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A Message from
the President
Dear Serrans,
October always seems to be a month filled with both gratitude and anticipation. We look back on the blessings of the summer—inspiring speakers at our Monday meetings, fellowship, supporting vocations, and prayer—and we also look forward to the meaningful events that are soon to come!
October always seems to be a month filled with both gratitude and anticipation. We look back on the blessings of the summer—inspiring speakers at our Monday meetings, fellowship, supporting vocations, and prayer—and we also look forward to the meaningful events that are soon to come!
In this edition of the Mission Bell, you’ll find a recap of the speakers we welcomed in September, along with a recap of the retired priests “Sundae Sunday” gathering. You will also read about the Ordination of Deacon Michael Figura in Rome; a beautiful reminder of why we pray so fervently for vocations. Also note that you can find details for an opportunity to volunteer at an upcoming vocations open house.
As we move into November, we are preparing for two special events… the third annual Rosary Rally for Vocations that coincides with Vocations Awareness Week and our annual Memorial Mass to honor those Serrans, priests, and family members of Serrans who have gone before us this past year. You’ll also find details about our Adopt-a-Seminarian program, prayer intentions for the month, and a look at the upcoming Serra calendar of events.
Thank you for walking together in faith and for all you do to lift up vocations in our Archdiocese.
A Summary of Recent Events
September 8th Club Meeting
Speaker: Fr. Owen Korte
At our September 8th luncheon, we were honored to welcome Fr. Owen Korte, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha.
He reflected on his 44 years of service to 15 parishes, concluding with his role as pastor of the seven Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes.
Fr. Korte shared stories from his early life near Clark, NE, to his final assignment in Hartington, where he now resides.
Highlights included building the new church in Fremont and working to unite diverse parish communities.
He also spoke of the challenges and joys along the way and his excitement for the future.
Please keep Fr. Korte in your prayers as he begins his new retirement chapter.
Also at the meeting, John Millar was recognized for his one year anniversary as a Serra Club of Omaha member. The club acknowledged his anniversary by switching his red name tag to his new white name tag.
Congratulations to John!
September 22nd Club Meeting
Speaker: Sister Michael Marie Rottinghaus
Our September 22nd luncheon featured Sr. Michael Marie Rottinghaus of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Norfolk as our speaker. She shared with us her attraction to the call to “missionary work.”
Sr. Michael Marie has served almost 60 years as a missionary; 23 years in two foreign countries: China and Kenya. She shared stories of her time in China working around the Chinese Communist Directors of Religion who were always watching. Her time in Kenya was as Prioress of her community.
Sundae Sunday
by Linda Antonelli, Event Chair
Can you name...the only Nebraska born priest who has served as the Archbishop of Omaha?
The retired priests of our Archdiocese who attended the September 28th Sundae Sunday at St. John Vianney Retirement Center were asked that question, as well as others, in a trivia game titled "Name That Archbishop".
The annual ice cream event was attended by eleven priests and two Archbishops, Archbishops Lucas and McGovern. Following the game, Archbishop McGovern spoke briefly to those gathered about his transition to Omaha following his installation in May. In his brief time here, he reported he had attended many events and visited many of the Archdiocesan parishes.
At the conclusion of the event, each priest was offered one or two pairs of socks to take home with him as a gift from our club in appreciation of their service to our Church.
(The answer to the native son trivia question...Archbishop Daniel Sheehan.)
Thank you to our Serran hosts and hostesses, Jordan VanMourleghem, Lynn Weist, Linda Thomsen, Tim and Sally O'Neill, Jim Gerner, John and Mary Feda as well as Tina Martin, Mary Ruth and Tom Jensen, and Kathleen Mandina who helped prior to the event.
U.S. Missionaries of St. Junipero Serra Contest
Last year, our club participated in the annual Serra International U. S. Missionaries of St. Junipero Serra Contest in the Large Club Category, which includes clubs with 25 or more members. The contest period ran from July 1, 2024, through June 30 2025, and awards were based on a net increase in membership during that time.
