Past Events

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.  With so many concerns facing our world today, war, political division, social unrest, and economic instability it can be challenging to stay alert to the signs of abuse and the needs of those seeking healing.   It is imperative that we, as Church, continue to share a message of hope and healing.   
Find prevention and healing resources here

Child Abuse Prevention Month Calender pdf

Bishop Joseph G. Hanefeldt will be celebrating a Mass for Healing and Reparation on April 19, 2020.  This annual mass during Child Abuse Prevention Month offers prayers of healing  and reparation for all affected by abuse.   Please join us at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 112 South Cedar, Grand Island, Nebraska, on Tuesday, April 19, at 5:15 pm or pray along with us via livestream at:  https://www.facebook.com/CatholicDioceseofGrandIsland/ or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGUv8gOMByRuNm-tsrE0NQw

Download Worship Guide HERE

The theme of the Diocesan Child Protection Office Christmas tree displayed in the Stuhr Museum Fantasy of Trees Exhibit this year is With a Father’s Heart.   The tree decorations, made of recycled materials, depict Saint Joseph sheltering the Holy Family.  Tree ornaments and free materials draw from our continuing education session “Cultivating Spiritual Fatherhood in the Year of St. Joseph.”  Copies of the book “Show Us the Father,” bookmarks, and CPO brochures are available to viewers of the exhibit.  
The tree supporting Fatherhood and depicting the Holy Family was awarded, Best Represents the Organization  by the judges at Stuhr Museum. and was featured on the front page of the December 1 issue of the Grand Island Independent. 

With A Father's Heart Materials:

With A Father's Heart Bookmark
Prayer in the Year of St. Joseph Bookmark
Dads Make a Difference Bookmark

Child Protection Office Brochures:

Child Protection Office
CPO Safe Environment Program
CPO Victim Assistance Ministry

Resources for Fathers:

Cultivating Spiritual Fatherhood in the Year of St. Joseph
The Year of St. Joseph Resources
 Fatherhood on Gidiocese.org

(Independent/Josh Salmon) This Christmas tree display from the Diocese of Grand Island Child protective Office, is part of the," Fantasy of Tree's" exhibit at the Stuhr Museum. The cross tree in the back is from New Hope Christian school in Cairo. The tree display is available for viewing until the end of the year.
Josh Salmon

The Child Protection Office has a collection of Right-Relationship themed tree decorations are available for display within the Diocese of Grand Island.  If you would like to borrow a set for use in your parish or school email us at cpo@gidiocese.org 

With a Father's Heart tree decorations will be available next year for display at your parish or school!

Some have described the crisis of child abuse in our culture, and especially within our Church, as a crisis of fatherhood.  Clergy who abused or did not protect children and youth did not fulfill their vocational role as spiritual father.  Many families in our world today are missing fathers to follow the example of St. Joseph as protector and guide.  More and more young people find themselves lost in their search for The Father and vulnerable in their search for love and connectedness.  This session examines the role of fathers in protection, resiliency and healing, follows the model of Saint Joseph in fostering Spiritual Fatherhood, and provides strategies to cultivate spiritual fatherhood for all  children.  
For more information contact the Diocesan Child Protection Office at cpo@gidiocese.org or your parish Safe Enviornment Coordinator.

"Violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified. Violence in any form-physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal is sinful; often, it is a crime as well." 
USCCB, When I Call for Help, 2002.

Domestic violence is a hidden scourge on our families and communities. Those who are victimized often keep it a private matter for various reasons: fear, shame, well-intended efforts to preserve the family. Aggressors, if they even recognize their problem, are not likely to have it addressed. Yet it touches many, and knows no boundaries of race, social class, ethnicity, creed or age (most victims are first abused as teens). Statistics suggest one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and three in four Americans are reported to know a victim, though most episodes are not reported to the authorities. Although the majority of victims are female, an estimated 15% are males.
read more at USCCB Life Matters

The Catholic Bishops of the United States affirmed their stance against domestic violence, and their support for victims of domestic violence, in their 2002 statement, When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women, an updated version of their 1992 statement.
read more at USCCB When I Call for Help

What’s the difference between normal conflict and domestic violence? Conflict is part of every intimate relationship–that’s why conflict resolution skills are important. Domestic violence, however, has no place in a healthy relationship, whether the couple is dating, cohabiting, engaged, or married.
read more at USCCB For Your Marriage

Around the globe, governments have implored residents to stay home to protect themselves and others from the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19. But for domestic violence victims—the vast majority of whom are women and children—home is a dangerous place.
read more at Catholics for Family Peace

Help is available. 
Go to The National Domestic Violence Hotline  (https://www.thehotline.org/) 
Call  1-800-799-SAFE (7233)  or  911 for emergency assistance.

For support within the Church and help finding local resources call our Victim Assistance Ministry at 1-800-652-2229