Proposing New Parish Names

Because our Journey of Faith plan envisions two mergings of parishes, the Archbishop is inviting us to give him proposals of names before he chooses a parish patron for each new parish.

The Details and Requirements

  • In the document De Patronis constituendis (Sacra Congregatio Pro Culto Divino, 19 March 1973, n. 3) parishes are identified as places for which a heavenly patron can be chosen. The following are identified as possible patrons: the Blessed Virgin Mary, under some title already accepted into the sacred liturgy, the Angels, and the Saints. A “Blessed” may only be chosen as a patron with an indult granted by the Apostolic See. The three Divine Persons are always excluded from possible patrons, because the patron is to be the principal intercessor for the people of the place before the Divine Persons themselves (cf. ibid., n.4).
  • There should be only one principal patron. However, when two or more saints are inscribed in the Roman Calendar together, they may together be chosen as the principal patrons (e.g. Saints Basil and Gregory or Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus of Bethany) (cf. ibid., n. 5).
  • The diocesan bishop must approve the selection of a heavenly patron for a parish (cf. ibid., n. 7).
  • It is important to note that requirements for the title of a church are more broad than those for patrons. The title of a church may be: “either the Most Holy Trinity; or our Lord Jesus Christ invoked according to a mystery of his life or a title already introduced into the Sacred Liturgy; or the Holy Spirit; or the Blessed Virgin Mary, likewise invoked according to some appellation already accepted in the Sacred Liturgy; or the Holy Angels; or, finally, a Saint inscribed in the Roman Martyrology or in an Appendix to it duly approved; but not a Blessed, without an indult of the Apostolic See. A church should have one title only, except in the case of Saints who are inscribed together in the Calendar” (The Order of the Dedication of a Church, n. 4).
  • As a reminder, the titles of churches do not change once they are dedicated, except with an indult from the Apostolic See (canon 1218, CIC 1983). The process of merging parishes or creating a new parish does not change the title of already existing churches.

Family of Parishes

Catholic Parishes in Partnership

Church Names (Unchanging)

  • St. Bonaventure Church (Raeville)
  • St. Boniface Church (Elgin)
  • St. John the Baptist Church (Deloit)
  • St. John the Baptist Church (Petersburg)
  • St. Peter de Alcantara Church (Ewing)
  • St. Theresa of Avila Church (Clearwater)
Joining the single pastor model in July 2024:
  • Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Tilden)
  • St. Francis of Assisi Church (Neligh)

Proposed Parishes

Parish A (To be Named) of Hwy 275 churches:
  • Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Tilden)
  • St. Francis of Assisi Church (Neligh)
  • St. John the Baptist Church (Deloit)
  • St. Peter de Alcantara Church (Ewing)
  • St. Theresa of Avila Church (Clearwater)
Parish B (To be Named) of Hwy 14 churches:
  • St. Bonaventure Church (Raeville)
  • St. Boniface Church (Elgin)
  • St. John the Baptist Church (Petersburg)

Some Helpful Definitions

Family of Parishes

A Family of Parishes is a grouping of parishes led by a common pastor and characterized by collaboration and shared resources. A parochial vicar (or multiple parochial vicars) or retired priest may also serve a Family of Parishes.

In the Archdiocese of Omaha Journey of Faith process, our area was designated Rural Family K. For our family of parishes, we use the name Catholic Parishes in Partnership.

Church / church

The Church, when capitalized, often refers to the Catholic Church, the faithful of the whole world united under the guidance and authority of the pope, the successor of Saint Peter.

A church is a sacred building set aside for public worship. Each parish has at least one church. Each church has a title which cannot be changed after its consecration.

Parish

A parish is a stable community of the faithful constituted with a church or group of churches within a diocese. Its oversight and care are entrusted to a pastor as its shepherd under the authority of the diocesan bishop.

“The parish is the presence of the Church in a given territory, an environment for hearing God’s word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and celebration.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 28)