About St. Frances Cabrini · Omaha, Nebraska
St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church is a historic parish in the Little Italy / Old Market neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska, housed in a 1908 Spanish Renaissance Revival church that served as the original cathedral of the Diocese of Omaha (then known as St. Philomena's Cathedral) until St. Cecilia Cathedral was substantially completed in 1916. Renamed in 1961 to honor St. Frances Xavier Cabrini — the first American citizen to be canonized — the parish traces its roots to St. Mary's, the first Catholic parish in Nebraska (founded 1856), making it the oldest continuous Catholic congregation in the state. Today the parish covers a wide swath of south and central Omaha (from TD Ameritrade Park to the Henry Doorly Zoo), runs All Saints Catholic School through the CUES school system, and welcomes a diverse, multigenerational community into the heart of Little Italy.
- Established
- 1856
- Patron
- St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, M.S.C. (Mother Cabrini, 1850–1917) — first American citizen to be canonized (1946)
- Rector
- Rev. Damian J. Zuerlein
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha
Why belong here
St. Frances Cabrini offers the rare combination of a historic sanctuary — the original cathedral of the Diocese of Omaha, with an 1869 Johnson pipe organ, an Italian Carrara marble altar and German-stained-glass windows depicting the healing ministry of Jesus — and an active, diverse, multigenerational community rooted in Omaha's Little Italy. Parishioners find a wide array of formation opportunities (RCIA, 'Come and See,' Alpha, Bible study, Called and Gifted, Cabrini & Magdalene small communities), strong devotion to the Eucharist (regular adoration, First Saturday Rosary, Taizé Prayer, monthly Anointing of the Sick), commitment to the wider neighborhood (meals at Siena Francis House, support of Completely KIDS and Bethlehem House, partnerships with the St. Vincent de Paul Society), and a school (All Saints, run by CUES) where about 75% of the students are children of immigrant families.
Mass times at St. Frances Cabrini
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (northwest room)
- Approx. 15 minutes before each Mass in the lower level of the church
- Seasonal Reconciliation Services in Advent and Lent
- By appointment (call the parish office at 402-934-7706)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM on the third Saturday of each month
- Quarterly Adoration for Young Families at St. Mary Magdalene, 10:00–10:30 AM (next: Saturday, April 18)
Parish History
St. Frances Cabrini Parish traces its roots to St. Mary's, dedicated in 1856 — the first Catholic congregation in Nebraska. The original cathedral of the Diocese of Omaha (St. Philomena's) was dedicated on Passion Sunday, March 29, 1868. The present Spanish Renaissance Revival church at 10th and William Streets was designed by Thomas Rogers Kimball and built in 1908 by Thomas Herd; it served as the cathedral until St. Cecilia Cathedral was completed in 1916. Renamed for St. Frances Xavier Cabrini on May 23, 1961, the building was designated an Omaha Landmark in 1979 and added to the National Register in 1980. Twentieth-century mergers brought St. Patrick's (founded 1883) and Holy Family into the parish under the 'Promise 2020' plan effective January 1, 2020.
- 1856 — St. Mary's dedicated at 8th & Harney, the first Catholic parish in Nebraska
- 1868 (March 29) — Cathedral of St. Philomena dedicated on Passion Sunday; marble altar donated by Mary Lucretia Creighton (still in sanctuary)
- 1869 — William A. Johnson & Son Opus 293 pipe organ installed (first in Omaha)
- 1873 — Four large bells cast in Troy, NY for the original cathedral
- 1908 — Present 10th & William church built for ~$40,000 by contractor Thomas Herd, designed by Thomas Rogers Kimball
- 1910 — Matching Spanish-mode rectory ("Priest's Home") erected by B. J. Bock for ~$10,000
- 1910s — Church becomes national parish serving the Italian community of Little Italy
- May 23, 1961 — Renamed St. Frances Cabrini to honor the first American citizen to be canonized
- Feb. 13, 1979 — Designated an Omaha Landmark
- Jan. 3, 1980 — Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP #80002451)
- 1980s — Neighborhood Catholic schools consolidated into the current campus as All Saints
- 2013 — CUES (Christian Urban Education Services) assumes governance of All Saints School
- 2016 — Parish purchases the former Christ Child Ministries building at 10th and William for the Cabrini Parish Center
- Jan. 1, 2020 — St. Patrick's and Holy Family merged in (Promise 2020)
- 2020 — Pandemic prompts livestreamed Masses and online formation
Building & Architecture
The 1908 Spanish Renaissance Revival church is the centerpiece of the parish and was deliberately styled — by architect Thomas Rogers Kimball — to evoke the Spanish mission churches that carried Christianity to the Americas. Built steel-framed of stuccoed and limestone-clad brick, with a 60-foot copper-domed bell tower, it retains three layers of furnishings carried over from the two earlier cathedrals: the 1867 Italian marble altar, the 1869 Johnson organ and the 1873 Troy bells. The stained-glass windows in the main body of the church came from St. Joseph Hospital Chapel (made in Germany in the 1880s) and were installed in the 1980s.
