Guided by the Spirit

Vogel steps in following Fr. Korte's retirement

HARTINGTON — Fr. Kevin Vogel is beginning his journey as pastor of the Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes.

With Fr. Owen Korte now retired, Fr. Vogel has assumed the role. He is joined by Fr. Will Targy, who will serve as associate pastor. Fr. Targy was ordained June 7.

“It has been really good,” Fr. Vogel said. “We are excited to have a newly ordained priest. We are working well with each other.”

Fr. Vogel was ordained in 2011 and began his priesthood at St. Columbkille in Papillion. In 2016, he became pastor of Elgin and Raeville for three years.

He remained in the area throughout pastoral planning and served as associate pastor of six parishes while also teaching at Pope John in Elgin for three more years. He then became administrator of the Randolph, Osmond and Pierce parishes for one year in preparation for the formation of the Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes.

“There was always the assumption that the bishop had asked me to come to this area with the anticipation that we would have our larger family and that I would take over for Fr. Korte when he retired,” Fr. Vogel said.

He served as associate to Fr. Korte for a few more years before becoming pastor of the Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes.

Fr. Vogel has plans for the future of the seven parishes. “The mission we have always had for our church is evangelization. We want to continue moving the culture of our parishes to go and make disciples. We want the church to continue to grow and to help all people encounter Jesus in a greater way,” he said. “We want to transform all the things we do in our parishes — whether it’s the various ministries, different apostolates where people go out and serve, or religious education in our schools. We want all of that to reach out to those in our community and help them to know, love and serve the Lord.”

Fr. Vogel also explained why the parish family is named after the Holy Spirit.

“We as Christians are called to be like Jesus, and the Holy Spirit helps produce him in us. By choosing the Holy Spirit as our patron, we are emphasizing greater reliance on the Holy Spirit and trusting in his gifts and charisms,” Fr. Vogel said.

Fr. Vogel said he is excited to continue getting to know the community and forming relationships with its members.