethlehem House family were in attendance.
Ireland’s mommy, Erica, is hopeful for what life has in store
for them and looks forward to starting college classes with a
scholarship at the College of St. Mary in the fall. Please keep
them in your prayers!
I considered adoption but I
wasn’t confident that it was the
plan God had intended for us.
One day on a Bethlehem House
retreat, I was lying in a hammock watching the sun peek
through the trees.
In that moment, God blessed
me and I came to fully realize
I wanted this baby!
I was mending.
Since moving into the house in
December 2014, I have grown
and evolved not only as a person but also as a prepared and
confident mother-to-be.
Bethlehem House has enabled
me with the time I needed to
complete another semester as
I work towards the social work
program at UNO.
Lenz to help me have a better
walk with God. Her spiritual
guidance has been a big key to
my success!
It has been amazing to be surrounded by other moms who
are in the same struggle as me.
We are able to help support
one another in our times of
need. We truly are one big family here at Bethlehem House. I
don’t know where I would be
today without them!
Although my journey has been
difficult, my story empowers
me. God gave me
a clean start after I
gave it all up to Him.
I have paired up with a psychologist at Catholic Charities to
help me work through my life’s
transitions, I have completed
a financial literacy class in our
home, and I have connected
with Bethlehem House’s spiritual care and faith advisor Ann
Emmily, a 2013 resident and pictured above,
allowed us to share her thoughts after hearing
Jason speak:
“Last night I witnessed a speaker by the name
of Jason. It was absolutely life-changing. The
good Lord above came through him to speak
to me personally. Even though there were 50
people around me, every scenario and situation
he discussed I have lived through.
Lately, I have been a mess with all the hardships
in my life and I pray often about relationships,
friendships, hope, raising my daughter and, last
but not least, love.
I learned last night that the only real love is the
love God has given us.
And I will never truly know love if I can’t have a
clear view on what it is.
I know I have many distractions and every day
I wake up and wish I could be strong enough to
just let go of the things that keep me from HIM.
4 | THE STORK | SUMMER 2015 | www.BethlehemHouseOmaha.org
IN HONOR OF
SPEAKER PHOTO
IN MEMORY OF
MARY CROSBY
Charlie and Dorothy Burkhalter
ALEXANDRA OTTO
Dave and Dianne De Wit
ANTOINETTE (TONI) BLAZEVICH
Ernie and Dee Mascarello
GRAHAM ENGEL
Amber Horn
RYAN, TERESA AND AMELIA PLETKA
Joseph and Marie Pletka
DOROTHY BRUKNER
Bob Whelan
TOM ERIXON
Scott Erixon
Johnathan and Amanda Godwin
CATHRYN RIECK
Nikki Rieck
BOB JARVIS
Ronald and Joyce Stranglen
TERI RIECK
Nikki Rieck
DON KEMP
Patricia Kemp
EVY’S FIRST BIRTHDAY
Christopher and Margaret Righter
TERRY LABEDZ
Bob Whelan
SAM & WILL
Kip and Deborah Squire
STEVE MYERS
Philip and Jeanne Schreier
MY MOM, AUNT AND COUSIN BETTY
Sandra Watson
HELEN AND PAT PARR
William and Susan Parr
Together, Jason Evert (above) and his wife, Crystalina, run
the Chastity Project in Denver. They have spoken to over
one million people on six continents on topics ranging from
chastity to spirituality and vocations. Learn more about them
at ChastityProject.com.
FR. MATT GUTOWKSI
Deacon Terry and Karen Ficenec
I know change doesn’t happen overnight, but I
will come out alive, strong, successful, and be a
woman of God.”
