About St. Patrick · Gretna, Nebraska
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a historic parish in Gretna, Nebraska, with roots stretching back to 1856 when Irish Catholic pioneer families began settling the area around Forest City. Today it serves nearly 1,400 families from a campus on West Angus Street in the Archdiocese of Omaha and is pastored by Fr. Gregory P. Baxter, with Fr. Vincent A. Sunguti serving as Associate Pastor. The parish offers a full sacramental life — daily and weekend Masses, perpetual Eucharistic adoration in a chapel dedicated in 2022, weddings, baptisms, and ministry to the sick — alongside a robust Catholic preschool, K-8 religious education, a high school youth group, OCIA (formerly RCIA), lay ministry, music ministry, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies, and men's and women's faith-sharing groups.
- Established
- 1856 (settlers) / 1894 (parish incorporation)
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Gregory P. Baxter
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha
Why belong here
St. Patrick is a large, mission-focused parish rooted in 169 years of Irish Catholic heritage yet built for today's growing Gretna community. With four Sunday Masses, daily Mass, Saturday confession, and a 24/7 perpetual adoration chapel opened in 2022, the parish makes sacramental life broadly accessible. Faith formation meets parishioners at every stage — Catholic preschool, weekly K-8 religious education, a high school youth group, OCIA (RCIA), Friday men's and women's faith-sharing groups, and seasonal Ascension Bible studies — while outreach, the Knights of Columbus, music and lay ministry, the Purgatorial Society, and a newly forming Omaha Catholic Singles group offer ways to serve, pray, and belong.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00-4:40 PM
- Or by appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration — 24/7 in the Adoration Chapel
- Access 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM through the church's front doors; after hours via access card (registered parishioners may request one through the parish office)
- To sign up for an hour, contact Jean Hlavacek at 402-504-4222
Welcome and Parish Mission
The parish describes itself as 'a diverse people of faith, committed to using our variety of gifts to serve the Lord and one another through worship, faith, formation, education, and outreach to the community.' Its Parish Pastoral Council is bound together with the pastor and the Archbishop of Omaha, and the council affirms its call 'to use our God-given talents in order to support and empower the members of the parish community to grow in faith, hope, and charity.' Newcomers can register via the parish office or website.
- Mission Statement: 'We the designated members of St. Patrick Catholic Church of Gretna, in union with each other, with our pastor, and with the Archbishop of Omaha are united to form the Parish Pastoral Council.'
- Parish Pastoral Council includes Clint Bollock (President), Julie Lingbloom (Secretary), and parish staff representatives
- Finance Committee chaired by Kevin Kaup
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by pastor Fr. Gregory P. Baxter (Pastor since October 2019) and Fr. Vincent A. Sunguti (Associate Pastor), and is served by Deacons Ken Broz, Larry Heck (retired), and Jamey C. Kennel. A full parish staff carries out religious education, communications, sacred music, pastoral ministry, facility management, evangelization, and preschool operations.
- Pastor: Fr. Gregory P. Baxter — [email protected] — 402-332-4444 x205
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Vincent A. Sunguti — [email protected] — 402-332-4444 x204
- Deacon Ken Broz — 402-676-1025
- Deacon Larry Heck (Retired) — 402-689-9676
- Parish Manager: Jolene Jefferies — [email protected] — x203
- Communications Associate: Megan Seamann — [email protected] — x202
- Secretary: Judy Weier — [email protected] — x201
- Director of Religious Education: Shane Fagan — [email protected] — 402-332-3454
- Pastoral Ministry (Liturgy, Youth Group, Adult Faith Formation): Jonathan Wotipka — [email protected] — x212
- Director of Sacred Music: Laura Rau — [email protected] — x216
- Preschool Director: Amanda Scardina — [email protected] — 402-332-3050
- Parish Center Coordinator: Lezlie Thomas — [email protected] — 402-525-3098
- Facility Manager: Judy Stephens — 402-332-4444 x206
- Evangelization Coordinator: Jean Hlavacek — [email protected] — 402-504-4222
- Custodian: Jim Ernst
- Pastoral Council President: Janell Ronk — 402-510-9413
- Holy Sepulchre Cemetery: Jerry Thoendel — 402-332-3475
- Knights of Columbus: John Schaffert III — [email protected] — 402-672-7903
Parish History
The parish's story begins in 1856 when Irish Catholic families — fleeing religious persecution, famine, and illness — began settling the area that would become Forest City. In 1858 they organized under their first priest, Father Francis Cannon; by 1859 sixteen Catholic families met for Mass in dugouts and log cabins. In 1863 Wesley Knight donated land and the community built its first 20-by-30-foot log church, which the bishop blessed in honor of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. John Thomas Jr.'s 1869 donation of five acres created Thomas Calvary Cemetery, still in use today. Father Patrick Keenan became the first resident pastor in 1875.
