About Omaha Byzantine Catholic Community [Melkite] · Ralston, Nebraska
The Omaha Byzantine Catholic Community, an outreach of the Eparchy of Parma, is a Melkite Byzantine Catholic parish serving eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. It offers liturgical worship rooted in Eastern Catholic tradition, including the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Basil the Great, and welcomes all Catholics to participate in its services. The parish is currently based at St. Gerald’s Chapel in Ralston, NE, though it has announced a move to a new location on the College of St. Mary campus in Omaha for summer 2026. Services are conducted in English and include Great Vespers followed by Divine Liturgy, celebrated monthly by Fr. John Russell and twice monthly by Fr. Daniel Lenz.
- Patron
- St. Demetrius
- Rector
- Fr. John Russell
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Parma
Why belong here
Join a community that celebrates the beauty of the Eastern Catholic tradition through rich liturgy and apostolic worship. Experience the peace and reverence of the Divine Liturgy, participate in ministries of charity and mission, and be welcomed into a family that invites all to share in the Eucharist and spiritual growth. The parish offers a deep sense of continuity and spiritual nourishment rooted in apostolic tradition.
Mass times at Omaha Byzantine Catholic Community [Melkite]
Weekly Mass schedule
About Us
Thank you for visiting St. Demetrius Byzantine Catholic Outreach in Nebraska. We are an Outreach of the Eparchy of Parma. We hope that our site highlights the beauty of the Catholic Faith - particularly the Eastern lung of the Church. Please feel free to read more about our community on this site, or come experience the Divine Liturgy. We would love to greet you and share with you our love for Jesus Christ and His mystical body, the Church. Please contact us if you would like to know more, or get involved. All services are held at St. Gerald Chapel, 7857 Lakeview St, Ralston, NE 68127.
Schedule
Great Vespers begins at 4 pm, followed by Divine Liturgy at 5 pm. Liturgies are celebrated by Fr. John Russell and Fr. Daniel Lenz on rotating dates. Note: If we have inclement weather or a power outage, we may cancel liturgy. If this happens, we plan to post a cancellation notice on this website. If you are on our mailing list, we will send you an email regarding the cancellation. If you send us your phone number, we will send you a text message regarding cancellation of Liturgy.
Fasting
Fasting is a large part of our Eastern Christian heart and mindset. There are several levels of fasting/abstinence. Level 1 is the minimal requirement: abstain from meat, eggs, and dairy on the first day of the Great Fast, and on all Wednesdays and Fridays during the Fast. Good Friday requires abstaining from meat, eggs, and dairy. During the year, fast from meat every Wednesday and Friday. Level 3 and 4 include additional restrictions, such as abstaining from oil and fish (shellfish permitted).