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

Pope Francis has called on the Church to improve its ability to listen, asking, “Let us ask: In the church, are we good at listening? How good is the hearing of our heart? Do we allow people to express themselves, to walk in faith even though they have had difficulties in life, and to be part of the life of the community without being hindered, rejected, or judged? Let us not soundproof our hearts.”

The Diocese of Lincoln recently held Jubilee Listening Sessions as part of its response to this call. These sessions were organized in conjunction with the 2025 Jubilee Year. Bishop James Conley invited members of the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln to participate in these first-time listening sessions during spring 2025. The goal was for diocesan leadership to learn about parishioners’ views on various topics and use that information to help shape a vision and plan for the diocese’s future.

Listening sessions included participation from laity, diocesan staff, pastors, and women religious. Beginning in January 2025, all diocesan faithful were encouraged to join through monthly articles and photo stories published in the Southern Nebraska Register and shared on social media. Registration was promoted weekly through print advertisements and digital bulletins distributed across parishes.

A total of 13 listening sessions took place: seven virtual meetings with laypeople, two with pastors, one with women religious online, plus several in-person gatherings involving Bishop Conley’s Mission Leadership Team and other diocesan groups. Efforts were made alongside Hispanic Ministry leaders so Spanish-speaking parishioners could also participate. An online comment form was available in both English and Spanish.

Nearly 300 people from across the diocese took part in these discussions.

Participants identified five main strengths within the diocese: strong vocations; Catholic schools; evangelization efforts among high school and college youth; orthodoxy and reverence; and ministry work focused on mission and community outreach.

When asked about challenges facing the diocese, participants highlighted concerns including support for priests’ well-being and ongoing training; sustaining Catholic schools; adult evangelization; communication transparency; accountability; rural inclusion; physical infrastructure needs; and issues related to women’s roles within the Church.

According to session facilitators, some challenges mirrored key strengths—a common occurrence when organizations strive for growth in specific areas.

To address these findings, Bishop Conley formed a team representing priests, religious sisters, laypeople from different regions—including McCook, Nebraska City, Shelby, Lincoln—and others. This group will develop a five-year strategic plan by fall 2025. A pastoral letter outlining this plan will follow from Bishop Conley. The team will also create an action plan focusing on top priorities for implementation beginning early 2026.

Strategic Planning Committee members include Very Rev. Thomas Brouillette (Vicar General), Dr. Daniel DeFreece (St. Mary Parish), Dennis Kellogg (Director of Communications), Rev. Leo Kosch (St. Joseph Parish), Sr. Joy Le (Marian Sister), Tracy Lockwood (Chief Financial Officer), M. Margaret Mary (Mother Superior), Daniel Oldenberg (St. Teresa Parish), Alexandra Rodriguez (St. Michael Parish), Rev. Christopher Stoley (Sacred Heart Parish), Rev. Lawrence Stoley (Superintendent), Very Rev. John Sullivan (St. Joseph Parish York), Rachael Tvrdy (Family Life Office Director), Maru Whitmore (Sacred Heart Parish Shelby) and Sean Wolfe (St Patrick Parish McCook).

Bishop Conley’s leadership team aims for ongoing communication with parishioners throughout this process as they move forward guided by input gathered during these sessions.