Ss. Cyril and Methodius

Welcome to Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish

The parish describes itself as a faith community that has been growing strong since 1901, seeking 'to be the light of Jesus' and to follow His footsteps by serving one another in Clarkson, the Archdiocese of Omaha, and the world. Members are welcomed to contact the parish office (Tuesday & Thursday 11 AM–2 PM; Wednesday & Friday 9 AM–Noon) or fill out a new-parishioner information sheet to register.

Founding History (1901–1976)

Catholic life in Clarkson began in 1901 when priests from Olean and Heun traveled in to offer Mass in the public school for some 38 families. A simple frame church was built and its cornerstone laid on August 15, 1902; the congregation was formally incorporated under the title of SS. Cyril and Methodius on February 11, 1907. A rectory was added in 1918 and the church expanded in 1920 with a sanctuary and sacristies. The first resident pastor, Father Charles Z. Petlach, took over in 1921 and was followed in 1946 by Father Clement C. Kubesh, who would lead the parish for 25 years and found the school.

• 1901 — first Masses in the Clarkson public grade school
• 1902 — cornerstone of the first frame church laid August 15
• 1907 — formal incorporation as SS. Cyril and Methodius (February 11)
• 1918 — rectory built
• 1920 — church enlarged with sanctuary and sacristies
• 1921 — Father Charles Z. Petlach becomes first resident pastor
• 1946 — Father Clement C. Kubesh takes over
• 1960 — cornerstone of Bishop Neumann School laid
• 1961 — Bishop Neumann School classes begin

The 1976 Church and 1993 Parish Center

By the early 1970s, the original 1902 church — by then 70 years old — was too small, the heating was inadequate, and the only restroom was an outhouse behind the building. Under Father Lucian Astuto, a building committee of 12 parishioners chose to build new rather than remodel. The new Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church was dedicated and consecrated on November 14, 1976 (solemn ceremonies beginning September 8), with Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan presiding alongside 25 concelebrating priests; nearly 450 people attended the dedication banquet at Bishop Neumann School. The mortgage was burned on June 14, 1978. A new rectory connected to the church, with a parish center on the ground level, was completed and blessed in 1993.

• Patriotic bicentennial interior: red carpeting (replaced 2021), white interior brick, blue Marian shrine, blue-dominant stained glass
• Relics of St. John the Baptist sealed into the new altar
• Chosen consecration date — September 8 — honors the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Pastoral leaders who drove these projects: Father Lucian Astuto, Father Walter Nabity

Our Namesake — Saints Cyril and Methodius

The parish is named for the two great missionary brothers of the ninth century — Saints Cyril (Constantine) and Methodius — known as the 'Apostles to the Slavs.' Their feast day is celebrated by the parish on February 14. They are venerated for bringing the faith and the Slavic literary tradition to the peoples of Great Moravia and beyond, and they remain co-patrons of Europe.

• Feast Day: February 14
• Often called the 'Apostles to the Slavs'
• Co-patrons of Europe

Parish Staff

Day-to-day operations are run by a small staff supported by lay leaders and councils.

• Pastor — Rev. Taylor Leffler
• Associate Pastor — Rev. Dan Wittrock
• Deacon — Eddie Fisher (with wife Monica)
• Parish Secretary / Bulletin Editor — Toni Konicek
• Parish Bookkeeper — Julie Wiese
• Director of Parish Religious Education (PRE) — Christiana Vrba
• Cemetery Contacts — Almarine Kabes / Tom Schulze

Parish Leaders and Councils

Lay leadership shapes the parish through its councils, organizations, and ministry contacts.

• Parish Council President — Mike Podany (council members: Matt Paprocki, Lisa Bahns, Jeff Stoklasa, Michelle Wiese)
• Finance Council President — Randy Vavrina
• Knights of Columbus — Matt Paprocki
• Altar Society — contact TBD
• Veronicas — Anita Steffensmeier
• Prayer Chain — Anita (Alvin) Steffensmeier
• Natural Family Planning Liaisons — Mary and Travis Cinfel
• School Board — JD Koehn (Pres.), Camille Steffensmeier (V.P.), Leslie Svehla (Sec.), Mary Cinfel, Joe Brabec, Tim Prokopec

Parish Religious Education (PRE)

PRE provides faith formation and Sacramental preparation for youth who do not attend a Catholic school. Through weekly classes led by dedicated catechists, young parishioners grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith, receive preparation for their Sacraments, and deepen their relationship with Christ within the life of the parish. The Clarkson PRE program is directed by Mrs. Christiana Vrba; RCIA for adults was introduced under Father Timothy Forget and continues today.

• Director of PRE at Ss. Cyril & Methodius — Christiana Vrba
• Sacramental preparation for youth
• RCIA program for adults

St. John Neumann School (Bishop Neumann)

The parish school traces its origin to Father Clement C. Kubesh, who often said, 'A parish is only as good as the education of its youth.' Its cornerstone was laid in 1960 and classes began in 1961. It was originally named Bishop Neumann in honor of John Neumann, an uncle of Father Kubesh's maternal grandfather who was appointed Bishop of Philadelphia in 1852 and founded Catholic education in his diocese; it was renamed St. John Neumann when Bishop Neumann was canonized in 1983. Located at 420 Cherry Street, the school shares its life with the parish through shared Masses, faculty, school board, and facilities.

• Cornerstone laid 1960, classes began 1961
• Originally 'Bishop Neumann'; renamed 'St. John Neumann' after 1983 canonization
• Located at 420 Cherry Street, Clarkson
• School phone: 402-892-3474

Ministries and Outreach

Ss. Cyril & Methodius has an active lay ministry life. The Outreach Group meets monthly on the first Wednesday at 5 PM for updates and prayer, and provides food and meals for parishioners recuperating from hospitalization, families with newborn babies, and the elderly in need of assistance. Other groups include the Knights of Columbus, Altar Society, Veronicas, Legion of Mary, Prayer Chain, Eucharistic Ministers, and Natural Family Planning liaisons.

• Outreach Group — monthly, first Wednesday 5 PM
• Knights of Columbus
• Altar Society
• Veronicas
• Legion of Mary
• Prayer Chain
• Eucharistic Ministers
• Natural Family Planning liaisons

Family of God Catholic Parishes

Ss. Cyril & Methodius is one of five parishes in the Family of God Catholic Parishes, a grouping of east-central Nebraska Catholic communities that share clergy, programs, and a consolidated bulletin. The other parishes are Holy Family (Humphrey), St. Francis (Humphrey), St. Mary (Leigh), and St. Michael (Lindsay/Tarnov). Together they publish a common bulletin and collaborate on PRE and other ministries.

• Holy Family — Humphrey, NE
• St. Francis — Humphrey, NE
• St. Mary — Leigh, NE
• St. Michael — Lindsay / Tarnov, NE
• Ss. Cyril & Methodius — Clarkson, NE

Contact, Address, and Visiting

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish by phone (402-892-3464) or email ([email protected]); office hours are Tuesday & Thursday 11 AM–2 PM and Wednesday & Friday 9 AM–Noon. The mailing address is PO Box 457, Clarkson, NE 68629, and the church is at 120 Cherry Street. The parish school is next door at 420 Cherry Street (402-892-3474). Newcomers are asked to contact the parish office to fill out a registration sheet.

• Mailing: PO Box 457, Clarkson, NE 68629
• Church: 120 Cherry Street
• School: 420 Cherry Street (402-892-3474)
• Office phone: 402-892-3464
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: facebook.com/scmclarkson