About Diocese of Grand Island
The Diocese of Grand Island (Latin: Dioecesis Insulae Grandis) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church covering roughly 42,000 square miles of central and western Nebraska. Established in 1912 as the Diocese of Kearney and renamed in 1917 when the see city was transferred to Grand Island, it is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Omaha within the Ecclesiastical Province of Omaha. Its mother church is the Gothic Revival Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Grand Island, and it has been led since 2015 by the eighth bishop, Joseph G. Hanefeldt.
- Bishop
- Joseph G. Hanefeldt
- Established
- 1912
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Territory
- Twenty-eight counties of central and western Nebraska (Buffalo, Sherman, Valley, Garfield, Loup, Custer, Blaine, Brown, Keyapaha, Logan, Thomas, Hooker, McPherson, Grant, Cherry, Rock, Garden, Deuel, Morrill, Cheyenne, Kimball, Banner, Box Butte, Scotts Bluff, Sioux, Dawes, Sheridan, plus Wheeler, Greeley, and Howard) together with the northern parts of Dawson, Lincoln, and Keith counties — roughly 42,024 square miles.
- Parishes
- 67 parishes and missions (2023)
- Province
- Archdiocese of Omaha (Ecclesiastical Province of Omaha)
About the Diocese of Grand Island
The Diocese of Grand Island serves the Catholic faithful across more than 42,000 square miles of central and western Nebraska. According to the diocese's own 'Our Diocese' page, it operates under the direction of Bishop Joseph G. Hanefeldt 'in his role as shepherd and teacher,' and is 'a true cross section of age, race and economic background, yet we are truly one in the faith and family of Christ.' The chancery and various ministries exist 'to ensure communication, education, cooperation and assistance in the religious needs of the Church throughout western Nebraska.' Its mailing address is 2708 Old Fair Road, Grand Island, NE 68803, and its main phone line is (308) 382-6565.
- Suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Omaha
- Established 1912 (as Diocese of Kearney); renamed 1917
- Cathedral: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grand Island
- Eight bishops across its history; current bishop is Joseph G. Hanefeldt (2015–present)
History of the Diocese
The diocese traces its roots to 1912, when Pope Pius X erected the Diocese of Kearney from territory taken from the Diocese of Omaha. James Albert Duffy of St. Paul was named the first bishop. In 1916 Pope Benedict XV added four counties (Wheeler, Greeley, Howard, and the part of Hall County north of the Platte River), and on April 11, 1917, the see was transferred to Grand Island and the diocese renamed. Bishop Duffy built the present Gothic Revival Cathedral (1926–1928), Cardinal Patrick Hayes of New York consecrated it on July 5, 1928. The diocese has had eight bishops in succession; two — Edward Hunkeler and John J. Sullivan — went on to lead larger sees in Kansas City.
- 1912 — Diocese of Kearney erected
- 1916 — counties of Wheeler, Greeley, Howard, and northern Hall added
- 1917 — see moved to Grand Island, diocese renamed
- 1928 — Cathedral of the Nativity of the BVM consecrated
- 2015 — Joseph G. Hanefeldt installed as eighth bishop
Territory and Statistics
The Diocese of Grand Island covers 28 full counties in central and western Nebraska plus the northern portions of Dawson, Lincoln, and Keith counties — about 42,024 square miles in all. It is one of the largest U.S. Catholic dioceses by area. According to the 2023 Official Catholic Directory, the diocese is home to 48,363 Catholics (16.7% of the total population of 288,741), 67 parishes and missions, 52 diocesan priests, 1 religious priest, 19 permanent deacons, and 11 Catholic schools.
- Area: 42,024 sq mi (108,840 km²)
- 28 full counties + parts of Dawson, Lincoln, Keith counties
- 67 parishes and missions (2023)
- 48,363 Catholics (2023); 16.7% of population
- 11 Catholic schools (4 high schools + 7 elementary)
Bishop's Administration
The diocesan chancery in Grand Island is led by Bishop Joseph G. Hanefeldt, with Very Rev. Don Buhrman serving as Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia, Very Rev. Vince Parsons, J.C.L., as Judicial Vicar, Rev. Joshua Brown as Vicar for Clergy, and Rev. Msgr. Mark Huber as Chancellor. Bishop Hanefeldt's administrative assistant is Angie Fisher. The chancery phone is (308) 382-6565.