- 1856: Irish Catholic families begin settling
- 1858: Father Francis Cannon organizes the Catholics of Forest City
- 1859: Sixteen Catholic families live around Forest City
- 1863: 20x30 ft log church built; Bishop blesses it St. Patrick
- 1869: Thomas Calvary Cemetery established (5 acres donated by the Thomases)
- 1875: Fr. Patrick Keenan, first resident pastor
- 1880-1917: Fr. John Vincent Wallace (longest-serving pastor)
- 1884: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery opened
- 1886: Burlington Railway builds a branch line; new station named Gretna
- 1887: Fr. Wallace purchases 12 lots (300x300 ft) for $150
- 1890: Rectory constructed
- April 16, 1894: Parish incorporated as St. Patrick Church of Gretna
- 1895: Gothic-style 40x80 ft frame church completed, $9,000, 240 seats; three bells installed
- 1915: Electric lights replace candles and kerosene lamps
- 1922: Brick veneer added; electric pipe organ donated; street paved in brick
- 1995-2005: Fr. Daniel Soltys expands church from 250 to 900 seats
- 2005-2017: Fr. Michael Grewe adds Religious Education wing, Preschool, Parish Center
- 2017-2019: Fr. Matthew Gutowski
- October 2019: Fr. Gregory Baxter arrives
- August 2021: Ground broken for Adoration Chapel
- April 24, 2022 (Divine Mercy Sunday): Perpetual Adoration Chapel dedicated
Sacraments
St. Patrick prepares parishioners for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and the OCIA process. Baptisms are celebrated twice a month after the Noon Mass, with a required class for first-time parents and godparents. Marriage preparation requires at least one year of parish registration and six months of formation in line with Archdiocesan policy.
- Baptism: 1st and 3rd Sundays after the Noon Mass; class 2nd Monday, 7 PM in Fr. Hitch Room
- Marriage: 1-year registration required; 6 months preparation required by Archdiocese
- Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00-4:40 PM or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick: request via the Parish Office; emergencies 402-332-4428 or 531-466-2453
- OCIA (RCIA): classes begin each fall; reception at the Easter Vigil
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish runs weekly Religious Education classes for K-8th graders (Sundays between Masses plus multiple Wednesday options) and a high-school Youth Group running from the first week of September through the first week of May. Adult faith formation includes separate men's and women's faith-sharing groups on Friday mornings, Ascension Bible Studies each fall and spring (the current study is the Gospel of Luke, with a Lenten study on the True Presence of the Eucharist), and OCIA for adults entering the Church.
- K-8 Religious Education: Sundays 8:55-9:55 AM, Wednesdays at 4:00, 5:30, or 7:00 PM
- High school Youth Group: weekly from September to May
- Men's Faith Sharing: Fridays 6:30-7:25 AM (before Mass) — Father Hitch Room
- Women's Faith Sharing: Fridays 8:00-10:00 AM (after Mass) — Father Hitch Room
- Adult Bible Study: Ascension Press (Fall and Spring)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
Catholic Preschool
St. Patrick Catholic Preschool's mission is 'nurturing faith through developmental play.' The play-based program in Gretna incorporates the Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines and is offered for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds (a 'Tadpoles' track is available for the youngest). Summer camps include Superheroes of the Bible, Culinary Creations, Scientists of the Summer, and Enchanted Storybook Adventures.
- Three-Year-Olds: morning MW or T/Th, $150/month
- Four-Year-Olds: $175/month morning option; afternoon option $205/month
- Five-Year-Olds: Monday-Friday 8:40-11:10 AM, $235/month
- Tadpoles: January through May, Fridays 8:40-11:10 AM, $85/month
- Summer Camps: four themed camps for ages 3-5, $50 each or $175 for all four
Summer Programs
Summer catechesis is offered cooperatively with neighboring St. Charles Borromeo Parish. The flagship program is Totus Tuus ('Totally Yours'), a fun, energetic parish-based catechetical week for grade-schoolers and teens, alongside Vacation Bible School for four-year-olds through incoming sixth-graders.
- Totus Tuus (1st-6th grade): July 20-24, 9 AM-2:30 PM
- Totus Tuus (7th-12th grade): July 19-23, 6:30-8:45 PM
- Vacation Bible School: June 1-5, 2025, 9 AM-Noon, $45/child — offered at St. Charles Borromeo
Prayer and Bible Study
Beyond faith-sharing groups, the parish offers a Prayer Line of parishioners praying for fellow parishioners' intentions, the Purgatorial Society (daily recitation of the St. Gertrude Prayer for the Holy Souls), seasonal Bible studies through Ascension Press, and a Lenten study titled 'The True Presence' covering Scripture, the Catechism, and saint quotes on Jesus in the Eucharist.
