About St. Isidore · Columbus, Nebraska
St. Isidore is a Roman Catholic parish in Columbus, Nebraska, part of the Archdiocese of Omaha. Founded in 1963 by Fr. Francis Price and named for the patron saint of farmers in recognition of the surrounding agricultural community, it has grown from about 200 founding families to roughly 1,400 parishioners today. The parish complex at 3921 20th Street includes an elementary school, child care center, and a 23,000-square-foot octagonal church dedicated in 2007, and is currently led by its third pastor, Fr. Joseph A. Miksch. Mass, religious education, youth ministry, and an active sacramental life are at the heart of parish life.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- St. Isidore the Farmer (patron saint of farmers)
- Rector
- Fr. Joseph A. Miksch (Pastor since 1997)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha
Why belong here
St. Isidore offers a complete Catholic life in one campus: daily and weekend Mass, a parochial elementary school serving PK–6 with brand-new playground facilities, a child care center and preschool, parish religious education (PRE) for grades 1–8 on Wednesday evenings, and a tri-parish youth ministry program for teens. Five serving deacons support a strong sacramental program that includes RCIA, Confirmation preparation, marriage, baptism, and anointing of the sick — all in a worship space built around community in the heart of Nebraska farmland.
Mass times at St. Isidore
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM
- Saturday after the 4:30 PM evening Mass until 6:00 PM
Our History
St. Isidore Parish was founded in 1963 when Fr. Francis Price was appointed the first pastor, beginning with Mass celebrated at the Knights of Columbus Hall while the school/church building was constructed. The Archdiocese of Omaha had purchased the land back in 1958, and the school and church building was completed in 1965 under the patron saint of farmers — a tribute to the agricultural heritage of the surrounding Platte River valley. About 200 founding families took part, and within a few years the parish became the third Catholic community in Columbus alongside St. Anthony and St. Bonaventure.
- 1963 — Fr. Francis Price appointed first pastor
- 1965 — Original school and church building erected
- 1983, 1989, 1994 — Additions and renovations
- 1988 — Rectory and business office built
- 1997 — Fr. Joseph A. Miksch named third pastor
- 2005–2007 — 23,000-sq-ft octagonal church built
- May 2007 — New church dedicated
- Today — approx. 1,400 registered parishioners
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is for adults interested in becoming Catholic who have not received the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), and for baptized Christians from other denominations preparing to enter full communion. The program runs each year from September to Easter, meeting Monday evenings 7–9 PM in the St. Isidore school cafeteria. Contact the rectory at 402.564.8993 for more information.
Pastoral Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Joseph A. Miksch, the third pastor in St. Isidore's history and currently in his third decade of service. Five deacons support parish sacramental life, and a lay team of parish, school, child care, and youth ministry staff keep the campus running day to day.
- Fr. Joseph A. Miksch — Pastor
- Deacon Andy Anderson
- Deacon Lawrence Throener
- Deacon Kelly Schrant
- Deacon Steve Zach
- Deacon David Probst
- Kathy Wright — Office Secretary ([email protected])
- Gina Blaser / Carrie Maguire — Business Manager
- Mary Throener — Director of Religious Education ([email protected], 402-649-0341)
- Cherie VanDyke — Co-Director of Religious Education
- Virginia Semerad — Music Ministry ([email protected], 402-615-0471)
- Sarah Doerneman — Evangelization/Communications ([email protected])
- Jerry Svehla — Buildings & Grounds
Catholic Education
Catholic education is one of the centerpieces of parish life at St. Isidore. The parish operates an elementary school, a child care center, a pre-school/pre-K program, and a parish religious education program for children in public schools.
St. Isidore Elementary School
St. Isidore Elementary School, located at 3821 20th Street (phone 402-564-2604), serves PK–6 with a standards-based curriculum aligned to both the Nebraska Department of Education and Archdiocese of Omaha standards. The school's mission is to create disciples of faith who grow in faith, character, service, and knowledge. Principal Amy Evans leads the faculty; Andrea Kuhl serves as school secretary. The school is described as having a brand-new playground.
- Mission: create disciples of faith who grow in faith, character, service, and knowledge
- Grades: PK–6
- Aligned to Nebraska Department of Education and Archdiocese of Omaha standards
- Principal: Amy Evans ([email protected])
- School Secretary: Andrea Kuhl
Child Care Center & Pre-School/Pre-K
St. Isidore operates a Child Care Center (402-563-2305) directed by Cassie Patzel ([email protected]) and a Pre-School/Pre-K program directed by Carmen Podolak ([email protected]), giving young parish families a Catholic formation option from the earliest years.
