Grace and Mercy: A look back at Archbishop Lucas’ 16 years serving northeast Nebraska

One Church: encountering Jesus, equipping disciples, living Mercy.

Archbishop George J. Lucas helped bring about the vision statement for the archdiocese in 2016, a midway point in his leadership here. But in truth, he began leading people toward that vision ever since he was installed as archbishop in 2009. 

Now that he is set to retire, Archbishop Lucas continues to lead us on that path in his final days as head of the archdiocese and as Archbishop-designate Michael G. McGovern is about to be installed.

The faithful of the archdiocese are invited to congratulate the archbishop on his retirement and offer prayers on his behalf at a 10:30 a.m. Farewell Mass this Sunday, April 27, at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha.

Some significant milestones in the era of Archbishop George J. Lucas:

June 3, 2009 – The bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, is announced as the next archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha.

“I am sure that together – people, clergy and archbishop – we will experience many blessings and face many challenges as we witness to Christ clearly, with charity and without compromise,” the newly named archbishop said to his new flock. “It is Jesus who has brought us together; it is up to us to keep Him at the center of all we say and do in the Church.”

June 29, 2009 – The archbishop-designate receives his pallium.

The pallium, a circular band made of lamb’s wool sheared at St. Agnes Church in Rome and marked with six black crosses, serves as a symbol of unity between a new metropolitan archbishop and the pope.

Archbishop Lucas was one of 34 archbishops from 20 countries to receive his pallium from Pope Benedict XVI that year.

CNS/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO

July 22, 2009 – The former bishop becomes an archbishop at the helm of the Archdiocese of Omaha.

More than 200 priests, 40 bishops and two cardinals were among the more than 1,000 people in attendance at the Installation Mass at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha.

“Let us commit ourselves to think, pray, work and worship together – with all of our attention on the Risen Christ,” Archbishop Lucas said to those in attendance. “Then our every sacrifice will be so fruitful, and our witness will be so clear, that no one in northeast Nebraska will ever wonder Whom we love and serve.”

July-August 2009 – Archbishop Lucas goes out to meet his flock.

The first weekend after his installation, Archbishop Lucas began the first of four regional Masses in the archdiocese, at St. Cecilia, St. Mary Church in Norfolk, St. Patrick in O’Neill and St. Isidore in Columbus.

“People are very welcoming and they go out of their way to tell me that they’re praying for me, which I really appreciate,” he said after the Mass at St. Mary.

July 31, 2010 – A pro-life leader makes a stand.

Archbishop Lucas led more than 700 people in a prayer vigil opposing plans for a Planned Parenthood abortion site at 3105 N. 93rd St. in Omaha.

Women and the children in their wombs “deserve better than to suffer the violence of abortion,” he said.

Nov. 25,  2010 – A Thanksgiving tradition of service begins.

The archbishop volunteered at the Stephen Center homeless shelter in Omaha, joining the residents in prayer, helping to serve their holiday meal and joining them to eat – but also drawing attention to homeless ministry at the Stephen Center.

It’s a tradition he has kept every year since.

Feb. 27, 2012 – A canonization process begins.

The Archdiocese of Omaha began the canonization cause for Father Edward J. Flanagan, with Archbishop Lucas placing a notice on the doors of St. Cecilia Cathedral.

“We are humbled and overjoyed by Archbishop Lucas’ acceptance of our petition to examine the heroic virtue and sanctity of Father Flanagan,” said Steven Wolf of the Father Flanagan League Society of Devotion, who now serves as vice postulator for the beatification and canonization cause for Servant of God Father Flanagan.

March 23, 2012 – Archbishop Lucas rallies for religious freedom.

Archbishop Lucas joined other clergy and speakers at a “Stand Up for Religious Freedom” rally that drew more than 1,000 people to downtown Omaha. They peacefully demonstrated against a federal mandate requiring most employers to provide health insurance to cover birth control and sterilization. The rally coincided with similar rallies around the country and preceded the first Fortnight for Freedom events, held on June 21-July 4.