- Architect: Thomas Rogers Kimball (Omaha)
- Builder: Thomas Herd (1908); B. J. Bock (rectory, 1910)
- Style: Spanish Renaissance Revival
- Dimensions: 45' × 123' nave; roof apex ~30 ft.
- Bell tower: 60-foot octagonal copper dome
- Sanctuary pieces from the 1868 cathedral: marble altar, statues, 1869 Johnson organ, 1873 Troy bells
- 1880s German stained glass from St. Joseph Hospital (moved 1980s)
- Original Kimball windows in choir loft, sanctuary, sacristy and stairwells
- NRHP #80002451; Omaha Landmark designated Feb. 13, 1979
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Frances Cabrini celebrates Mass on Tuesdays through Fridays at 11:30 AM, Saturdays at 5:00 PM, and Sundays at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 5:30 PM. Reconciliation is heard Saturdays 3:30–4:30 PM and by appointment. The parish also offers Anointing of the Sick on the last Sunday of each month at the 11:00 AM Mass and by appointment.
- Weekday Mass — Tue–Fri, 11:30 AM
- Saturday Vigil — 5:00 PM
- Sunday — 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 5:30 PM
- Confession — Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM (and ~15 minutes before each Mass in the lower level of the church)
- Anointing of the Sick — last Sunday of the month at the 11:00 AM Mass, and by appointment
- Livestreamed Masses on the parish website and Facebook
Devotions & Special Services
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish maintains a regular rhythm of Eucharistic devotion, prayer and healing ministry. Regular devotions include monthly Eucharistic Adoration on the third Saturday, a monthly First Saturday Rosary, monthly Taizé Prayer on the first Thursday, a Personal Prayer Ministry Team on the first Friday, and Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent.
- Eucharistic Adoration — 3rd Saturday, 3:30–4:30 PM
- First Saturday Rosary — 4:30 PM
- Taizé Prayer — 1st Thursday, 8:00 PM
- Anointing of the Sick — last Sunday of the month at 11:00 AM Mass
- Personal Prayer Ministry Team — 1st Friday after the 11:30 AM Mass
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays in Lent, 5:30 PM (12 noon on Good Friday)
- Lenten Reconciliation Service — annual, with multiple confessors
- Lenten Parish Mission — annual, three evenings
- Hallow App parish prayer campaign (Pray40: The Return)
Faith Formation
The parish runs a comprehensive Faith Formation program for every stage of adult life, including the ordinary process for non-baptized or unchurched individuals (RCIA), 'Come and See' for baptized Christians of other faiths exploring the Catholic Church, Alpha (an evangelization series), Called and Gifted discernment, Spiritual Growth and Bible Study, Marriage Enrichment, and small 'Cabrini & Magdalene Communities' that meet monthly in homes or restaurants.
- RCIA (Sept.–Easter)
- Come and See (8 weeks, beginning after Jan. 1)
- Alpha (weekly; also a young-adults track)
- Spiritual Growth / Bible Study
- Called and Gifted
- Marriage Enrichment
- Cabrini & Magdalene Small Communities (6–12 people, monthly)
- Formed.org parish subscription (movies, study, audio)
- Women's Faith Sharing Group (with St. Mary Magdalene)
All Saints Catholic School
All Saints Catholic School, housed on the parish campus, is a major parish ministry. Originally built by the parish in 1955, it was consolidated in the 1980s with the schools of Immaculate Conception, St. Patrick's, St. Joseph's and others — renamed All Saints and jointly sponsored by the surrounding parishes. Since 2013, governance has been provided by the CUES (Christian Urban Education Services) School System, a centralized organization that also operates Sacred Heart and Holy Name grade schools in the Omaha Archdiocese. All Saints continues to draw students from across south and north Omaha, with about 75% of students being children of immigrant families. The twice-yearly parish Spaghetti Dinner raises money for the school, and Completely KIDS provides before- and after-school programming onsite.
- Built 1955; consolidated and renamed All Saints in the 1980s
- Operated by CUES since 2013
- Preschool through 8th grade
- ~75% of students are children of immigrant families
- Twice-yearly Spaghetti Dinner benefits the school
- Completely KIDS before- and after-school program onsite
- Faculty & staff listed at allsaintscs.org
Ministerial Team (Staff & Clergy)
The parish is led by Fr. Damian J. Zuerlein, who joined St. Frances Cabrini in 2015 after serving as pastor of St. Columbkille in Papillion (2004–2015). Ordained in 1981, Fr. Damian previously served as an associate in several parishes and as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe (1990). The ministerial team includes three permanent deacons — Deacon Doug Lenz (Pastoral Associate, ordained 2017; previously an executive director of a statewide nonprofit), Deacon Larry Mruz (ordained 2008, longtime Stephen Center volunteer), and Deacon Chuck (pastoral associate with strategic and project-management gifts) — plus three lay staff: Ann Lenz (Facilitator of Disciple Formation since 2017), Cathy Beeler (Communications Coordinator since 2015, longtime KETV journalist), and Annie Wise (Adult Formation Coordinator since 2024).
