About Cathedral of the Risen Christ · Lincoln, Nebraska
The Cathedral of the Risen Christ is the mother church (cathedral) of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, located at 3500 Sheridan Boulevard in southeast Lincoln. Completed in 1965 and designed by architect Leo A. Daly of the Omaha-based Leo A. Daly Company, the cathedral is renowned for its neo-classical/Modern lines and an extraordinary collection of sacred art including free-form stained glass from Max Ingrand's Atelier Firenze/Arte Fontana Studio in Paris, etched glass by Emil Frei of St. Louis, and a twelve-foot bronze Risen Christ statue by Italian sculptor Jorio Vivarelli. The parish has maintained perpetual Eucharistic adoration in the Bishop's Chapel every hour of every day since October 1, 1959. Beyond its role as the bishop's seat, it functions as a territorial parish with its own school (Cathedral School, the 'Eagles'), the Cathedral music program built around a 41-stop Casavant Frères pipe organ, and numerous faith-formation, outreach, and devotional ministries.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- The Risen Christ (Resurrection of Jesus)
- Rector
- Monsignor Thomas Fucinaro
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Lincoln
Why belong here
Cathedral of the Risen Christ is the spiritual home of the Diocese of Lincoln, where the bishop celebrates the great liturgies of the year, but it is also a warm, active territorial parish serving southeast Lincoln. Daily Mass is offered three times each weekday and five times on Sundays, perpetual Eucharistic adoration has been maintained continuously since 1959, and confession is heard throughout the week. Families can enroll children in Cathedral School (PreK–8, the 'Eagles'), in CCD religious education, and in summer Totus Tuus; adults can join the RCIA, the St. Vincent de Paul conference, the cantors and choir, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic social services outreach, and dozens of other parish ministries supported by a pastoral council and active stewardship program.
Mass times at Cathedral of the Risen Christ
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 7:40 am – 8:10 am
- Wednesday: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (sometimes listed to 4:55 pm)
- Saturday: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
- Saturday: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration has been maintained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Bishop's Chapel since October 1, 1959
- Open hours at time of bulletin publication: Sunday 1:00 am and 3:00 am; Wednesday 12:00 am; Thursday 3:00 am; Friday 2:00 pm; Saturday 12:00 am (subject to change; see current bulletin)
- Adoration Pro sign-up: https://www.adorationpro.org/CRChrist (substitute password: 'subpass')
About the Cathedral
Cathedral of the Risen Christ is the spiritual home and mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska. As the bishop's seat, it is the place where the bishop ordains priests, dedicates the holy oils each Holy Thursday, and celebrates the major diocesan liturgies of the year. As a territorial parish, it also serves the Catholics of southeast Lincoln with daily Masses, perpetual adoration, robust faith formation, and a parish school. The cathedral's title points to its central artistic and devotional theme: the Resurrection of Jesus is proclaimed in the Risen Christ statue, the stained glass, the mosaics, and the reserved Eucharist in the Bishop's Chapel tabernacle, around which Perpetual Adoration has been offered continuously since 1959.
- Mother church of the Diocese of Lincoln
- Territorial parish in southeast Lincoln
- Dedicated August 18, 1965
- Perpetual Adoration since October 1, 1959
Cathedral History
The parish was canonically established on February 3, 1926 by Bishop Francis J. Beckman and the diocesan consultors. Father Joseph A. Kenney organized the new Holy Family Parish in 1932, celebrated the first Mass on August 28, 1932 in a temporary chapel near Pawnee and 48th Street, and selected the 35th and Sheridan site in May 1933. Successive pastors included Father Lawrence Obrist (1934), Msgr. L. V. Barnes (1950), and Msgr. Clarence J. Crowley (1958). Bishop James V. Casey chose Holy Family Parish as the site for the new diocesan cathedral in the late 1950s, groundbreaking was held on June 20, 1963, the cornerstone was laid by Cardinal Joseph Ritter in June 1964, the first Mass was offered on May 12, 1965, and the cathedral was dedicated by Apostolic Delegate Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi on August 18, 1965. The parish was part of the Sheridan Boulevard district's inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
- 1926: Parish established by Bishop Beckman
- 1932: Holy Family Parish organized by Father Joseph A. Kenney
- 1933: 35th & Sheridan site purchased
- 1963: Cathedral groundbreaking, June 20
- 1964: Cardinal Ritter lays cornerstone, June
- 1965: First Mass, May 12; Dedication by Archbishop Vagnozzi, August 18
- 2005: Sheridan Boulevard historic district added to the National Register
Architecture, Stained Glass, and Sacred Art
The cathedral's design and interior decoration represent a concerted international commission of mid-twentieth-century sacred art, gathered under the direction of Msgr. Crowley and the Diocese of Lincoln. Architect Leo A. Daly of Omaha produced a Modern/neo-classical plan executed by Kingery Construction Co. of Lincoln. The nave's free-form stained glass windows by Max Ingrand (Paris), the vestibule façade by Rambusch Studios (New York), and the etched Crystal Screen Narthex by Emil Frei (St. Louis, fabricated in Germany) form one of the most significant collections of ecclesiastical glass in the Great Plains.
