About Holy Cross · Beemer, Nebraska
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a small Roman Catholic parish in the village of Beemer, Nebraska (population roughly 650), in the rural northeast corner of the state. It is one of ten parishes in the St. Joseph Family of Parishes, led from West Point and Wisner, within the Archdiocese of Omaha. About 75 families call Holy Cross home, gathering for Sunday Mass, weekday Masses, devotions, Bible study, and the work of the Altar Society. The parish shares one pastor with St. Joseph's in Wisner, a partnership that began in 2005, and it maintains its own Holy Cross Cemetery just outside town.
- Established
- 1913
- Patron
- The Holy Cross
- Rector
- Rev. James M. Weeder
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha (part of the St. Joseph Family of Parishes)
Why belong here
Holy Cross is a small, tight-knit rural parish of about 75 families where everyone knows each other and pitches in. Members gather for Sunday Mass at 8:30 AM, a Tuesday morning Mass at 8:00 AM, Bible study, the Altar Society's fellowship and service work, and a beloved Wednesday coffee with the pastor after Mass. The parish also keeps a holy watch over its members through a weekly Mass celebrated at Colonial Haven Nursing Home and through care of the historic Holy Cross Cemetery — making it a place where an individual Catholic family can quickly feel at home and make a real difference.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:00 AM – 8:20 AM (before Mass)
- By appointment
Our History
Holy Cross Church was built in 1913 and dedicated on September 14, 1914, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The founding pastor was Fr. John Pieper (1913–1914). Early parishioners included the Schinstock, Sanders, Rehberg, and McNamara families. Before the parish existed, local Catholics had to take the train to Wisner or West Point for Mass. The first marriage in the parish was George Schwedhelm and Elizabeth Amrein on June 19, 1917, with Fr. Adam Brass presiding. In 2005, Holy Cross began sharing its pastor with St. Joseph Parish in Wisner, and is today part of the St. Joseph Family of Parishes in the Archdiocese of Omaha.
- Church built: 1913
- Dedicated: September 14, 1914
- Founding pastor: Fr. John Pieper
- Early families: Schinstock, Sanders, Rehberg, George & Ed McNamara
- First baptisms: Kathryn McNamara (b. Dec. 5, 1913); David Henry Sanders (b. Oct. 26, 1914)
- First marriage: George Schwedhelm & Elizabeth Amrein, June 19, 1917 (Fr. Adam Brass)
- Pastoral partnership with St. Joseph, Wisner, since 2005
Pastoral Team
Holy Cross is currently served by Rev. James M. Weeder as pastor, with Rev. Matthias Sule as associate pastor, both shared with St. Joseph Parish in Wisner as part of the St. Joseph Family of Parishes in the Archdiocese of Omaha.
- Pastor: Rev. James M. Weeder
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Matthias Sule
- Parish office shared with St. Joseph, Wisner (phone 402-529-3891)
Parish Leadership
Each pastor at Holy Cross is supported by a consultative Parish Council and a Finance Committee. Parish Council members are elected or appointed for three-year terms and meet every other month; Finance Committee members are appointed by the pastor and meet quarterly.
- Parish Council — President: Michael Guenther; Secretary: Trisha Robertson; members Mike Gentrup, Karen Spenner, Robert Praest, Michelle Borgmann
- Finance Committee Chair (Holy Cross, Beemer): David Steffensmeier
- Parish Council meets every other month; Finance Committee meets quarterly
Altar Society
The Altar Society provides fellowship to the women of the parish through monthly meetings and year-round activities, and provides service to the parish and to local agencies in need.
- Monthly meetings for parish women
- Service to the parish and local agencies
Bible Study
Holy Cross offers a Bible Study program as part of its ongoing faith formation. Details on meeting times are available through the parish office.
OCIA — Christian Initiation of Adults
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) at Holy Cross prepares adults who wish to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion (Eucharist), and Confirmation, as well as adults being received into the Catholic faith from other Christian denominations. Sessions typically begin in September and conclude at Easter each year. Inquiries are directed to Fr. Weeder at 402-372-2188.
- For unbaptized adults preparing for Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation
- For Catholics seeking Eucharist or Confirmation
- For those being received into the Church from other denominations
- Runs September through Easter each year
Holy Cross Cemetery
Care of the final resting place of the parish's faithful dead has always been a priority at Holy Cross. The Catholic Cemetery Committee welcomes Catholics who would like a loved one interred in Holy Cross Cemetery. To purchase a plot, call the parish office at 402-528-3475 or 402-529-3531.
- Active parish Cemetery Committee
- Cemetery located in Beemer
- Plot inquiries: 402-528-3475 or 402-529-3531
Sacraments
Holy Cross prepares parishioners for and celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments, including Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, and Reconciliation, and provides the OCIA process for adults joining the Church.
- Baptism — infant and adult (via OCIA)
- Eucharist (First Communion) — preparation via OCIA for adults
- Confirmation — preparation via OCIA for adults
- Marriage — preparation through the parish office
- Reconciliation — Sundays 8:00–8:20 AM or by appointment
- OCIA — September through Easter
Visiting & Getting Involved
Holy Cross describes itself as a very welcoming community with a tradition of sharing a cup of coffee with the pastor on Wednesdays after the morning Mass. Newcomers and visitors are warmly received, and parishioners can become involved through the Parish Council, Finance Committee, Altar Society, Cemetery Committee, Bible Study, and OCIA team.
- Wednesday coffee with the pastor after Mass
- Parish Council — meets every other month, open to visitors
- Altar Society — women's fellowship and service
- Finance Committee — appointed, quarterly meetings
- Cemetery Committee — care of Holy Cross Cemetery
- OCIA team — adult initiation ministry
Contact & Location
The parish mailing address is PO Box 212, Beemer, NE 68716, with the church located at 517 N Fraisier Street. The parish office phone line is shared with St. Joseph, Wisner, and the parish office email handles both parishes. The parish is also listed on the St. Joseph Family of Parishes website and the Archdiocese of Omaha directory.
- Church address: 517 N Fraisier Street, Beemer, NE 68716
- Mailing: PO Box 212, Beemer, NE 68716
- Parish phone: 402-528-3475
- Shared office line (with St. Joseph): 402-529-3891
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://holycrossbeemer.org/
- Family of Parishes: stjosephfamilyofparishes.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Pieper1913–1914
Founding pastor of Holy Cross; built and dedicated the church in 1913/1914.
- Fr. Adam Brass
Presided at the first marriage in the parish (George Schwedhelm and Elizabeth Amrein, June 19, 1917).