About Mary Our Queen · Omaha, Nebraska
Mary Our Queen is a Roman Catholic parish in southwest Omaha, Nebraska, established on June 13, 1963, by Msgr. Francis Kenny on ten acres at the southeast corner of 119th and Valley Drive. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Omaha and now operates as a 'Family of Parishes' alongside St. John Vianney. It is served by a robust school (Preschool–8th grade, opened Fall 1965) and an extensive network of faith-formation, outreach, prayer, and athletic ministries. Fr. Marc Lim, a native of Singapore and former engineer ordained in 2007, has been pastor since July 1, 2019.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title of Queen
- Rector
- Fr. Marc Lim
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha
Why belong here
Mary Our Queen is a well-established, mid-century parish in southwest Omaha with a PreK–8 Catholic school, daily and Sunday Mass, a 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration vigil, and a vibrant calendar of ministries for every age — from Junior Legion of Mary and CCD religious education to Knights of Columbus, adult athletics, and a Sister Parish in Tanzania. A parishioner can worship daily, send children to a 60-year-old Catholic school, serve the homeless through Siena/Francis House or Bethlehem House, build a home with Habitat for Humanity, walk in the March for Life, and belong to a community that is explicitly committed to 'Making Missionary Disciples of Jesus.'
Mass times at Mary Our Queen
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Also by appointment
Adoration times
- 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration vigil (Blessed Sacrament Chapel) with committed prayer partners
- Monday: Adoration begins after 8:15 a.m. Mass; concludes with Evening Prayer at 5:00 p.m. and Benediction at 5:45 p.m.
Parish History and Identity
Mary Our Queen parish was officially established on June 13, 1963, by Msgr. Francis Kenny, who also oversaw the opening of the parish school in the Fall of 1965. The parish grew from ten acres at the southeast corner of 119th and Valley Drive in southwest Omaha into a thriving community serving hundreds of families. The parish carries the Marian title 'Mary, Queen,' a belief in Mary's queenship over heaven and earth that was formally recognized by Pope Pius XII in 1954.
- Established June 13, 1963 by Msgr. Francis Kenny
- School opened Fall 1965 (60th anniversary celebrated in 2025)
- Patron title: Mary, Mother of the Church / Queenship of Mary
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently shepherded by Fr. Marc Lim, pastor since July 1, 2019, with Fr. Steve Boes serving as Senior Associate Pastor for the Mary Our Queen and St. John Vianney Parish Family. A professional lay staff directs religious education, faith formation, music and liturgy, outreach, youth ministry, communications, and parish operations.
- Fr. Marc Lim — Pastor (since July 2019)
- Fr. Steve Boes — Senior Associate Pastor
- Kelly Peklo — Director of Religious Education
- Leia Vranes — Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
- Renee Spicka — Director of Faith Formation
- Kolleen Hoffman — Director for Outreach / Mission Coordinator
- Betsy Austin — Parish Receptionist
- Cassie Baker — Religious Education Secretary
- Jodi Meyer — Parish Engagement Coordinator
- Hannah Casey — Communications, Music & Liturgy
- Rita Berthelsen — Bookkeeper
- Deacons (unnamed on the public site)
Mary Our Queen Catholic School
Mary Our Queen Catholic School opened in the Fall of 1965 — the same year the parish itself was getting established — and currently serves over 600 students from Preschool through 8th grade in roughly 345 school families. The school's motto is 'Where Faith and Knowledge Meet,' and the curriculum follows the Archdiocese of Omaha standards enriched with Gospel values across all subjects. The school recently completed an Early Childhood Education and Youth Center (2020) and celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2025.
- Motto: 'Where Faith and Knowledge Meet'
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Approximately 600 students, ~345 school families
- Accredited by the State of Nebraska and AdvancED
- Athletics: Basketball, Football, Soccer, Track and Field, Volleyball
- Mascot: the Mustang
Religious Education and Faith Formation
For parish children who do not attend the 5-day school, Mary Our Queen offers two parallel programs: the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) on Wednesday evenings and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) in an atrium setting. Students in sacrament-preparation years (2nd grade for First Reconciliation / First Communion; 7th–8th grade for Confirmation) attend in-person sacrament prep in addition to their regular classes.
