About Saint Pius X · Omaha, Nebraska
St. Pius X Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Omaha located at 6905 Blondo Street in northwest Omaha, Nebraska. The parish was erected on May 29, 1954 — the canonization date of Pope St. Pius X — from a former cornfield at 69th & Blondo, and today identifies itself as "A Place to Call Home." St. Pius X is a worshipping community of about 500 founding families that grew into one of the largest Catholic schools in the Midwest, and now includes a sign-language interpreted Mass, a weekly televised Mass for shut-ins, and a modern food pantry serving the surrounding neighborhood.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- St. Pius X (Pope Pius X, canonized 1954)
- Rector
- Rev. Mark Tomasiewicz (eighth pastor, appointed June 2024)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
St. Pius X offers a complete Catholic life in one northwest Omaha campus: weekday and weekend Mass (including a Sunday Mass with ASL interpretation), Saturday confessions, a thriving St. Pius X/St. Leo Catholic elementary school, year-round faith formation for grades 1–8, and adult programs like Bible studies, retreats, and parish missions. The parish takes its social mission seriously — a Wednesday food pantry, Human Needs Outreach for rent/utility help, the Knights of Columbus (Council 15101), Habitat for Humanity, Respect Life, Francis House meals, and Ann's Attic clothing sale all give parishioners concrete ways to serve neighbors in the 52nd–90th, Western-to-Maple boundaries. Combined with the strong liturgical and parish-life tradition that longtime parishioners still call the "Pius Spirit," it is a place where families can worship, learn, and serve together.
Mass times at Saint Pius X
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:30 pm
- By appointment (call 402-558-8446)
Our History — From a Cornfield to a Family of Parishes
The parish was officially erected on May 29, 1954 — the canonization date of St. Pius X — beginning life with 500 families on two blocks of cornfield at 69th & Blondo. Its founding pastor, ex-marine chaplain Fr. George Kempker, broke ground for a metal "Behlen" church that fall and laid the foundation for a 19-room school that opened in 1956 with 465 students. The parish's story is told in a clear succession of eight pastors whose combined tenures span more than 70 years and whose legacies are written into the brick façade, the parish center, the school additions, and the renovated sanctuary.
- 1954 — Parish erected May 29 on the canonization date of St. Pius X
- 1954 — 'Behlen' metal church dedicated shortly before Christmas by Archbishop Bergan
- 1955–56 — 19-room school built; 465 students enrolled in fall 1956
- 1965 — St. Pius X School the largest in the Midwest with 1,565 students
- 1968 — Fr. Kempker retires; Fr. Charles Brodersen becomes pastor, establishes Parish Council (Vatican II)
- 1970s — Original metal church given a brick façade and air conditioning
- 1977 — Fr. Brodersen moves on; Fr. Thomas O'Brien becomes pastor
- 1978 — St. Leo the Great parish created from St. Pius X; school renamed St. Pius X/St. Leo
- 1986 — Parish Center built and blessed
- 1996 — Fr. O'Brien moves to St. Vincent de Paul; Fr. Lloyd Gnirk returns as pastor
- 2001–06 — North school building updated, kindergarten addition and priests' garage built, new school Administration wing dedicated
- 2008 — Fr. Gnirk moves on; Fr. John L. Pietramale (5th pastor) and then Fr. Mike Eckley (6th pastor, 2011) follow
- 2011–12 — Major church renovation preserving mahogany paneling, stained glass and marble altar/ambo; Archbishop George Lucas dedicates renovated church June 3, 2012
- 2018 — Fr. Joe Wray (7th pastor) leads parish and school through COVID-19
- 2022 — St. Bernard's, St. Pius X and St. Leo the Great designated a 'Family of Parishes'
- 2024 — Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz named 8th pastor
Parish Staff & Leadership
Day-to-day parish life at St. Pius X is shaped by a small staff led by the pastor and a Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Council with strong lay involvement. The Faith Formation Office runs religious education and sacramental preparation. The school (St. Pius X/St. Leo) has its own principal and is housed on the same campus.
- Pastor — Rev. Mark Tomasiewicz ([email protected]), 402-558-8446
- Pastoral Associate — Celeste Sully Feuerbach, 402-558-8446
- Director of Faith Formation — Carter Carruthers (parish staff page) / Colleen Ciciulla (parish guidebook), 402-558-1898
- Office Manager / Secretary / Bulletin Editor — David Dalton, 402-558-8446
- Bookkeeper — Bev Mausbach, 402-558-8446
- Communications — Rita Ramos, 402-558-8446
- Director of Maintenance — Brian Schiefen, 402-403-2743
- Maintenance — Marty Thornton, 402-312-7916
- St. Pius X/St. Leo School Principal — Katy Chattin, 402-551-6667
- Parish Pastoral Council — President Kristine Ericson; Vice President Jessica Lathrop; Secretary Cheslee Klinger; members Bill Fell, Norah Morris, Sam Griffin, Jerry Klug, Collin Matz, Jeremy Graney; Recording Secretary Mary Coyle
- Finance Council — Chair Justin Frauendorfer; members Ron Volkmer, Tom Hoarty, Matt Walters, Tom Hosier, Christine Henningsen; Trustees Jerry Morrissey and Mary Ellen Freyermuth
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Pius X is a parish-wide ministry that the parish describes as committed to "excellence in education for all." Programming spans children's sacramental preparation, a family-formation Religious Education program for public-school students in grades 1–8, junior-high gatherings at St. Leo, and a robust adult formation calendar that includes Bible studies, small-group faith sharing, retreats, parish missions, parish book reads, mornings of reflection, DVD series, and outside speakers.
