About St. Patrick · Lincoln, Nebraska
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Lincoln that anchors the northeast side of Lincoln, Nebraska. The parish was established in 1893 by Franciscan fathers in Havelock and has served the surrounding community for more than 130 years, weathering a church fire, the Great Depression, and an eventual rebuilding. Today it is one of the most liturgically active parishes in the diocese, celebrating Mass nearly every day with perpetual Eucharistic adoration, a robust Catholic school (PreK–8), and dozens of parish organizations and small groups serving every age and stage of life.
- Established
- 1893
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Troy Schweiger
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lincoln
Why belong here
St. Patrick offers one of the most active liturgical schedules in the Diocese of Lincoln, with daily Mass, multiple Sunday options, perpetual Eucharistic adoration in a dedicated chapel, and frequent confession times. The parish also runs a PreK–8 Catholic school founded in 1916, an OCIA program for adults, CCD for parish children, a Knights of Columbus council, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, an Altar Society, and a wide variety of small groups for men, women, young adults, moms, and couples — all rooted in the Havelock neighborhood the parish has served since 1893.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00–5:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:30–8:00 PM
- First Friday: 6:30 PM (6:00 PM during Lent)
- Also available by request — contact the rectory
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel at the southeast corner of the church, accessible from the sanctuary and by code at an exterior door
- Currently open hours (per parish website): Sun Midnight, 1AM, 2AM, 3AM, 8PM, 10PM; Mon Midnight, 1AM, 11PM; Tue Midnight, 1AM, 2AM, 3AM; Thu 2AM, 3AM, 4AM; Fri Midnight, 1AM, 2AM, 3AM, 4AM, 11PM; Sat 1AM, 2AM, 3AM, 7PM, 11PM
Parish History
St. Patrick's parish was established in 1893 by Father Peter Welling, O.F.M., in the Havelock area of northeast Lincoln. The first frame church was lost to fire in April 1908, and a brick replacement had its cornerstone laid that November. The Franciscan Fathers handed the parish to the Lincoln diocese in 1914; classrooms were built in the upper story of the church and St. Patrick's School opened in 1916. The Great Depression nearly cost the parish everything — Bishop Louis B. Kucera raised donations to buy back the property. The Franciscan Fathers returned in 1940, a new school was built in 1961, and the diocese resumed direct oversight in 1972. After additions in 1985 and a gymnasium in 1998, the long-awaited new church was dedicated on August 15, 2015 (Feast of the Assumption) by Bishop James D. Conley.
- 1893: Parish founded in Havelock by Father Peter Welling, O.F.M.
- 1908: Original church destroyed by fire; cornerstone for replacement laid in November
- 1914: Transferred from Franciscan Fathers to Lincoln diocese
- 1916: St. Patrick's School opened in upper story of church
- Great Depression: parish saved from foreclosure by Bishop Kucera's fundraising
- 1961: New school building
- 1972: Diocese resumes direct pastoral care
- 1985: Elementary addition
- 1998: Gymnasium added
- August 15, 2015: New church consecrated and dedicated
St. Patrick Catholic School
Founded in 1916 in the upper story of the old church building, St. Patrick Catholic School today serves PreK through grade 8 at 4142 N 61st Street, Lincoln NE 68507. The mission of the school is to form students who possess strong religious values, academic integrity, individual responsibility, and a clear sense of citizenship. Children celebrate daily Mass along with monthly Confession and Eucharistic adoration.
- Address: 4142 N 61st Street, Lincoln, NE 68507
- Phone: 402-466-3710
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stpatricklincolnschool.com
- Principal: Megan Weigel
- Pastor (canonical): Rev. Troy Schweiger
- Grades: PreK–8
- Enrollment: 185 students
- Faculty/staff: 20 total, including 2 Marian Sisters
- Year opened: 1916
- Daily Mass, monthly Confession, Eucharistic adoration for students
Parish Organizations
The parish hosts a wide array of lay organizations, service groups, and fraternal associations. All adult women of the parish belong to the Altar Society; the Knights of Columbus council (#13576) is named for Monsignor David R. Hintz.
- Altar Society (women of the parish; meets first Tuesday at 7:00 PM)
- Knights of Columbus Council 13576 — Monsignor David R. Hintz Council (first Wednesday at 7:00 PM)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (second and fourth Wednesdays at 6:00 PM)
- Home & School Association (first Wednesday at 6:00 PM)
- God Teens / Godparents high school youth program (Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM)
- FCSLA (First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association)
- CCD — Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (Wednesdays 5:15–6:30 PM)
Faith Formation: OCIA and CCD
Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church, reception from another Christian tradition, completion of sacraments of initiation, or adult Confirmation are invited to OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). Parish children in K–8 who do not attend the Catholic school are catechized through the CCD program.
- OCIA meets Monday evenings at 7:00 PM in the social hall, beginning in September
- CCD meets Wednesdays 5:15–6:30 PM, K–8, August registration, September–May
- Both programs coordinated through the parish office
Small Groups
The parish invites parishioners to join a small group as part of ongoing faith formation. Groups meet at various times throughout the week in the social hall, church basement, or off-site for young adults.
- Bibles & Beers — young adults 21–39 (every other Monday, 8:00 PM)
- St. Patrick Mom's Group (Wednesdays 10–11 AM)
- Mary Jo's Card Club (2nd Wednesday, 10:30 AM)
- Rediscover Catholicism — 'Introduction to the Devout Life' by St. Francis de Sales (Mondays 5:30 PM)
- Parish Support Group — bereavement fellowship (Sundays 4–5 PM)
- Wednesdays at the Well — Fr. Mike Schmitz's 'Catechism in a Year' (Wednesdays 4:30 PM)
- Lectio Divina (Thursdays following 5:30 PM Mass)
- Men's Group (Thursdays 5:30 AM)
- U.G.L.Y. Quilts (Thursdays 1–5 PM, church basement)
- Matrimeaningful — couples and family group (monthly)
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Pastor Father Troy Schweiger (since 2011), Parochial Vicar Father Christopher Miller, and Rev. Leo Seiker in residence. The parish school is led by Principal Megan Weigel.
- Rev. Troy Schweiger — Pastor (since 2011)
- Rev. Christopher Miller — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Leo Seiker — In Residence
- Megan Weigel — School Principal
Parish Events & Fundraisers
The parish's patron saint gives the parish calendar one of its biggest annual celebrations: the St. Patrick Festival each March. The parish also hosts an annual STARS fundraising dinner in the gymnasium supporting parish improvements.
- St. Patrick's Day Festival — mid-March (e.g., March 14, 11 AM–4 PM), food, live music, raffle, bake sale
- STARS Annual Fundraiser Dinner — November, dinner, silent and live auctions, $50/person
Becoming a Parishioner
St. Patrick welcomes new parishioners to register with the parish office. Registration supports sacramental verification (such as for godparents and Confirmation sponsors) and helps the diocese plan Mass schedules and enrichment programs based on census numbers.
- Downloadable Parish Registration Form available on the parish website
- Registration helps the parish verify Catholic practice for godparent/sponsor forms
- Census counts help determine priest assignments and program planning
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Peter Welling, O.F.M.1893–
Franciscan founder of the parish
- Rev. Troy Schweiger2011–present
Pastor who led the new church dedication in 2015