About Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Omaha, Nebraska
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary–Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (commonly called Assumption-Guadalupe) is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in South Omaha, Nebraska, serving both English- and Spanish-speaking faithful across two church buildings: the historic Assumption Church on S. 22nd Street and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on O Street. Originally founded in 1894 to serve Czech immigrants in the Brown Park neighborhood, the parish merged in recent years with Our Lady of Guadalupe (founded 1919 for Mexican Catholics) and St. Agnes, forming one of the largest and most culturally diverse parishes in the Archdiocese of Omaha, with 5,810 registered families and a full weekend schedule of eight Masses plus two weekday Masses celebrated by three priests. It is part of the Our Lady of the Saints family of parishes and is recognized as a vital cultural and spiritual anchor for South Omaha's Latino community.
- Established
- 1894
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (Assumption); also Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Rector
- Rev. William Bond
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha
Why belong here
Assumption-Guadalupe is one of the most welcoming bilingual parishes in South Omaha, celebrating eight weekend Masses and two daily Masses in both English and Spanish so every family can worship in the language closest to their heart. The parish offers rich devotional life — weekly Thursday Eucharistic Adoration from 1:00–6:00 PM, a 40-hour First Friday devotion, the Our Lady of Guadalupe novena and feast day, Living Stations of the Cross, Las Posadas, and a vibrant Parish Fiesta — alongside a strong Faith Formation program for children, OCIA for adults, and a dozen parish ministries ranging from the Legion of Mary to Cursillos de Cristianidad. With more than 5,800 registered families, deep roots stretching back to 1894, and a mission to make disciples of all nations with Mary as model and protector, it is a place where South Omaha's immigrant story continues to be lived out in faith.
Mass times at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: OLG 5:00–5:50 PM
- Wednesday: OLG 5:00–5:50 PM
- Thursday: OLG 5:00–5:50 PM
- Friday: OLG 5:00–5:50 PM
- Saturday: ABVM 4:00–4:50 PM
- Saturday: OLG 6:00–6:50 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
- First Friday Devotion: 40-hour devotion starting Wednesday before First Friday at 9:00 AM, continuing through Friday evening
- Special Adoration Hour at Assumption Church (e.g., November 9 from 4:00–5:00 PM)
About Assumption-Guadalupe Catholic Church
Assumption-Guadalupe Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in South Omaha, Nebraska, that grew from the merger of three historic parishes: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (founded 1894 by Czech immigrants), Our Lady of Guadalupe (founded 1919 by Mexican Catholics), and St. Agnes. Today the parish operates two church buildings — Assumption Church on S. 22nd Street and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on O Street — and counts 5,810 registered families. Three priests and one deacon serve the community as part of the Our Lady of the Saints family of parishes in the Archdiocese of Omaha.
- Assumption Church (ABVM): 5838 S. 22nd St., Omaha, NE 68107
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (OLG): 2302 'O' St., Omaha, NE 68107
- Parish Office: 4930 S 23rd St., Omaha, NE 68107
- Part of the Our Lady of the Saints family of parishes
Mission Statement
The parish mission, as published on the official site, reads: "We, the people of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary-Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, born of Assumption, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and St. Agnes Parishes, are committed to learning to love God and our neighbor as Christ commanded, going forth into the world, and making disciples of all nations, with Mary as our model and protector."
History of the Parish
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was founded in 1894 when Czech immigrants, organized by Rev. Vranek, bought two lots at 22nd & U Streets in South Omaha. Rev. John Hodyc built the church for $3,000, and it was consecrated January 6, 1895. For decades Assumption served as the cultural, educational, and religious center for the Czech community of the Brown Park neighborhood, alongside the neighboring Immaculate Conception parish that served Polish immigrants.
- 1893: Czech parishioners organize under Rev. Vranek and purchase lots at 22nd & U
- 1894: Rev. John Hodyc builds the Assumption church; cost $3,000
- January 6, 1895: Church consecrated
- Early 1900s: Succession of Bohemian-born priests — Rev. Charles C. Zak, Rev. John Vlcek, Rev. Anton Bednar, Rev. Joseph Chundelak (d. 1918), Rev. John St. Broz (d. 1919), Rev. J. Krajicek
Our Lady of Guadalupe Heritage
In 1918 a small Mexican community petitioned Bishop Jeremiah J. Harty for a Spanish-speaking church but were initially refused. Through tamale sales, raffles, and dances, they raised enough to rent an old bakery at 21st & Q for $14/month, and Our Lady of Guadalupe parish was inaugurated in October 1919 under Augustinian Father Leonardo Azcona. After the improvised church closed in 1923, the community reopened at 5027 S. 24th Street in 1928 under Father Francisco M. Alba, and finally broke ground on a permanent church at 23rd & O in 1950, dedicating it in 1951. Today it remains the spiritual heart of South Omaha's Latino Catholics.