- Architect: Leo A. Daly (Omaha)
- Builder: Kingery Construction Co. (Lincoln) — 23,700 sq ft
- Stained-glass side windows: Max Ingrand / Atelier Firenze–Arte Fontana (Paris)
- Façade stained glass: Rambusch Studios (New York)
- Etched Crystal Screen Narthex: Robert Harmon of Emil Frei Studio, fabricated by August Wagner (Germany)
- Risen Christ statue (12 ft, 1,000 lb bronze): Jorio Vivarelli (Florence)
- Holy Family Mosaic Wall & baptismal font: Giovanni Hajnal (Hungarian)
- Emmaus relief in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel: Anelo Biancini (Faenza, Italy)
- Pipe organ: Casavant Frères (Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec); 2,864 pipes, 41 stops, 51 ranks
Faith Formation and Cathedral School
Cathedral of the Risen Christ runs a comprehensive faith formation program serving children and families of southeast Lincoln. Cathedral School (the 'Cathedral Eagles') is a PreK through 8th-grade parish school at 3245 S. 37th Street with a principal (Mrs. Angela Miller) and assistant principal (Mrs. Amy Israel). Children who attend public school receive religious education through the parish CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program, with early registration each summer and a need for catechists. Adults are served through the RCIA, and youth through Totus Tuus (a week-long summer program run at Cathedral each July) and the parish's youth and family ministries.
- Cathedral School (PreK–8): 3245 S. 37th St., Lincoln, NE 68506 — 402-489-9621 — www.cathedraleagles.com
- Principal: Mrs. Angela Miller; Assistant Principal: Mrs. Amy Israel
- CCD Religious Education (early registration each June; grades K–8, sacramental prep)
- RCIA (adult initiation)
- Totus Tuus Summer Program (parish-hosted week; grades 1–8 daytime, high school evenings)
- CYO / Youth Ministry, Family Ministry
Music and Liturgy
Music at the cathedral is anchored by the Casavant Frères pipe organ (1964), one of the finest instruments in Lincoln, with trained cantors leading congregational singing in the absence of the choir and a separate organist providing preludes and postludes. The parish welcomes new cantors and organists (audition required) and supports a broader Cathedral Arts program featuring choral, instrumental, and cultural events.
