LUMEN MEDIA REPORT – Several Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City are in the process of completing building projects.

Among the schools with notable building or renovation projects are Bishop Garrigan Schools in Algona,Progress continues on the construction project at Kuemper Catholic School in Carroll that includes an addition with 26 classrooms and a chapel. (Photo courtesy of Joe Brincks at Seventy One 30 Drone Images.) Kuemper Catholic Schools in Carroll, St. Mary School in Humboldt, Gehlen Catholic School in Le Mars, St. Mary's Schools in Remsen and St. Mary's Schools in Storm Lake.

Here’s a brief progress report of the various projects.

Bishop Garrigan Catholic Schools, Algona 
With a goal of $9 million for its capital campaign, Garrigan reports it has raised more than $5.2 million thanks to 450 donors.

“This support will help address some of the most urgent facility needs on both the Seton Elementary and Bishop Garrigan campuses,” said Alison Rosenmeyer, development director.

The bleachers at Conway Field have been replaced and provided an enhanced experience for students, athletes, families and fans during the fall athletic season as well as improved safety. The Seton expansion is well underway and on target to be finished in time for the 2027-28 school year. 

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By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications

According to the Pew Research Center, 70% of U.S. adults surveyed reported that they use Facebook, second to 84% who use YouTube.
 
Since Facebook became available to everyone in 2006, most organizations including Catholic parishes, schools and (arch)dioceses established their own Facebook pages as an effective way to reach constituencies at no cost.
 
“I think our society has become really reliant on Facebook as a communication platform,” said Stacia Thompson, coordinator of enrollment and outreach for the diocesan Catholic Schools Office. “Folks aren’t always paying attention to emails or newsletters like they did in the past.”
 
Limiting outside linksOnce Facebook accounts are restricted, social media managers will see this warning from Meta. 
Earlier this fall, Thompson learned from a school communications professional group that there would be new limitations on free hyperlinks in posts and comments from Meta, Facebook’s parent company.
 
“If you’re seeing a limit on posts with links on your page, here’s how it works: you can include links in up to 2 organic posts or comments per month. With a Meta One Advanced, Expert or Max plan, the limit increases,” from Facebook’s help center. “Links included in organic posts and comments you’ve published on your Page count toward the monthly limit.” 

Meta One subscription plans to add monthly links begin at $49 per month up to $499 per month. The Meta support’s webpage states that “Meta One is currently in limited testing,” and no specific date could be provided when the subscriptions will be widely released and link restrictions implemented.
 
Thompson pointed out that parishes and Catholic schools rely on social media as another way to engage with audiences. They use links to create registrations for events, scholarship applications, donations, enrollment, recruit volunteers and drive people to websites. For those working in parish or school development, a limit on links could affect the success of their work.
 

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