St. Mary Catholic Church

1625 Adams St
17th & Adams Streets
Ashland NE 68003
stmaryashland@alltel.net
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St. Joseph Catholic Church

Oak & North Streets
Greenwood NE
stjosephgreenwood@alltel.net
Map
 
Phone: 944-3554
Fax: 944-3554
Home Schedules Sacraments
The Mass Stewardship Education
Parish Organizations Other Organizations Contacts

Welcome to St. Mary of Ashland and St. Joseph of Greenwood
View our Current Parish Bulletins and Old Parish Bulletins
Nearby Attraction: The Holy Family Shrine (Glass Chapel)

Parish Boundaries
St. Mary Parish of Ashland extends from 134th St in Saunders County east to the Platte River and 334th St in Cass County, including South Bend. It goes north to Co. Road D (700) from 134th to 167th St, Road E (800) to 190th St, Road F (900) along the University Farms and Military Reserve to 226th, Road H (1100) to 250th St and Road I (1200) from 250th St to the River, including Memphis and Wann.

St. Joseph Parish of Greenwood extends from 134th St in Lancaster County, including Waverly, east to 310th St in Cass County. Its southern boundary is Fletcher Ave from 162nd to 226th St, Alvo Rd to 250th St, Bluff Rd to 286th, and Mill Rd to 310th St, thus just North of Alvo and Northwest of Murdock.

The boundary between the two parishes follows Saunders County from 134th to 226th St, i.e. Ashland Rd from 134th to 190th and E Agnew Rd to 226th St, then into Cass County on E Rock Creek Rd to Hwy 63 (238th St), and Davey Rd from Hwy 63 to 334th St.


Schedules

Mass Schedule

Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM Ashland
Sundays: 8:30 AM Ashland, 10:30 PM Greenwood
Mon. through Sat.: 9:00 AM Ashland
Thursdays: 7:00 PM Greenwood
Holy Day Schedule: Please check the parish bulletin

Confession Schedule

Before all Masses:
Saturdays: 4:15 to 4:50 PM
Sunday: 8:00 to 8:20 AM
Daily: 8:30 to 8:50 AM
Any time by appointment

Devotions

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is on the First Friday of the month, beginning after 9:00 AM Mass and going through the night until 9:00 AM Saturday morning.

Holy Days

The six Holy Days of Obligation are Jan. 1, Mary Mother of God; Ascension Thursday; August 15, Assumption; November 1, All Saints; December 8, Immaculate Conception; December 25, Christmas.

Acts of Penance

All Christians are called by divine law to do acts of penance. To fulfill this obligation the Church prescribes certain penitential days: to abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent; to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On every Friday of the year we are also asked to abstain from meat or do some other work of prayer, penance, or charity, such as a corporal or spiritual work of mercy.


Sacraments

Baptism

Parents are obliged to see that infants are baptized within the first weeks after birth; as soon as possible after the birth or even before it parents are to contact a priest to receive the necessary baptismal instructions. For baptism of adults, see the information on RCIA or contact a priest.

Marriage

Contact a priest to make arrangements to receive the necessary marriage instructions. At least 4 to 6 months or more in advance are required, but up to a year in advance is always welcome. Couples should be interviewed and begin marriage preparation before the date can be officially set.

First Communion & Confession

These sacraments are celebrated for the first time in the 2nd grade for students enrolled in the CCD program. Please contact a priest if they are needed for an older student or adult. First Communion takes place on the Sunday two weeks after Easter.

Confirmation

The sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. Confirmation is celebrated every 3 years for 5th-7th grade students enrolled in the CCD program. Please contact a priest for an older student or adult to receive confirmation.

Anointing of the Sick

This sacrament of healing is administered to anyone who seriously ill or elderly. It can be repeated for each additional serious sickness or crisis. Please call a priest whenever someone is seriously injured or hospitalized, and do not wait until the sick person is near death.

Vocations - Holy Orders and Religious Life

If you feel a calling to serve the Lord in the priesthood or religious life, please contact the pastor. If you know someone who may have such a calling, please encourage them to pursue such a vocation, and recommendations can be made to the pastor. More information is also available by contacting the Lincoln Vocations Director at 474-7914 or go to www.LincolnDiocese.com.

Mass Stipends

The tradition of the Church allows the priest to offer Masses for the specific intention of anyone living or deceased, and to receive a stipend for doing so. The usual offering is set by the Bishop at $10. Of course no intention will be refused for an offering of a lesser amount.

Stole Fees

On the occasion of a baptism, marriage, funeral, anniversary, etc. an offering may be given which goes to support the Church, but no set amount is asked for. Laity who wish to make a specific offering to the priest must clearly designate their offering, otherwise these offerings are considered the property of the church.

The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The Eucharistic Sacrifice is the memorial of the death and resurrection of the Lord, in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated over the centuries, and is the summit and source of all Christian worship and life. All are called to actively participate in this offering and sacrifice, and certain duties help us to have a reverent and holy Mass.

Organists

Our organists are volunteering their time and talent to play for the Sunday Masses. If you can help us by accompanying the congregational singing, please contact a priest, even if you can only help out occasionally.

Choir

A choir leads the singing for the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass at St. Marys's. Practice is usually help on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM. Please contact the Choir Director for more information.

Lectors / Acolytes

Lectors and Acolytes are men chosen by the Pastor to attend a series of training classes and are installed by the Bishop to be ministers at the altar. If you are interested, please contact the pastor.

Altar Servers

Altar Boys assist the priests and ministers at Mass. Servers are normally trained in the 4th grade by the pastor. If you are interested or have questions, please contact the pastor.

