The Omaha Padres played Sunday

A collection of priests from the Omaha Archdiocese gathered Sunday for the I-80 Collar Series at Werner Park as they  hosted the priests from the Lincoln diocese.

Fr. Pietramale brought plenty of holy water.

 All the priests signed posters...

 ... and took in the atmosphere of

 playing before 8,000 fans.

 But before they even took the

 field, they met and prayed.

 Then it was time for the national anthem ...

 and player introductions ...

 ... before the game got underway.

Fr. Brancich was the first priest from

 the Omaha team to get a hit (and score).

Fr. Vogel would soon be on base as well.

Above Fr Mario Rapose tagged third for 

one out and looks to first for a double play.

There were some hi-jinks on the field.

The Omaha team kept the trainers busy. Fr. Korth felt his hamstring pop during warm-ups. He was, we think, the only Omaha priest to play baseball in college. He was unable to take the field (though he did manage to bat with a pinch-runner.) On the right, Fr. Vogel got some cuts bandaged.

Captain-Father Voithofer called his shot.

 Fr. Ben Boyd stays on second base.

 Fr. Mark Beran got his workout on the field.

We don't recall exactly what the final score was or who won. We do know the last batter for the home team ended up being Fr. Hoesing (stepping up the the plate above) and the last play was him sliding for an inside the park home run.

It was a great and fun event!

Memorial Day 2014

Memorial Day Masses will be held at each of the five archdiocesan Catholic cemeteries on May 26 at 10:00 a.m. The celebrants are listed below. 
        
Calvary Cemetery-Archbishop George Lucas
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery-Rev. John Pietramale
Resurrection Cemetery-Archbishop Elden Francis Curtis
Saint Mary Magdalene Cemetery-Father Joseph Taphorn
Saint Mary Cemetery-Rev. William Safranek

In addition Fr. Steve will celebrate Mass in our church at 9:00 a.m.

Working for the Archdiocese

The Archdiocese of Omaha has hired  their new director of administrative services and it is one of our parishioners, James Stoltze.Stolze replaces H. Lee Karrer, who is set to retire March 31, after serving as director of the division for 20 years.

“Jim brings to the table both a vast experience of business and finance, as well as a deep understanding of the archdiocese due to his many years of involvement as a volunteer on various archdiocesan committees and boards,” said the Rev. Joseph C. Taphorn, the archdiocese’s moderator of the curia. “He’s a great fit for this post and is eager to serve the Church full-time. I look forward to working closely with him to advance the mission of the Church.”

Stolze, 52, holds a Master of Economics degree and Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. His undergraduate business degree is from the University of Iowa.
In his role, Stolze will provide oversight and management of the division’s 33 employees and archdiocesan finances and properties. He will be charged with developing and implementing financial and business policies for the archdiocese. In addition to acting as a key advisor to Archbishop George J. Lucas, he will advise archdiocesan parishes and schools on major strategic, operational and financial issues which may include financial management, accounting, banking and investment oversight, risk management, insurance, benefits, plant management, construction and renovation, data processing and internal controls/best practices.

Congratulations Jim!

7 Questions about Appointing Bishops

When Archbishop Eldon Francis Curtiss turned 75 in June of 2007, he submitted his resignation. Fr. Joseph Taphorn is the Chancellor for the Omaha Archdiocese and he was kind enough to answer some questions about the process that takes place when a new Archbishop is chosen.

1. At the Chrism Mass, Archbishop Curtiss said this would be the last time he blessed the oils for the diocese. Does that mean that a new archbishop is imminent? Or anytime in the next year?
Fr. Taphorn: I think it safe to expect a new archbishop sometime this spring or summer, hence, +EFC’s comment.

2. It was almost two years ago that Archbishop Curtiss offered his resignation. How long can it take between a bishop resigning and a successor being named?
The general timeframe is 1-2 years.

3. Who gives advice to the Pope on the naming of a new Bishop? How is that done?
The papal nuncio in Washington DC prepares a list of 3 candidates. Eventually that list is reviewed by the Congregation of Bishops. If it survives that review, it would be given to the pope. The pope is free to choose from the 3, or make his own choice, or send the list back and ask for more information or more possible names.

4. Is there a special time when new bishops are named?
No particular time is special to name one.

5. What is the typical time frame between someone finding out he is being appointed and it being publicly announced?
The man himself would probably know 2-4 weeks ahead of the public announcement. He has to accept the appointment willingly—he can’t be forced to accept it.

6. When a new archbishop for Omaha is announced, will it be announced by Archbishop Curtis, the Vatican, or the new Archbishop?
The announcement technically comes from Rome, but we will coordinate with them and the USCCB [United States Conference of Catholic Bishops] and have a simultaneous release go out—usually 5 am on the day local time (noon Rome time). There will be a press conference called for that morning and +EFC will introduce his successor.

7. How long will it be between the new archbishop being announced and him physically being in the diocese?
He will have up to 2 months to move here and be installed.

Thank you Fr. Taphorn!