St. John Vianney Catholic Church stands on Oak Hills Drive in the Millard neighborhood of southwest Omaha, Nebraska, a parish of the Archdiocese of Omaha that has grown up around its longtime worship, faith formation, and outreach traditions. From its campus, the parish runs the rhythm of a Roman Catholic community: weekday and Sunday Mass, religious education for hundreds of children, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, Bible studies for men and women, and a network of ministries that reach into the wider Omaha area.
A Family of Parishes with Mary Our Queen
St. John Vianney no longer operates as a stand-alone parish. Under the Archdiocese of Omaha's Family of Parishes initiative, it is paired with Mary Our Queen Catholic Church, which sits about four miles away at 3405 S. 118th Street in southwest Omaha. A single pastor, Fr. Marc Lim, oversees both communities, and many programs, including youth ministry, OCIA, the parish school, and special events, are run jointly across the two campuses. The parish bulletin and the pastor's weekly letter, distributed at both churches, regularly announce shared initiatives such as the annual Fall Festival hosted by Mary Our Queen and the Candlelight Rosary Procession held each October at Mary Our Queen.
Mary Our Queen Catholic School, a pre-K through 8th-grade elementary school enrolling 653 students from 395 families across 33 ZIP codes at its most recent opening, is also part of the same family. The school celebrated its 61st year in operation when classes resumed most recently, and both parishes count it as a central ministry of their shared life.
Mass Schedule, Confession, and Adoration
The Sunday Mass schedule at St. John Vianney is built around three weekend celebrations: the Saturday vigil at 5:00 p.m., and two Sunday Masses at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Daily Mass is celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 9:15 a.m., and on Mondays a Communion Service is held at 9:15 a.m. in place of Mass.
The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. in church, and confessions can also be arranged at any other time by calling the parish office at 402-895-0808. The Liturgy of the Word for Children is offered during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass throughout the year for younger parishioners.
Eucharistic Adoration is one of the parish's defining devotions. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open for prayer and adoration around the clock, every day. Committed adorers sign up for a single weekly hour, and substitutes are welcomed to fill in when needed. Parishioners interested in taking an open hour can contact Kaye Benak through the parish office.
Faith Formation for Children and Youth
Religious education for children in kindergarten through 8th grade meets on Wednesday evenings from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. on the St. John Vianney campus during the school year. Classes combine grade-level catechesis with sacramental preparation for those in 2nd, 7th, and 8th grade. Registration each year carries a modest family deposit, and the parish maintains a parent handbook and a published calendar for families.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is offered as part of the Wednesday evening program for children ages 3 to 12. Drawn from the Montessori tradition and developed in Rome in 1954 by Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gobbi, CGS gathers children in a specially prepared space called the Atrium, where they work with hands-on materials that introduce the central mysteries of the Catholic faith. St. John Vianney offers both Level One and Level Two of the program.
High school youth ministry is shared with Mary Our Queen. The combined Youth Group meets Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and brings middle school and high school students together for faith sharing, retreats, service projects, and fellowship. A separate GroupMe chat keeps young adults and families up to date on changing meeting times and activities. Vacation Bible School runs each summer for children entering kindergarten through 6th grade.
Sacramental Preparation
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are normally received in 2nd grade, after a year of preparation that includes classroom instruction, church visits, and rehearsal. First Reconciliation is typically celebrated in December; First Holy Communion takes place during the Easter Season in April.
Confirmation is a two-year preparation in the Archdiocese of Omaha, beginning in 7th grade and culminating in the spring of 8th grade, when candidates are confirmed at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha. The preparation includes classroom work, retreats, parent and sponsor involvement, and a service requirement of at least 20 hours split across at least two different projects. A "Catch Up" class on Sunday mornings is available for older children, baptized Catholics who need additional sacraments, or those seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.
For adults, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) meets on Sundays from approximately 9:00 a.m. to noon, beginning each September and continuing through Easter. The program is for adults who have not been baptized, those baptized in another Christian tradition who wish to become Catholic, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation.
Adult Faith Growth and Small Groups
The parish keeps a steady calendar of formation opportunities for adults. The Men of Faith group meets Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m. for fellowship and Bible study. The current study is a 24-part walk through Matthew's Gospel titled "Matthew: The King and His Kingdom," taught using Jeff Cavins' video series. The Seeking Truth Bible Study gathers Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall for a 23-week study of the Gospel of Luke, the only Gospel that gives an account of Mary's story and the source of all the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
The Martha and Mary Women's Ministry meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Social Hall. Open to women of any age, the group centers on three pillars: social, spiritual, and service, and supports service projects across the parish and beyond. The Young Adult Ministry gathers every other Tuesday at 6:15 p.m., with light snacks provided, for ages 21 to 35, single or married, with or without children.