Ushers

Ushers help with seating the congregation, taking up the collection, and other duties at Mass. If you are interested in helping, please call the rectory.


Stewardship

The faithful have the obligation as a precept of the Church to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to their own abilities of time, talent, and money. St. Mary and St. Joseph have numerous needs and opportunities for involvement and volunteer service.

Offering Envelopes

Envelopes are distributed yearly; if you do not receive envelopes please contact the rectory. St. Mary's is a tax-deductible organization, and those who use the contribution envelopes can receive an annual report for tax purposes.

Electronic Giving

A monthly automatic donation can be conviently made by electronic transform from your account. Printout the Authorization Agreement

Planned Giving

Please consider remembering St. Mary Church or St. Joseph Church in your will. Assistance with will planning is provided by the Diocesan Planned Giving office 488-2142 or visit www.LincolnDiocese.com

Facility Rental

St. Mary's church basement, education building, tables and chairs are available for parishioners and some community organizations. Call the pastor for information, prices, and reservations.


Education

CCD Program

CCD stands for Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and refers to the Church's program to educate children of the parish who are unable to attend Catholic Schools. These classes for kindergarten through eighth grade teach the basics of the Catholic faith and life of Christ. These can never take the place of the teaching of the faith by the parents.
CCD takes place on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:15 PM. Registration is in mid-August, with classes continuing until May. If you are interested in helping with the CCD program or have any questions, contact the CCD coordinator.

Youth Group

Our high school youth program combines an education in the faith with a chance for social activity. It involves high school students that meet together with their sponsor(s) once a week, usually on Wednesday nights at 7 PM. For questions and information please contact the pastor or CCD coordinator.

Adult Education - RCIA Classes

An adult class of instruction in the Catholic faith is held by the Pastor. This is available to all who want to learn more about the Catholic faith, both Catholics and non-Catholics. These classes are often called RCIA classes (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those who may be taking them with a possible interest in joining the Catholic Church. Classes are normally held from September to Easter. Call the rectory for more information or to register. If someone wants to join the Church but cannot attend the classes, arrangements can be made for private instruction.

Parish Organizations

Active participation in the life and mission of the Church is a fundamental duty and privilege of the baptized. Members of the laity are encouraged to express their Faith through memberships in these various associations which are established or approved by the church. St. Mary and St. Joseph have numerous opportunities for involvement and volunteer service.

Altar Society

The Altar Society is made up of all the ladies of the parish and usually meets on the Second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM. The meetings provide an opportunity to involve and inform the ladies of the parish of current issues that concern their family, parish and community.
The Altar Society pays for the Church supplies, cleaning, decorating, etc. Therefore each lady is asked to pay a yearly dues of $20. They also will be called on to help with coffee and rolls, fundraisers, funerals, and other activities.

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus are an order of Catholic men dedicated to promoting Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Their fraternity works to spread the faith both among its members and throughout the world, and also includes a strong insurance program, service to the Church and community, and numerous other works of philanthropy.
The Ashland-Greenwood Knights include men of both parish and usually meets on the First Thursday at 7:30 PM, odd months in Greenwood, even months in Ashland. The club promotes fellowship among the men of the parish which results in a unified strength which promotes the spiritual, social, financial and material needs of the parish and community.
The Knights are joined with the talents of other men of the parish to help with maintenance and upkeep of the Church as well as fundraisers and other activities. All men are invited to share their time and talents for the good of the parish.

Parish Council

The parish council is an elected, consultative body which assists the pastor in the administration of the parish, particularly by coordinating the parish committees and organizations. It seeks to encourage communication between the clergy and lay members of the parish, and therefore the president welcomes input and proposals from all members of the parish.


Other Catholic Organizations and Activities

Ashland Ministerial Association

The Ashland Ministerial Association is a non-profit organization of all the Christian Churches in Ashland-Greenwood-Memphis. They meet monthly to promote and coordinate ecumenial activities and further the spread of the Gospel in our cities. They also reach out to help those in need in our own community, particularly the poor who call for help. Meetings are normally First Wednesdays at 10:00 AM at one of the Churches.

Pro-Life

St. Mary's parish is committed to protecting the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death. For more information contact the Pro-Life Coordinator.

Retreat House

Good Counsel Retreat House near Waverly holds a men's retreat and women's retreat for our parish once a year; however, you may attend any retreat throughout the year if their is room available. For information, contact the parish or the Retreat House at 786-2705 or visit www.GoodCounselRetreat.com. Retreat House Schedule

Family Life Office

The Diocese of Lincoln offers many services and activities for youth, marriages and families through the Family Life Office. Call 488-2040 for more information or visit www.LincolnDiocese.com

Catholic Social Services

Catholic Social Services (C.S.S.) of Lincoln offers pregnancy services, an adoption and foster care program, family and individual counseling, and post-abortion counseling through their main offices at 301 S 70th Street, 489-1834.
C.S.S. also offers a food pantry, thrift store, emergency services, housing and refugee services at 123 N 25th Street, 474-1600.
Volunteers are also needed with their many important works.

Parish Contacts

Rectory: 944-3554
Fax: 944-3554

Pastor: Fr. Gary Coulter
Cell: 202-3782
Email: stmaryashland@alltel.net

St. Mary Education Center/Church Basement: 944-7509

CCD Coordinator: Cheryl Reisen, 944-7692

Contact the pastor for appropriate contacts for various other parish groups.

Current Parish Bulletins and Old Parish Bulletins

Home Schedules Sacraments
The Mass Stewardship Education
Parish Organizations Other Organizations Contacts