The Catholic Voice

This past legislative session, Sen. Mike McDonnell sponsored LB641, which provides a grant through the Nebraska Public Service Commission to fund greater access to the United Way of the Midlands’ 211 help line. NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

A heart for service drives state Sen. Mike McDonnell

Serving others is not formulaic. There’s not one hard and fast way to make a difference. Public service can include coaching intramural sports, volunteering at the local homeless shelter, or even holding public office. That’s the conviction of state... Read More

Keith Jiron, executive director and co-founder of the Evangelium Institute, leads a faculty formation session on reconciliation at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School in 2017. ANDREW SCIBA

Evangelium Institute to take over forming teachers as leaders in faith

“It was eye-opening, the freedom you could have in a school and the conversations I could have with my students,” said Carly Mendlik, a fifth and sixth grade English teacher at St. Patrick School in Elkhorn. Mendlik is one of hundreds of teachers... Read More

Deacon Tom and Joanne Frankenfield help Father Marc Lim, center, the new pastor at Mary Our Queen Parish in Omaha, move into his new home July 3. The two are members of Mary Our Queen and serve there, as well as at St. John Vianney Parish in Omaha, where Deacon Tom is assigned. ELIZABETH WELLS

Saying yes to God’s call, even in suffering

Deacon Tom Frankenfield has received plenty of orders in his 24 years in the Air Force, before retiring in 1999 as lieutenant colonel. The best “Yes, sirs!” however, have come from answering God’s call. He and Joanne, his wife of 46 years, have said... Read More

Father Taylor Leffler, associate pastor of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Omaha, gives a talk on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ November 2018 letter against racism June 5 at a parish gathering at the church. DANIKA LANG/STAFF

Bishops’ letter on racism promotes dignity

“You have been told, O mortal, what is good and what the Lord requires of you, only to do justice and to love goodness and to walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8). Father Taylor Leffler, associate pastor of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Omaha, explained... Read More

Paul “P.T.” Thornton, right, and Bradley Sanderson of Conrad Pickel Studio in Vero Beach, Florida, work to restore the mosaic art depiction of the 12th Station of the Cross, “Jesus Dies on the Cross,” at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha. COURTESY PHOTO

Calvary Cemetery’s mosaics rescued from deterioration

Beautiful mosaic depictions of religious scenes – produced more than 60 years ago in Italy – were in danger of being ruined. Sections of colored tiles were falling out and getting lost. Grout was crumbling. That was the condition of the 14 Stations... Read More

Father Ryan Lewis, pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Omaha, demonstrates how he hears confession May 13 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Omaha. Father Lewis said he would go to jail or worse before he would break the seal of confession. CHAZ MUTH/CNS

Priestly martyrdom to uphold seal of confession not new

NEW YORK – A symbol of the historical commitment priests have to the seal of confession greets people as they cross the threshold of a Catholic church in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Above the door is a stone-carved image of St. John Nepomucene... Read More

Deacon Jizba 'was Christ to everyone every day'

Deacon Richard Jizba, whose 14 years of service at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Omaha centered around a desire to teach people the Catholic faith, died July 8. He was 61. A funeral Mass was held July 13 at the church with interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Omaha. Ordained in 2005, he was part...

Sister Charlene served as educator, pastoral associate

Sister of Mercy Mary Charlene Ross, whose 70 years of religious life included service as a teacher, pastoral associate and director of religious education, died July 8 in Omaha. She was 89. A funeral Mass was held July 11 at Mercy Villa with interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Omaha. A native of...

Clergy attending the 100th anniversary celebration at St. Joseph Mission in Amelia June 23 were, from left, front row, Father Joseph Sund, retired Father James McCluskey, Archbishop George J. Lucas, Crosier Father Hubert Kavusa and Father Eric Olsen. Back row: Fathers Marcus Knecht, Ronald Wasikowski, James Weeder, Douglas Scheinost, John Norman, Bernard Starman and Paul Hoesing, and Deacon Maurice Kersenbrock. TAMMY BARELMANN/STUDIO B PHOTOGRAPHY

Faith, commitment flow freely in Amelia

Like the flowing artesian wells for which the area is known, a strong commitment to the Catholic faith springs forth from the tiny village of Amelia. That faith, and its 100-year heritage, was celebrated June 23 as about 150 people joined Archbishop George J. Lucas for Mass and a meal to celebrate...

Archdiocese issues revised clergy code of conduct

Guidelines for respecting personal boundaries and appropriately using technology when communicating with others – especially minors – are key elements of a newly-revised code of conduct for clergy in the Archdiocese of Omaha, effective July 1. Archbishop George J. Lucas issued the document June 22...