Ringing the Bells for St. Thomas

April 8, 2014

“... the bells which ring at every hour of the day when we pray and at every stage of our life, for the new-born, the newly wed, and the deceased, are like the amplified voice of our joys and sorrows and, as such, have a ‘moral sympathy with our hearts.’”

— Jean Hani

The four bells for St. Thomas Aquinas were tested by The Verdin Company. After testing is complete, the bells will be disassembled, inscribed, and all of the bell hardware painted. This important stage in their production is one step closer to their installation in the bell tower above the St. Thomas Aquinas Church - Newman Center. Once installed these the bells will announce the call to worship and signal the sacred presence for generations to come in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska.

See the video for the very first listen to the voices of these four bells:

Construction at St. Patrick's, Lincoln

March 17, 2014

Construction is well underway at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The new church stands where the parish's parking lot formally stood. Construction began this past winter when the lot was demolished and site excavated. A small portion of the south entrance to the school was also demolished for the anticipated connection to the new building. Footings are currently being poured, including that of the bell tower in the southwest corner.

Steel Erection Underway at St. Thomas

March 14, 2014

The St. Thomas Aquinas Church - Newman Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is taking shape, literally. The steel arrived last month and work began setting the steel on the north side of the building which will house the Newman Center.

As the north side is nearing completion of its steel erection, work will shift focus onto the south portion of the building, the Church. This will include the 105 foot bell tower that will soar over the entire block.

Rededication of St. Mary, Aurora

February 26, 2014

February 25, 2014

Three years of planning, fundraising, and construction came to completion Sunday, February 16th as St. Mary's Church in Aurora, Nebraska was rededicated by Bishop Conley following a major renovation. The church floor plan was rotated 180 degrees within the existing building shell. This reorientation allowed for the parish hall to also serve as the church's narthex. The original building's narthex was too small and inadequate. The parish desired a larger room to gather but the city's ordinances did not allow for an addition to the narthex. The existing parish hall, then located behind the church, was utilized to accomplish this need. The end results proved overwhelmingly successful.

Improvements to the parish hall were also undertaken including the addition of six classrooms and a large kitchen to better serve the needs of the parish. The interior finishes of the church were updated, with the construction of new altar, tabernacle stand, and ambo.

Southern Nebraska Register: "Aurora parish to celebrate renovation with bishop"

Pi Alpha Chi

February 24, 2014

Fr. Robert Matya addressing the sorority members and families at the potluck.

Kevin Clark presented the schematic design for the members of Pi Alpha Chi Sorority and their family members at their family potluck event. The house for the newly formed sorority will be located in the middle of the desirable Greek Row which spans along 16th Street from Vine to Q Streets at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. The house is designed to blend with the other Greek Row houses built in the 1930s and 1940s, but with all the modern conveniences. In fact, the Pi Alpha Chi Sorority house will be the first fully accessible sorority at UNL.

The ladies of Pi Alpha Chi also unveiled their sorority crest that was recently completed.