Sitio en español

Featuring the Lawrence Deanery

Holy Trinity Church - Blue Hill, St. Anne Church - Campbell, Assumption Church - Deweese, St. Katharine Drexel Church - Franklin, Sacred Heart Church - Lawrence, St. Stephen Church - Lawrence, Sacred Heart Church - Nelson, Sacred Heart Church - Red Cloud, St. Joseph Church - Superior

Featured Parishes: Crete Deanery, David City Deanery, Fairbury Deanery, Falls City Deanery, Grant Deanery, Hastings Deanery, Indianola Deanery, Lawrence Deanery, Lincoln Deanery, Orleans Deanery, Plattsmouth Deanery, Wahoo Deanery, York Deanery

Holy Trinity, Blue Hill

Altar Society Activities

  • World Marriage Day is celebrated in February of each year.
  • Serves a Lenten Breakfast inviting the four denominations of churches in Blue Hill.
  • The PCCW prepares and serves the Prom Banquet to the high school juniors and seniors.
  • Hosts a coffee and roll breakfast after mass on the first Sunday of the month.
  • The ladies of the PCCW lead the rosary at the wake service for the passing of one of its members.
  • Serve the Family Luncheon after the funeral mass and burial.
  • Bibles are given to the first communicants.  Those being confirmed and senior graduates and first communion participants are recognized at monthly breakfast.
  • Donate food items to local bloodmobile and various individual benefits.
  • Assists in various projects such as packing lunches at CSS for the hungry, preparing packets for the victims of natural disasters.

Historical Highlights

  • Early masses were said in both German and Bohemian and held in family homes beginning in 1880. Fr. Kuppenbender rode the train to Blue Hill on Saturday, said mass on Sunday and returned home via train on Monday.
  • The main building of the current church was erected in 1883, with Frederick Kick and Bernard Kuhn directing the project.
  • In 1908, the choir loft was added and the interior redecorated.
  • In 1913, Rev. Lombardi was assigned as the first resident pastor. The first rectory was built in 1914.
  • In 1919, the church was enlarged, the interior was redecorated and a new altar and pews were added.
  • In 1953, Gilbert Schunk led parishioners in digging out the basement under the church. Electrical wiring and plumbing were installed.
  • In 1974, the church and basement were remodeled.
  • In 1978, Holy Trinity became a mission of St. Anne’s, Campbell.
  • In 1997, a new parish hall was built.  The church basement was converted to classrooms for the CCD classes.
  • From 2004-2006 the church received a facelift in the form of new siding, front entrance and concrete sidewalks, doors, and wrought iron railings.  The interior of the church was repainted, new carpeting installed, and the pews refinished.
  • In 2008, Bishop Bruskewitz said the mass commemorating the 125 anniversary of the parish.
  • In 2012, the landscaping around the church was updated by Kyl Rouse, completing his Eagle Boy Scout efforts.  The parish hall was redecorated with new paintings, wall art, cupboards in the bathrooms and shelving in the storage room.
  • In 2016, new glass doors on main entrance of church and new carpeting in parish hall installed.

St. Anne, Campbell

Altar Society Activities

  • Serve at funeral dinners, parish breakfasts to honor graduates, first communicants, serve Alumni Banquet semi-annually as fundraiser.
  • Collect for Diaper Drive, Food Pantry, hats and gloves for CCS, collect eye glasses and Hearing aids.
  • Decorate Altar and provide flowers for Easter and Christmas, care for Altar linens, pay for altar candles, do annual church cleaning.
  • Coordinate and teach CCD classes and summer CCD. Provide meals for Sisters who come to teach Summer CCD.
  • Officers: Brandi Boudreau, President;  Debbie Skrdlant, Assistant President;  Shirley L’Heureux, Secretary; Katie Davis, Treasurer.

Historical Highlights

  • 1880-First church built in the Wheatland District on land donated by Desire Genereux.
  • 1890-Church moved to the town of Campbell
  • 1902-A new brick church was built. The pastor was Father Rausch who died before the completion of the church and was buried in a crypt beneath the church.
  • 1909-Church was destroyed by fire. The rebuilding began immediately on the same walls that remained and the sacristies, a larger sanctuary and a brick tower were added.
  • 1966-A full basement was excavated under the church and was completely equipped for use as a parish hall.
  • 1980-Sanctuary was modernized and remodeled.

Our Lady of Assumption, Deweese

Altar Society Activities

  • Assemble hygiene kits and collect food for Catholic Social Services
  • Annual Pro-Life Diaper Drive
  • Monthly Parish Brunch/Dinner, Bake Sales twice each year
  • Serve Funeral Luncheons, Observe World Marriage Day
  • Honor First Communion & Confirmation classes, High School Graduates
  • Decorate Church for Christmas, Purchase Altar supplies & candles
  • Lead Rosary before Sunday Mass

Historical Highlights

  • Father Mathias W. Nemec, pastor of Saint Aloysius, Fairfield, and Saint Martin, Loucky, recognized the need for a Catholic parish near Deweese.
  • The first Mass in Our Lady of Assumption Parish was celebrated in 1910.
  • In 1978, the present Assumption Church was built.
  • In 1983, Assumption became a mission of Sacred Heart Parish in Lawrence.  In recent years Fathers Thomas Au, Dennis Hunt, Loras Grell, Thomas Bush, Thomas Schultes and Fr Corey Harrison have served Assumption Parish.
  • On August 14, 2010, the eve of the parish feast day (Our Lady of Assumption), a celebration of "100 Years of Faith & Family" was held observing the parish’s 100th Anniversary.