- Religious Education Program (grades 1–8) — family-formation model with grade-level catechists and monthly parent presentations; Wednesday evening sessions in church, school and Zoom
- Junior High (7th–8th grade) — 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6:00–7:00 pm at St. Leo's
- Children's Sacramental preparation — coordinated through the Faith Formation Office
- Adult Faith Formation — Bible studies, small-group faith sharing, retreats, parish missions, parish book reads, mornings of reflection, DVD series, speakers
- Safe Environment certification required of all adults working with children/youth (renewed every six years through the Archdiocese of Omaha)
- Contact: Director of Faith Formation, 402-558-1898, [email protected]
St. Pius X / St. Leo School
St. Pius X shares a Catholic elementary school with neighboring St. Leo the Great Parish, located on the same Blondo Street campus. The school is led by Principal Katy Chattin and staffed by priests, teachers, counselors, and support personnel. It serves as a key ministry of the parish and is part of the 'Family of Parishes' vision formalized in 2022.
- St. Pius X / St. Leo School, 6905 Blondo St, Omaha, NE 68104
- Phone 402-551-6667; Fax 402-551-8123; website www.spsl.net
- Principal — Katy Chattin
- Assistant Principal — Terri Preston
- Director of Operations — Michaela Smith
- Director of Marketing & Recruitment — Emily Abboud
- Sacramental Coordinator — Ms. Colleen Ciciulla
- Counselors — Mrs. Jody Jurgens-Byam, Mr. Jeff Keogh
- Music/Choir — Mrs. Ali Parker; Art — Mrs. Maria Engesser; Spanish — Sra. Miriam Renedo; PE — Mr. Troy Nelson, Mrs. Mary Morrison; Speech/Drama — Mrs. Jen Martinez; Technology — Mrs. Mary Kay Nelson; Library — Mrs. Debra Erickson
- Cafeteria — Mr. Jon Lanphier (manager) and staff
- Extended Care — Mrs. Cat Flores
- School pastors — Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz (St. Pius X) and Fr. Craig Loecker (St. Leo)
Human Needs Outreach & Social Justice
St. Pius X identifies social justice and outreach as a key part of its mission, and the parish backs that up with concrete ministries that serve neighbors in the 52nd–90th, Western-to-Maple boundaries. The flagship effort is Human Needs Outreach, which staffs a Wednesday food pantry and helps with rent and utility bills. Other partnerships include Ann's Attic clothing sale, Adopt-a-Family at Christmas, Habitat for Humanity, Respect Life, and Francis House homeless-shelter meals.
- Food Pantry — Wednesdays 8:30–10:00 am, drive-up at the SE corner of the parish parking lot off Blondo
- Assistance with energy bills, food and rent (call 402-558-3382 — parishioners or residents within parish boundaries)
- Adopt-a-Family (Christmas)
- Ann's Attic — annual used-clothing sale, proceeds benefit the parish Emergency Fund
- Habitat for Humanity — Kris Bailey
- Francis House — provides meals on Saturdays and Sundays (Michaela Smith)
- Respect Life — Gene Petersen
- Catholic Social Teaching (CST) — Cindy Sauer
- Community Garden
- Bereavement Ministry — Rita Bianchi
- Health Ministry — Margaret Hoarty
Parish Life & Organizations
Beyond service, St. Pius X is a community of organized groups that meet, pray and socialize together. The parish describes its goal as living the Gospel "in a spirit of joy." Most groups have a contact person and an email address; newcomers are encouraged to plug in through the Newcomers ministry or the parish office.
- Knights of Columbus Council 15101 (established 2010) — Charity, Unity, Fraternity, Patriotism; Grand Knight Scott Hahn; meets 1st Tuesdays 7:00 pm in the Parish Center
- Cor — Catholic men's formation and fraternity, Saturdays in Lent, Parish Center Fireplace Room
- Men's Club — Bill Kellen
- Men's Golf League — Rod James
- Women's Organization — Colleen Morrissey
- Young at Heart (55+) — for older parishioners
- Bridge Group — Herman and Ellen Weist
- Shawl Ministry — Ann Morales
- Supper Club — Colleen Morrissey, Katy Salzman, Trish Wangler
- Funeral Luncheon Committee — Robin Versch
- Dusting Disciples — Rita Bianchi
- Girl Scouts
- Parish Festival
- Garage Sale
- Newcomers — Parish Office
Worship & Music
Worship at St. Pius X is supported by a Liturgy Committee and a Liturgy Office, with music coordinated through the parish office. The renovated sanctuary preserves the original mahogany paneling, stained glass, and marble altar and ambo, and the building is fully accessible with a hearing loop. The parish seeks to make its liturgies welcoming to all — including through the televised Mass for the homebound and ASL interpretation on Sunday mornings.
