All Saints Parish strengthened its youth formation efforts through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training, equipping new leadership and revitalizing participation across the parish. What began with one trained catechist has grown into a thriving program, now supported by multiple volunteers and engaged families. The atrium is drawing children into a deeper encounter with Christ while fostering renewed energy and commitment within the parish community. This growth is already bearing fruit and continues to inspire faith-filled engagement among families.

Archangels Catholic High School expanded its Campus Ministry program, creating new opportunities for student leadership, retreats, and small group formation. Through intentional faith experiences and personal accompaniment, students are growing in their relationship with Christ and one another. This continued investment in ministry is strengthening the school’s mission to form students in both knowledge and faith.

Gross Catholic High School created a yearlong experience centered on truth, goodness, and beauty, inviting students and faculty to encounter the richness of the Catholic faith through art, architecture, and prayer. From visits to sacred spaces to hands-on creative work, the initiative fostered a deeper appreciation for the beauty of the faith. These experiences continue to shape the school’s culture and provide a powerful witness to Catholic identity.

Lindsay Holy Family Elementary School is preparing to offer students a faith formation experience at the Holy Family Shrine and Cloisters on the Platte. Through prayer, Adoration, and reflection, students will be invited to encounter Christ more deeply in a sacred setting. This opportunity will provide meaningful spiritual growth and strengthen their understanding of the Eucharist.

Holy Family Parish invested in the formation of catechists through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training, strengthening faith formation across its parish and school community. With multiple teachers now trained, the parish has expanded its atrium program, serving students across several grade levels. This approach is already bearing fruit, as children demonstrate a deeper engagement with the faith and a growing desire to know Christ more fully. The impact is extending beyond the classroom into families and the wider parish community.

Holy Trinity Elementary School strengthened its Virtue Program and expanded its Catechesis of the Good Shepherd initiative, helping students grow in both character and faith. By focusing on virtues throughout the year and creating opportunities for prayerful formation, the school is fostering a deeper understanding of Catholic teachings that extends into students’ daily lives and families.

Mercy High School used its grant to host a faculty and staff retreat centered on the spirituality of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy. Through prayer, reflection, and shared witness, educators deepened their Catholic identity and renewed their connection to mission. The experience strengthened community among faculty and inspired a continued commitment to forming young women in faith, academic excellence, and mercy.

Mount Michael Benedictine School expanded and enhanced its retreat program, offering students deeper opportunities for spiritual growth and reflection. By utilizing new locations and incorporating outdoor spirituality, students were invited to encounter God through both community and creation. These retreats continue to play a vital role in forming young men in faith, strengthening relationships, and fostering a deeper understanding of their Catholic identity.

Pope John XXIII Central Catholic School provided students with meaningful retreat experiences at Tintern Retreat Center, creating space for prayer, reflection, and encounter with Christ. Across multiple grade levels, students stepped away from their daily routines to grow in faith and community. These retreats continue to be a powerful and formative part of student life, strengthening their relationship with God and one another.

At Pope John XXIII Central Catholic School, faculty came together through a shared Bible study experience made possible by grant support. This time of prayer and learning strengthened both personal faith and the ability to nurture students spiritually. The program fostered unity among teachers and reinforced the school’s commitment to forming students in both mind and heart.

Sacred Heart and St. Benedict the Moor Parishes created opportunities for conversion and discipleship through initiatives like Alpha and the Rescue Project. These experiences invited participants into a deeper encounter with Christ while surrounding them with a supportive faith community. The impact is already visible, with individuals entering into full communion with the Church and others continuing to grow in their understanding of the Gospel. This investment is strengthening the parish’s ability to walk with people along their journey of faith.

Sacred Heart Parish brought Totus Tuus to its community, creating a week of faith formation, fellowship, and fun for youth. Through the Sacraments, prayer, and shared experiences, students grew in their relationship with Jesus and with one another. The presence of clergy and seminarians offered a powerful witness, helping foster a deeper love for the Eucharist and openness to vocations within the parish.

St. Bonaventure Parish hosted the Legion of Joseph retreat, forming young boys to grow as spiritual leaders rooted in the example of St. Joseph. Through prayer, teaching, and fellowship, participants deepened their relationship with Jesus and gained a stronger understanding of their role within the Church. The retreat continues to foster discipleship and leadership among young men in the parish community.

