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Enlightening NW Iowa Catholics!Official Communications of the Diocese of Sioux City -
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Sister Shirley to leave Sioux City
with legacy of supporting othersBy DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
After a lifetime of teaching, social work and volunteerism, Sister Shirley Fineran, OSF, is preparing to leave Sioux City after 35 years of service to the community. The former Briar Cliff University pr
Sister Shirley Fineran addresses a group of Knights of Columbus in this 2023 file photo.ofessor and founder of Lila Mae’s House is 81 and is ready to return to the Dubuque Franciscan motherhouse.
“It’s time. I’m realistic – I’m in the last journey and I want to spend more time in prayer and contemplation. I’m looking forward to it,” she said, noting 12 of her original 47 classmates are currently living at the motherhouse. “It’s bittersweet to leave. Sioux City has been such a blessing for me. I just bless all that has happened, bless the memories and look forward to the journey, preparing myself and being with the sisters I know…and spend time with God.”
A native of Odebolt, she left home at 15 to attend the Immaculate Conception Aspirancy of the Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque. Her desire to help people led her to the convent at that young age.
“When I was a young girl, if one wanted to follow God there was one way to do that – become a sister. Now there’s so many choices in lay ministry, it’s changed a lot,” she explained. “I knew I wanted to be a sister and …. God led me in paths I never dreamed of or necessarily set out to do but to follow that and be true to the call. It’s been a blessing.”
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Father Esquiliano shares personal
journey, hope with new citizensBy RENEE WEBBREAD MORE
Content and Design Coordinator
Just about five months after Father David Esquiliano became a citizen of the United States, he was the guest speaker at a Naturalization Ceremony in Sioux City where 24 candidates from various countries took their final step to citizenship.
Father Esquiliano was the guest speaker at the Naturalization Ceremony May 1 in Sioux City.“Today is one of the great days of your life,” said Father Esquiliano, diocesan judicial vicar and rector of the Catholic, at the Mary J. Treglia Community House on May 1. “You did not arrive at this day by accident. For you this day has been years in the making. It has involved sacrifice, patience, uncertainty, hope and perseverance.”
Personal journey
He acknowledged that some of the candidates had left behind their homeland, language, family, culture, professions – comforts of the familiar – as they came to this country for a variety of reasons ranging from safety to love, work, education or opportunity.
Father Esquiliano said he spoke to them as not only someone who admired their journey but as someone “who recently stood where you stand, in front of the same judge.” He told them about his long journey to citizenship.
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More Diocesan News
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May 8
The Iowa March for Life will be held on June 20 in Des Moines at the state capitol. From noon to 1 p.m. there will be educational booths and music in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda. A rally is slated for 1 p.m. and the March for Life will commence at 2 p.m.Read More -
May 7
Stories of apparitions, healings, and other extraordinary events have always stirred the imagination of believers and non-believers alike. Many people feel both drawn to these accounts and unsure how to respond. Why does the church seem so careful — sometimes even skeptical — about such things, if she truly believes in miracles? The church’s caution is not a denial of God’s power. It stems from a conviction that faith is grounded in Jesus Christ and the revelation already given, not in a constant stream of spectacular signs. Miracles have a real place in Catholic life, but it is limited and specific.Read More -
May 7
Julie Flattery is a woman of intentionality. When she and her husband, Anthony Flattery, moved to Fort Dodge with their newborn daughter, Sophie, two years ago, she purposefully began looking for young moms like herself. “It’s not good for a mom to be alone,” Flattery said. “Women need friendships. Moms need other moms in the same season of life.” Flattery is spearheading a new moms group at Holy Trinity Parish to bring like-minded young, Catholic moms together.Read More -
May 6
Deacon Ron Forrest, 84, of Harrisburg, S.D. and formerly of Sioux City, died May 1. Visitation will be held on May 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Sioux City. The funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m.Read More
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