Southern Nebraska Register
Bishop James Conley installed Father Robert Matya as the new pastor of St. Mary Parish in Ashland Oct. 15.
Also in attendance was Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth, England, who was visiting Bishop Conley. The visit coincided with the parish’s annual “Harvest Fest” meal and fundraiser, which the bishops attended.
The bishops and Father Matya even agreed to help out with serving the meal, which parishioner Craig Buescher said was a hit for all those in attendance.
He said Bishop Egan was heard laughing and saying, “evidently, here in Nebraska there is no such thing as a free meal.”
The parish served 287 meals at the event, which also included a bake shoppe and silent auction.
New pastor Father Matya served 25 years as pastor of the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. This spring, he was seriously ill with an infection and spent months in rehabilitation. Father Gary Coulter, a former pastor of St. Mary and currently the director of Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House, served as administrator of the parish since July 15.
In his homily at the Oct. 15 Mass, Bishop Conley thanked the parishioners for their patience, prayers and understanding in anticipating Father Matya’s installation and service as pastor.
“As you know, priests are human,” he said. “And as your shepherd, one of my greatest responsibilities is the health and well being of my priests, my coworkers, and to give you good, happy, healthy priests. I’m confident Father Matya fills all those categories.”
