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It may have been two months late, but members of the Grand Island Central Catholic High School Class of 2020 received their traditional send-off on July 12. (Photo courtesy Michele Gleason)

Tarrah Johnson joined the Catholic Church May 30 at Holy Rosary Church in Alliance. Tarrah (right) is pictured with her sponsor Natalie Collins. (Photo courtesy Just Shoot Me Photography)

The Vocation Office for the Diocese of Grand Island has announced that there will be eight men in formation for the 2020/2021 formation year. Seminarians are shown with Father Neal Hock, Vocations Director, following the June 5 ordination of Father Daniel Gilbert. Pictured from left front row: Kaelob Marx of Hay Springs, Noah Huddleston of Kearney, Father Hock, Liam Murphy of Kearney, and Chas Canfield of Grand Island. Second row: John Rohweder of Grand Island, Sam Ogden of Grand Island, Logan Douglas of Sidney, and Adam Bauer of St. Paul. (Photo by Mary Parlin, WNC)

 In reflecting upon the “consequences” of the COVID-19 outbreak throughout the world, one that readily comes to mind for me is the adaptations we as the Church are making by means of technology. In fact, the restrictions placed upon us by civil authorities has moved the Church to use what technology we already have at our disposal

Father Bryan Ernest, pastor at St. Luke’s Church and St. Luke’s School in Ogallala, calls her the “last of the Mohicans.”     Although she’s not a Native American, the “Mohican” Father Ernest is referring to is Sister Loretta Krajewski, O.S.U., principal/head teacher at St. Luke’s School.   

If there’s one thing that most quilters and seamstresses have in common, it’s that they have a stash—not a stash of cash, a stash of fabric. So when it comes to filling a need during a crisis or a disaster, they are usually some of the first to step up to a challenge.   

It’s Good Friday. It feels like Good Friday. After several weeks without our usual social interactions and without our gathering for the celebration of Sunday Masses and the other sacraments, it has felt like Good Friday now for quite some time.

When I was a little girl we played, "Here is the church, here's the steeple, open the doors and see all the people." How surreal it is today for our priests to not see their people. Priests, in not only our diocese, but throughout the country, are offering Masses digitally—some videotaped in churches, some in small chapels.

Father Jim Golka, pastor of St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island received this letter from one of the children who was preparing along with her mother, brother, and two sisters to be baptized this Easter. Listen to what a 9-year old has to say to us:

One can definitely say this Lent is one for the record books with prayer services, Stations of the Cross, parish fish fries, and daily and Sunday Masses all canceled.   

By Bishop Joseph G. Hanefeldt      In the age of technology, how we are able to communicate seems to be undergoing constant change. Nearly 30 years ago, when I was the associate pastor of St. Joan of Arc Church in Omaha, I got my first computer.

By Colleen Gallion     Anthony Ianni, who played Big 10 basketball for Michigan State University, has used his notoriety for bringing attention to two things: bullying and autism. Why? Because when he was younger, he was bullied because he has autism.  

Next week, the Church pauses in her Lenten observance to celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph.  A Solemnity is the highest level of liturgical celebration in the Church. It is never a day of fasting or penance.

When he thinks about his age, Father James Murphy finds it hard to believe he turned 94 in February, but then he thinks about all of his life experiences and the history he has seen and realizes it’s true.     “Yeah, I’m 94,” he laughed.   

GRAND ISLAND—A capital campaign nearly 10 years in the making is almost finished at Grand Island’s Resurrection Church.     The final stages of what began with former pastor Father Mike McDermott as the “For All Generations—Taking the Next Step” campaign will culminate with the completion of a new worship space

On Ash Wednesday, the Church presents the call to repentance and conversion with forceful words from the Book of the Prophet Joel. “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments and return to the Lord your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness and relenting in punishment.”

GRAND ISLAND—The Diocese of Grand Island announced Feb. 17 that Grand Island Central Catholic Principal Jordan Engle will assume the role as diocesan superintendent in addition to his principal duties effective July 1.

COZAD—"The Way: A Healing Retreat for Male Survivors of Abuse" has been scheduled for March 20-22 at Camp Comeca in Cozad. The event is a three-day guided meditation and prayer experience for men whose abuse by another has deeply affected their heart, mind, body and soul.

According to Hallmark, it’s Valentine’s Day! This is the day when sweethearts remember each other in a special way. Certainly, Valentine’s Day is a celebration for lovers, with a clear focus on the romantic side of love. Special cards, gifts, meals and moments are planned to celebrate romantic love for one another.

Prior to moving to Nebraska, Mike Foley lived 20 years in Washington, D.C., where he was the Director of Financial Analysis for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.     Remembering the Washington, D.C. Mass held at the capitol Mall in 1979 with Pope John Paul II, Lt. Governor Foley reminisced about his attending that day and his decision to get involved in the March for Life.