A new parish-wide theme for the year, "Loving God with All Your Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength," has been introduced as a shared catechetical focus across both parishes. The theme will shape religious education classes, the parish school, adult formation events, bulletin features, and emails. A new parish prayer is now prayed at the start of every Mass as part of the theme.
Alpha, a series of interactive sessions designed to explore life, faith, and meaning in a friendly and open environment, recently launched at St. John Vianney on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Each session includes a meal, a short talk, and open discussion. Alpha is free and open to anyone, regardless of background or belief.
Worship Ministries and the Mass
Parishioners serve the liturgies of the parish in many capacities. Altar Servers, boys and girls from 5th grade through high school graduation, prepare the altar and assist the celebrant during Mass. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs), who must be mandated by the Archdiocese of Omaha, distribute the Precious Body and Blood at Mass and bring communion to homebound parishioners. High school juniors and seniors are eligible to be trained as EMHCs.
Lectors and Commentators proclaim the readings at Mass; new lectors attend diocesan training followed by parish-level preparation. Ushers serve as active liturgical leaders, seating the assembly, taking up the collection, orchestrating the offertory procession, assisting with the distribution of communion, and handing out bulletins after Mass. The Music Ministry welcomes musicians of any age or ability (no auditions are required) to share their gifts at Mass.
The Environment Ministry plans and decorates the church throughout the liturgical year, creating a worship space that is welcoming and prayerful. Vocations Ministry works to build a parish culture that supports and encourages vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, marriage, and the single life. Members of the ministry spiritually adopt those discerning a vocation and pray for them.
Community Ministries
The Knights of Columbus, St. John Vianney Council #7740, is one of the most active parish organizations. The council meets on the first Monday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Its members sponsor parish events such as the annual Tailgate Party at the Social Hall and run the parish's service to the Stephen Center during the winter months.
Mary & Martha Women's Ministry, the parish's women's society, draws its inspiration from the Gospel story of Martha and Mary and focuses on social, spiritual, and service activities.
The Stephen Center Ministry feeds the hungry and homeless at the Stephen Center facility on 27th and Q Streets in Omaha on the first Thursday of each month. Parishioners assist by donating food, preparing and serving meals on-site from March through November, or contributing toward the cost of chicken the parish purchases for the meal.
The Nurses Ministry is a group of registered nurse parishioners who promote the health and well-being of the parish through education, counseling, and referrals. The Prayer Line Ministry fields requests for prayers from parishioners and circulates them among a network of intercessors. The Pro-Life Ministry promotes the sanctity of human life in the parish and broader community.
Service Ministries and Outreach
The parish's Community Outreach coordinates the parish's wider service efforts. Volunteers conduct home visits, maintain a food pantry for those in need, and run fundraising drives that benefit families and individuals in the parish and surrounding area. The Outreach operates on the principle that help must be delivered while preserving the dignity and confidentiality of those being served. Parishioners needing food assistance are encouraged to contact the parish office.
Several smaller service groups keep the parish running. The Cleaning Crew volunteers a few hours a week during the day to keep the church clean. The Altar and Sacristy Care Ministry tends to altar linens, fills the Holy Water fonts, and replaces candles. Funeral Luncheons volunteers provide a meal for friends and family of the deceased, either by preparing salads or desserts, or by serving and cleaning up in the Social Hall.
Religious Education itself is also a service ministry: catechists are needed to teach weekly classes. Each year the parish recruits new catechists and offers them a tuition discount and stipend.
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
The seven sacraments are central to the parish's life and mission. Infant Baptism requires attendance at a one-hour baptism class that must precede the ceremony itself; parents register at the parish office and complete preliminary parish registration. First Reconciliation and First Communion are received in 2nd grade (see Sacramental Preparation above). Confirmation is received in 8th grade.
Couples preparing for marriage are asked to begin at least 6 months, and ideally 9 to 12 months, before their intended wedding date. At least one member of the engaged couple (or their parents) must be a registered parishioner for a year or longer. The Archdiocese of Omaha requires completion of the FOCCUS pre-marriage inventory, four to six weekly meetings with a facilitator, and a marriage formation program such as Catholic Engaged Encounter.
