About St. Bernard · Omaha, Nebraska
St. Bernard Catholic Community is a Roman Catholic parish in the Benson neighborhood of north Omaha, Nebraska, founded in 1905 and part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Omaha. The parish serves approximately 865 families with a full program of weekend and weekday Masses (including a French-language Mass celebrated every fourth Sunday), a parish school serving PreK–8, religious education, youth ministry, and a wide range of lay councils and service groups such as the Knights of Columbus and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. After more than a century of growth, the parish undertook a major multi-phase renovation completed in 2008–2009 that preserved its Spanish Renaissance Revival character while modernizing the sanctuary for full, accessible participation in the liturgy.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Gadache
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Omaha
Why belong here
St. Bernard is a more-than-century-old parish with deep roots in the Benson neighborhood and roughly 865 families today, but it still feels like a close-knit community. Visitors will find a full sacramental life — daily Mass, Saturday Vigil, three Sunday Masses, a French-language Mass once a month, regular confessions, and Eucharistic adoration — alongside a parish school (PreK–8), religious education, a youth group, and a vibrant Siena Francis House dinner ministry on the first Friday of each month. Active lay groups like the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Home and School, Men's Faith-Sharing Group, OCIA (formerly RCIA), and parish fundraising events (carnival, golf tournament, dinner auction) make it easy for newcomers to plug in.
Mass times at St. Bernard
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 7:00 am
- Saturday 3:30 pm
- Any time by appointment — call 402-551-0269
Adoration times
- School Eucharistic Adoration for PK–5 every other Wednesday at 2:30 pm; middle schoolers attend once a month
History of St. Bernard Parish
St. Bernard Catholic Community traces its origins to 1905, when a white frame church was built at 61st and Miami Streets on land donated by Bernard Post. The parish was originally made up of Benson town-folk and surrounding farmers. The first resident pastor was Fr. D.W. Moriarty in 1906. In 1912, the frame church was hoisted on rollers and moved to its present site on North 65th Street, and a four-room red-brick schoolhouse was built that same year for $6,837.
- 1905 — parish founded; white frame church built at 61st and Miami
- 1906 — Fr. D.W. Moriarty becomes first resident pastor
- 1912 — church moved to current 65th Street site; four-room school built
- 1914 — Fr. Jeremiah Buckley becomes second resident pastor
- August 20, 1939 — cornerstone laid for the present Spanish Renaissance Revival church
- 1953 — Fr. Anthony S. Kluthe (later Msgr. Kluthe) begins pastorate
- 1955 — eight-room school addition dedicated
- 1957 — new rectory completed
- 1959 — modern convent built
- 1965 — second eight-room school addition
- November 1967 — Msgr. Edward McCaslin arrives as pastor
- 1971 — convent sold to the Poor Clare Order
- 1979 — major interior renovation: altar moved to center of nave
- May 1984 — Msgr. McCaslin dies; Fr. Tom Ward becomes pastor
- 1989–1997 — Fr. Roland Peschel as pastor
- June 1997 — Fr. Jerome Spenner becomes pastor
- 2001 — capital campaign begins; Bahr, Vermeer and Haecker architect; Lund Ross Constructors chosen
- February 1, 2009 — Mass of Dedication celebrates the completed renovation
2001–2009 Renovation & Rededication
Under Fr. Jerome Spenner, the parish undertook a three-phase renovation of its 1939 Spanish Renaissance Revival church to repair decades of water damage and bring the interior into harmony with traditional Catholic liturgy. All three phases were completed and paid for without any bank loans, and the work concluded with the Mass of Dedication on February 1, 2009.
- Phase I (complete 2003) — roof, mortar, window frames, HVAC
- Phase II (2005) — plaster repair on cornice and ceiling vault, new electrical and lighting
- Phase III (2007–2008) — extended sanctuary platform, handicap access, ceramic tile and carpet, new pews, dark-stained oak woodwork, new sound system
- Sanctuary furniture delivered December 19, 2008 — altar, tabernacle, ambo, presider's chair, deacon's bench, baptismal font, ambry, credence table, gift table, processional cross, candle holders, Easter candle stand
St. Bernard Catholic School (PreK–8)
St. Bernard Catholic School serves about 170 students in PreK through 8th grade in the Benson neighborhood. The school offers Religion, Language Arts, Mathematics, Computer Literacy and STEAM, plus spelling and geography bees, science fair, math competition, speech competition, play acting, talent show, band, essay contests, and service projects. Tuition assistance, scholarships and the Opportunity Scholarship of Nebraska are available.
