Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

A new pinochle group has been established in Lincoln, inviting everyone to participate. The gatherings take place at 1:30 p.m. in Resurrection Hall at St. Joseph Church, located at 77th and Trendwood in Lincoln, on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

The participants currently include members from the Lincoln parishes of St. Joseph, St. Mary, Blessed Sacrament, and the Cathedral of the Risen Christ. The group also welcomes some non-Catholic members.

Mary Coulter and her husband Bob initiated the group after relocating to St. Joseph. "Because we belonged in a card club at both our previous parishes, Sacred Heart and (St. Mary in) Denton," she explained. "It’s a great social connection within our community."

Coulter expressed that the group is an opportunity for them to share their passion for the game while teaching interested players this traditional pastime. "It’s not too hard to learn," she noted, "but you do have to know how to play before showing up." She is willing to arrange lessons for anyone eager to learn—just email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

"It’s about more than just playing cards, as we’ve found that around the card table, conversations flow naturally, and people who might not typically interact get to know each other," Coulter said. "We rotate partners, so you’re guaranteed to meet different people each time."

The group convenes twice monthly, offering light refreshments and requesting a $1 donation directed towards the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 18. Due to New Year's Day falling on the first Wednesday of January, subsequent meetings will be held on Jan. 8 and Jan. 22.