We are proud to announce that our club achieved a net membership increase of over 11%! As a result, we received a 10% rebate based on our July 1 membership dues, along with one free registration for the Serra USA Rally or Serra International Convention.
Congratulations to all of our sponsors and new members for helping us reach this outstanding milestone!
by Adam Herink, Vice President of Vocation Recruitment
With the start of the new school year, we are excited to welcome back our seminarians through the Adopt a Seminarian program. This initiative gives our club members a unique opportunity to build personal connections with seminarians by offering support in the form of notes, thoughtful gifts, and prayers throughout the academic year.
This year’s program was kicked off with a letter from our President, providing an overview and explaining the importance of these connections. (see link below)
If this is your first time hearing about the program or if you are interested in adopting a seminarian, simply reach out to me at 402-637-4845 or email aherink@aftonenergy.com. I will match you with a seminarian and provide all the information needed to participate.
Let’s make this year meaningful by supporting our seminarians together.
Diaconate Ordination Celebrated in Rome
by Michele Pohlman, President
On Thursday, October 2, Brent and I were privileged to attend the diaconate ordination of Omaha seminarian Michael Figura at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It was truly a beautiful and unforgettable experience. The liturgy took place at the Altar of the Chair, with the breathtaking stained-glass window of the Holy Spirit above, a setting filled with such profound reverence. The Mass, presided over by Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt of the Nebraska Grand Island Diocese, made the ordination especially meaningful. A particularly moving moment came when Fr. Taylor Leffler from Omaha vested Deacon Michael with the Deacon Dalmatic (a long, loose tunic with wide sleeves) marking the beginning of his new ministry of service.
For me, personally, it was double the joy to witness Michael’s ordination and also, see my son, Fr. Matthew Pohlman, as one of several concelebrates at the Mass, at the very altar he was ordained a deacon two years ago. The atmosphere of prayer, music, and tradition reminded us all of the beauty of the universal Church. It was a day filled with gratitude, joy, and a renewed sense of hope for the future of vocations.
Then on Friday morning, we attended Deacon Michael’s first Mass as a Deacon where he preached a beautiful homily. In just eight months, on Saturday, June 6, 2026, Deacon Michael Figura will be ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Omaha.
Cardinal Blase Cupich celebrated his Golden Jubilee (50 years) of ordination to the priesthood on August 16, 2025. The 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood was marked with celebrations, including a Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. He was ordained in Omaha in 1975 and previously served as a bishop in South Dakota and Washington before becoming the Archbishop of Chicago in 2014.
On his Facebook page Cardinal Cupich posted the following: "With gratitude to God, I joyfully celebrate today the 50th anniversary of my priestly ordination. Ordained on this day for the Archdiocese of Omaha, I remain humbled and grateful for His call. Please continue to pray for me as I give thanks for the past and entrust the future to His providence."
Congratulations to Native Son Blase Cardinal Cupich on 50 years of service to our Church. May God continue to bless you for your faithfulness.
Looking Ahead:
Jubilarian Celebration
for Consecrated Women
On Thursday, October 9, 2025, the Archdiocese of Omaha together with the Serra Club of Omaha will host a special Jubilarian Celebration honoring the consecrated women and religious serving in our Archdiocese. The celebration will be held at St. Patrick’s Parish in Fremont. Look for coverage of the event in next month's Mission Bell.
Vocation Open House for Men
On Sunday, October 19, Vocations Director Fr. Scott Schilmoeller will host an open house for men at Christ the King Parish from 5-8pm. Fr. Schilmoeller said, “It would be great to have the Serrans help!”
Needed: Four or five Serrans to arrive at 4:30pm to accept the food when it is dropped off and to set up the food tables.
Plus: Four Serrans to bake 2 dozen desserts each – Desserts can either be dropped off at Christ the King at 4:30pm on October 19th or Michele Pohlman can pick them up from your home.