Anointing of the Sick is available to parishioners who are hospitalized or sick at home. Because hospitals no longer notify parishes of admissions directly, families are asked to call the parish office at 402-895-0808 to request a pastoral visit. A Prayer Chain and the Sunday Prayers of the Faithful are also available for those who would like their intentions lifted up by the parish community.
The Social Hall and Campus
The St. John Vianney Social Hall, located on the parish campus in Millard, is a flexible space for receptions, corporate meetings, graduation parties, baby showers, and wedding receptions. The hall seats up to 320 guests, comes with tables and chairs, provides bartenders and security, and includes cleanup. The parish supplies the venue; renters bring their own professionally catered food, beverages, music, and decorations. An outdoor patio and ample parking are available.
The hall is rented to both parishioners and non-parishioners, with non-parishioner use required to be consistent with the parish mission and Roman Catholic teaching. The hall is not available for quinceañeras, and rentals are not scheduled during Holy Week. Inquiries are handled by Deacon Chris Hanson.
Marriage and Family Life
St. John Vianney supports marriage and family life through Trinity House Community Gatherings and Small Groups for Married Couples, which complement the parish's sacramental preparation for marriage.
Stewardship, Endowment, and the Pay It Off Campaign
Online giving is available through OSV Hub for the parish's general funds and a dedicated Parish Endowment Fund, which the parish is working to grow to $1,000,000 to provide long-term support for parish facilities and operations. The fund currently stands at just over $500,000.
A separate "Christ in Glory With All the Saints" campaign marked the parish's 50th anniversary and set out to raise $1.5 million toward retiring parish debt. The campaign exceeded $800,000 in pledges and brought the remaining debt down to roughly $625,000. A follow-up initiative, "Pay It Off: once and for all," is now under way to retire the rest of the debt, expected within two to three years if current supporters renew or extend their pledges.
The parish also participates each year in the Archbishop's Annual Appeal, the Archdiocese of Omaha's annual giving drive supporting parishes, schools, and ministries across northeast Nebraska.
Clergy, Deacons, and Staff
Fr. Marc Lim serves as pastor of the Family of Parishes. A native of Singapore and a former engineer, Fr. Marc was ordained a priest on June 2, 2007, by Archbishop Elden Curtiss for the Archdiocese of Omaha after philosophical studies at Conception Seminary in Missouri and theological studies at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio. Before being named pastor of Mary Our Queen Parish in July 2019, he served as associate pastor at St. Robert Bellarmine, Mary Our Queen, and St. Wenceslaus parishes in Omaha, and as pastor of St. Joseph in Pierce and St. Paul in Plainview, Nebraska.
Fr. Steve Boes is the senior associate pastor. Ordained in 1985 for the Archdiocese of Omaha, Fr. Steve has served as assistant pastor in Norfolk, Fremont, and Bellevue, as pastor in Battle Creek and on the Winnebago and Omaha Reservations, and most recently as President of Boys Town.
Five deacons serve the parish community: Deacon Joseph Choi, Deacon Tom Frankenfield, Deacon Ron Hesson, Deacon Ron Horner, and Deacon Harold Sawtelle. Deacon Chris Hanson serves as Pastoral Minister, with operational responsibilities for the Social Hall rental program.
Leia Vranes is the Director of Faith Formation, overseeing religious education, sacramental preparation, and youth programs at St. John Vianney. Jodi Meyer serves as Director for Outreach and Mission Coordinator. Mary Johnson is the parish's Communications Director.
Annual Rhythm and Special Events
Beyond the weekly schedule, the parish maintains a recognizable annual rhythm. The Feast Day of St. John Vianney is celebrated each year with a parish Mass and Eucharistic Procession around the church, followed by a parish luncheon and the presentation of the "Spirit of St John Vianney Award." The annual Blessing of the Animals draws parishioners and their pets to the Sandoz-side doors of the church. The parish joins Mary Our Queen for the annual Candlelight Rosary Procession each October, featuring Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a candlelight procession, Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Benediction.
The Knights of Columbus organize the parish Tailgate Party each fall, and the parish's Outreach program runs a Christmas Wish List tree, with gift-card ornaments supporting local families in need.
Joining the Parish
Anyone interested in joining St. John Vianney is invited to complete the parish's Membership Form. Newcomers are welcome to attend Mass, the parish's monthly breakfasts, the Lenten Fish Fry, and any of the many parish gatherings. The parish uses Flocknote to stay in touch with members, share event information, and connect newcomers with parish groups and ministries. The parish office, located at 5801 Oak Hills Drive, is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon (closed Fridays in July).