Watch the 2024 Night of Hope Replay

Night of Hope Speaker #1: Taylor Proud.

As an Omaha native, Taylor Proud has always dreamed of raising a family in our great Midwestern state, grounded in traditional Catholic values. For the past five years, she and her husband, Christian, have devoted their lives to advocating for the unborn and supporting their children in the fight for life. Taylor holds a degree in Pastry Arts from the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute and specializes in baking for dietary restrictions. However, has temporarily retired from career baking while her children are still young.

She has been featured on Spirit Catholic Radio and actively serves as a board member for Guiding Grace, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting women throughout their motherhood journeys. Taylor will share her and Christian’s journey through infertility and pregnancy loss, demonstrating how their trust in God has guided them through adversity and helped them embrace faith over fear.

Join us for the 12th Annual Night of Hope on Thursday, December 5th.

Night of Hope Speaker #2: Pamela Kocina-Kerzman.

God’s Reveal

My oldest son Nate turned 18 on Sept 17, 2004. Six weeks into his college experience we lost him 11 days later, Sept 28, 2004. In the years that followed his passing, I grew accustomed to God Signs, God Winks or Nate Connections. However, by 2015 all the precious signs had all but disappeared. Then in February 2016, I was told by a friend about her women’s trip to Italy for the Canonization of Saint Mother Teresa. When she called to invite me she did not know Mother was my spiritual mentor for more than 20 years. I wanted to go, but financially I didn’t know how I could swing it. At the time, I was a single mom with 2 kids in college and one at Creighton Prep.

Even though there were many obstacles, miracles happened and I was able to make the trip with 20 women on a trip of a lifetime. Out of the 20 women, my closest connection was with two of my Daniel J Gross classmates. While in Italy, I was focused and hopeful that I would receive at least one God Sign/Wink or Nate Connection. Unfortunately, there was nothing for the first 6 days but then just as St. Mother Teresa’s canonization was going to start, God revealed the most amazing Nate Connection. Aug 29th – Sept 6, 2016 Italy trip

Night of Hope Speaker #3: Mickey Holthe.

Feeding my Fears with my Faith.

When asked to speak at this year’s NOH, she was going to share how her faith fed her fears from a breast cancer diagnosis in 2014 and was celebrating 10 yrs as cancer free. However, with her recurrence of breast cancer she is going to explain how her faith has deepened even more.

She wants to share how God has a purpose for every situation that we experience, and He brings people into our lives not by chance! Lastly, she wants to thank everyone for their prayers and support that they have given to her family. Please join us for an inspirational evening with good friends and incredible messages of faith.

Night of Hope Speaker #4: Karen McMillan .

Born and raised in the Omaha Archdiocese. Attended St Bernadette grade school and graduated from Daniel J Gross high school. I received my bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. I worked in hospital settings for approx. 20 years and since 2011 have been working for a home health care company. I am happily married to Matt McMillan and have 6 beautiful children ages 34-19 and 2 granddaughters. We are parishioners at St. Columbkille in Papillion.
I have happily taught OCIC to children for many years at St. Columbkille and I sacristan at St Cecelia’s Cathedral during the week. I’m a sidewalk counselor at the Bellevue Abortion Mill. I enjoy being involvedwith the OCIA program at St Columbkille and participating in Bible studies.

At 6:30 am local time on Oct. 7th, 2023, Hamas launched a land, sea and air assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip. 1,200 people were killed and 251 kidnapped. My pilgrim group was in Jerusalem at that time. I will share our struggles, joys, and graces from this unexpected twist of events. Our expectations and agendas quickly dissolved and GOD’s intentions led us on a very different journey of complete surrender to HIS will.