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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.

Lent begins Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, and continues until the Easter triduum, which begins with evening Mass of the Lord's Supper Thursday, April 9. The law of abstinence: Prohibits eating meat and applies to all Catholics ages 14 and older on Ash Wednesday, the Fridays of Lent and Good Friday, April 10.

There is a custom in the Church, dating back to the 1500s, for bishops to periodically go to the tombs of the Saints in Rome and to present themselves to the Holy Father, the successor of Peter. Known in Latin as ad limina, meaning, “to the threshold of the apostles,” this custom has developed in its structure over the years.

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Before meeting Pope Francis, the bishops of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri prayed before the tomb of St. Peter and reflected on how the fisherman grew in faith and love for Jesus.

Mary Teichmeier has a special place in her heart for young children. So much so, that she has spent nearly 50 years teaching kindergarten and first grades. In fact, the Blessed Sacrament parishioner began her teaching career at what was known then as Blessed Sacrament grade school.

One of my greatest responsibilities as bishop is to provide for the pastoral care of souls in the diocese. This care is more directly provided to the people of God by our priests and deacons, as an extension of my own ministry as bishop. In communion with our ministry, the lay faithful, as disciples of Jesus by virtue of their baptism, are also to put their lives at the service of the community of the Church according to their means.

This year National Catholic Schools Week 2020 will be Jan. 26-Feb. 1 with the theme “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” The theme encompasses the core products and values that can be found in Catholic schools across the country. Not only are students being taught to become future servant leaders, faith-filled disciples and enriched citizens in their communities, but educators are growing with them.

Regan Dimmitt, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and former parishioner at St. Leo's Church in Grand Island, is focused on FOCUS. FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students), which was founded in 1998 at Benedictine College, "invites college students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church, inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship, and friendships in which they lead others to do the same."

With this edition of the West Nebraska Register, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish each of you and all who are dear to you, a Blessed Christmas season! May the joy of that Holy Night in Bethlehem, which filled hearts of Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds who came to see the baby Jesus lying in the manger, warm your hearts with ever greater faith, fervent hope and true love for God this Christmas!

When Ogallala resident Lori Beckius was hospitalized this past September, she said one thing that kept her going was getting back home to plan her funeral. To many people, that may sound strange, but for Beckius, it was comforting.     “I don’t want my family to have to worry about that,” she said. “That’s one of the first things I did when I got home. Funerals are hard on family.”