- Donor Stories
Sharing God’s Blessings: The Galusha’s Impact on Youth Ministries and Missionary Work
Jack and Tracy Galusha’s story is rooted in faith, family, and a deep commitment to their community. The couple’s connection to their Catholic faith is woven into every aspect of their lives, from their family farm to their involvement at local parishes and youth ministries. The Galusha’s journey has taken them through various small Nebraska towns, always anchored in their desire to grow in faith and give back.
Their story with the Catholic Foundation of Southern Nebraska began with a desire to do something even greater for the youth in their community. Inspired by their faith and the blessings they have received, the Galushas decided to channel their resources and energy into supporting youth ministries, and missionary work to give the next generation guidance and opportunities to thrive in faith.
A Return to Faith and Farming
The rural landscape of Nebraska often calls back to those who grow up in America’s heartland, and when Tracy returned from college to her hometown, the two knew they wanted to make a home in Fillmore County. They took root in Grafton, a spiritual rural community close to the family farm. It’s also a quick commute to McCool, where Jack works for Farmers Co-op, and to Sutton, where Tracy is Secretary at St. Mary Catholic Church.
Life on the farm is a team effort. Jack’s relatives pitch in, and Tracy takes care of the children and their busy schedules. Jack and Tracy know the importance of staying connected to their community and their faith. Jack finds time to coach high school football, run a farm, and help raise the kids, while Tracy often helps out St. Mary’s, as well as St. Helena’s Catholic Church in Grafton.
“I grew up a cradle Catholic, and it wasn’t until college that I really started to take my faith seriously,” says Tracy. A chance encounter with a Bible study group while in graduate school ignited a deeper love for her faith. “It was like God was saying, ‘Say yes,’ and I’m so glad I did.”
Jack’s journey was similar, if not as direct. “When we started dating, I knew I wanted to make things work with Tracy, and that meant getting my life together, including my faith. She helped me with that,” he says. Together, they committed to raising their children Catholic, and their faith has continued to grow as they teach their kids about the importance of religion.
Finding a Way to Give Back
When Jack and Tracy first heard about the Foundation, they were intrigued by the idea that they didn’t have to give cash or take from other funds to contribute. “We had been tithing for a while, but I realized we weren’t quite reaching that 10% mark. It was a matter of trust. We had to trust God with our finances like we had with other areas of our life – our fertility, our family – but finances were hard,” says Tracy. The Galushas were blessed in 2022 with a particularly good farming year – high yields and great prices for corn. They took it as a sign that it was time to give more.
“We knew we were going to have an influx of income and wanted to be generous with it,” Tracy explains. After discussing their desire to support youth ministry, they connected with the Foundation’s Gift Planning Officer, Scott Yates. He introduced them to a way of donating grain directly, which provides tax benefits because the couple didn’t realize the income. This strategy allowed the couple to write off the cost of raising the crop and avoid the self-employment tax, allowing the Galushas to start the fund and allocate the money for the youth ministry program.
Supporting Youth Ministries and Mission Trips
With the help of the Foundation, Jack and Tracy were able to establish the St. Mary’s Sutton Youth Ministry Fund, which specifically supports youth ministry and mission trips. “Our parish had been talking about doing a mission trip for years,” says Tracy. “We wanted to be involved, and this fund made that possible.” The fund helped cover costs for students participating in the parish’s first international mission trip to San Pedro, Belize.
“We took 10 high school students and one college student on this trip, along with three chaperones,” Tracy recounts. “We did mission work at preschools, cleaned parish grounds, visited an orphanage, and held Mass and adoration every day. It was life-changing.”
To participate in the trip, students had to “know, love, and serve God” throughout the year, fulfilling certain prerequisites. In return, they received an $800 scholarship toward the cost of the trip. The program wasn’t based on financial need, but rather on a commitment to faith and service.
Growing the Mission
Their work didn’t stop with the mission trip to Belize. Tracy has also been instrumental in coordinating a foreign exchange program, Fideojoy, where Catholic French students come to the U.S. to study and stay with local families. The program benefits both the students and the Youth Ministry Fund Jack and Tracy established. “When we host exchange students, their families donate to the fund, which helps support more mission trips,” Tracy explains. “It’s incredible to think that Catholic families from around the world are helping to support our youth ministries.”
Looking to the future, Jack and Tracy hope to continue growing the youth ministry program and expand the mission trips. They’re currently planning a trip to Roatán, an island off the coast of Honduras, with the hope of returning every few years to build relationships and see the progress of their work.
Faith at the Center of It All
For Jack and Tracy, their Catholic faith is their foundation, from how they raise their kids to the challenges of farming. “Our faith is everything to us. It’s at the center of everything we do,” Tracy says. Through their partnership with the Foundation, they’ve found a way to turn their faith into action, supporting the next generation of Catholics and making a lasting impact in their community and beyond.
“We couldn’t do this without the help of so many people – our family, our parish, the Foundation,” Jack adds. “It’s all about giving back and trusting in God. And we’re just so grateful for the opportunity to do that.”
