About St. Joseph · Auburn, Nebraska
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a parish in Auburn, Nebraska, part of the Diocese of Lincoln (Falls City Deanery), sharing its pastor with the mission parish of St. Clara in Peru. Founded in 1882 when Catholic families in the Calvert-Sheridan area petitioned for their own church, St. Joseph has grown from 25 charter families to more than 175 families across five generations. Today the parish offers weekend and weekday Mass, Saturday confessions, a CCD religious education program, and a wide range of lay ministries. Its current pastor is Father Randall 'Rand' Langhorst, assisted by a parish secretary and a Director of Religious Education.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Randall 'Rand' Langhorst
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lincoln (Falls City Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a five-generation parish in the heart of southeast Nebraska where families know one another and newcomers are welcomed by name. Father Langhorst and the parish staff make themselves available for homebound Communion visits every Sunday and First Friday, the Prayer Chain and Prayer Warrior ministries pray for the intentions of parishioners, and a CCD program grounds children in the faith each week. Weekend Mass, Saturday confessions, a Wednesday-evening CCD Mass, and a lively schedule of lay ministries (acolytes, lectors, greeters, rosary leaders, altar servers, gift bearers) give every member a way to take part in the life of the parish.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 pm (Auburn)
- Sunday after Mass
- Weekdays by appointment
Parish History
St. Joseph Parish was born out of the 1880s railroad boom in southeast Nebraska, when two dozen Catholic families in the Calvert-Sheridan area petitioned for their own church. The Lincoln Land Company donated a half-block of land, and on June 2, 1881 Father James B. Fitzgerald was appointed to organize the new community. The frame church and rectory were completed in July 1882 at a cost of $3,921.53, all donated by the 25 charter families. Under Father Fitzgerald the parish grew to 50 families by 1884 and added a bell tower and sanctuary expansion in 1894.
- 1882 — First Mass in new church, dedicated to St. Joseph
- 1894 — Sanctuary enlarged, 80-foot bell tower built under Fr. Fitzgerald
- 1895 — Father Feeney appointed pastor (served 35 years)
- 1900 — Parochial school built, staffed by the Sisters of Loretto
- 1905 — Lightning destroys the church on August 17
- 1906 — Cornerstone laid for new brick church on May 15
- 1907 — Present brick church dedicated on June 9
- 1932 — Current rectory completed
- 1936 — School destroyed by fire in July; not rebuilt
- 1950 — Church redecorated
- 1984 — Religious Education Center built
- 1994 — Religious Education Center dedicated to Father Halligan
- 1997 — Religious Education Center remodeled
- 2004 — Church elevator blessed
- 2007 — Rectory completely remodeled
The 1907 Brick Church
After the 1905 lightning fire, parish officials rebuilt on the same site. The new brick church was completed at a cost of $17,672.24 and dedicated June 9, 1907. It has served Auburn Catholics for four generations and remains the building in use today, with its three-faced tower clock (a gift of Bernard Ottens) and the original stained-glass windows and French-imported Stations of the Cross still in place.
Parish Staff
The parish is led by a small, dedicated staff that handles sacramental scheduling, parish records, bulletin preparation, and the religious education program. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.
- Fr. Randall 'Rand' Langhorst — Pastor (appointed 2025)
- Linda Ellison — Secretary — 402-409-2258 — [email protected]
- Lynn Wenzl — Director of Religious Education — 402-239-5207 — [email protected]
Faith Formation & CCD
The parish's religious education program (CCD) is led by Director of Religious Education Lynn Wenzl. Its stated mission is 'to provide a foundation that will help our children and our church families to develop their faith and make God an integral part of their everyday lives.' CCD classes for K–5 meet on Wednesdays during the school year, paired with a 5:15 pm evening Mass.
Liturgical Ministries & Volunteer Schedule
St. Joseph runs a published Ministry Assignment schedule each year (e.g. August–December 2025), rotating lay parishioners through the various roles at weekend and Holy Day Masses. The parish also publishes a Holy Day Schedule (2025) listing Masses for Assumption, Immaculate Conception, Christmas, and Confirmation.
- Acolytes
- Lectors / Readers
- Altar Servers
- Greeters
- Gift Bearers
- Rosary Leaders
Prayer & Pastoral Care
Beyond the sacraments, the parish supports members through an active Prayer Chain (Joyce Reich) and Prayer Warrior Ministry (Mary Ann Kalkwarf). Father Langhorst and Extraordinary Ministers bring Communion to the homebound every Sunday and on every First Friday, on request through the parish office.
Sacraments
Arrangements for all sacraments are made through the parish office. Baptisms, Marriages, Anointings, and home visits are coordinated by contacting Fr. Rand Langhorst or the office directly. Couples are asked to contact the parish at least six months before their planned wedding date to begin marriage preparation classes.
- Baptism — contact Fr. Rand or the parish office
- Marriage — at least 6 months' notice required
- Anointing of the Sick — by request
- First Communion / Confirmation — preparation through CCD
- Communion for the Homebound — every Sunday and First Friday on request
Bulletin & News
The parish publishes a regular bulletin that is archived on the website, carrying announcements, the weekly ministry schedule, prayer requests, and diocesan news such as vocation prayers for the Diocese of Lincoln's seminarians and religious sisters.
Diocese & Affiliation
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, within the Falls City Deanery. Its mission parish is St. Clara in Peru, and the two parishes share one pastor.
Visit, Register & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. Registration forms are available through the parish office. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.
- Address: 2221 N Street, Auburn, NE 68305
- Mailing: PO Box 406, Auburn, NE 68305-0406
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Office phone: 402-409-2258
- Rectory phone: 402-274-3733
- Website: https://auburnstjoseph-clara.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James B. Fitzgerald1881–c.1895
Founding pastor; appointed June 2, 1881. Oversaw construction of the 1882 frame church and rectory on land donated by the Lincoln Land Company; led the 1894 expansion that added 30 feet to the sanctuary and an 80-foot bell tower.
- Father Feeney1895–c.1930
Served 35 years at St. Joseph. Built the parochial school (1900), staffed by the Sisters of Loretto; the school was destroyed by fire in 1936 and not rebuilt.
- Father Halliganmid-20th century
Oversaw the addition of the Religious Education Center in 1984, which was dedicated to him in 1994.