Pastor’s Column

  The schedule for next year’s adult catechism has been worked out. Classes will meet roughly every two weeks, on Thursdays at 7 pm, in the parish hall. Each class last about an hour and a half.   I encourage all parishioners to reach out to family members, friends, and co-workers that might be interested in learning about the Catholic faith. An excellent opener is: “Have you ever thought about becoming Catholic?” Or, “I’m going to be attending catechism classes at my parish, would you have any interest in joining …

Message from Fr. Schwab June 7, 2026   There is great joy this year for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter with the ordination of twelve new priests in Nebraska, and an additional thirteen more will be ordained from our seminary in Germany on the twentieth of this month of June. Twenty-five new priests for the FSSP! But with it comes some bittersweet news. To accompany the large number of newly ordained, there is a need for more transfers this year across North America. Therefore, I am officially announcing my …

  Our annual parish festival, now on the first Saturday of every August (this year, August 1), is held in honor of our holy patron, St. Stephen the First Martyr. The festival coincides with the Feast of the Finding of the Relics of St. Stephen, which commemorates one of the most remarkable events in the early centuries of the Church. The discovery of the relics of our holy patron was a great source of encouragement to the early Church that was suffering the collapse of the Roman Empire under internal …

  The Athanasian Creed is a very ancient statement of belief that arose out of the Arian crisis. It used to be recited with Prime every Sunday in the Divine Office – this was reduced, however, to Trinity Sunday alone in the 1962 revisions to the breviary.   Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic Faith is this, that we worship one God …

  This year twelve priests are going to be ordained to the sacred priesthood on Thursday, May 28th, 2026 at 10 am CST (8 am, our time). The ordinations will take place in St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska.   The names of the ordinandi are listed below. The first nine are members of the North American Province and will most likely be assigned to parishes here. The others belong to General House and will likely be assigned outside the province. Three of the ordinandi have assisted at our camps …

Ascension Thursday Masses at 7 am, noon, and 6 pm. While not a Holy Day of Obligation in our Diocese, the faithful are highly encouraged to assist at Mass on this day of Our Lord’s triumph. Two New Books   The very popular and well-written Religious Vocation: An Unnecessary Mystery, by Fr. Richard Butler, OP, is back in print and now available in our parish bookstore. This book clears up a lot of misconceptions about religious life that have crept into modern discernment and is an invaluable aid for young …

Sr. Maryann Regina Final Vows   Sr. Maryann Regina, CM (i.e. Rose Brennan) is making her final vows with the Children of Mary today – Sunday, May 3. Please continue to keep her in your prayers! More information about her religious congregation can be here: https://www.childrenofmary.net Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart   The USCCB has announced its intention to consecrate our nation to the Sacred Heart on July 4, on the 250th anniver-sary of our Independence. It is a admirable project that deserves our support. In …

Camps Sacred Heart & Immaculate Heart   These camps are scheduled for Jun 14 to 20 (Sun to Sat), and Jun 20 to Jun 26 (Sat to Fri), respectively. Camp Sacred Heart is for the boys, whereas Camp Immaculate Heart will be for the girls. Please note the dates on your calendars. The dates are arranged such that families that have both boys and girls attending will be able to pick up the boys on Sat, Jun 20 and at the same time drop off the girls.   Ages for …

  This year we will renew the practice of crowning Our Lady, and I have asked the various societies of young ladies (i.e the Little Flowers, Rosa Mystica, and the Sodality) to assist with this pious devotion.   Henceforth, on the First Sunday of May, these societies will join a solemn procession before the High Mass. Their members will assemble in the courtyard. The Little Flowers will lead the procession, strewing rose petals on the ground. They will be followed by Rosa Mystica. Finally, a member of Rosa Mystica (selected …

  I want to take this opportunity to express the deepest sentiments of regard and gratitude for all those who support the mission of the parish with the generous gift or their time, resources, and expertise. My priestly assistants, fellow-workers in the vineyard, my staff – who assist in so many (and often hidden) ways – and our many, many volunteers including: the members of the Altar Guild, the choir, the Altar Linen & Flowers Society, the Safety Team, the ushers, the Knights Penitent, and many others who generally prefer …

As we enter into Holy Week, I want to encourage everyone to attend sacred ceremonies, as they can. The practice of an annual spiritual retreat is impossible for many with the exigencies of modern life, but Holy Week can really be set aside to serve this purpose. I would prevail upon those who are able (I am aware that gas is very expensive and the demands of work and family life are many) to attend what ceremonies they can attend, including: Where there is a legitimate impediment to assisting at …

Confessions during Holy Week   I highly encourage all who wish to confess during Holy Week to do so early in the week, if at all possible. Expect very long lines during the Sacred Triduum. First Friday & First Saturdayin Holy Week   Holy Week represents a difficult or even insurmountable challenge to satisfying the requirements of the First Friday and First Saturday devotions. On Good Friday, we enter into the disposition of loss of Our Lady at the foot of the Cross and, therefore, we do not receive Holy …