About Holy Cross · Omaha, Nebraska
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Omaha, Nebraska, belonging to the Archdiocese of Omaha. Founded in September 1920 from an initial membership of 40 families, Holy Cross has grown over more than a century into a vibrant parish community that also shares ministry with sister parishes Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Adalbert. The parish offers daily and weekend Masses, a Catholic elementary school (Holy Cross School, a partner of the Omaha Catholic School Consortium), religious education for children and youth, OCIA/RCIA for adults, and an active ministry of outreach through St. Vincent de Paul and the HOPE scrip fundraising program. The current church building was dedicated in 1955 and is located at 4810 Woolworth Avenue, with the parish office at 4803 William Street.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- The Holy Cross (the Cross of Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Vitalis Ejike Anyanike ('Father V')
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha
Why belong here
Holy Cross is a 100+ year-old Omaha parish with deep roots — founded in 1920 by 40 families and now an active community of worship, formation and outreach. Parishioners can worship at multiple weekend Masses (with the 11:00am Mass livestreamed), send children to Holy Cross School or the K–8 Religious Education program, and grow through faith-formation programs including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, OCIA, and a 2-year Confirmation prep. The parish lives out the Gospel through its St. Vincent de Paul ministry for neighbors in need, the HOPE scrip fundraising that funds tuition assistance and sacramental fees, and a long Catholic-school partnership within the Omaha Catholic School Consortium. Fr. V's welcome letter captures the spirit: 'We need your participation, gifts and talents and you need the parish community to more deeply experience the Lord.'
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM
- Friday 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Our Story & Parish History
Holy Cross was established as a parish of the Omaha Archdiocese in September 1920, beginning with just 40 families who built their first church in 1921 largely from salvaged materials — including a fireplace from the Boyd Theater that became the main altar. By 1928 the parish had grown past 400 families; in 1936 ground was broken on a new building at 48th and Woolworth that housed both classrooms and a 'temporary' lower-level church. The present church was completed in 1955 under Monsignor Edward Appelbaum, the same era when school enrollment peaked at 1,475 students. The parish celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1995 and its school celebrated its 75th in 2011–2012.
- Parish founded: September 1920
- First church at 5065 Center Street completed early 1921
- Property at 48th & Woolworth purchased 1928; school/lower church groundbreaking March 23, 1936
- Current church dedicated 1955; school peak enrollment 1,475 students in 1959
- 75th parish anniversary 1995; 75th school anniversary 2011–2012
Mission Statement
Holy Cross articulates its mission as: 'We are a Catholic Community, by the Grace of God, Living and Celebrating Jesus Christ, Making Disciples Through the Word, Sacraments, and Our Witness.' This statement shapes the parish's daily rhythm of worship, formation, and outreach.
Parish Team & Staff
Holy Cross is led by Pastor Rev. Vitalis Ejike Anyanike ('Fr. V') with Rev. Tony Ike in residence, assisted by Deacons Tom Burton, Nick Rasmussen and Tim Mulcahy. Lay staff include Catie Johnson (Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry), Joe Strese (Business Manager), Sr. Perpetua Madu (Parish Secretary), and Kathy Callahan (Bulletin Editor, Website, Social Media, Special Projects, and HOPE Coordinator).
- Pastor: Rev. Vitalis Ejike Anyanike ('Fr. V')
- In Residence: Rev. Tony Ike
- Deacons: Tom Burton, Nick Rasmussen, Tim Mulcahy
- Director of Religious Education & Youth Ministry: Catie Johnson — [email protected]
- Business Manager: Joe Strese — [email protected]
- Parish Secretary: Sr. Perpetua Madu — [email protected]
- Bulletin / Website / HOPE Coordinator: Kathy Callahan — [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Children's Religious Education program serves Grades K–8 and meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:00–7:30 PM in Holy Cross School. Grades K–6 follow a traditional grade-level catechesis model; Grades 7 & 8 prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation (received in the spring of 8th grade). The cost is $85 per family for the first child and $70 for each additional child, with financial assistance available by contacting Catie Johnson.
- K–6 traditional grade-level catechesis
- Grades 7 & 8 Confirmation prep
- Wednesday evenings 6:00–7:30 PM in Holy Cross School
- $85 first child / $70 each additional child; assistance available
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — St. Therese Atrium
Holy Cross offers the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method of faith formation for three- to six-year-old children of the parish. Catechists have completed nearly 100 hours of formation and prepared a special environment called the St. Therese Atrium. Class size is limited to 8, with first-come registration.
