By S.L. Hansen
for the Register
Saint Mary Parish in Lincoln – “The Old Cathedral” – is a special place to worship during the month of December.
Originally built in 1888 for a Protestant congregation, then remodeled and reopened as the Diocese of Lincoln’s first cathedral in 1911, traditional architecture and reverence for the Blessed Mother inspire the faithful for Advent, Christmas and the December Marian feast days.
During the first week of Advent, Bishop James D. Conley kept the long-standing tradition of celebrating one Immaculate Conception Mass at St. Mary. Each of his predecessors did the same after the Cathedral of the Risen Christ was established in 1965 and the old cathedral became St. Mary Parish.
At the 4 p.m. Vigil Mass on Dec. 7, the bishop said, “It’s always a joy to celebrate the Immaculate Conception at St. Mary in downtown Lincoln.”
Noting that Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is patron saint of the diocese, the United States, and the chapel at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Bishop Conley added, “It’s a great time to reflect on Mary, how she looks over us, and how we walk with her.”
Editor's Note: See photo slideshow from Dec. 7 Mass.
“The spirit is alive at St. Mary’s in downtown Lincoln!” said Melinda Pearson, a 30-year parishioner and current chair of the parish’s Apostolic Leadership Committee. “We feel her presence and know she is guiding us as we build communion, community, and a sense of belongingness for our St. Mary’s family, as well as all the visitors who come through our doors. We pray they will feel a sense of home away from home when they are with us, especially at Christmastime.”
Walking with the Blessed Mother has kept St. Mary parish grounded through all the ebbs and flows of its decades of existence.
“It’s unlike any other parish I’ve been assigned to,” stated Father Joseph Walsh, pastor. “The Marian mission, the Marian purpose, the Marian role in the Church – it is dynamic down here.”
It’s evident that Father Walsh’s devotion to the Blessed Mother has deepened since he was assigned to St. Mary in 2021.
“It’s been more real,” he said. “I’ve always experienced her goodness and kindness, but I’ve never been in a parish like this where I don’t own the mission. She does,” he said. “I’m blessed to be here.”
His voice intensifying with excitement, Father Walsh continued, “I think she has a particular purpose downtown. It’s an active mission of her Son’s saving work, right across from the heart of the political arena of the city and the state, right at the heart of the hospitality district of the city.”
With its close proximity to hotels and downtown Lincoln’s historic sites, the parish has long had a large portion of visitors among those attending each Mass.
“I would guess around 60% of the people at any given Mass are not members of the parish, maybe more,” Father Walsh speculated.
Though he’s always looking at many faces he doesn’t recognize among those he knows well, he said this unique aspect makes St. Mary’s a particularly hospitable parish. Even Catholics who are returning to Mass after some time away can feel comfortable at St. Mary.
“How we treat the visitors at Christmas, how we welcome people with joy for gathering with us, that’s our daily lifestyle here,” Father Walsh said.
Another key way to serve visitors and returning Catholics is St. Mary parish’s very active ministry for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which Father Walsh describes as “a huge gift to the community.”
Weekday confession times that coincide with lunch hours are convenient for downtown workers, and weekend confession times are also well attended. For the last week of Advent, those hours will be extended. On Friday, Dec. 22, the confessionals will be open 10 a.m. to noon, and then again from 4 to 6 p.m. to accommodate people getting off work. On Saturday, Dec. 23, two priests will be available to hear confessions from 9 a.m. to noon, 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m.
Recently remodeled confessionals will make this an even greater gift. While both sets of confessional booths have accommodated hearing impaired people and include folding chairs for those who cannot kneel, sound-proofing has been improved, and the west confessionals are now wheelchair accessible.
Sunday Mass goers who worry about finding a place to park will be glad to know St. Mary Parish rents the state parking garage at 15th and L for those Masses. Anyone can park there for free, exit on the northwest corner and walk the short block to St. Mary. This also gives one an excellent view of the new statue of Our Lady and the Infant Jesus that now graces the exterior west wall of the church.
The remodeled confessionals, statue, and other projects were part of Phase One of St. Mary Parish’s four-step restoration project. More practical aspects included replacing the west retaining wall, repairing gutters, and weatherproofing.
Phase Two is currently in the fundraising stage. The parish needs to raise $2.5 million to replace its barely functioning, 60-year-old HVAC system, to improve lighting, and install a fire alarm system. A portion of the funds will also be used to retire the parish’s school debt, which has been difficult to address since the school was closed in 2019. The diocese has graciously offered a matching grant to help the parish pay off its school debt more quickly.
St. Mary Parish has enlisted the help of the Infant Jesus of Prague to provide for this capital campaign. For a little over a year and a half, a novena to the Infant has been prayed after every Mass. Now with Christmas, the Divine Infant on everybody’s hearts and minds, the parish is anticipating success in meeting Phase Two’s lofty goal.
Father Walsh has already witnessed the Infant’s provision since fundraising began.
“I said from the beginning that it’s going to take some big gifts, but a lot of little gifts,” he said.
Though the population of St. Mary is largely transient, with numerous rentals in the area and many people on fixed income, Father Walsh said parishioners are willing to do what it takes to restore the church.
“You have to ask people to make sacrificial gifts,” he said. “Their lives have to change for some extent because of what you’re asking. But everybody has done what they think they can do, and they’re happy with their decision.”
As of Dec. 12, more than $2.1 million of the $2.5 million goal had been given or pledged by St. Mary parishioners, former parishioners, and friends of the parish.
“Everybody I talked to is absolutely astounded at the level of giving,” Father Walsh said. “We pulled this campaign off in seven weeks. That’s a miracle.”
He reflected on the campaign theme, “Opening the Doors to the Heart of St. Mary.” The literal meaning is unquestionable, but there’s more to it in his eyes.
“It also is opening our doors to the heart of St. Mary. It’s enabling our Lady to open her doors to us.”
He stressed, “She spans all cultures, all countries, all races. She’s this universal woman, who is not just a symbol but an active participant in God’s sanctifying work in the world.”
All are invited to visit St. Mary Parish during Advent and Christmas.
“Christmas at St. Mary’s is magical,” Pearson exclaimed. “The twinkling white lights of the Christmas trees, the sanctuary filled with poinsettias, the candles in each of our glorious stained glass windows, the choir singing, all leading our eyes, hearts and minds to the nativity scene.”
See the Mass schedule at stmarylincoln.org.
