About St. Joseph · Lincoln, Nebraska
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a large, active parish in southeast Lincoln, Nebraska, serving as a spiritual home for hundreds of families on the city's south side. Located at 1940 S. 77th Street, the parish carries the motto "To Live As Disciples of Jesus" and pairs a robust sacramental life — daily Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, and a full school — with an extensive network of ministries for children, adults, musicians, and those in need. As the home parish of St. Joseph Catholic School (Pre-K through 8), and tightly connected to nearby Pius X High School, it is a faith-and-education hub for the Diocese of Lincoln.
- Established
- 1976
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Very Rev. Jay Buhman, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lincoln
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in one parish: two weekday Masses, four Sunday Masses, and an extensive Saturday confession schedule; perpetual (24-hour) Eucharistic adoration with all hours filled by committed adorers; a thriving Pre-K–8 parish school; and an unusually broad range of parish groups — from RCIA and four separate adult Bible studies to a St. Vincent de Paul conference, a Legion of Mary praesidium, Totus Tuus, Youth Ministry, and a weekday Meals Ministry. Families who want a parish that takes discipleship, stewardship, and Catholic education equally seriously will find St. Joseph built for exactly that.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 15 minutes before each weekday Mass
- Saturday: 3:00 pm to 4:20 pm
- Saturday: 5:45 pm to 6:00 pm
- Thursday before First Friday: 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Adoration times
- 24-hour Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, every day of the week (chapel always open; goal is two adorers present at every hour)
Parish Identity and Mission
St. Joseph Catholic Church frames its entire ministry around the phrase "To Live As Disciples of Jesus." Its stated Vision is to be "a family of disciples centered on the Eucharist with every member committed to stewardship and evangelization," and the parish organizes its ministries around four pillars — Evangelization, Discipleship, Stewardship, and Hospitality/Outreach — that the pastor references in his welcome message.
- Mission: To Live As Disciples Of Jesus
- Vision: A family of disciples centered on the Eucharist, committed to stewardship and evangelization
- Four pillars of parish life: Evangelization, Discipleship, Stewardship, Hospitality/Outreach
History of St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph Parish was founded in June 1976 on Lincoln's growing southeast side when Bishop Glennon P. Flavin appointed Msgr. Thomas Holoman as founding pastor. Within a few years, with strong parishioner support, Msgr. Holoman initiated construction of the permanent church, parish hall, and school. Since then the parish has grown alongside its school, completing major building additions in 1984 and 1990 and, in 2001, converting the original worship space into the current school's media center/library and offices once the new church was dedicated.
- Founded June 1976 by Bishop Glennon P. Flavin
- Founding pastor: Msgr. Thomas Holoman
- Permanent church, hall and school built in the late 1970s
- Major parish/school additions in 1984, 1990, 1999 and 2001
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is currently served by Very Rev. Jay Buhman, V.F. as pastor (appointed by Bishop James D. Conley in the Diocese of Lincoln's 2026 clergy appointments, effective June 15, 2026). He is assisted by Fr. Robert Froeschl (Assistant Pastor) and Fr. Thomas Brouillette (Priest in Residence), along with Permanent Deacon Dr. Matt Hecker. The parish office and school are supported by an experienced lay staff.
- Fr. Jay Buhman — Pastor
- Fr. Robert Froeschl — Assistant Pastor
- Fr. Thomas Brouillette — Priest in Residence
- Dr. Matt Hecker — Permanent Deacon
- Ann Wackel — Business Manager
- Sara Racicot — Liturgy Coordinator / Youth Ministry
- Jackie Birch — Parish Office Manager
- Carrie Finson — Director of Communications
- Karen Hermsen — Funeral Luncheon Coordinator
- Kevin Hanrahan — Adult Choir Director
- Rhonda Bohaty — Youth Choir Director
Pastoral Succession
While the parish website does not publish a formal "Former Pastors" list, diocesan records and the school's own history page document the succession of pastors who have served since the parish's 1976 founding.
- Msgr. Thomas Holoman — founding pastor (1976–c.1995)
- Fr. Liam Barr — referenced in earlier school profiles
- Fr. Michael McCabe — preceding pastor
- Fr. Jay Buhman, V.F. — current pastor (appointed 2026)
Faith Formation for Children and Youth
St. Joseph provides a full pipeline of Catholic formation for children and teens, anchored by its parish school and complemented by parish-based programs such as the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Sunday Children's Liturgy of the Word, Totus Tuus, Youth Ministry, Scouting, and a Sunday Nursery for the youngest parishioners.
- Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Scouting (parish-sponsored)
- Sunday Nursery
- Totus Tuus summer program
- Youth Ministry
St. Joseph Catholic School (Pre-K–8)
The parish school opened August 24, 1979, with 63 students in grades K–3 in a ten-classroom building. It was the very first diocesan school administered by the School Sisters of Christ the King, the diocesan congregation founded by Bishop Flavin in 1976. A grade was added each year until the full K–8 program was established on August 23, 1984, and a preschool opened in 1986. Major building additions came in 1984 and 1990; in 1999 the former convent was converted into the "Angel House" preschool; and in 2001, after the current church was completed, the old church space was renovated into the school's media center/library, Quest Room, technology lab, and offices. The school now includes 27 classrooms, specialty rooms for art, band, technology, and vocal music, a media center/library, gymnasium, cafeteria, Quest Room, and three resource rooms.
- Founded August 24, 1979
- First diocesan school of the School Sisters of Christ the King
- Preschool through Grade 8; over 500 students
- 27 classrooms, gymnasium, cafeteria, media center/library
- Founding pastor Msgr. Thomas Holoman
- Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary staffed the school for its first ten years
Adult Formation and Bible Studies
Adults at St. Joseph can choose from at least five ongoing formation opportunities — RCIA for those entering the Church, a men's faith-sharing and Bible study, and four women's studies/parishes (St. Helen's, Walking with Purpose, Women of Joy, and Seeking Truth) — reflecting the parish's emphasis on lay formation and small-group discipleship.
- Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
- Men's Faith Sharing & Bible Study
- St. Helen's Women's Bible Study
- Walking with Purpose Women's Study
- Women of Joy
- Women's Seeking Truth Bible Study
Liturgy and Music Ministries
A wide range of lay liturgical roles support St. Joseph's Sunday and daily Masses, with separate directors for the adult and youth choirs.
- Acolytes & Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMEs)
- Altar Servers
- Greeters
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Adult Choir — directed by Kevin Hanrahan (402-202-6675)
- Youth Choir — directed by Rhonda Bohaty (402-310-4671)
Outreach and Charity
Pastoral outreach — a core part of the parish's stated values — is organized through dedicated ministries that serve parishioners and neighbors in tangible ways throughout the year.
- Advent Giving Tree
- CANA Dinner & Auction
- Faith in Action Team
- Meals Ministry
- New Member Welcome Dinner
- Prayer Line
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (parish conference)
Parish Groups and Councils
Beyond programming, the parish maintains a traditional fabric of lay groups — including a women's Altar Society, a Legion of Mary praesidium, a Rosary & Shawl Makers apostolate, a senior group (PrimeTimers), and Women at the Well — as well as the canonical councils and committees that govern parish life.
- Altar Society
- Legion of Mary
- Mary, Queen of Peace Rosary & Shawl Makers
- PrimeTimers (senior parishioners)
- Women at the Well
- Building Committee
- Environment Committee
- Finance Council
- Parish Council
- Stewardship Committee
Capital Campaign: Forward in Faith and Excellence
The parish is engaged in a joint capital campaign with neighboring Pius X High School called "Forward in Faith and Excellence," supporting both parish priorities and Pius X's campus needs. The campaign is featured prominently on the parish homepage.
- Joint campaign with Pius X High School
- Parish and school capital priorities
Visit, Register, and Contact Us
Newcomers are welcomed at quarterly New Member Welcome Dinners, and a Parish Registration Form is available for download on the parish website. The parish office is open 9:00 am–4:00 pm, Monday–Friday (closed on national holidays and Holy Days of Obligation), and a recorded line with prompts handles sacramental emergencies outside of business hours.
- Parish Office and Rectory: 1940 S. 77th Street, Lincoln, NE 68506-1805
- Mailing address: 7900 Trendwood Drive, Lincoln, NE 68506-6559
- Phone: 402-483-2288 · Fax: 402-483-2336
- Office hours: 9:00 am–4:00 pm, Monday–Friday
- New Member Welcome Dinner offered periodically
- Parish Boundaries Map available on the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Thomas Holoman1976–c.1995
Founding pastor appointed by Bishop Glennon P. Flavin; built the church, hall, and school; also served as diocesan pro-life director.
- Fr. Liam Barr
Referenced as pastor in earlier school profiles of St. Joseph School.
- Fr. Michael McCabe
Immediately preceding pastor before the 2026 appointment of Fr. Buhman.
- Fr. Jay Buhman, V.F.2026–
Appointed pastor of St. Joseph Church, Lincoln by the Diocese of Lincoln, effective June 15, 2026.