(bilingual) We have an opportunity with our good works to make an impact upon the communities in the Diocese of Sioux City every Christmas with our annual Catholic Charities Christmas Eve and Christmas Day special collection at each parish. Tenemos la oportunidad con nuestras buenas obras para hacer un impacto en las comunidades en la Diócesis de Sioux City cada Navidad con nuestra colección especial anual de Caridades Católicas de Nochebuena y día de Navidad en cada parroquia.

Denison St. Rose second graders had a project based learning assignment - successfully running a hot cocoa stand. Their assignment included planning, budgeting and designing a menu and stand. They learned real world experiences The monies collected will be used for a fun activity for Catholic Schools Week.

The American Legion came in to congratulate the Denison St. Rose of Lima fifth graders on their flag essays for the state contest. They each received a coin and a flag sticker. Aaron Mena was selected as a finalist for Post 8. He will read his essay on Jan. 13 to see if he moves on to the next round.

The fifth grade students of Pocahontas Catholic School baked cookies and made candy to deliver to the businesses in Pocahontas that support the school. Parents came to spend the afternoon assisting with the project.

The Onawa-Blencoe Knights of Columbus Christmas Toy Drive was held to to make a merrier Christmas for area children and their families. New toys, food items and clothing were donated by generous folks visiting and shopping at Bomgaars, Dollar General (2), Lewis Pharmacy and Sunshine Foods. Parishioners of St. John and St. Bernard churches offered donations and cash gifts. The final pickup was on Dec. 16 with the Knights delivering all items to the Hope EFC Youth Services building located at 2160 Iowa Avenue in Onawa.

Parishioners of Sioux City Sacred Heart Parish enjoyed an Advent Christmas breakfast courtesy of the Knights of Columbus - with a special appearance by St. Nick.

Knight of Columbus Council 1466 in LeMars presented a check for $49,851 to Life Skills Training Center for people with disabilities. Funds were raised from the annual Phonathon in September. Jessica LeFleur accepted the check at the December KC meeting. Also a check for $5,539 was sent to the Iowa Special Olympics. In total, $55,390 was pledged and collected by the LeMars Knights, which was a record for the event.

Parishes around the diocese celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12, commemorating the patroness of the diocese and of the Americas and her apparitions to Juan Diego near modern-day Mexico City in 1531. Bishop Walker Nickless was on the altar at the Cathedral Parish Mass with Father Jeremy Wind, parochial vicar, presiding. The Mass was celebrated in Spanish and the bishop offered comments in English. “The gift of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a gift to the whole world,” he said. “Her one and only purpose in life is to lead us to her son, Jesus Christ.”

Spirit Lake St. Mary Parish held their annual Christmas Play last week with religious education students. The 5th-8th graders also participated in a gingerbread CHURCH contest where they had only 15 minutes to create it in groups.

Bishop appoints four priests to the diocesan Presbyteral Council.

(bilingual) As a new federal administration pledges to change immigration policies and enforcement as of January 2025, area immigrants are expressing fear and concern, unsure of how they and their families might be affected. The Diocese of Sioux City and Iowa bishops are stressing preparedness and patience until more information on the changes are released. Catholic Charities' Welcome program is preparing informational materials and facilitating planning. A medida que una nueva administración federal se compromete a cambiar las políticas de inmigración y la aplicación de la ley a partir de enero de 2025, los inmigrantes del área expresan miedo y preocupación, inseguros de cómo ellos y sus familias podrían verse afectados. La Diócesis de Sioux City y los obispos de Iowa están enfatizando la preparación y la paciencia hasta que se publique más información sobre los cambios.

Father Thomas J. Topf, 87, died Dec. 11, 2024, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at Holy Cross Parish, St. Michael Church in Sioux City with Bishop Walker Nickless as celebrant and Father Will Vit as homilist. Visitation will be Dec. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. with a rosary and vigil service at 6 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars.

When several communities within the Diocese of Sioux City were impacted by record flooding last summer, Catholic Charities was one of the resources available to help. “After the floods, Catholic Charities did a lot of work with survivors,” said Nate Phillips, a therapist with Catholic Charities in Sioux City. “We set up booths, did a lot of debriefings, provided direct assistance when available. It made me proud of the work we did.”

After six years of serving in Sioux City, on Dec. 11 Sister Gabrielle Marie Oestrich moved back to the Immaculata Monastery in Norfolk, Nebraska, where she will serve as the prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing. “I was extremely humbled to know that the sisters put their trust in me and have confidence that I can help lead our community into the future,” she said. “It is a job that involves being responsible for the sisters’ spiritual well-being as well as their normal needs.”

Sisters Dolores Zieser and Marian Sweeney celebrated their 75th jubilee last week. they are Dubuque Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary.