Archdiocese gives tentative approval to pastoral planning team proposal

Changes are coming to communities served by Catholic parishes that are part of Rural Family K, including St. Theresa's in Clearwater, rural St. John's and St. Peter's in Ewing.

In a letter sent to parishioners March 1, Rev. John Norman said a proposal developed by the Family Pastoral Planning Team has been granted tentative approval from Archbishop George Lucas.

The plan includes canonical and structural changes.

Through the Journey of Faith process, two priests will serve the family of parishes.

Three large projects are included in the plan, including the merger of parishes and merging of Pope John XXIII Central Catholic and St. Boniface schools into one school.

According to Norman, in July 2024, when Fr. Patrick Nields finishes a six-year term with Neligh and Tilden parishes, "it is envisioned that he will take a different pastoral assignment in the archdiocese."

Three parishes on Highway 14 - St. Boniface, Elgin; St. Bonaventure, Raeville; and St. John the Baptist, Petersburg - will merge.

The five parishes along Highway 275, including locations in Ewing, Deloit and Clearwater, will merge with St. Francis in Neligh and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in Tilden.

"The church campuses within each merger were considered similar in size and complexity," Norman said.

Once the canonical merger takes place, each new parish will have its own finance committee and parish council, which will be comprised of members from each church within the merged parish.

During the transition, a weekend mass schedule has been proposed.

Saturday masses will be held every weekend in Tilden. On the first, third and fifth weekends, rural St. John's will hold mass. St. Peter's will have mass on the second and fourth weekends.

All Saturday masses will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Sunday mass services will include every weekend at St. Theresa's. Mass in Raeville will take place on the first, third and fifth weekends, while St. John's Petersburg will hold mass on the second and fourth weekend.

Sunday mass times are set for 8 a.m.

St. Francis and St. Boniface will hold 10 a.m. mass, every weekend.

Holy Day and Ash Wednesday masses will be determined, according to Norman.

A proposed weekday mass schedule was offered. Tuesday mass will be at 8:30 a.m., at St. John, Petersburg.

Wednesday through Friday daily mass will be at 8:15 a.m., at St. Boniface, allowing for students from PJCC to attend.

An 8:30 a.m. mass is proposed at St. Francis, Neligh. The location was selected since it proivdes proximity for ministry at the hospital, nursing home and assisted living facilities.

St. Boniface School, which serves preschool through sixth grade, will be transferred to PJCC, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.

The junior and senior high school is currently a stand-alone corporation, with members from St. Boniface, St. Bonaventure, St. John the Baptist, St. Theresa, rural St. John's and St. Francis.

Norman said the school expansion, with the addition of elementary classes, will enhance educational offerings and services.

"This means that the adding of the new grades under their existing accreditation of PJCC with the Nebraska Department of Education," Norman said.