Oct. 2012-Nov. 24, 2013 – The Church marks the Year of Faith.

The archbishop led efforts for the Year of Faith, announced by Pope Benedict XVI. Included locally was Archbishop Lucas’ invitation for Catholics to experience the sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent through “The Light Is On” initiative, which aimed to draw people to Confession.

Feb. 11, 2013 – Pope Benedict announces his resignation.

Archbishop Lucas responded, saying “It’s obvious Pope Benedict feels he’s just not up to the job physically, and to realize that in humility and to make the decision only he can make for the future of the church, I think is very generous, and it is a loving decision.” 

March 13, 2013 – Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio becomes pope.

“We trust now that this is the shepherd the Lord Himself has in mind for us,” the Archbishop Lucas, “and we want to welcome him in our thoughts and prayers and in the life of the Church as we would welcome Jesus Himself.”

July 2013 – A local Anglican community is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Calling it a historic day for St. Barnabas Parish in Omaha, the archbishop said he sensed the presence of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, whose pastoral decision made it possible for the congregation to come into full communion with the Catholic Church.

In 2009 the pope provided the framework for Anglicans to  become part of the Catholic Church while retaining elements of their heritage and liturgical practices.

October 2013 – Initiative begins to raise awareness on funeral rites. 

Led by Archbishop Lucas, the archdiocese led efforts to promote the Church’s teachings on death and funeral rites. The initiative – Renewing the Rite of Christian Funerals – included a Memorial Concert on All Souls’ Day at St. Cecilia Cathedral, presentations at a priests conference and meetings with funeral directors from across the archdiocese.

Nov. 29, 2014 – The Church’s Year of Consecrated Life begins.

Locally, the year kicked off with an Evening of Prayer for religious men and women on  Nov. 29 at the St. Benedict Center retreat house near Schuyler, with reflections by Archbishop Lucas.

He said the year was an opportunity to recognize the contributions of approximately 265 consecrated women, 75 priests and 20 brothers serving in the archdiocese in schools, hospitals, parishes and the larger community.

May 20, 2015 – The death penalty is repealed, temporarily.

Archbishop Lucas hailed the Nebraska Legislature’s repeal of the death penalty. The law was later reversed by voters in the November 2016 election, with the archbishop and others continuing to advocate for life. 

June 18, 2015 – Canonization cause advances.

The archdiocese advanced the canonization process for Servant of God Edward J. Flanagan, closing the archdiocese phase of investigation. Archbishop Lucas presided at a Mass where four boxes containing more than 4,600 pages of documents were sealed. The boxes were then sent to Rome.

Dec. 8, 2015 – The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy begins.

On Dec. 13, Archbishop Lucas opened the Door of Mercy at St. Cecilia Cathedral.

Aug. 15, 2016 – College students in the Omaha area gain a home.

Archbishop Lucas was among the dignitaries at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new St. John Paul II Newman Center near the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus.

October 2016 – A new pastoral vision and priority is determined.

After months of listening and input, the archdiocese, under the leadership of Archbishop Lucas, developed a statement to shape its vision and priorities: One Church, encountering Jesus, equipping disciples, living mercy.

Ever since, Archbishop Lucas has led archdiocesan initiatives based on that vision.

May 1, 2017 – 500th anniversary of the Reformation leads to unity events.

Nearly 500 people attended a May 1 Lutheran-Catholic prayer service at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha to commemorate the anniversary. The 75-minute service was led by the archbishop and Lutheran Bishop Brian Maas. A similar service followed in September 2017 at a Lutheran church.

Sept. 27, 2017 – Share the Journey.

In response to Pope Francis’ call to Share the Journey, Archbishop Lucas held a listening session at the Juan Diego Center in Omaha with immigrants and refugees.

June 8, 2019 – The archdiocese gathers for a celebration of faith and unity in Jesus Christ.

BOB ERVIN

Under the guidance of the archbishop, thousands flocked to the CHI Health Center in Omaha for ArchOmaha Unite. It was an unprecedented event held on the eve of Pentecost.