St. Katharine Drexel, Franklin

Altar Society Activities

  • Hosts two annual fundraisers for the church
  • Purchases altar linens, candles, Christmas and Easter flowers, and other needed items for the church and CCD/Youth programs
  • Assists with Prayer Chain, rosaries before weekend Masses, washing and ironing linens
  • Supports annual Diaper Drive, Catholic Relief Services, Spirit Radio, Advent Baby Shower, Items for the Missions, St. Gianna Home; requests Masses for deceased Altar Society members, and serves funeral dinners as needed
  • Each parish family cleans the church and hosts a breakfast every month

Historical Highlights

  • Franklin, Nebraska didn’t have a Catholic church until Saint Katharine Drexel was built and opened in May 2002.
  • Bishop Bruskewitz blessed the church on May 26, 2002.
  • The bell and the stained glass windows were part of Sacred Heart, Bloomington.  The pews once filled St. Catherine of Riverton and the statues came from St. Mary, Naponee and Sacred Heart, Bloomington.

Sacred Heart, Lawrence

Altar Society Activities

  • World Marriage Day reception celebrated in February
  • Hosts winter LDCCW meeting
  • Holds Charity Works Day in March to finish quilts for donation to area needy organizations
  • Annual Easter Bake Sale with Raffle
  • Purchases yearly missalettes, altar linens, votive candles, Christmas and Easter flowers, and other needed items for the church and sponsors CCD/Youth programs
  • Supports annual Diaper Drive, Catholic Relief Services, Spirit Radio, Advent Baby Shower, Items for the Missions, St. Gianna's Homes
  • Requests Masses for deceased Altar Society members, leads rosary and funeral watch in funeral chapel, serves funeral dinners and assists with bloodmobile
  • Prepares annual Fall Smorgasbord includes many raffles, fish pond items for kids
  • Sponsors Mother-Daughter outing for all CCD girls; Bibles given to graduating Seniors
  • Gives Christmas presents to members in nursing homes

Historical Highlights

  • Fr. Klein held the first Mass at Sacred Heart in 1893, Fr. John Hansen was the first parish Priest in 1893.  A rectory was built in 1898 where school was held in two downstairs rooms.  
  • 1901 Sacred Heart School opened with 48 students and 4 Notre Dame Sisters. 
  • 1916 Father Charles Becker came as Priest and his assignment lasted until 1943 when he died (buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery with a memorial honoring him.)
  • 1917 the existing school built at a cost of $45,000. 
  • 1923 the existing Church built at a cost of $105,000.  At the dedication on December 18, 1924 they had paid off their debt.  
  • 1943 Celebrated Diamond Jubilee
  • 1949 Existing convent built
  • 1975 Current rectory built with Fr. John Kelly as pastor and dedicated by Bishop Glennon Flavin.
  • 1980 Cemetery improved with new entrance and fencing installed.
  • 1986 Church repainted and crucifixion scene was moved.
  • 1993 Celebrated Centennial with Mass with Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz
  • 2002 Sacred Heart Daycare opened in Convent
  • 2008 Wheel chair ramp built
  • 2009 Repairing Our Roof and Building Our Faith campaign.
  • 2010 Cemetery directory constructed
  • 2012 Sidewalks replaced and underground sprinklers installed on the Church/rector lawn
  • 2015 Sacred Heart School was closed
  • 2016 Baptismal room renovated by Father Bush and mural by John Beyke

St. Stephen, Lawrence

Altar Society Activities

  • Prepares annual Fall Dinner and games for children
  • Assists with bloodmobile, serves funeral luncheons
  • World Marriage Day recognition of couples in parish
  • Serves lunch at the annual Schutte Cattle Sale
  • Participates in Diocesan diaper drive; donates to the LDCCW President’s project.

Historical Highlights

  • Established in 1875 – first masses held in a dugout. Later a log church was built.
  • Original log church replaced with frame church in 1885.
  • Present church built in 1947.
  • The parish cemetery is across the road from the church, Father Aloys Hahn (a former pastor) and Father Edward Valasek are buried there.
  • St. Stephen School established in 1882.  
  • In 1960, under the direction of Father John Kelly, the new parochial school was built.
  • The Dominican Sisters of Great Bend Kansas taught the children. 
  • In 1983, due to decreased enrollment, St. Stephen consolidated with Lawrence Sacred Heart.
  • The parish became a mission of Sacred Heart in the early 1980’s.
  • In 2000, the parish celebrated its 125 anniversary.  The Altar Society made a quilt depicting the special events of the parish displayed in the back of the church.