- Casavant Frères organ (41 stops, 51 ranks, 2,864 pipes) installed 1964
- Choir, Cantors, and Organist program — directed by Amy Flamminio (402-440-7170)
- Cathedral Arts concert and cultural series
- Audition required for new cantors and organists
Outreach and Charity
Cathedral of the Risen Christ operates — and is the host parish for — a robust network of outreach ministries reaching into Lincoln and across the Diocese of Lincoln. The St. Vincent de Paul Society Cathedral Conference serves families and individuals with household bills, furniture, food, gas and vehicle needs, clothing, and school supplies, in partnership with Blessed Sacrament Parish and referrals through the St. Gabriel Call Center (402-HELP YOU / 402-435-7968). The parish is also a referral hub for Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Lincoln (main office at 3700 Sheridan Blvd., near the cathedral), which operates the St. Louise Gift & Thrift Store at 2201 'O' Street and the St. Francis Food Pantry.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — Cathedral Conference
- St. Gabriel Call Center intake: 402-HELP YOU (402-435-7968)
- Catholic Social Services — 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln
- St. Louise Gift & Thrift Store, 2201 'O' Street
- St. Francis Food Pantry
Parish Life and Stewardship
The parish's day-to-day operations are supported by a pastoral council (meeting the first Tuesday of each month), a staff including a Communications & Marketing Manager (Kathryn Matson) and bulletin editor (Michelle Schlautman), a Perpetual Adoration coordinator (Cody Schaaf), and the FIFE campaign coordinator (Claire Pohlen). Cathedral publishes a weekly bulletin (announcements due Tuesdays at 5 pm), a bi-monthly 'Reach Cathedral' newsletter, and maintains an Online Giving platform for recurring and one-time gifts. The parish's CSA campaign goal for 2026 is $200,000 under the diocesan theme 'You are the Hope!' drawn from the writings of Pope Leo XIV; the FIFE capital campaign (joint with Pius X High School) carries a combined goal of $7,062,206.
- Pastoral Council — meets first Tuesday
- Communications & Marketing: Kathryn Matson
- Bulletin editor: Michelle Schlautman
- Online Giving program
- Charity & Stewardship Appeal 2026 parish goal: $200,000
- Forward in Faith & Excellence (FIFE) campaign goal: $7,062,206 (joint with Pius X HS)
Clergy Staff
The Cathedral is staffed by a pastor, parochial vicar(s), and retired priests 'in residence' who assist with Mass and confessions. Following a 2022 change by Bishop Conley, the rector's title is now 'Pastor' under the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
- 2026–2027: Pastor — Msgr. Thomas Fucinaro; Parochial Vicar — Fr. Mark Cyza; In Residence — Msgr. Daniel Seiker
- 2025–2026: Parochial Vicar — Fr. Tony Schukei; In Residence — Msgr. Daniel Seiker, Fr. Boniface Dagbal
- 2024–2025: Parochial Vicar — Fr. Dale Allder; In Residence — Msgr. Daniel Seiker, Fr. Basil Ejim
- 2023–2024: Parochial Vicar — Fr. Dale Allder; In Residence — Fr. Christopher Eckrich, Msgr. Daniel Seiker, Fr. Basil Ejim, Fr. Prageeth Chamara
- 2022–2023: Parochial Vicar — Fr. Caleb Hile; In Residence — Fr. Christopher Eckrich, Msgr. Daniel Seiker
Visiting and Tours
The parish welcomes visitors of all faiths to come and pray in the cathedral. Guided tours are offered by appointment and cover the parish history, windows, mosaics, statues, the Bishop's Chapel, the sacristy, and the choir loft. To schedule, contact the parish office at 402-488-0948 or email [email protected] at least one week in advance. The cathedral is on the National Register of Historic Places (as part of the Sheridan Boulevard historic district, listed 2005) and hosts concerts and cultural events through the Cathedral Arts program.
- Cathedral Tours by appointment: 402-488-0948
- Includes Bishop's Chapel, sacristy, and choir loft
- Sheridan Boulevard historic district — National Register of Historic Places (2005)
- Cathedral Arts concerts and cultural events
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph A. Kenney1932–1934 (organizing pastor of Holy Family Parish)
Organized the new parish; selected and purchased the 35th & Sheridan site in May 1933.
- Father Lawrence Obristappointed May 1934
- Msgr. L. V. Barnesappointed June 1950
- Msgr. Clarence J. Crowleypastor from April 1958; died March 19, 1986
Vicar General; presided at the 1963 groundbreaking; oversaw construction and 1965 dedication.
- Father James Dawsontemporary successor March 1986; appointed Rector June 1986
Served temporarily as Vicar General interim.
- Father Ivan Vapappointed Rector June 1986 (per parish timeline)
- Reverend Monsignor James DawsonRector from June 1996
Promoted to Monsignor.
- Father Robert TuckerRector from June 1999
- Father Joseph NemecRector from June 2017
- Father Justin WylieRector from October 2019
- Monsignor Thomas FucinaroPastor from February 2022 to present
Title of 'Rector' changed to 'Pastor' by Bishop James D. Conley in February 2022 to correspond with the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
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