Pastoral Planning Confronts Reality
Facing hard truths for our children and the future of our Catholic faith.
West Point, Nebraska
Parish leaders join the journey from Aloys, Bancroft, Beemer, Cornelius, Decatur, Dodge, Emerson, Homer, Hubbard, Jackson, Lyons, Macy, Monterey, Olean, Pender, South Sioux City, St. Charles, Walthill, West Point, Winnebago and Wisner.
Columbus, Nebraska
A challenging reality for parish leaders from Schuyler, Central City, Clarks, Fullerton, Clarkson, Platte Center, Duncan, Krakow, St. Wedward, Silver Creek, Genoa, Lindsay, Humphrey, Leigh, Tarnov, Columbus, Albion, Cedar Rapids, Howells and Heun.
Clearwater, Nebraska
Change means choices for parishes in Pierce, Neligh, Tilden, Raeville, Elgin, Petersburg, St. John, Ewing, Butte and Stuart, Amelia, Atkinson, O'Neil, Norfolk, Madison Battle Creek and Stanton.
Moving Towards a New Future
Doing the right thing means working together for a better church.
Hartington, Nebraska
In Hartington, grouping parishes is not new. Parish leaders come from more than 20 communities: Wayne, Dixon, Laurel, Creighton, Brunswick, Plainview, Menominee, Fordyce, Constance, Crofton, Coleridge, Verdigre, Bloomfield, Niobrara, Ponca, Newcastle, Randolph, and Osmond.
West Omaha
Parish leaders from Douglas and Dodge counties have a variety of perspectives. In addition to 14 Omaha parishes, the communities represented include Boys Town, Gretna, Elkhorn, Valley, Fremont, Hooper, Scribner, and North Bend.
Central Omaha
At Christ the King Catholic Church, parish leaders from more than 20 communities in Omaha, Fort Calhoun, and Tekamah joined together.
Southeast Omaha
The final session wraps up with more than 20 parishes from Omaha, Ralston, Papillion, Springfield and Bellevue.
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Pastoral Planning Shares Reality 

In a series of seven regional meetings for every parish in the Archdiocese of Omaha, parish leaders gained an open and honest view of where we are. The in-depth shared a deep dive into the details which demand new direction for a stronger future. 

While problems are decades in the making, there is no time to waste. 

  • The majority of parishioners no longer particpate in weekly Mass
  • Fewer available priests -25% drop over the next ten years
  • Major statewide population shifts

What's the answer?

Families of Parishes. This approach provides a flexible way for parishes to share their talents and strengths, along with resources. As families come together, parish leaders and pastors have much to share about new possibilities. Before that happens, family pastoral planning teams begin meeting next month to explore important choices for the future.

Pastoral Planning for the future, West Point, Nebraska
In small group discussions, parish leaders in West Point share ideas to build a stronger future for parish life.
Father Andy Sohm, Building a Stronger Future, Columbus Pastoral Planning
In Families of Parishes, priests rely on parishioners to take on greater roles so they have more time to care for the spiritual needs of the community.

Facing Change Together

Change is really hard, but we have to change. It is going to take time, effort and patience but I believe we can turn things around.

Father Andy Sohm
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