The Saint Mary’s community received emotional news this week: Father Thomas Gallagher, who has served as pastor for twelve years, will be reassigned to a new parish this summer. The announcement, made at Sunday Mass, was met with a mixture of sadness, gratitude, and heartfelt applause.  Father Thomas arrived at Saint Mary’s in 2014 and quickly became a beloved figure in both the parish and the school. Known for his warm homilies, gentle humor, and unwavering support for students, he has presided over countless baptisms, first communions, weddings, and school events.  Principal Sister Margaret Donnelly said his impact on the school cannot be overstated.  “Father Thomas has been a shepherd to our families,” she said. “He revitalized youth ministry, expanded our service‑learning program, and helped strengthen the bond between parish

Saint Mary’s welcomed twelve new fifth‑grade altar servers during Friday morning Mass, marking an important milestone in the students’ faith formation. The commissioning ceremony, held before the entire school community, celebrated weeks of training and the beginning of a new chapter of service for the young parishioners.  Deacon James, who oversees altar server formation, said the students have shown dedication and reverence throughout their preparation.  “They take this responsibility seriously,” he said. “Serving at the altar teaches them discipline, attentiveness, and love for the liturgy.”  Training sessions included learning the parts of the Mass, practicing processions, carrying candles, preparing the altar, and mastering the timing of the bells. Students also learned the meaning behind each action, emphasizing that altar serving is a ministry, not a performance.  New server Ethan Riley said

Excitement is building among Saint Mary’s junior high students as they prepare for the school’s summer pilgrimage to Rome, a tradition offered every three years to deepen students’ understanding of Catholic history and global faith. This year, 22 seventh and eighth graders will travel with teachers and chaperones to visit major basilicas, historical sites, and the Vatican.  Religion teacher Mrs. Angela Carver, who has led the pilgrimage twice before, said the trip is designed to be spiritually formative.  “This isn’t a vacation — it’s a pilgrimage,” she said. “We want students to walk where the saints walked, to see the early Church with their own eyes, and to understand that our faith is part of a living, global community.”  Students have been preparing for months through weekly

Saint Mary’s fourth graders stepped back in time this week during their annual Heritage Field Trip, a signature part of the school’s Nebraska history curriculum. The day‑long excursion took students to the State Historical Museum, the Pioneer Village outdoor exhibit, and the Immigrant Experience Center, offering a hands‑on look at the people and cultures that shaped the region.  Fourth‑grade teacher Mrs. Karen Schultz said the trip is one of the most meaningful learning experiences of the year.  “Students read about pioneers and early settlers, but seeing the artifacts in person — the tools, the clothing, the wagons — helps them understand the challenges and resilience of the people who came before us.”  Students began the morning at the State Historical Museum, where docents guided them through exhibits on Native American tribes, early homesteaders,

Saint Mary’s Catholic School held its annual K–8 Science Fair on Thursday, transforming the parish gym into a maze of tri‑fold boards, bubbling experiments, and students eager to explain their discoveries. The event, a long‑standing tradition at the school, drew families, parish members, and alumni.  Principal Sister Margaret Donnelly said the fair is one of the most important academic events of the year.  “Science teaches our students to ask questions, to test ideas, and to see God’s creation with wonder,” she explained. “This fair is about celebrating that curiosity.”  Kindergarten through second grade presented class projects, while grades three through eight completed individual or small‑group experiments.  In the primary section, first‑grader Maya Thompson proudly demonstrated her class’s “What Makes Plants Grow?” display.  “We gave one plant water, one sunlight, and one nothing,” she said. “The nothing one got