MONIKA MAIDES
Thomas and Rita Hejkal
Anonymous
ELMER AND BECKY HERMAN
Deacon Terry and Karen Ficenec
DAVID AND LINDA KULM
Deacon Terry and Karen Ficenec
REV. MR. JOSEPH TRUNG NGUYEN
Luis Alvarez
FR. FRANK PARTUSCH
Fr. Paul Ortmeier
JIM PARYS, BABY PARYS AND
CARMEN COREEN PARYS
Caroline Parys
JANET PILON
Philip and Jeanne Schreier
RONNIE RYDBERG
Len and Robbin Dworak
Scott and Debra Love
MARY SIBLEY
Philip and Jeanne Schreier
JO ELLEN VRBKA
Philip and Jeanne Schreier
SUZANNE WHELAN
Bob Whelan
ALESE GRACE
Philip and Jeanne Schreier
www.BethlehemHouseOmaha.org | SUMMER 2015 | THE STORK | 5
help us grow
people, places & things
The Humble Lily to Open this Summer
Donations Steady but More Needed to Ensure Racks Full, Revenue Robust
Every day I am in awe of community members who
bring in their donations with hearts open to help in any
way they can. I am humbled by the graciousness of
our volunteer staff who give their time so generously
in an effort to see The Humble Lily come to fruition.
--SUE ANN SELLON
Since announcing our signing of a lease at the
John T. Turco & Associates building for over
4,000 sq. ft. of retail space, we have made
incredible progress in preparation for opening at
the end of the summer but we still have much
more to do.
HOW THE HUMBLE LILY
BENEFITS OUR COMMUNITY
Your commitment to donate, volunteer and shop
will help to grow our mission so we can serve
more women and families. Women served by
Bethlehem House are able to use “mommy
money” gifted to them by staff to shop with
dignity for things they need at the store.
Former residents who have been hired by
Bethlehem House to help at the boutique can
provide for their families while working to give
other women in crisis an opportunity to receive
the same loving support they have experienced.
The boutique and café-like meeting space will
allow our community, you, to shop and meet up
with friends.
All proceeds benefit women and children in
crisis and will allow us to grow our important
mission within our community.
ORGANIZE A DONATION DRIVE
SAMANTHA STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY
ABOVE, LEFT: Our second annual Beau or Bow Cake Competition was held this spring during
Baby Love Essentials, Omaha’s Only Baby Fair. Four expecting mothers were paired with four
bakers competing for the honor of Winning Cake Artist in this gender reveal cake decorating
competition. This year’s first place prize went to Dave Barry (pictured) at Cupcake Island.
Autumn Pruitt from Bliss Old Market Bakery won second place for her gorgeous creation.
COLENE BUSHON PHOTOGRAPHY
SELLON BRINGS EXPERIENCE TO
BENEFIT BETHLEHEM HOUSE
“I am overjoyed to be a part of such an incredible mission,” said Sellon. “This whole mission
is divinely inspired and I am blessed to be a
participant in this journey.”
MJ & COMPANY PHOTOGRAPHY
FORMER RESIDENT FINDS A
HOME AT THE HUMBLE LILY
Former resident, Miranda, has been hired as a
sales associate and key holder.
“Two years ago, I never imagined that traveling
difficult roads would lead to such a beautiful
destination. I feel that my work is a reflection of
the heart and God is watching. I feel blessed to
be able to be a part of The Humble Lily,” said
Miranda.
We need to double the amount of clothing we currently
have in order to ensure we’ll be able to keep our store racks
stocked in the first couple months.
STEP 1 Let your friends and family know you are collecting
clothing in great condition. Our donation wish list is available online at www.BethlehemHouseOmaha.org.
If you have questions or would like additional information
about how you can get involved with either Bethlehem
House or The Humble Lily, please contact us.
To help us reach our goal, please consider hosting a clothing donation drive for Bethlehem House.
Steps one through three will help you get started.
STEP 2 Collect donations.
Bethlehem House (402) 502.9224
The Humble Lily (402) 933.3366
STEP 3 Drop off donations to our boutique Monday-Friday
from 10AM to 6PM or on Saturdays from 10AM to 2PM.
6 | THE STORK | SUMMER 2015 | www.BethlehemHouseOmaha.org
ABOVE, RIGHT: Executive director, Mary Crosby, joins Susan and Dan Leonard of title spon-
sor GMS Benefits, Inc. at the charity golf outing on Thursday, May 14 at Tiburon Golf Club.