- Rev. Damian J. Zuerlein — Pastor (since 2015)
- Deacon Doug Lenz — Pastoral Associate (ordained 2017)
- Deacon Larry Mruz (ordained 2008)
- Deacon Chuck — Pastoral Associate
- Ann Lenz — Facilitator of Disciple Formation (2017)
- Cathy Beeler — Communications Coordinator (2015)
- Annie Wise — Adult Formation Coordinator (2024)
Parish Outreach & Community Life
Outreach runs through the parish's Cabrini Communities, monthly fellowship dinners (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner; Cabrini Family Dinner), regular meal service at Siena Francis House, partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Society (which now leases the former Holy Family buildings), and use of the former St. Patrick convent by Bethlehem House for housing pregnant mothers. The parish also hosts the Completely KIDS before- and after-school program and supports pro-life initiatives throughout the year. Young adults gather for quarterly Movie Nights, a young-adults Alpha track and quarterly Adoration for Young Families.
- Siena Francis House meal service (select Thursdays)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society lease of Holy Family buildings
- Bethlehem House housing (former St. Patrick convent)
- Completely KIDS before- and after-school program
- Cabrini Family Dinner (spring & fall)
- Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (quarterly)
- Movie Nights for Young Adults (quarterly)
- Pro-Life living ministry
Hospitality, Building & Campus
The Cabrini Parish Center (1248 S. 10th St.) is the former Christ Child Ministries building purchased by the parish in 2016. It now houses parish offices, meeting rooms, a preschool, kindergarten and the Completely KIDS program, with plans to convert the building's former swimming pool into a multi-use space for meetings, receptions and funeral lunches. The historic church sanctuary is at 1335 S. 10th St., one block away, with a handicapped-accessible entrance off William Street on the south side.
- Parish offices (1248 S. 10th St.) — open 9 AM to 4 PM, Mon–Fri
- Cabrini Parish Center: offices, meeting rooms, preschool, kindergarten, Completely KIDS
- Future: former pool converted to receptions / funeral-lunch space
- Handicapped-accessible entrance off William St. on south side of the church
- Free street parking around the church
Becoming Catholic & Sacramental Preparation
Two formal pathways welcome new members: RCIA for the non-baptized or unchurched, and 'Come and See' for baptized Christians of other faiths. Both run from mid-September through Easter, conclude before Easter, and are supported by sponsors and parish staff. Sacramental preparation for baptism, first Communion, confirmation and marriage is coordinated by Deacon Doug Lenz and the lay formation team.
- RCIA — non-baptized/unchurched individuals, mid-September through Easter
- Come and See — baptized Christians exploring Catholicism, 8 weeks from January
- Infant baptism, first Communion & confirmation preparation
- Marriage preparation and enrichment
Getting Involved
Beyond weekly Mass and formation, parishioners are invited to join a Cabrini & Magdalene Small Community, volunteer at All Saints School or Completely KIDS, serve on a ministry team (Prayer Ministry, Love Does, St. Vincent de Paul, Liturgy Committee), help with quarterly parish dinners, or join the Livestream / Communications team. Sign-up forms for small communities, Alpha, becoming Catholic, and Formed are all linked from the parish website.
- Join or start a Cabrini & Magdalene Small Community
- Volunteer at All Saints School / Completely KIDS
- Sign up for Alpha (all ages or Young Adults)
- Sign up for Formed.org (parish code: 'I belong to St. Frances Cabrini in Omaha')
- Pray with the Prayer Ministry Team on First Fridays
- Serve with the Livestream / Communications team
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Bishop Jean Baptist Miège, S.J. (Vicar Apostolic)1856–1859
Led the founding parish of St. Mary's, the first Catholic congregation in Nebraska, dedicated August 1856 at 8th and Harney.
- Rev. William Kelly1859 onward
First priest ordained in Nebraska (1859) by Bishop O'Gorman; sent east and into the railroad/mining camps to raise $30,000 for the new Cathedral of St. Philomena.
- Rev. John Curtisaround 1867–1868
First pastor of the new Cathedral of St. Philomena; preached the dedication sermon on Passion Sunday, March 29, 1868.
- Rev. Frs. Keenan, Daxacher and Curtis (assisting at the 1868 dedication)1868
Assisted Bishop O'Gorman at the dedication of the original St. Philomena Cathedral.
- Bishop Richard Scannell / Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Bonacumc. 1905–1908
Omaha bishops who planned and oversaw the construction of the present 1908 cathedral at 10th and William.
- Rev. Damian J. Zuerlein2015–present
Joined the parish in 2015 from St. Columbkille in Papillion (where he was pastor 2004–2015). Ordained 1981; previously associate in several parishes, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe (1990). Serves on Archdiocesan Finance Council, Priest Personnel Board, College of Consultors and as Spiritual Director for Urban Christians Encounter Christ.
- Rev. Paul Brunetpre-2015 / referenced 2020–21
Listed as Pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in the 2020–21 All Saints / Cabrini School Annual Report; served during or around the 2020 Promise 2020 amalgamation.
- Rev. James Buckleyc. 2019–2020
Parochial administrator of St. Patrick Parish during the merger into St. Frances Cabrini (Promise 2020), presided over the June 15, 2014 closing Mass of St. Patrick's (reported in Catholic Voice).