- Liturgy Committee — contact the Parish Office (402-558-8446, [email protected])
- Preserved original mahogany paneling, stained glass windows, marble altar and ambo (renovation completed 2012)
- Hearing loop (telecoil) system; portable receiver/headset available
- ASL-interpreted 9:30 am Sunday Mass
- Televised Sunday 10:30 am Mass for Shut-Ins (WOWT Channel 6 and online)
- Mass Intentions — $10 suggested offering, arranged through the parish office
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven sacraments. Schedules and requirements for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation, and funerals are coordinated through the parish office and the Faith Formation Office.
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:30–4:30 pm or by appointment
- First Communion & Confirmation — through Faith Formation (Colleen Ciciulla, 402-558-1898)
- Marriage — contact the parish office for preparation
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion to the Sick and Homebound — call the parish office
- Funerals — parish staff help with readings, music and funeral luncheon arrangements
- Mass Intentions — call the parish office, $10 suggested offering
Family of Parishes
In 2022, through the Archdiocese of Omaha's Journey of Faith process, St. Pius X was grouped with neighboring St. Bernard's (the parish from which St. Pius X itself was created) and St. Leo the Great (the parish St. Pius X helped create in 1978) into a 'Family of Parishes.' The parish's history page frames this as coming 'full circle,' and the leadership sees it as the future of bringing the light of Christ to this part of Omaha and the world.
- St. Bernard's Parish (the parish from which St. Pius X was created)
- St. Pius X Parish (this parish)
- St. Leo the Great Parish (created from St. Pius X in 1978)
- Designed as a 'Family of Parishes' in 2022 through the Archdiocese of Omaha's Journey of Faith process
- Shared ministries include the St. Pius X / St. Leo School
Visit, Office & Contact Information
St. Pius X welcomes visitors. The rectory is open weekdays and Saturday mornings; summer hours (June 9–July 28) are slightly shorter on Fridays and Saturdays. The parish bulletin is available online, and an E-Newsletter is emailed on the last Friday of the month to parishioners for whom the parish has email addresses.
- 6905 Blondo Street, Omaha, NE 68104
- Rectory Phone: 402-558-8446 · Fax: 402-558-4986
- Email: [email protected] · Website: www.stpiusxomaha.org
- Rectory Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 am–4:00 pm; Sat 8:30 am–11:00 am
- Summer Hours (June 9–July 28): Mon–Thu 8:30 am–4:00 pm; Fri–Sat 8:30 am–Noon
- Bulletin deadline: one week in advance ([email protected])
- E-Newsletter: last Friday of the month
- After-hours priest contact: call 402-558-8446 for instructions
- Faith Formation Office: 402-558-1898
- Parish Center: 402-558-2221
- St. Pius X/St. Leo School: 402-551-6667
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George Kempker1954–1968
Founding pastor; ex-marine chaplain; oversaw construction of the 'Behlen' metal church and the 19-room school (opened 1956 with 465 students). Retired in spring 1968 after suffering a stroke.
- Rev. Charles Brodersen ("Fr. B")1968–1977
Post-Vatican II pastor who established the Parish Council and lay committees; the 'ninety day wonder' received a brick façade and air conditioning. Moved to St. Stanislaus Parish in June 1977.
- Rev. Thomas O'Brien1977–1996
Had been the parish's first assistant pastor; returned as pastor in 1977. Helped establish neighboring St. Leo parish in 1978 (school renamed St. Pius X/St. Leo). The Parish Center was built and blessed in 1986. Left in June 1996 for St. Vincent de Paul Parish.
- Rev. Lloyd Gnirk1996–2008
Had been a resident at St. Pius X in 1982. 12-year pastorate included north school building update (2001), kindergarten addition and priests' garage (2002), and new school Administration wing dedicated in 2006. Moved to St. John's, Valley, NE in June 2008.
- Rev. John L. Pietramale2008–2011
Fifth pastor; grew parish savings and endowment and put the parish on stable financial footing, enabling the church renovation. Moved to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Omaha.
- Rev. Mike Eckley2011–2018
Sixth pastor; installed July 31, 2011 by Archbishop George Lucas. Led the major church renovation (completed 2012) preserving original mahogany paneling, stained glass, marble altar and ambo; Archbishop Lucas dedicated the renovated church June 3, 2012. Served until July 1, 2018.
- Rev. Joe Wray2018–2024
Seventh pastor; previously at St. Joseph (Wisner) and Holy Cross (Beemer). Guided the parish and school through the COVID-19 pandemic with remote education, recorded liturgies and physically distant sacraments.
- Rev. Mark Tomasiewicz2024–present
Eighth pastor; arrived in June 2024 from a rural family of parishes near Albion, Nebraska.