Sacred Heart, Nelson

Altar Society Activities

  • January & February:  Parish Card Party, honor Married Couples, CCD brunch, Feb. “Random Act of Kindness Month”
  • March & April: Parish Card Party, fundraiser lunch for County Government Day at the courthouse, Knights of Columbus Breakfas. 
  • May & June: First Communion and Honor Graduates Breakfas.
  • July, August & September: fundraiser lunch at the Park for July 4th, Pro-Life Booth at the County Fair.
  • October & November: Pastor Appreciation Month each group takes a week and do different things in appreciation to thank Father for his service to the church, “Diaper Drive”, and collect food for the Nuckolls County food pantry
  • December: Provide “Santa” goodies for the children of the parish and have an Advent “Baby Shower” for Catholic Social Services. Advent Christmas Party which is followed by decorating the church for Christmas.

Historical Highlights

  • Handicap accessible ramp added to the front of the church
  • Windows replaced 2015.

St. Joseph, Superior

Altar Society Activities

  • Coffee and rolls first Sunday of the month.
  • An Annual Salad Luncheon on Secretary’s Day and an interdenominational Lenten breakfast during Holy Week.
  • Funeral lunches.  Honor First Communicants and Graduates. 
  • Lunch for the Bloodmobile that uses the church basement.
  • Decorate the Marian Shrine and the Church for Christmas.
  • Collect for the October Diaper Drive and the December Advent Baby Shower.
  • Donate to many worthy causes including the Food Pantry, Backpack Program, Giving Tree, Diocesan projects, St. Giannas’ Homes, disaster relief and the UNL Catholic sorority.
  • 2017 Officers: President Phyllis Renz, Vice-president Anna Hawley, Secretary Arlene Rempe, and Treasurer Mary Kaldahl.

Historical Highlights

  • 1880 – Masses were held in Catholic homes by visiting priests.
  • 1900 – A former Presbyterian church building was purchased for use.
  • 1934 – St. Joseph’s was established as a parish and had resident priests.
  • 1963-64 – A new church and rectory was built at 1415 California Street, formally dedicated by Bishop James V. Casey in June 1964.
  • 1977 – A shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected on church grounds.
  • 1981 – The Sanctuary was remodeled. A new baptismal font and new Stations of the Cross were added.
  • 2000 – A statue of St. Joseph was placed in the church basement in remembrance of Fr. Frank Machovec.

Sacred Heart, Red Cloud

Altar Society Activities

  • Hosts six annual fundraisers for the church
  • Purchases altar linens, candles, Christmas and Easter flowers, and other needed items for the church and CCD/Youth programs
  • Assists with Faith & Freedom Picnic, Heritage Nursing Home birthday party and monthly Bible Studies, Missionary Childhood Association event, CCD Christmas Party, Life Chain, First Communion, Confirmation, Divine Mercy Sunday, Corpus Christi altars, Prayer Chain, rosaries before weekend Masses, Christmas volunteer tea, and washing and ironing linens.
  • Encourages Eucharist Adoration, retreats, Catholic adult instruction, and membership in the Legion of Mary
  • Supports annual Diaper Drive, Catholic Relief Services, Spirit Radio, Advent Baby Shower, Items for the Missions, St. Gianna Home; requests Masses for deceased Altar Society members, and serves funeral dinners as needed.

Historical Highlights

  • When people first settled the area, Masses were celebrated by missionary priests in private homes of William Jackson and J.L. Miner.
  • In 1883, the Catholic community was pleased to build its first church, St. Juliana Falconieri.
  • As the faith community grew, parishioners "joined forces" to build a more substantial newer and larger church-Sacred Heart, at 4th and Seward. Fr. Denis Fitzgerald celebrated the first Mass there on Easter Sunday, 1907. Since that time fourteen resident priests have faithfully served at this same House of God.
  • Notable additions and changes on the parish grounds have taken place over the years. A new rectory was built in 1986. In 1994, a parish hall was built with the main floor serving well for parish gatherings and the basement for CCD classrooms.
  • On the church building itself, a many-years-long process of changes and improvements took place leading up to the church's centennial celebration. On the interior, old paneling was removed and white walls became the backdrop for Stations of the Cross pictures which had survived the flood of '35 in nearby Riverton mission church. Great care was taken in other aspects of design, too, to capture some of the beauty and meaning of the old, and that it be over-all aesthetically pleasing , practical, and according to Church guidelines.
  • On April 15, 2007, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, came to initiate the Second 100 Years with Sacred Heart, a parish which has loved its House of God with a great love!
  • Contact

    Contact

    Rev. Thomas Lux
    Spiritual Advisor

    Phone: 402-489-1946

    Rev. Thomas McGuire
    Spiritual Advisor

    Phone: 402-335-3742

    Valerie Able
    2026-2028 President

    Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Treasurer: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Leadership Commission: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • 1