St Elizabeth Ann Seton > Our Parish


The History of Our Parish On June 17, 1981, seven hundred families formed the new parish of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton as St. James parish was growing and space was needed to accommodate the growing numbers. It was a known fact that something had to be done. A transition committee was set up in advance and at the right time the then presiding Archbishop, Daniel Sheehan, split the parish and named the new parish St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. The school of St. James was to be shared by both parishes and was renamed St. James/Seton. Father Thomas E. McDermott was chosen as the pastor. The next two years were filled with “town hall” meetings where parishioners were invited to bring their ideas to light. Decisions had to be made and plans for the new church implemented. It was during this time that the architect was chosen, Zenon-Beringer & Associates. While waiting for a church to be built, the spiritual life of the parishioners had to be fulfilled. Daily Mass was first held at Father Tom’s apartment and then at the rectory on Grande Avenue. The parish’s first Mass was held at the Greek Orthodox Church on Boyd, after that Sunday Masses were held at Sunny Slope School Gym. On September 16, 1984, Archbishop Daniel Sheehan presided at the dedication Mass for the new church “Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.” The main church seats 700, with 50 seats in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and 25 in the choir area. There were at the time 863 families in the parish. Since then a lot of changes have taken place. In June 1988, Father Tom moved to Ss. Peter and Paul and St. John’s Parish in Howells. Father Anthony Petrusic became the second pastor our parish and was very instrumental in helping the parish in fundraising. His idea of a $10,000 Grand Lottery and an all parish free picnic has helped with the finances tremendously. Father Petrusic was with the parish a little over two years when he took a position as president of the Croatian Catholic Union. Father Anthony Tresnak became our third pastor in June 1990. He was instrumental in guiding the parish along, helping it to grow and form its identity. Upon his arrival the Archbishop’s campaign for Education Excellence had to be continued. Our parish met its goal by helping fund the upper classrooms at the St. James/Seton School. Through the efforts of both parishes we have a kindergarten of which Father Tresnak was most instrumental. Father Tresnak also brought the “Life Teen” program to the parish and to the Omaha area on October 4, 1992, and the program became very successful. Because of Fr. Tresnak’s vision and the help of many dedicated people the youth ministry program at St. Elizabeth Ann continues be very successful. On September 28, 1995, Father Joe Hanefeldt began his assignment as pastor and quickly fell in love with the people of St. Elizabeth Ann. He has frequently mentioned that the parishioners taught him so much about life and priesthood and about being a pastor. On May 1, 1998 we broke ground on the Parish Center and Rectory additions to our facilities. Occupancy of the Parish Center began on All Saints Day in 1999. Since then we have, with St. James, launched the “Faith First…Campaign” to update our educational facilities at St. James/Seton School and to undertake capital improvements here at our parish and reduce the parish debt. In June 2004, work began on church interior renovations. In October, new altar furnishings arrived and Archbishop Elden Curtiss celebrated the consecration of the new altar and blessing of our new renovations. In June of 2007, Fr. Hanefeldt began a new assignment as Spiritual Director at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. Father Frank Dvorak became our 5^th Pastor in 2007 replacing Fr. Hanefeldt. Fr. Dvorak came to us from St. Wenceslaus after serving there for many years. Our family is growing and our future looks bright. May our life here – the sacraments we celebrate and the events that bring us together – help us become ever more “one body of Christ Jesus.