News Around the Diocese

Father Donald J. O’Brien, 86, of Kearney died June 4, 2022, at his home. A funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 13, at Prince of Peace Church in Kearney.

In honor of the retirement of Mary Parlin, after 42 years as editor of the West Nebraska Catholic magazine and former editor of the West Nebraska Register, an open house will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, at 2810 Old Fair Road, Grand Island. 

Religious education students involved in St. Patrick’s in Sidney Hands for Growing garden gathered May 31.

Father Gerald “Jerry” Wetovick of Cozad, 86, died May 25, 2022. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, at Christ the King Church in Cozad. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, at the church. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday with family present from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home

Pictured are the recently inducted National Honor Society students at Kearney Catholic High School.

During a storm that came through Ord May 12, a large evergreen tree that had long been on the school grounds at St. Mary's School in Ord was uprooted.

Holy Rosary junior high and high school youth enjoy ice cream sundaes at the end of class to celebrate the year.

The last K-1 CCD class for 2022 at St. Mary’s in Wood River learned about Saints and what they would look like if they could be a Saint. Justin Seier was their teacher.

The Bob and Pat Golka family received the Knights of Columbus "Family of the Year" for Nebraska at the recent State Convention. Bob and Pat are the parents of Bishop James Golka.

The Diocese of Grand Island has announced plans to build a catholic elementary school on the campus at Grand Island Central Catholic.

The following clergy appointments are effective July 1, 2022, unless otherwise noted

Graduation ceremonies were May 8 at St. Michael’s Church in Spalding. Three seniors graduated from Spalding Academy.

With the support of their parishes, the Grand Island Diocesan Council of Catholic Women raised $20,000 for the Grand Island Diocesan Seminarian Fund.

GICC trap shooters Grand Island Central Catholic student Lucas Williams placed 4th in his division at the Cornhusker State Shoot April 29 at Doniphan.

Father Robert “Bob’ Rooney, 85, died April 17, 2022, at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. May 3 at Sacred Heart Church in Greeley.

The Confirmation Class at St. Luke’s in Ogallala hosted a “social” on April 13 at the church to raise funds to attend their confirmation retreat.

A Mass for Healing and Reparation was well attended April 19 in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Four Grand Island Central Catholic students earned state honors April 25 at the Nebraska School Activities Association Journalism Contest at Northeast Community College in Norfolk.

Religious education students at St. Mary’s in Wood River learned about the Last Supper

Parishioners at Chadron St. Patrick's participated in the Meals of Hope food packing event April 9.