St. Boniface Parish created a meaningful retreat experience for young girls through its Gratia program, centered on growing in faith through the example of Mary. Through prayer, Sacraments, and community, participants were invited to deepen their relationship with Jesus while discovering the beauty of their vocation as women of faith. The retreat fostered both spiritual growth and joyful fellowship within the parish.

St. Boniface Parish launched the ChristLife program, providing parishioners with a clear path for ongoing faith formation and evangelization. Through study, retreat experiences, and community leadership, participants are growing as disciples and strengthening their relationship with Christ. This initiative is helping build a more engaged and faith-filled parish community.

St. Francis Elementary School strengthened its daily prayer life by providing new Angelus cards and Stations of the Cross booklets for students. These resources support consistent, shared prayer experiences that nurture reverence and deepen students’ relationship with Christ. As enrollment grows, these materials ensure every student can fully participate in the spiritual life of the school.

St. John Neumann Elementary School brought students together for a dynamic Catholic Schools Week experience that combined faith, community, and personal growth. Through interactive presentations and shared worship, students were encouraged to live out Gospel values in their daily lives. The experience strengthened unity among schools and reinforced a culture of kindness, respect, and faith.

St. John Paul II Newman Center invested in leadership development by sending staff to the Global Leadership Summit, where they gained insights to strengthen evangelization efforts on campus. Through shared learning and collaboration, the team returned equipped with practical tools and renewed energy for ministry. This experience continues to shape their work, helping them better serve students and foster a vibrant Catholic community.

St. Leonard School expanded access to Sacred Scripture by providing Bibles for new students and First Communion classes. These resources ensure that each student can engage more deeply with God’s Word. By placing Scripture at the center of student formation, the school continues to nurture a strong foundation of faith and a growing relationship with Christ.

St. Ludger Parish supported its Totus Tuus program, creating opportunities for children and youth to grow in their Catholic faith through prayer, learning, and community. With strong participation from both elementary and high school students, the program continues to be a cornerstone of summer faith formation. The grant helped make the experience accessible while fostering meaningful connections within the parish.

St. Ludger School strengthened its Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program by investing in additional training for catechists. With expanded sessions and increased support, more students are now able to participate in this prayerful, hands-on approach to faith formation. Time spent in the atrium continues to draw students into a deeper relationship with Jesus, fostering quiet reflection, wonder, and spiritual growth.

St. Peter de Alcantara Parish created a space for healing and connection through its bereavement ministry, offering a series focused on walking with others through grief. Through shared stories and ongoing support, participants found comfort, understanding, and community. This ministry continues to meet people where they are, offering hope and accompaniment in times of loss.

The St. Philip Neri and Holy Name Parish Family created a transformative experience for youth by participating in the Steubenville Youth Conference. Through the Sacraments, prayer, and community, students encountered Christ in a powerful way that strengthened their faith and sense of belonging. This experience has already borne fruit through the formation of parish small groups, helping young people continue to grow as disciples within their parish community.

St. Rose of Lima Parish invested in catechist formation through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training, building a foundation for future faith formation within the parish. This training equipped leaders serving in Catholic schools and youth programs, expanding the parish’s capacity for meaningful evangelization. While the atrium program is still in development, this investment is laying the groundwork for a renewed encounter with Christ and continued growth in faith across the parish community.

Skutt Catholic High School helped offset transportation costs for student retreats, allowing for more meaningful and accessible experiences across multiple locations. Students encountered Christ through Mass, Adoration, service, and community life, with opportunities tailored to their spiritual needs. These retreats had a lasting impact, with the vast majority of students reporting growth in their faith and connection to the Church.

The grant will help us facilitate and support our students in multiple endeavors that help us to more fully live, experience, and share our Catholic faith. A few ways that this grant helps us are as follows: it helps us provide transportation to off-site retreats and service projects, as well as pay for any booking costs; the money allows us to put on events, not only for our school but also our community, that require extra supplies and/or fees; it will also hopefully supplement costs for students to go on mission trips, national events, and local retreats.

The grant funding is instrumental each year in enhancing peer ministry programs, which play a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community and spiritual growth among students. These programs provided a platform for students to connect with one another on a deeper level, sharing their faith journeys and supporting each other through life’s challenges. The funding helps us to train peer ministers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead small group discussions, organize faith-based events, and offer one-on-one mentorship. This training ensured that peer ministers could effectively guide their peers in exploring their faith and building meaningful relationships with God and each other.