- Prayer Line
- Purgatorial Society (St. Gertrude Prayer)
- Friday Morning Faith Sharing (men and women, separate groups)
- Ascension Bible Studies — Fall and Spring
- Lenten Study: 'The True Presence'
Music and Lay Ministry
The Music Ministry under Director Laura Rau welcomes singers, soloists, and instrumentalists across the parish's choirs. Lay Ministry roles are open to adults and those confirmed: lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC), ushers, greeters, and gift bearers; youth in 4th grade and up may train as altar servers.
- Choirs, soloists, instrumentalists
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)
- Ushers and greeters
- Gift bearers (families)
- Altar servers (grades 4 and up)
Outreach and Community Groups
Service and fellowship happen through the parish's Outreach Ministry, Stewardship/Guilds, Funeral Ministry, Knights of Columbus, and the wider Omaha Catholic Singles community (a new group for Catholic singles in their 30s, 40s, and 50s in the Omaha area meeting monthly for social and spiritual events).
- Outreach Ministry
- Stewardship and Guilds
- Funeral Ministry
- Knights of Columbus
- Omaha Catholic Singles Group — @OmahaCatholicSinglesGroup
Cemeteries
The parish operates two pioneer-era cemeteries still in use today: Thomas Calvary Cemetery (donated July 5, 1869 by John Thomas Jr. and his wife) and Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (opened in 1884 by Fr. John Vincent Wallace). Inquiries are handled by Jerry Thoendel.
- Thomas Calvary Cemetery (1869)
- Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (1884) — contact Jerry Thoendel, 402-332-3475
Facilities and Events
The campus includes the historic church (now expanded), the Religious Education building, the Preschool, and the Parish Center. The Parish Center offers a 'beautiful and functional space' for hosting weddings and other events, coordinated by Parish Center Coordinator Lezlie Thomas.
- Wedding and event hosting in the Parish Center — contact Lezlie Thomas, 402-525-3098
- Adoration Chapel open during business hours through the main doors
- After-hours access cards available for registered adorers
Stay Connected
Parishioners and visitors can stay informed through Flocknote (text STPATGRETNA to 84576), a dedicated funeral-notification Flocknote, and the parish's official social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Communications inquiries go to Megan Seamann.
- Flocknote (general): text STPATGRETNA to 84576
- Flocknote (funerals): stpatgretna.flocknote.com/Funerals
- Facebook & Instagram: @stpatgretnane
- YouTube: @StPatrickCatholicChurchNE
- Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Francis Cannon1858 (first priest)
Organized the Catholics of Forest City; followed by several missionaries.
- Father Patrick Keenan1875
First resident pastor of St. Patrick.
- Father John Vincent Wallace1880-1917
Longest-serving pastor (37 years); opened Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (1884), bought 12 lots (1887), built rectory (1890), incorporated the parish (1894), and oversaw the 1895 Gothic church.
- Father Patrick J. Moran1917-1921
- Father John J. O'Flynn
- Father Thomas J. Fortune1921-1922
- Father Patrick W. Burke1922-1937
- Father Jeremiah J. O'Sullivan1943-1949
Oversaw church redecoration (1944), Golden Jubilee celebration, and 1947 steel tabernacle.
- Father James J. Morrin1942-1943
Brief tenure caring for church, rectory, and grounds.
- Father Paul E. Schneider1950-1953
Organized youth sports and the Gretna Medical Association; restored stained glass.
- Msgr. John L. Zaplotnik1954-1966
Doctorate in Canon Law from Catholic University; introduced the Vatican II liturgy.
- Father Joseph T. Bernauer1953
Came to Gretna in failing health; died of a heart attack during the Forty Hours Devotion.
- Father Thomas Hitch1966-1995
29 years; grew parish from 135 to 309 families, organized first parish council, revived CYO, started Knights of Columbus, acquired old public school/gym across the street for religious education.
- Father Daniel Soltys1995-2005
Largest expansion in parish history: church grew from 250 to 900 seats; began the children's collection tradition.
- Father Michael W. Grewe2005-2017
Built religious education addition, new Preschool, and Parish Center; launched Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP); later pastored St. Cecilia Cathedral Parish.
- Father Matthew J. Gutowski2017-2019
Continued CRHP and planning for a future Catholic elementary school; came from St. Joseph, Springfield.
- Father Gregory P. Baxter2019-present
Arrived from St. Margaret Mary Parish in Omaha; dedicated the perpetual adoration chapel on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 24, 2022.