- Ages 3–6
- St. Therese Atrium environment
- Class size limited to 8
Sacraments
For Baptisms, families begin the process by calling the parish office. For First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, children must be at least age 7 or in 2nd grade and prepare either through a Catholic school or the parish Religious Education Program, submitting a Baptismal certificate and Sacrament Intent form. Confirmation requires the child to be at least 13 or in 8th grade, with a 2-year preparation beginning in 7th grade through the Religious Education Program. Adults inquiring about the sacraments are directed to attend OCIA classes.
- Baptism — contact parish office
- First Reconciliation & Holy Communion — age 7 / 2nd grade
- Confirmation — age 13 / 8th grade; 2-year prep
- Adult Sacraments — OCIA classes
Holy Cross School
Holy Cross School is a K–8 Catholic elementary school located at 1502 S. 48th Street, Omaha (phone 402-551-3773), and is a partner parish school of the Omaha Catholic School Consortium (OCSC). Registered parishioners at Holy Cross or any OCSC partner parish are eligible for a $500 tuition discount. The school emphasizes high academic standards combined with Catholic values, an inclusive welcoming environment, and faith in action — including a Prayer Partners program linking classrooms with parishioners.
- Holy Cross School, 1502 S. 48th Street, Omaha
- Phone: 402-551-3773
- Member of the Omaha Catholic School Consortium
- $500 tuition discount for registered parishioners/OCSC partner parishes
- Prayer Partners school-wide initiative
Outreach & Human Needs
Holy Cross lives out its mission through ministries that serve neighbors in need. The St. Vincent de Paul Society assists parishioners within the parish's geographic boundaries (Leavenworth Ave to Bancroft Court north to south, 40th to 67th Streets east to west) with utilities and rent. The Human Needs & Pastoral Ministry — long served by Pastoral Assistant Theresa McLaury — focuses on the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of parishioners through home visits, hospital and long-term care facility visits, and accompaniment of families planning funerals.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — utilities/rent assistance within parish boundaries
- Pastoral visits to homebound and long-term care
- Funeral-planning support for families
- Community work with Douglas County organizations
HOPE — Help Our Parish Excel
HOPE is Holy Cross's ongoing scrip/gift-card fundraiser started in 2001 by a group of moms who saw a need for tuition assistance. By purchasing gift cards through RaiseRight (using enrollment code LF9FA1LL2931) or at the rectory after Masses, parishioners direct a portion of each purchase to Holy Cross with no extra cost. Funds support the Tuition Assistance Fund (TAF) for school families in hardship, and — once TAF's first $10k/year is paid — also benefit Religious Education materials and 1st Communion/Confirmation sacrament fees. A linked Baker's Plus Community Rewards card contributes a quarterly bonus (over $200) to the HOPE program.
- Started in 2001 by a group of moms
- RaiseRight enrollment code: LF9FA1LL2931
- Proceeds: Tuition Assistance Fund first, then Religious Education & sacrament fees
- Baker's Plus Community Rewards linked to HOPE
- Coordinator: Kathy Callahan, 402-553-7500 / 402-250-5386
Joining the Parish
In his welcome letter, Fr. V writes: 'We are very happy to extend our welcome to you as our newest member of the Holy Cross family. We hope you will become involved in Parish Life. We need your participation, gifts and talents and you need the parish community to more deeply experience the Lord and to grow in the gifts He has given you.' New parishioners complete a Parish Registration Form (paper copies available by calling 402-553-7500) and are invited to participate in the liturgical, ministerial, and financial life of the parish through the annual Stewardship Commitment renewal.
- Parish Registration Form available online or by paper from the rectory
- Contact: 402-553-7500
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Kelly1920–1922
Founding pastor of Holy Cross Parish.
- Rev. Thomas Healy1922–1927
Succeeded founding pastor; oversaw early parish growth past 400 families.
- Rev. John Paschang1927–1951
Oversaw 1936 groundbreaking for school and 'temporary' lower church; later consecrated Bishop of Grand Island in October 1951.
- Monsignor Edward Appelbaum1951–1970
Completed the new (current) church in 1955; school enrollment peaked at 1,475 students in 1959.
- Monsignor Edward O'Donnell1970–1993
Pastorate noted for uncommon spiritual prosperity.
- Rev. Charles Swanson ('Fr. Chuck')1993–2004
Launched the Stewardship Program, annual Spaghetti Dinner, and served as Chaplain for the Omaha Fire and Police Departments.
- Rev. Carl A. Salanitro2004–2023
Second assignment to Holy Cross (had been associate pastor 1970–1973); led parish through 75th anniversaries of parish and school; retired July 1, 2023.
- Rev. Vitalis Ejike Anyanike ('Father V')2023–present
Current pastor; welcomed July 1, 2023; leads a joined-parish configuration with Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Adalbert.