Monsignor James E. Gilg

Appointed by: Devotional Council

Msgr. James E. Gilg is a retired priest living on the Boys Town campus. He is a member of the Pastoral Team that provides spiritual services to the youth and adults who live at Boys Town.

He was born and raised on a small ranch near Atkinson in the Nebraska Sandhills. His elementary schooling was in a one room schoolhouse. He graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Atkinson in 1958. He then earned a Bachelor Degree from Conception Seminary College in 1962 and a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from the Catholic University of America in 1966. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha on May 21, 1966. He earned a Master of Science Degree in Urban Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1983.

He was a teacher and/or administrator of Catholic high schools for most of his priestly career, including Cathedral High School, Dominican High School, Father Flanagan High School, and Skutt Catholic High School, all in Omaha. He also served as Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Omaha for seven years and Pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Downtown Omaha for 17 years.

He was a foster parent for over 30 adolescents in North Omaha during his middle years. He has served many community organizations as a board member and chaplain and has received many awards, including the Spirit of Father Flanagan Priest Award in 2008.