Joseph G. Hanefeldt

Joseph Gerard Hanefeldt was born in Creighton, Nebraska.[1] He began his studies for the priesthood at St. John Vianney College Seminary at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He did his theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University and studied sacramental theology at the Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm both in Rome, Italy.[2] He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Omaha on July 14, 1984.[3]

After ordination Hanefeldt served as a curate at St. Mary's Parish in West Point, Nebraska from 1984 to 1988, and St. Joan of Arc Parish in Omaha from 1988 to 1992. Concurrent with his parish assignments he served as director of the diocesan Pro-Life Office from 1991 to 2005. Hanefeldt became the pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Omaha in 1992 and served there until 1995. At the same time he served as the moderator of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. He then became pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Omaha in 1995 and served in that position until 2007. From 2007 to 2012 he served on the staff of the Pontifical North American College in Rome. For the first two years Hanefeldt was a spiritual director and from 2009 to 2012 he was the director of the spiritual formation program. Pope Benedict XVI named him a Chaplain of His Holiness, with the title Monsignor, in December 2010. He returned to Omaha in 2012 and served as pastor of Christ the King Parish until 2015.[2]

Hanefeldt was named the eighth bishop of Grand Island by Pope Francis on January 14, 2015. His episcopal ordination took place on March 19, 2015 at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Grand Island, Nebraska. He was ordained by Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha. Auxiliary Bishop Lee Piché of St. Paul and Minneapolis and Bishop Robert Gruss of Rapid City were the co-consecrators.[1]

Bishop Hanefeldt's personal Coat of Arms

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Island