Bishop-Elect Ralph O’Donnell
Thank you to Serrans Rich Cupich, Amanda Biggs, and Adam Herink for designing an ad on behalf of the Serra Club of Omaha that will run in the special commemorative edition of The Catholic Missourian on October 24 to celebrate Fr. O’Donnell’s ordination to the Office of Bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City. Below is the ad which features Bishop-Elect O’Donnell’s chosen episcopal motto at the base of the ad which translated from Latin means "Serve the Lord with gladness".
Our Upcoming Club
Meeting Speakers
Monday, October 13th
Guest Speaker: Fr. Scott Schilmoeller
We are pleased to welcome Fr. Scott Schilmoeller, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Omaha, as our guest speaker at the Serra Club of Omaha luncheon on October 13th .
Fr. Schilmoeller will share an update on the current state of vocations in our Archdiocese and the exciting ways God is at work in calling men and women to serve.
Please join us for lunch, fellowship, and these important vocation updates.
Monday, October 27th
Guest Speaker: Katie Sciba
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend the meeting on October 27th to hear a lovely lady, writer, wife, mother, and delightful presenter, Katie Sciba.
Katie is a speaker and eleven-time Catholic Press Award-winning columnist, widely recognized for her humor and honesty. She has a degree in theology from Benedictine College, and her work on holy simplicity, spiritual intimacy with Jesus, as well as the domestic church has impacted audiences for over a decade. Her topic will be The Simple Path to Heaven.
Katie writes for The Catholic Telegraph in Cincinnati and co-hosts Two Coins Culture, a podcast on living simply. She has recently joined the Catholic Voice. Katie and her family live in Papillion, Nebraska.
The third annual Archdiocese of Omaha Rosary Rally for Vocations will be held in November this year. This decision was made to best coordinate with the Archbishop's Annual Appeal and Stewardship Renewal initiative and to optimize the archdiocese's participation in the USCCB's National Vocations Awareness Week, Nov. 2-8. Rosary Rally materials and guidance will be shared later this month for all who are interested in participating. A special message will be sent to all Serrans when more information is made available.
Serra Remembrance Mass
November 24, 2025
The annual Remembrance Mass for deceased Religious, Serrans, and their family members will be at 12:00 noon on Monday, November 24th, at St. Robert Bellarmine Church at 120th and Pacific. Our celebrant will be Father Buse. The Mass will replace our bi-monthly meeting.
Below is a list of those we will be remembering who passed away between October 2024 and September 29, 2025. Please contact Bill Cheese if there are other Religious, Serrans, or family members of Serrans that should be included on this list.
Dan Carney - Father of Serran Tom Carney
Br. William Woeger, F.S.C. - Archdiocesan Clergy
John Nussrallah - Brother of Serran Margaret Quinn
Rev. James Novotny - Priest of the Archdiocese
Ken Pohlman - Father of Serran Brent Pohlman
Don Cleary - Past Chaplain
John (Pat) O'Gara - Serran
Elizabeth Kreher - Mother of Serran Dale Kreher
Christy Buresh - Daughter in law of Serran Jerry Buresh
Shelly Gray - Serran
Dr. John Fitzpatrick - Serran
Rev. Michael Schmitz - Priest of the Archdiocese
Br. William Woeger, F.S.C. - Archdiocesan Clergy
John Nussrallah - Brother of Serran Margaret Quinn
Rev. James Novotny - Priest of the Archdiocese
Ken Pohlman - Father of Serran Brent Pohlman
Don Cleary - Past Chaplain
John (Pat) O'Gara - Serran
Elizabeth Kreher - Mother of Serran Dale Kreher
Christy Buresh - Daughter in law of Serran Jerry Buresh
Shelly Gray - Serran
Dr. John Fitzpatrick - Serran
Rev. Michael Schmitz - Priest of the Archdiocese
Serran Prayer Requests
We lift up these intentions shared by members of the Serra Club of Omaha. These intentions are commended to God’s care and we ask for your prayerful support.