- 1919: First Our Lady of Guadalupe church opens in rented bakery at 21st & Q
- 1923: First church closes after funds run out
- 1928: Parish reopens at 5027 S. 24th Street under Father Francisco M. Alba
- 1950: Groundbreaking on permanent church at 23rd & O
- 1951: Church dedicated
Merger into Assumption-Guadalupe
Reflecting the demographic shift of South Omaha from Czech and Irish immigrant roots to a predominantly Latino community, Assumption, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and St. Agnes parishes merged into a single bilingual parish — Assumption-Guadalupe Catholic Church — operating both historic church buildings under one pastoral team within the Our Lady of the Saints family of parishes.
Faith Formation
The Faith Formation program for children runs September through April each year, designed to explain the Catholic faith and prepare children ages 7–16 to receive the Sacraments of Baptism (if needed), Confession, First Communion, and Confirmation. Families may contact the Faith Formation Office at 402-738-8240 for enrollment information.
- Children's Faith Formation (ages 7–16)
- Sacramental preparation: Baptism, Confession, First Communion, Confirmation
- Faith Formation Office: 402-738-8240
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM, closed Thursdays)
Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)
The OCIA program (formerly RCIA) is for adults who are not Catholic, or Catholics who have not received all their initial Sacraments (Baptism, First Communion, Confession, Confirmation) prior to age 17. The program begins each Fall and concludes at Easter, when participants receive their Sacraments and become full members of the Catholic Church. Contact the Parish Office at 402-731-2196 for more information.
Parish Ministries & Groups
Assumption-Guadalupe offers a wide array of parish groups reflecting its bilingual and bicultural character — from Marian sodalities and family movements to small Christian communities and charismatic renewal. Each group has its own charism, making it easy to find a community that matches a parishioner's spiritual needs.
- Assumption-Guadalupe Altar Society
- Legion of Mary (English)
- La Legión de María (Spanish)
- Cursillos de Cristianidad (Spanish)
- Movimiento Familiar Cristiano Católico (Catholic Christian Family Movement)
- Renovación Carismática Católica (Catholic Charismatic Renewal)
- Guadalupanas Sodality
- Night Adoration team
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church, with detailed catechesis on its website drawn from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI's Deus Caritas Est, and other Church documents. Couples and families should contact the parish office to begin preparation for Baptism, Matrimony, First Communion, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, or to enroll in OCIA.
- Baptism
- Penance / Reconciliation
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick (Unción de los Enfermos)
Parish Events & Feast Days
Beyond regular Mass and devotion schedules, the parish celebrates an annual calendar of community events that reflect its Mexican Catholic heritage and unite generations of parishioners. The bulletin is the best source for current dates.
- Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday
- Cinco de Mayo
- Parish Fiesta (annual)
- September 15th celebration
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena and Feast Day — December 12
- Las Posadas during Advent
Parish Staff
Assumption-Guadalupe is served by a pastor, two associate pastors, and a deacon, supported by both English- and Spanish-speaking parish and Faith Formation staff.
- Rev. William Bond — Pastor
- Rev. Mauricio Tovar — Associate Pastor
- Rev. Brett Jamrog — Associate Pastor
- Deacon Ramón Contreras
- Zita Herrera — Receptionist
- Carmen Navarrete — Bulletin / Records
- Bill Berry — Business Manager
- Eloisa Robles — Custodian
- Joe Lara — Maintenance
- Marcela Cervantes — Director of Faith Formation
- Nancy Rodriguez Perez — Office Assistant, Faith Formation
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at either of the parish's two church buildings in South Omaha. The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, closed for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 PM; the Faith Formation Office is closed Thursdays and closed for national holidays and holy days of obligation.
- Parish Office: 4930 S 23rd St., Omaha, NE 68107 — 402-731-2196
- Faith Formation Office: 402-738-8240
- Bulletin email: [email protected]
- Fax: 402-827-6764
- Facebook: facebook.com/ABVMOLG
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Hodyc1894–
Built the original Assumption church at 22nd & U, consecrated January 6, 1895.
- Rev. Charles C. Zakearly 1900s
Succeeded Rev. Hodyc; born in Krnsko, Bohemia, 1869; ordained in Cincinnati, 1893; left January 1905.
- Rev. John Vlcek1905–
Born in Mladíkov, Bohemia, 1866; came to U.S. 1893; served in West Point, St. Paul, and Heun before South Omaha.
- Rev. Anton Bednar1900–1902
First incumbency in the U.S.; born in Chvalkovice, Moravia; ordained in Olomouc, 1893.
- Rev. Joseph ChundelakOctober 1902–September 1918
Born 1868 in Kamenné Žboží; died in South Omaha.
- Rev. John St. Broz1918–September 1919
Succeeded Rev. Chundelak; died in South Omaha in 1919.
- Rev. J. Krajicek1919–
Succeeded Rev. Broz; later transferred to Lynch parish.