- Grades: PreK–8 (approximately 170 students)
- Whole-school Mass every Friday and on Holy Days of Obligation
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in 2nd grade
- Confirmation every other year (next celebration 2025)
- 4th graders trained as Altar Servers
- PK–5 Eucharistic Adoration every other Wednesday at 2:30 pm; middle schoolers monthly
- Whole-school Confessions twice a year (Advent and Lent)
- 'Prayer Partners' program pairs students across grades
- School phone: 402-553-4993; Day Care: 402-556-4161
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
Religious formation at St. Bernard includes the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) for adults, parish-based religious education for 1st–8th graders attending non-Catholic schools, a middle- and high-school youth group, and the Totus Tuus summer program.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) — adult initiation process; contact the rectory
- Religious Education — 1st–8th grade, Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 pm, September–April
- Youth Group — grades 6–12, with Worlds of Fun trip, pool parties, movie nights, community service
- Totus Tuus — week-long summer parish mission for students entering 1st–12th grade
- Coordinator: Katie Galloway (402-551-0269); Deacon Chuck for RE registration
Councils, Groups & Service Ministries
St. Bernard offers a wide range of lay councils and service groups that drive parish mission and welcome new members.
- Knights of Columbus — Catholic fraternal brotherhood; men 18 and older
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (St. Bernard Conference) — serves neighbors within local street boundaries through a food bank, interviews, referrals, and emergency assistance
- Siena Francis House — St. Bernard parishioners serve dinner on the first Friday of every month, 5:00–7:00 pm (contact Sue Keyser)
- Men's Group — Saturday mornings 6:30–8:00 am, faith sharing and formation
- Christian Family Movement
- Athletic Club
- Liturgy Committee, Music Ministry, Funeral Committee, Welcoming Committee, Outreach Committee
- Parish Pastoral Council, Development Committee, Strategic Planning & Ongoing Evaluation Committee
School & Family Organizations
Beyond the classroom, families at St. Bernard Catholic School are supported by several parish organizations.
- School Board — 12 members (nine parishioners/parents, Pastor, one faculty representative); meets third Tuesday at 6:00 pm (except June and December)
- Home and School Association — community-building and fundraising; meets last Thursday at 7:00 pm in the school cafeteria (except Dec, May, June, July)
- Room Parents — assist with holiday parties and field trips; 2–3 per grade
Sacraments
St. Bernard celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments, with parish-school students preparing for First Communion in 2nd grade and Confirmation (in alternate years) in 7th and 8th grade.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion — 2nd grade
- Confirmation — every other year (next: 2025) for 7th and 8th graders
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- Funerals — Funeral Committee available
Fundraisers & Community Events
The parish runs several signature annual events that support the school and build community.
- Annual Parish Carnival (Sunday, May 3, 2026, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm) — games, pickle cards, dime pitch, cake walk, beer garden, bake sale, meat raffle, food & drinks
- Annual Dinner Auction — fundraiser for school tuition assistance
- Annual Golf Fundraiser
- Spring Festival
Alumni & Development
The Office of Alumni and Development supports collections, planned giving, parish-wide fundraising, and stewardship formation. It maintains an alumni contact database and Facebook group, and reaches out to alumni of both the parish and the school.
- Alumni email: [email protected]
- Alumni Facebook group linked from the parish website
- Advises the Pastor, Finance Committee, and Parish Council on collections and stewardship
- Rose Flores — Business Manager / Director of Development ([email protected])
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Bernard's current leadership team includes the pastor, three permanent deacons, and parish staff.
- Rev. Michael Gadache — Pastor
- Deacon Charles P. Sheik (Permanent Deacon)
- Deacon Timothy F. McNeil (Permanent Deacon)
- Deacon Paul F. Dreismeier (Permanent Deacon)
- Deacon Ryan Weathers (Permanent Deacon)
- Rose Flores — Business Manager / Director of Development
- Anne McGuire — Liturgist
- Craig Collins — Music Director
- Nancy Nalty — staff
- Lindsey Ridley — staff
- Fr. Michael Gadache is currently pastor; the parish is part of Archdiocese of Omaha 'Urban Family F' with St. Pius X and St. Leo the Great
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. D.W. Moriarty1906–1914
First resident pastor; oversaw the move of the original frame church and the 1912 construction of the first red-brick school.
- Fr. Jeremiah Buckley1914–
Second resident pastor; later Msgr. Buckley. Laid the cornerstone of the new church on the Feast of St. Bernard, August 20, 1939.
- Fr. Anthony S. Kluthe1953–
Later Msgr. Kluthe. Built the 1955 and 1965 school additions, the 1957 rectory, and the 1959 convent (later sold to the Poor Clares in 1971).
- Msgr. Edward McCaslin1967–1984
Founded the Parish Memorial Endowment Fund. Led the 1979 interior renovation that moved the altar into the center of the nave.
- Fr. Tom Ward1984–1989
Succeeded Msgr. McCaslin following his death in May 1984.
- Fr. Roland Peschel1989–1997
- Fr. Jerome Spenner1997–
Led the multi-phase 2001–2009 capital renovation; oversaw the February 1, 2009 Mass of Dedication.
- Rev. Michael Gadache
Current pastor per the Archdiocese of Omaha directory and parish staff page.