June 18, 2019 – Chancery move is announced.

Archbishop Lucas announced a plan to move and consolidate chancery offices to a site near 111th and Blondo Streets in Omaha.

“One of my pastoral priorities, creating a culture of unity, will be further supported by this move,” Archbishop Lucas said.

July 27, 2019 – Hispanic ministries find a new home.

Archbishop George J. Lucas blessed the new El Centro Pastoral Tepeyac (Tepeyac Pastoral Center) located in the former St. Mary School in south Omaha during a ribbon cutting and dedication. The center was designed to house the offices of Latino Ministry and Latino School Enrollment and provide space for retreats, workshops and other faith group gatherings and meetings.

March 16, 2020 – Pandemic stops everything.

Because of the threat imposed by COVID-19, the archdiocese became one of the many dioceses to take the extraordinary step of suspending all public Masses and communal celebrations of sacraments and other liturgies. The move was prompted by the urgings of government and health officials.

“These are difficult days,” Archbishop Lucas said. “The Lord is inviting us to put our faith in Him and discern what His plan for us is.”

By May 4, churches reopened for Masses with additional precautions in effect.

Oct. 1, 2020 – The ‘big goal’ begins.

The archbishop announced the archdiocese’s “big goal” of having  every parish become a “missional community.” He stressed the need to “embrace the challenges that Jesus gave to the first disciples of sharing the light of the Gospel, and offering that in a generous and joyful way to as many people as we can.”

February 14, 2022 – Priest shortage and dwindling Mass attendance prompts changes.

Several years of planning and changes started to take shape when the archbishop addressed archdiocesan priests and began talks for realigning parishes, schools and priest assignments to better equip the Church in northeast Nebraska for evangelization. The planning process, called “Journey of Faith,” created 33 families of parishes, fostering new collaboration in the archdiocese. 

“It seems that this is a moment when we really are asked to take stock of what’s very important and essential to our life together, but also where are we being called to move in some new directions.”

In 2012 a different pastoral plan, PROMISE 2020, merged eight parishes and closed three elementary schools in east Omaha and created a consortium of five other elementary schools. That plan sought to ensure that Catholic parishes and schools remain part of the heart of Omaha “for many years to come.”

Dec. 12, 2024 – You’re not alone, bishops tell migrant community.

On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Catholic bishops of Nebraska shared a letter with migrants across the state, expressing the bishops’ compassion, solidarity, and support for immigrants in Nebraska, including those concerned about the possibility of mass deportations.

“We are with you, too, to support and accompany you in the name of Jesus.

“As we hear of the possibility of mass deportations, which causes fear and uncertainty, we want you to know that we will advocate in Nebraska and in Washington for the respect for human dignity and for family relationships, as well for the special care owed to children that should characterize a just and lawful community,” the bishops said. “We invite our neighbors to join in advocating for respectful treatment of all within the law.”

Dec. 29, 2024 – The archdiocese begins the Jubilee Year.

Archbishop Lucas called on local Catholics to see themselves as Pilgrims of Hope, the theme of the jubilee.

“Today we’re invited to be pilgrims of hope,” he said in a ceremony opening the jubilee in the Archdiocese of Omaha, “to step out in faith into the future that the Lord Himself has prepared for us.”

March 31, 2025 – Pope Francis accepts the archbishop’s resignation, and appoints a successor.

Archbishop Lucas prepares to step down as leader of the archdiocese after Archbishop-elect Michael G. McGovern was named as the next archbishop.

“It has been my privilege to serve as the Archbishop of Omaha for almost sixteen years,” Archbishop Lucas said. “It gives me great joy to know that such a good shepherd has been sent to guide us on our pilgrim way in the coming years.” 

April 21, 2025 –Pope Francis dies.

“Pope Francis was a wonderful shepherd for us in the Church,” Archbishop Lucas said. “I found him challenging in a lot of really good ways. He was always inviting us, and sometimes pushing us, to look to the peripheries, to notice people who maybe weren’t being noticed in other ways … especially the poor and people on the margins.”