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

Bishop James Conley has extended an invitation to the Lincoln Diocese community for a series of listening sessions scheduled for this spring. These sessions mark a first-time initiative aimed at gathering input from diocesan members on various topics, which will help shape the future vision and plan for the diocese.

The Diocese of Lincoln encompasses 130 parishes across 40 counties in southern Nebraska, serving approximately 74,000 Catholics. It includes 164 priests, 142 religious sisters, and several educational institutions including St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward. The diocese also engages in public outreach through entities like the Nebraska Catholic Conference and Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska.

Bishop Conley highlighted the vitality within the diocese: “There are countless examples of how the Lincoln Diocese is thriving,” he said. “Now is the perfect time for the diocese to create our vision for the future."

The listening sessions aim to assess current conditions and gather insights on key issues that need addressing. According to Bishop Conley, “The listening sessions will help identify where we are, where we are going and what we need to do to get there.”

These structured meetings are designed to allow participants—ranging from laity to priests—to share their thoughts and concerns. The feedback collected will contribute towards forming a comprehensive strategic plan with defined goals, intended for completion by fall 2025.

Bishop Conley emphasized the importance of communication within Scripture: “The words ‘listen’ and ‘hear’ appear more than 400 times in Scripture," he stated. "We must listen carefully and understand what Catholics are saying across the diocese about their experiences."

Aligned with the 2025 Jubilee Year, these sessions will take place during February through April. Facilitated by JAG Consulting, they will focus on various areas such as education, evangelization, vocations, and fostering a culture of life.

Registration for these virtual listening sessions began on January 24th online at https://lincolndiocese.regfox.com/lincoln-diocese-jubilee-listening-session. Each session can accommodate up to 30 participants.

Feedback gathered from these discussions will be compiled into a report that assists Bishop Conley and his team in developing a diocesan vision that reflects community voices.

“The listening sessions...are a great opportunity to embark upon a pilgrimage of hope into our own future,” concluded Bishop Conley.