The SOS Thrift Store presented a check to Storm Lake St. Mary School for $153,850 at the elementary school Christmas concert on Monday night.

(bilingual) USCCB: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe es un poderoso recordatorio de que todos estamos llamados a ser uno en Cristo Jesús Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Powerful Reminder That We Are All Called to Be One in Christ Jesus

Grace Notes column by Sister Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT Jesus has laid down several conditions for entering the kingdom of God. These are well known and, of course, revolve around eliminating sin in our lives and becoming holy, becoming like Jesus. But he also said we have to become like little children. The problem is that many of us wouldn’t fit through the heavenly gates the way we are now. Our giant ego, our giant pride, our giant sensitivity, our giant selfishness, our giant need to be in control, keep us spiritually “obese.” (Photo of Irish writer Oscar Wilde)

Storm Lake St. Mary School held their elementary religion retreat last Friday. They celebrated the feast day of St. Nicholas with many fun, hands-on activities.

This week, Spencer Sacred Heart School students lit the second candle of the Advent wreath, symbolizing PEACE.

The annual special collection for the Carmelite Nuns of Sioux City will be at the Masses in the four Sioux City parishes to help purchase groceries and household items for the sisters Jan. 18 and 19.

On the feast of St. Nicholas Dec. 6, Kuemper Catholic students were delighted to be visited by St. Nicholas. He shared stories of his incredible life, his acts of kindness and the importance of generosity and compassion. St. Nicholas' message of giving and helping others resonated with the students, reminding us all of the true spirit of this season.

Boone Sacred Heart School students delivered non-perishable items to a local food pantry this past week. The school thanks all who participated in the county-wide food collection.

Ogden St. John Religious Education students helped out by running a carnival game at Ogden's Christmas on Main recently.

Students at LeMars Gehlen Catholic Schools packed over 400 Advent gift bags.

The Sioux City area fourth degree Knights of Columbus made a donation to help support a future Midwest Honor Flight from Sioux City for veterans to view the Washington DC war monuments.

The Carroll St. John Paul II Parish leadership “sees a spark of a revival” in the parish and the larger church. They hope to see it spread. The parish is hosting a two-day School of Healing through Encounter Ministries Feb. 28 and March 1 at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. Program marketing promises “teaching, activating (and) deploying Catholics to participate in the healing ministry of Jesus.”

Most Catholics have seen Knights of Columbus honor guards at special occasions but few may know the history and meaning behind the tradition of the fourth degree Knights. The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882, built upon the three principles and degrees of charity, unity and fraternity. In 1900, the fourth degree was added to the organization with a focus on love of God and country.

As the end of the calendar year approaches, opportunities for year-end giving can come to mind for tax savvy supporters. John Schmitz and Lexa Hawkins in the Office of Stewardship and Development hope that a donation to the Msgr. Lafferty Tuition Foundation (MLTF) may be up for consideration. Those contributing to the MLTF program receive a 75% Iowa tax credit on the total of their donation and other federal tax benefits could apply.

A Pocahontas Catholic School third grade student is encouraging reading in his classroom by sharing his favorite books with classmates.