- CCD (PreK–8th) Wednesday evenings
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- First Reconciliation / First Holy Communion (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (7th & 8th grade, using Ascension Press 'Chosen')
- Catechist recruitment: tuition discount and stipend provided
Prayer and Devotional Groups
The parish maintains a strong devotional life rooted in Marian spirituality and intercessory prayer. Groups meet on parish grounds, in homes, and online for coordinated prayer.
- Legion of Mary (active and auxiliary) — Monday 7:00 p.m.
- Junior Legion of Mary — Tuesdays after school, grades 2–8
- Prayer Chain (hospitalization, surgery, emergencies)
- Vocations Ministry and Vocation Prayer Cross
- 31 Club for vocations
Outreach and Social Concerns
Mary Our Queen lives out the Gospel call to serve the 'least of these' through a wide network of parish-supported ministries. From feeding the homeless to building homes to standing for life, the parish organizes both immediate-needs assistance and longer-term solidarity partnerships.
- Human Needs Group (financial assistance, annual garage sale, Needy Family Christmas Project — assists ~200 families / 550+ children each year)
- Siena/Francis Homeless Shelter meal (5th Thursday of any month with five Thursdays)
- Dorothy Day Ministry (food and clothing for Holy Family pantry, last Wednesday of each month)
- Habitat for Humanity (annual home build, August–December)
- Bethlehem House Support (maternity home for women in crisis)
- Tanzania Sister Parish — Ligera, near Songea
- Bereavement Ministry (Grief Share, Mass of Remembrance, Christmas Memory Tree)
- Prolife Committee (March for Life, Life Chain, Living Rosary, peaceful witness outside Planned Parenthood)
Parish Life and Athletics
Athletics and parish festivals are major fixtures of community life at MOQ. The Athletic Committee oversees youth and adult leagues emphasizing sportsmanship and Christian values, and the parish hosts an annual Fall Festival, a 'Picnic in the Parking Lot,' and an Alumni Reunion (the 2025 reunion celebrated 60 years of the school).
- Athletic Club: Basketball, Football, Baseball, Volleyball, Soccer, Track and Field
- Men's Golf League (~80 members, 10 teams of 8)
- Adult Soccer League
- Annual Fall Festival
- Annual Garage Sale (Human Needs fundraiser)
- SJV Feast Day Celebration and Totus Tuus summer program
- Alumni Reunion
Family of Parishes — MOQ and St. John Vianney
Mary Our Queen is paired with St. John Vianney (SJV) to form a Family of Parishes within the Archdiocese of Omaha, sharing pastoral leadership. Holy Week liturgies, feast-day celebrations, and other major events are typically scheduled across both campuses.
- Fr. Marc Lim pastors both parishes
- Fr. Steve Boes serves as Senior Associate for the family
- Holy Week and Easter Triduum celebrated jointly (e.g., Mass of the Lord's Supper 7 p.m. at both; Easter Vigil 8 p.m. at MOQ)
- MOQ 2025 Easter Sunday Masses: 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.; SJV: 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Getting Involved
Mary Our Queen encourages active participation from new and long-time parishioners alike. Registration is handled via a parish membership form, and the parish website lists dozens of ministry contacts. Catechists receive a tuition discount and stipend, and the school relies on parent volunteers to sustain its 'Mustang' culture.
- Parish registration via online Membership Form
- Catechist recruitment (tuition discount and stipend)
- Parent volunteer opportunities through MOQ Athletics and the school
- Outreach and mission trip participation through the Tanzania Sister Parish
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Francis Kenny1963 (founding)
Founded the parish in 1963 and oversaw the opening of Mary Our Queen Catholic School in Fall 1965.
- Fr. Marc Lim2019–present
Native of Singapore; ordained June 2, 2007 by Archbishop Elden Curtiss; previously Associate Pastor at St. Robert Bellarmine, Mary Our Queen, and St. Wenceslaus (Omaha) and Pastor of St. Joseph (Pierce) and St. Paul (Plainview). Assigned Pastor of MOQ July 1, 2019.
- Fr. Steven Boes
Ordained June 1, 1985 for the Archdiocese of Omaha. Served as Assistant Pastor at Sacred Heart (Norfolk), St. Patrick's (Fremont), and St. Mary's (Bellevue); Pastor of St. Patrick's (Battle Creek) 3 years; St. Augustine Indian Mission on the Winnebago and Omaha Reservations 8 years; President of Boys Town for 18 years. Currently Senior Associate for the MOQ and St. John Vianney Parish Family.