+ For Dan, brother of Serran Linda Thomsen, who has terminal cancer and is progressing…
+ For Haley Mendlick who started the formal process of discerning with the Apostolic Oblates…
+ For Serran Angela Johansen and a healing of deep wounds in her foot…
+For health and strength for Fr. Craig Loecker…
+ For St. Margaret Mary Parish during their Pastor transition…
+ For Mary Rasmussen, sister of Sue Knier, who is battling cancer…
+ For the special intentions we hold in our hearts…
+ For men and women who are discerning the call to consecrated life…
+ For seminarians that they may grow in wisdom, holiness, and joy as they continue
their formation…
+ For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life…
Prayer intentions can be written in the binder at our club meetings, or you can email prayer requests to mpohlmanserraomaha@gmail.com.
Mark Your Calendar
Plan to Attend the Club Meetings and Events listed below.
Past Communications
Nov 08, 2025
Upcoming Serra Club Meeting Reminder
This Monday, November 10th Guest Speaker: Alex Zimmerman We are pleased to welcome URLVD (You Are Loved) Retreat creator, Alex Zimmerman, a member of St. Patrick Parish and chief financial officer at Creighton... read more.
Nov 04, 2025
Mission Bell - Serra Club of Omaha - November 2025
A Message from the President Dear Serrans, As we turn the page to November, our Serra Club family has much to celebrate, be thankful for, and even more to look forward to! Once again, this issue of the Mission Bell is filled... read more.
Nov 01, 2025
A Message from the Serra Club President
Dear Serrans, National Vocations Awareness Week will be celebrated November 2–8, 2025. To coincide with this special week dedicated to praying for vocations, the Archdiocese of Omaha Vocations Office is once again leading an... read more.
Oct 26, 2025
Serra Club - Prayer Request - Barb Bené
Barb Bené ... wife of long time Serran, Dick Bené, passed away this past week. Visitation : Sunday, October 26th, 2-4pm at West Center Chapel with a Vigil Service at 4pm. Mass of Christian Burial : Monday, October 27th... read more.
Oct 25, 2025
Upcoming Serra Club Meeting Reminder
This Monday, October 27th Guest Speaker: Katie Sciba Katie is a speaker and eleven-time Catholic Press Award-winning columnist, widely recognized for her humor and honesty. She has a degree in theology from... read more.
Oct 24, 2025
Serra Club - Prayer Request - Beth Wells
Serran Dan Wells is requesting prayers for his wife, Beth, whose appendix burst on Thursday, requiring surgery and several days of recovery in the hospital. Please pray for Beth's speedy and complete recovery. Thank you. read more.
Oct 22, 2025
Serra Club - Prayer Request - Myron Mayberger
Serran Myron Mayberger passed away on October 20, 2025. Services will be held at St. Leo Catholic Church 1920 N. 102nd Street . Visitation: Friday, October 24 from 5-7 p.m. with a Rosary at 7pm. Funeral Mass: Saturday... read more.
Oct 11, 2025
Serra Club - Prayer Request - Fr. Harry Buse
Please pray for our Chaplain, Fr. Harry Buse. Fr. Buse was on a pilgrimage to Wisconsin with a group from Omaha when he fell and broke two vertebrae. He was released from the hospital Friday and was driven home by car... read more.
Oct 11, 2025
Upcoming Serra Club Meeting Reminder
This Monday, October 13th Fr. Scott Schilmoeller ... read more.
Sep 21, 2025
Upcoming Serra Club Meeting Reminder
Please Note: LOCATION CHANGE Our meeting will take place at Charlie's on the Lake Restaurant 4150 S 144th Street This Monday, September 22nd Guest Speaker: Sister Michael Marie Rottinghaus, OSB Our Monday luncheon... read more.