- Bishop Joseph G. Hanefeldt — Diocesan Bishop
- Very Rev. Don Buhrman — Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia (ext. 212)
- Very Rev. Vince Parsons, J.C.L. — Judicial Vicar (ext. 207)
- Rev. Joshua Brown — Vicar for Clergy
- Rev. Msgr. Mark Huber — Chancellor (ext. 208)
- Angie Fisher — Bishop's Administrative Assistant (ext. 201)
Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary — popularly known as St. Mary's Cathedral — sits in Grand Island, Nebraska. The parish traces its origins to 1868, when settlers built a wooden church that was destroyed by a windstorm before its dedication; a frame replacement went up in 1877, and in 1889 Bishop O'Connor of Omaha sent Fr. Wolfe to oversee construction of a brick church. The parish was raised to a permanent rectorship in 1897. The present Gothic Revival cathedral, designed by Brinkman & Hagan and modeled on Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, was built 1926–1928 and consecrated by Cardinal Patrick Hayes on July 5, 1928. A north-side parish, Blessed Sacrament, was created from the cathedral in 1949; the present rectory was completed in 1951 and the convent in 1967. The cathedral is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Gothic Revival style by Brinkman & Hagan, Omaha
- Modeled on Sainte-Chapelle, Paris
- Construction 1926–1928
- Consecrated July 5, 1928 by Cardinal Patrick Hayes
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Catholic Schools
The diocese operates a system of 11 Catholic schools serving roughly 1,300 students, anchored by four Catholic high schools: Central Catholic High School in Grand Island, Kearney Catholic High School in Kearney, St. Patrick High School in North Platte, and Spalding Academy in Spalding. These are supplemented by 7 parish elementary schools scattered across the diocese.
- Central Catholic High School — Grand Island
- Kearney Catholic High School — Kearney
- St. Patrick High School — North Platte
- Spalding Academy — Spalding
- 7 elementary schools across the diocese
Vocations — Project 2030
The Office for Vocations exists 'to encourage and inspire young people to consider priesthood and religious life' and works 'to ignite a culture of vocations in the clergy, religious, and lay faithful.' Its strategic plan for 2025–2030 is built on three pillars: a Culture of Prayer, a Culture of Vocational Awareness & Invitation, and a Culture of Diligent Discernment & Formation. Its flagship initiative, Project 2030, sets the explicit goal of having 20 seminarians in formation by the year 2030. The Vocations Director is Rev. Neal J. Hock, pastor of St. Teresa of [Avila / ?] and the Newman Center. The office sponsors discernment retreats for men and women ages 16–30, Andrew and Miriam dinners at the Newman Center, an annual vocation trip to convents/monasteries/seminaries, and a 9-week vocations novena leading up to National Vocations Awareness Week.
- Project 2030 — goal of 20 seminarians by 2030
- Three pillars: Prayer, Awareness & Invitation, Discernment & Formation
- Vocations Director: Rev. Neal J. Hock
- Discernment retreats for ages 16–30
- Andrew and Miriam dinners at the Newman Center
- Diocesan Vocation Prayer to be prayed at every Mass
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry coordinates faith-formation and pilgrimage opportunities for teens and young adults across the diocese. The diocese is currently registered for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) — held November 20–21, 2026 in Long Beach, California — described as 'the premier Catholic youth event on a national scale.' Bishop Hanefeldt has also personally invited young adults to join a diocesan pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea, telling them, 'This is more than a trip — it is an opportunity to grow in faith, discover the Lord's call in your life, and be renewed as a joyful disciple.'
- National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) — Long Beach, CA, Nov. 20–21, 2026
- World Youth Day 2027 pilgrimage — Seoul, South Korea
- Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Bishop Hanefeldt has led the diocese in a formal consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an act of devotion that renews the faithful's entrustment to Christ's love and mercy. The diocese has also promoted monthly Healing Masses at the Cathedral as part of its devotional life.
- Diocesan consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Monthly Healing Masses at the Cathedral
Parishes, Missions, and Pastoral Care
With 67 parishes and missions spread across a territory larger than many states, the diocese relies on its priests, parochial vicars, and 19 permanent deacons (2023) to keep Catholic life present in rural communities. Parishes can be located through the 'Find a Parish' search on the diocesan homepage by entering a city or ZIP code. The diocese encourages lay collaboration through parish councils, the diocesan Council of Catholic Women (a tradition Bishop Hanefeldt himself once moderated in Omaha), and Serra clubs that pray for and promote vocations.
- Find a Parish search tool on gidiocese.org
- 67 parishes and missions
- 19 permanent deacons (2023)
- Parish Holy Hours for Vocations encouraged in every parish
Catholic Hospitals and Senior Care
Catholic health care is part of the diocesan footprint. The diocese's territory includes 2 Catholic hospitals and 1 Catholic home for seniors / assisted-living facility, reflecting the historic role of religious sisters (and Bishop Paschang's mid-century building boom, which included 4 hospital additions) in bringing Catholic health care to rural Nebraska.
- 2 Catholic hospitals in the diocese
- 1 Catholic home for seniors / assisted living
- 4 hospital additions added under Bishop Paschang (1951–1972)
Communications and Contact
The diocese publishes news, clergy assignment changes, and a diocesan email sign-up through Bishop Hanefeldt on its website. Inquiries to the chancery can be directed to [email protected]. The official website is https://gidiocese.org/ and serves as the hub for news, vocations information, parish and school locators, and event registration.
- Website: https://gidiocese.org/
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (308) 382-6565
- Address: 2708 Old Fair Rd., Grand Island, NE 68803
