News Around the Diocese

The 56th DCCW (Diocesan Council of Catholic Women) Biennial Convention was held on September 9-10 at Holy Spirit in North Platte.

Nine men completed the aspirancy year and were admitted as candidates to the permanent diaconate.

St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island hosted a Deacon Appreciation Mass and Dinner, August 10.

Sr. Ann Ference & Sr. Paulette Kuta celebrated 65 years of religious life on August 10th.

Mary Parlin, retired editor of the West Nebraska Catholic magazine and West Nebraska Register was nominated for the 2022 Catholic Extension Lumen Christi Award.

Nearly 100 youth from across the diocese converged upon Camp Maranatha near Maxwell, Nebraska for the Extreme Faith Middle School Retreat. The annual program is sponsored by the Diocese of Grand Island's Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

The Province of Omaha National Council of Catholic Women celebrated their 50th anniversary July 18, 2022, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island, NE, with 47 ladies, 4 ZOOM attendees and 5 Spiritual Advisers present.

A group of 9 high school youth made their way to Billings, MT to participate in Catholic Hearts Work Camp June 26 - July 3.

Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt issued a statement June 24 in response to the United States Supreme Court Decision in the Case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

Nebraska Catholic Conference (NCC) hosted "Bishops and Brews" event for Religious Liberty Week.

Sister Maureen Murphy, 90, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance.

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. 

Holy Spirit Church in North Platte hosted a weekend Pentecost Retreat June-3-4.

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.

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

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

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.

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