About Ss. Peter and Paul · Omaha, Nebraska
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church is a welcoming, multicultural parish in South Omaha, Nebraska, founded in the early 20th century by Croatian Catholic families. Today it operates as part of an Urban Family of parishes together with neighboring St. Mary and Assumption-Guadalupe, sharing clergy and offering Mass in both English and Spanish. The parish runs an elementary school, a religious education program, and a growing Hispanic ministry, while honoring its Lithuanian, Croatian, Slovenian, Hungarian, and Irish/Belgian heritage. Its mission statement describes it as 'One Church, encountering Jesus, equipping disciples, living mercy.'
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul
- Rector
- Rev. William D. Bond, Jr.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha
Why belong here
Sts. Peter and Paul is a parish where multiple generations and many cultures worship side by side: descendants of Croatian, Lithuanian, Slovenian, Hungarian, and Irish/Belgian immigrants now share the pews with a growing Hispanic community that worships in Spanish at the Noon Sunday Mass. The parish runs its own Catholic elementary school (K-8) on the same campus, a robust religious education program for grades 1-8 in English and Spanish, sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, and a lively evangelization effort. With daily Mass at 6:30 am, a Saturday vigil, and bilingual Sunday liturgies, it offers an accessible, family-centered, Eucharistic home in the heart of South Omaha.
Mass times at Ss. Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Approximately ½ hour before each weekend Mass
- Saturdays 3:30 pm until shortly before the 5:00 pm Mass
- By appointment with the priest — contact the rectory at (402) 731-4578
Parish History
Sts. Peter and Paul Parish began in 1907 when Croatian Catholic families gathered with Fr. John Zaplotnik at the home of Nicholas Mickells. The parish was incorporated by the State of Nebraska on April 17, 1917, and the first Mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1918. The school opened in 1926, the convent in 1948, the rectory in 1954, and the current church was dedicated October 27, 1967.
- Parish origin: 1907 (Croatian community, Fr. John Zaplotnik)
- Incorporated by State of Nebraska: April 17, 1917
- First Mass: Easter Sunday, March 31, 1918
- School groundbreaking: April 13, 1926; opened September 7, 1926 (205 students)
- School additions: 1957 and 1961 (with parish auditorium)
- Convent completed: August 15, 1948
- Rectory completed: August 1, 1954
- Original church razed: May 1966
- Current church dedicated: October 27, 1967
Our Pastor and Clergy
The parish is currently served by Rev. William D. Bond, Jr., who has been pastor since 2020. He is assisted by two associate priests — Rev. Mauricio M. Tovar and Rev. Brett Jamrog (who also serves as Evangelization Coordinator) — and by Deacon Jose G. Lara-Rodriguez. Fr. Bond celebrated his 25th Jubilee in 2024.
- Pastor: Rev. William D. Bond, Jr. (2020-Present)
- Associate: Rev. Mauricio M. Tovar
- Associate / Evangelization Coordinator: Rev. Brett Jamrog
- Deacon: Jose G. Lara-Rodriguez
Mass and Service Times
Sts. Peter and Paul offers daily morning Mass, a Saturday vigil, and two Sunday liturgies — one in English and one in Spanish — serving the bilingual parish community. The parish shares some liturgy with neighboring St. Mary's Church (3529 Q Street).
- Daily Mass (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri): 6:30 am
- Wednesday Mass: 6:30 am and 8:30 am during the school year
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm
- Sunday English Mass: 9:00 am
- Sunday Spanish Mass: 12:00 pm (Noon)
- Confessions: ½ hour before weekend Masses; Saturdays 3:30 pm until just before the 5 pm Mass; or by appointment
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage. Sacramental preparation follows the Archdiocese of Omaha's guidelines and typically requires two years of formation.
- Baptism — preparation class required (Spanish: 2nd Friday of month; English: by appointment with pastor)
- Reconciliation — ½ hour before weekend Masses, Saturdays 3:30 pm, or by appointment
- First Communion — preparation begins 1st grade; two-year process; child must be baptized and have made First Reconciliation
- Confirmation — preparation begins 7th grade; two-year process; candidate must be baptized, have received Reconciliation and First Communion, and be at least 13
- Marriage — contact the rectory to arrange
Religious Education / Faith Formation
Children in grades 1-8 who do not attend a Catholic school are expected to enroll in the parish Religious Education program. Classes are offered in English (directed by Sidney Smith and Christine Baker) and in Spanish (directed by Marcela Cervantes, shared with Assumption-Guadalupe parish). The program is always seeking volunteer catechists and classroom aides (must be 18+, complete Safe Environment Workshop).
- English Religious Education — Directors: Sidney Smith & Christine Baker — 402-731-4578 — [email protected]
- Catecismo en Español — Director: Marcela Cervantes — 402-738-8240 — [email protected]
- Registration: May 28 – August 1 each year (2025-2026 school year)
- Office hours: Tue-Thu 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Fri 9:00 am-4:40 pm
- Tuition: $100 for one student, $50 each additional (cash or check on registration day)
- Volunteer catechists and aides always needed
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School
Located right next to the church at 3619 X Street, Sts. Peter and Paul School is one of six Catholic schools in the area and has served South Omaha families since 1926. The school partners with the parish on faith formation, sacramental preparation, and the Wednesday 8:30 am school-year Mass.
- Address: 3619 X Street, Omaha, NE 68107
- School Phone: (402) 731-4713
- School Fax: (402) 731-2633
- Principal: Mary Jenkins
- Administrative Assistants: Paulina Macias, Estela Rangel
- Opened September 7, 1926 (205 students)
- Additions to school: 1957 and 1961
Hispanic Ministry
A growing Hispanic ministry is a defining feature of the parish today. The community gathers each Sunday at Noon for Mass in Spanish and continues to enrich the parish's multicultural heritage, joining descendants of the Croatian, Lithuanian, Slovenian, Hungarian, and Irish/Belgian founders in one faith community.
- Spanish Sunday Mass: 12:00 pm (Noon)
- Spanish Baptism class: second Friday of each month
- Catecismo / Educación Religiosa en Español (with Assumption-Guadalupe)
Contact, Location, and Visiting
Sts. Peter and Paul is located at 5912 South 36th Street in South Omaha, with two parking lots (north and south of campus), a chapel 'cry room' off the West Lobby, and restrooms in both the Usher's Room and the Chapel. Visitors are warmly welcomed and not expected to give an offering; newcomers can register as parishioners through the parish office.
- Parish Rectory: 5912 South 36th Street, Omaha, NE 68107
- Rectory Phone: (402) 731-4578 — Fax: (402) 738-8808
- Email: [email protected]
- School: 3619 'X' Street, Omaha, NE 68107 — (402) 731-4713
- St. Mary's Church (linked parish): 3529 Q Street, Omaha, NE 68107
- Parking: North lot (main entrance off 36th past 'X') and South lot (behind school/gym)
- Accessibility: ample handicapped-accessible spaces in both lots
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. John Zaplotnik1918-1925
Founding pastor; led early Croatian community and built the first church (dedicated 1918).
- Msgr. John Juricek1925-1969
Long-tenured pastor; oversaw building of the school (1926), convent (1948), and rectory (1954).
- Rev. Anthony Petrusic1969-1988
- Rev. Donald Shane1988-1998
- Rev. Ralph Lammers1998-2000
- Rev. Burnell Bisbee, SJ2000-2001
Jesuit priest.
- Rev. Frank Partusch2001-2011
- Rev. Frank Jindra2011-2020
- Rev. William Bond2020-Present
Current pastor; in 2024 celebrated his 25th jubilee.