Board president, Kevin Bartak, chaired the inaugural golf event which raised over $9,000 for
Bethlehem House and garnered the participation of 25 teams. The foursome made up of Bill
McPhillips, Katie Mantz, Tom Goering, and Dave McGill took home the trophy.
Thank You
Sue Ann Sellon has been hired as store manager. She began full-time volunteer work to help
build the dream of The Humble Lily in March.
After gifting countless hours of her time and
expertise, Sue Ann became a full-time employee
of Bethlehem House on July 1.
Sue Ann brings many years of experience as a
restaurant and secondhand fashion franchise
owner, making her a perfect fit for this project.
She is also an accomplished writer recently
releasing her second book Secrets of the Porch,
an inspirational Christian novel. STAFF PHOTO
You can also learn more about The Humble Lily by visiting
our website: TheHumbleLily.com.
EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS
Diaconate Community, Archdiocese of Omaha
Dr. James Smith and Andrew Gorman, CHI Health
Creighton Medical Center
Michelle Homme, Constant Change, LLC
Creighton Medical Students
Financial Hope Collaborative, Creighton University
Michelle Nathaniels, Seldin Corporation
MEALS
Bob and Theresa Gunia
John and Leslie McDonnell
Jack and Kay Monzingo
Bill and Tamyra Hower and Rachel
MOMMs - MENTORING COMMITTEE
Rachel Burns
Inga Eanes
Suzy Heffron
Linda Maher
Judy Mansisidor
Mary Prusa
Jo Vasa
Vicki Verdoni
Jennifer Williams
CHRISTMAS SPONSORS
Jennifer Allred
Bob & Theresa Gunia
Leslie and John McDonnell
Reality Life Church
Nikki & Bernie Schaefer
HEALING THE CULTURE
Deacon Dave and Peggy Fischman
Knights of Columbus, Council #11364 Holy Cross, Omaha
Doug Lenz
Deacon Trung and Hanh Nguyen
Deacon John and Tina Vrbka
BEAU OR BOW CAKE COMPETITION
volunteer spotlight
Bethlehem House thanks PHIL LORDEMANN for 10 years of dedicated volunteer work. Phil,
with his wife Grace and extended family, have been integral in providing resources to help
sustain the mission. Thank you Phil, and all, for your gifts of time and love.
MASS CELEBRANTS
Msgr. Robert Laliberte
Fr. John Montag, SJ
Fr. Kevin Schneider, SJ
Fr. Don Shane
Fr. Michael Voithofer
RETREAT
Joan Heck
KNOWLES MERCY SPIRITUALITY CENTER
Pam Hamburger & Marisa Gilbert
Marie Micheletto
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke
Fr. Kevin Schneider, SJ
Margie Walker
OTHER VOLUNTEERS
Jennifer Allred
John Boni
Colene Bushon Photography
Jim & Karla Franzluebbers
John Klimek
Mary Prusa
Brandi Wertz
Members of the Teen Advisory Board
CUDDLE CARE
Sr. Johanna Burnell
Sr. Diane Davidson
Sr. Eva
Sr. Pat Forret
Rachel & Samantha Burns
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
St. Charles Borromeo
St. John Vianney
St. Wenceslaus
ROOM ADOPTIONS
StoneBridge Christian Church members
Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community
EVENTS
OPEN HOUSE PREP
Sr. Pat Forret
Kate Kaldenberg
Brother Knights, Knights of Columbus
St. Charles Borromeo
St. John Vianney
St. Wenceslaus
Licia Downard
Steve Knight
Patricia’s Catering
Mary Rossman
Deacon Harold Sawtelle, Harold’s Painting
Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community
Samantha Stock Photography
Miranda Thomassen
WOWT
Baby Love Essentials
Kristi Wilson, Kate Hansen, Theresa Braasch
Baby Junk
Andrea Foley & Stephanie Moore
Baker’s (132nd & Maple)
Rashell Ryan & Mary Morris
Bliss Old Market Bakery
Autumn Pruitt & Laurie Hardy
Cupcake Island
Dave Barry & Heather Nelson
Hy-Vee
Lisa Gallup & Mandy Syslo
KETV Channel 7’s Melissa Fry
Mommy participants
Jessica & Jacob Dugger
Jennie & Jesse Dunavan
Jennifer & Cullen Herout
Cheree & Jeremy Ritter
Q98.5
Jenny Olive & Sausha Thomas
River City Confectioners Association Corinne Saliga
Samantha Stock Photography
Sunnyheart Photography
Venn Market Strategies
VNA
Sandy Kirchoff & Lequisha Johnson
GOLF SCRAMBLE
Title Sponsor: GMS Benefits, Inc.