Overall, the grant funding significantly enhanced the peer ministry programs, enabling students to build strong, supportive relationships with each other and deepen their connection with God. The impact of these programs extended beyond the immediate community, as students carried the lessons and experiences they gained into their broader lives, fostering a culture of faith and support that reached far and wide.

This Grant was used as scholarship money to help a few high schoolers financially to attend the 2024 Mid-America Steubenville Youth Conference. Thank you again for this generous opportunity.

The Catholic Future Foundation grant significantly aided Mount Michael Benedictine School’s retreat program by providing essential funding that allowed the school to expand and enrich the retreats. This financial support helped us cover operational costs for four class retreats, provide resources and supplies for the students, and enhance the overall experience for participants. By improving the program’s structure and activities, the grant helped deepen the spiritual, personal, and communal growth that these retreats are designed to foster, ensuring that students engaged in meaningful reflection and connection aligned with the school’s Benedictine values.

Collaboration with Mount Marty University played a pivotal role in facilitating some of these retreats, bringing a new dimension to the program. Mount Marty’s experienced Mission Scholars offered their expertise and support, providing guidance on curriculum development and leading sessions that aided the students’ spiritual journey. This partnership enhanced the retreat content creating a more impactful experience. The combined efforts of Mount Michael Benedictine High School, supported by the Catholic Future Foundation grant, and Mount Marty University resulted in a robust program that strengthened the faith and community spirit of the students.

For the fifth year in a row we will have students participate in our unique differentiated retreats that allow us to meet students where they are and walk them one step closer to Jesus. Read THIS blogpost for information on our first year.

We used the funds in order to help pay for the busing for 3 of our 8 differentiated retreats that needed buses to get offsite. This year we had trouble getting yellow school buses and even though we had parents provide transportation for 4 retreats and we had one retreat stay at our school, we needed fund to get ensure our students could get to their retreat. We have many more pictures that we can share if you are interested in them.

This grant was used to bring in a speaker to celebrate Black Catholic History month. The event took place on November 24th at Deacon Spicer Hall. Dynamic resilience expert & renowned mountaineer speaker Tia Banks was invited to come and speak to the Youth Group, The theme “Mind Over Mountains”, with approximately 30 persons in total attendance. Tia provided an uplifting and motivational testament on resilience. Speaking on the power of overcoming performance anxiety and the pressure to perform. She was someone the Youth could relate to in today’s current environment.

Tia Banks is a powerful speaker who we suggest being brought in for the Archdiocese of Omaha. She touched on all four tools of engaging, empowering, equipping and evangelizing in regard to the Clear Path of Discipleship.

In celebrating Black Catholic History Month, the opportunity was provided to bring in a speaker that looks and can relate the current community in the north Omaha parish. In line with the goal of becoming a missional community, Tia provided the testimony to the truth of God’s love and acceptance.

This grant was used for funds needed to run our bi-annual women’s retreat. Our mission is to offer a “mini retreat” to the women in Northeast Nebraska. We provided good coffee, good conversation, shared prayer (lectio divina), confession, adoration, a delicious catered meal to nourish their bodies, and a make-and-take flower bouquet station. We had amazing feedback. The women continue to tell us how grateful they are for the opportunity to go to confession and have “wholesome” community with other Catholics. We find that if we just show up, the Lord does all the heavy lifting. We plan to continue to provide this opportunity for women twice a year.

We purchased Bibles for our Wednesday night religious education and for our school!

One Heart One Fire Retreat was for confirmation candidates from St. Patrick, St. Lawrence, and St. Charles. With the help of the One Heart One Fire volunteers as well as adult volunteers from our parish and St. Charles as well as high school volunteers, our candidates grew closer to Christ through skits, praise and worship, adoration, and confessions. This year, we had nearly all of our candidates volunteer to go to confessions! We also had many youth volunteers give a testimony at the end of the retreat. God is good.

Totus Tuus had more youth attend this year than last year in all three programs which include the Tots, School Ag,e and the middle school/high school group. The youth were highly engaged all week and were not ready to have the weekend.

LIFT is growing in numbers. We have many more youth coming from public schools as well as Bergan. The grant helped to provide materials for our “Truth” nights as well as helped for the “Fun” and “Service” nights.