- Child Care Director — Cassie Patzel
- Pre-School/Pre-K Director — Carmen Podolak
Parish Religious Education (PRE)
The parish Religious Education program serves children in Columbus and surrounding communities in grades 1–8, meeting Wednesday evenings 6:30–7:45 PM in the St. Isidore elementary school during the academic year. Classes grow in relationship with Jesus, learn Catholic doctrine, and celebrate liturgies together as a community. Contact the Director of Religious Education (402.564.8993) to register or to volunteer as a teacher.
- Grades 1–8, Wednesday evenings 6:30–7:45 PM
- Director of Religious Education: Mary Throener
- Registration: contact rectory at 402.564.8993
Youth Ministry
St. Isidore partners with the other Columbus parishes in running Columbus Catholic Youth Ministry (CCYM), a tri-parish youth ministry program. Coordinator Sarah Doerneman ([email protected]) oversees activities for both junior high and senior high youth, anchored by the GodTeens (Godparents) program.
GodTeens / Godparents Program
GodTeens (also called Godparents) is the primary Catholic high-school youth program in Columbus. It is built on five pillars: Faith, Family, Fun, Friends, and Food. Teens register in May (deadline August 1) and are placed in co-ed small groups of 8–10 with a faith-filled Catholic couple who opens their home every Wednesday from 7:00–8:30 PM for ice breakers, faith lessons, and snacks.
- Five pillars: Faith, Family, Fun, Friends, Food
- Wednesday evenings 7:00–8:30 PM in host homes
- Same couple/family hosts same teens for all four high-school years
- Coordinator: Sarah Doerneman ([email protected])
- Registration opens May; deadline August 1
Steubenville Youth Conference
Each year the youth ministry travels south for the Steubenville youth conference held at Missouri State University in Springfield the weekend after the 4th of July. The 3-day Catholic conference draws over 25,000 teens for keynote talks, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and small-group discussion. Cost is approximately $350–400 per teen ($300 for adult leaders); it includes bus travel, room, and meals from Friday lunch through Sunday lunch.
- Location: Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
- Travel: Friday morning (departing Columbus on parish buses)
- Cost: about $350–400 for teens / $300 for adult leaders
- Contact: Nate Tenopir ([email protected]) or Sarah Doerneman ([email protected])
Other Youth Activities
In addition to GodTeens and Steubenville, Columbus Catholic Youth Ministry organizes mission trips, the March for Life Pilgrimage, and fundraising events. Teens are also encouraged to participate in JC Camp and TEC (Teens Encounter Christ).
- Mission trips
- March for Life Pilgrimage
- JC Camp
- TEC (Teens Encounter Christ)
- Contact Hope of the Poor for additional info
Sacraments
St. Isidore celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Baptism, Confirmation (grades 7–8), First Communion (coordinated through Mary Miksch), Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick are all arranged through the Parish Office at 402.564.8993. Adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, or reception into full communion do so through the parish RCIA program.
Get Involved
The parish life page encourages parishioners to join the many groups and ministries at St. Isidore. Beyond the ministries listed here, the parish has an active Building & Grounds Committee and ongoing opportunities in evangelization, communications, and music.
- Building & Grounds Committee
- Music Ministry
- Evangelization/Communications
- Columbus Catholic Youth Ministry
- Religious Education teaching volunteers
Visit & Contact
St. Isidore Catholic Church is located at 3921 20th Street, Columbus, NE 68601. The rectory office can be reached at 402-564-8993 or [email protected]. Visitors are welcomed to Mass, confession, or any parish event; bulletined announcements may be submitted two weeks in advance to the same email. Bulletin announcements can be emailed to [email protected].
- Address: 3921 20th St, Columbus, NE 68601
- Phone: 402-564-8993
- Email: [email protected]
- Masses streamed on NCN Nebraska Channel 98
- Recorded Mass on parish YouTube channel
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis Price1963 – ?
Founding pastor; began by celebrating Mass at the Knights of Columbus Hall; oversaw construction of the original school/church building in 1965.
- Fr. Floyd Wesslingsecond pastor
Succeeded Fr. Price after his tenure; served through parish expansions/renovations in 1983, 1989, 1994 and the 1988 rectory.
- Fr. Joseph A. Miksch1997 – present
Third pastor; shepherded the 2005–2007 building of the new 23,000-square-foot octagonal church dedicated in May 2007.