Lunch Sponsor: Access Bank
Dinner Sponsor: Tony & Martha Krings
Hole Sponsors
Ambassador Title Services
Asthma & Allergy Center
H4 Technology and P&E Group
Quinn Insurance
Sisters of Mercy WMW Community
USMPS
Additional Thanks
Tiburon Golf Club
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A charity golf outing was held on May 14th at Tiburon Golf Course to
benefit Bethlehem House. Board president, Kevin Bartak, chaired and
organized the inaugural event.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Fr. Ryan Lewis and Jason Sterba make
their way across the course in their ride of choice; Title Sponsors, Dan
and Susan Leonard; Kris Bosiljevac, Bryan Kreifels, and Nick Mickells
enjoy their time on the course together. A little rain couldn’t keep these
golfers off the greens!
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THE 2ND ANNUAL BETHELHEM HOUSE BEAU OR BOW CAKE COMPETITION was held this past spring during Baby
Love Essentials, Omaha’s Only Baby Fair. Four expecting mothers were paired with four bakers competing for the honor
of Winning Cake Artist in this gender reveal cake decorating competition.
1. The winning cake by Dave Barry at Cupcake Island. It’s a ... boy!
2. Dave Barry, Cupcake Island; Mommy Participant Jennifer Herout; and Heather Nelson, Cupcake Island.
3. Mommy Participant Cheree Ritter and Mandy Syslo from Hy-Vee at 132nd and Dodge Streets.
4. FRONT ROW, left to right: Mommy Participants Jennie Dunavan, Jessica Dugger, Cheree Ritter and Ritter’s daughter. 2ND ROW: Mommy Participant Jennifer Herout, Laurie Hardy, Autumn Pruitt (Bliss Bakery), Mary Morris (Baker’s),
and Mandy Syslo (Hy-Vee). 3RD ROW: Heather Nelson and Dave Barry.BACK ROW: Sausha (Q98.5), Jenny (Q98.5),
Mary Crosby, Kristi Wilson (Baby Love Essentials), Monica Mora-Handlos, and Gina Tomes.
5. Rashell Ryan, Mommy Participant Jessica Dugger, and Mary Morris.
6. Rub-a-dub-dub, baby’s in the tub! The Baker’s team’s cake entry.
7. Owl love you forever! HyVee’s decorated gender reveal cake entry.
8. Autumn Pruitt, Jennie Dunavan, Laurie Hardy.
9. Autumn, owner of Bliss Bakery in the Old Market, won second prize for her floral bird’s nest cake.
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PROGRESS ON THE HUMBLE LILY IS WELL UNDER WAY. With plans to open late summer, our volunteer base has been
instrumental in helping us move closer and closer to our grand opening.
1. Bil-Den Glass installs new floor to ceiling windows on the east side of the building, facing 90th Street.
2. Volunteers have spent countless hours processing, cleaning, and tagging the large amount of jewelry that has been
donated.
3. A local Boy Scout troop donated their time to build merchandising tables. John Daskiewicz works on staining one of the
tables he built.
4. Deacon Terry Ficenec, left, works with members of the Bethlehem House Men’s Guild on demolition day.
5. A group of young women with Young Neighbors in Action drove from Wisconsin to help out with sorting and cleaning
jewelry in order to earn their service hours.
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