About St. Michael · Lincoln, Nebraska
St. Michael Catholic Church is a parish in the Diocese of Lincoln serving the south side of Lincoln, Nebraska from its current address at 9101 S. 78th Street. Tracing its roots to 1909 as a mission parish in the village of Cheney, St. Michael grew for nine decades before relocating and eventually opening its first parish school in 2011; the present church was completed and dedicated on April 23, 2023. The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Cole Kennett and Assistant Pastor Fr. Ranil Weerackoon, with Fr. Lawrence Stoley in residence, and its mission is to 'courageously advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the work of His Church.'
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Cole Kennett
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lincoln
Why belong here
St. Michael is a growing parish with a deep 1909 heritage and a newly dedicated church (April 23, 2023) on Lincoln's south side. It is home to St. Michael Catholic School (Kindergarten through 8th grade), a robust array of faith-formation and family ministries (CCD, Junior High Ignite, Totus Tuus, Discipleship Groups, Called & Gifted), weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and active service groups including the Knights of Columbus, the Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul, the PCCW, and a Matt Talbot addiction-recovery ministry. Daily and weekend Masses, multiple Sunday Mass times, and several weekly confession opportunities make it easy for a family or new parishioner to plug into parish life.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday-Friday: 7:30-8:00 AM
- Saturday: 4:00-5:00 PM
- Sunday: 7:00-8:00 AM, 9:00-9:30 AM, 10:40-11:10 AM
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is offered at the parish (see the 'Eucharistic Adoration' ministry page)
Mission, Vision, and Core Values
St. Michael states its mission as: 'To Courageously Advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the work of His Church.' Its vision is that every person in the parish boundaries will have a relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. The parish commits to advancing the Gospel by building trust with the community, facilitating encounters with Jesus in Word and Sacrament, and forming and preparing disciples for mission. Core values are Fidelity (to the teaching of the one, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church), Dignity (affirming each person's inherent value as a son or daughter of the Father), Generosity (hospitable giving of time, talent, and treasure), Sustainability (responsible use of spiritual, human, and financial resources), and Virtue (pursuing what is true, good, and beautiful).
Our History
St. Michael began on January 8, 1909 in Cheney Station, Nebraska. The parish grew through the twentieth century as a mission church — building a social hall in 1972, adding a larger worship space in 1985, building a rectory in 2000, and celebrating its Centennial in 2009 at the original Cheney site. In 2006 land south of Yankee Hill Road was acquired for the parish's first school, which opened in 2011 and expanded with a lower-level build-out in 2022. Fundraising for a new church began in fall 2014, and the current St. Michael church was completed and dedicated on April 23, 2023.
- January 8, 1909 — groundbreaking for a 30x50-foot wooden church
- May 23, 1909 — first Mass; funded with a $500 Catholic Church Extension Society grant
- September 29, 1972 — parish social hall built across the street
- August 24, 1985 — dedication of the addition serving as the church
- February 1986 — original 1909 wooden church used for a controlled burn
- April 30, 2000 — first rectory started by Msgr. James Dawson
- December 2006 — land purchased south of Yankee Hill Road
- May 23, 2009 — Centennial Mass at the original Cheney site
- September 2011 — St. Michael Catholic School opens K-6
- August 2022 — school lower-level build-out opens
- April 23, 2023 — present church dedicated
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by three priests and a lay staff team.
- Fr. Cole Kennett — Pastor (ext. 52512; [email protected])
- Fr. Ranil Weerackoon — Assistant Pastor (ext. 52515; [email protected])
- Fr. Lawrence Stoley — In Residence
- Joy Martin, Ph.D. — Director of Discipleship Formation (ext. 52504)
- Addison DeFreece — Director of Religious Education (ext. 52503)
- Shannon Dohmen — Director of Business Operations (ext. 52502)
- Tyler Matson — Parish Administrative Assistant (ext. 52514)
- Sharon Long — Music Director
- Ashley Rockey — Principal
- Mitch Schoenfelder — Facilities Manager
- Gary Morrissey — Facilities Assistant
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners of all ages can serve at the altar and throughout Mass.
- Acolytes — men of the parish assisting at the altar (Diocesan training required)
- Lectors — proclaim the Word of God (Diocesan training required)
- Altar Servers — boys in 4th grade and older; contact Tyler Matson
- Greeters & Ushers — welcoming, seating, collections, hospitality
- Communion to the Homebound — taking the Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass
- Parish Choir — singers, instrumentalists, and small-ensemble leaders welcome
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation spans the parish school, parish CCD, junior-high youth ministry, and a summer Totus Tuus program. Sacramental preparation follows Diocesan norms: First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist typically in 2nd grade, and Confirmation typically in 5th grade for students at St. Michael School. Junior High 'Ignite' uses a relaxed, conversational format starting with Adoration in the church.
- St. Michael Catholic School (K-8) — 'Proudly Catholic, Excellent in Academics, Accessible to All, Sustainable for the Future'
- CCD for grades 1-5 using the Word of Life curriculum (Ignatius Press)
- Junior High Ignite (grades 6-8) — Wednesday evenings, 6:00-7:30 PM, beginning with Adoration
- Totus Tuus summer program
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist typically in 2nd grade
- Confirmation typically in 5th grade
- Marian devotions: May Crowning, classroom Rosary, Angelus
- Stations of the Cross on Fridays of Lent; Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00 PM on Fridays
Parish Social Organizations
These groups build fellowship and provide service within and beyond the parish.
- Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) — sponsor of the Rosary Making Ministry
- Knights of Columbus — meets second Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM in the St. Michael Room; Grand Knight Adam Kerr
- Eucharistic Adoration — hourly committed adoration in the parish's Blessed Sacrament chapel
- Church Cleaning ministry
Spiritual & Corporal Works of Mercy
St. Michael organizes its service and formation life around both the spiritual and corporal Works of Mercy, providing many on-ramps for parishioners seeking to grow and serve.
- Matt Talbot Ministry — addiction recovery support for individuals and families
- St. Michael Comfort Food — provides meals for two weeks or more after a new baby, illness, surgery, or bereavement
- Discipleship Groups — Scripture study, faith-sharing, and community
- Apologetics Team — equips parishioners to explain the Catholic faith charitably
- Called & Gifted — discernment of God-given gifts and charisms
- Funeral Dinners — hospitality for grieving families after a funeral Mass
- St. Vincent de Paul — meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 6:15 PM
- Intercessory Prayer Team
- Legion of Mary — meets Fridays at 8:00 AM in the St. Raphael Room
- Rosary Making Ministry (PCCW-sponsored, monthly)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Pro-Life Ministry — including the St. Michael Chapter of Life Runners and referrals to post-abortion support
- Alcoholics Anonymous
Contact & Visit
Parish offices are open Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The mailing address is 9101 S. 78th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68516, and the parish phone line is (402) 488-1313. A 'Contact Us & Directions' page on the parish website has driving directions.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. James Dawsonaround 2000
Started the parish's first rectory on April 30, 2000.