This week, members of Gehlen Catholic Students for Life spent the day volunteering at Mary’s Choice in Sioux City and praying a Rosary for Life outside of Planned Parenthood. January 22 marked the day 52 years ago that abortion became legal in the United States.

At Emmetsburg Catholic School, the school family is rallying in support of Cormac Joynt and his family as the student undergoes treatment over the next year. Every three weeks they will travel to Iowa City and the school says it has Mac’s back.

Our Lady of the Plains Parish is just in its infancy, erected as of July 1, 2024, by a decree merging St. Francis of Assisi in Rockwell City, St. Thomas Parish in Manson and St. Mary Parish in Lake City. There are 536 families registered in Our Lady of the Plains, covering all of Calhoun County and a corner of Southern Sac County. Along with providing for the sacramental needs of his parishioners, Father Brian Feller, pastor, recognized a need to effectively communicate with his flock that is not centered in one community. He has created a parish communications task force as of January with staff and volunteers.

The St. Joseph Council of Knights of Columbus based in Milford held their local spelling bee recently. Winners will advance to the regional contest, also held in Milford.

In response to this week’s Executive Orders signed by President Trump, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offered a statement Jan. 22. Shortly after that release, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, chair of the Committee on Migration offered a statement, stating that the executive actions will subject vulnerable families and children to grave danger. Bishop Seitz released a second statement Jan. 23, stating that human dignity is not dependent upon a person's citizenship or immigration status.

Service projects are commonplace in Catholic schools, including this unique toy drive at Carroll Kuemper Catholic School this year. Austin Mollhoff, a second grade student, receives treatments at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City and he wanted to start a toy drive for children at the hospital.

From Bishop Walker Nickless on Catholic Schools Week 2025: Catholic Schools Week in the United States begins this Sunday on Jan. 26. For seven days, we acknowledge and thank those dedicated to the work and success of the 15 Catholic School systems here in our diocese.

Students at Sacred Heart School in Spencer can now enjoy an enhanced learning experience in the school library thanks to recent updates. Tyler Horkey, principal of Sacred Heart, pointed out that the school received a $10,000 grant from the Palo Alto Gaming Development Corporation to undertake the project so no funds from the parish or school budgets were utilized. These grants are funded by proceeds from the Wild Rose Casino and Resort in Emmetsburg.

As diocesan schools join with others across the country to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, this year there is much to celebrate. According to Stacia Thompson, coordinator of enrollment and outreach, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City have the best enrollment numbers in years. “We are very pleased. We had nearly a 5% increase in enrollment which is the highest increase we have had since about 2010,” she said.

(bilingual) Bishop Walker Nickless issued a letter Jan. 22 announcing the diocese will officially open the Jubilee Year with Mass Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. All are welcome to attend the opening Mass. El Obispo Walker Nickless emitió una carta el 22 de enero anunciando que la diócesis inaugurará oficialmente el Año Jubilar con la misa del 26 de enero a las 10 a.m. en al Catedral de la Epifanía en Sioux City. Todos son bienvenidos a asistir a la misa de apertura.

When Miranda Knobloch kicked off Divine Mercy’s new Meals for Moms ministry in the summer of 2024, she just wanted to give new moms a night off from kitchen duty. She didn’t expect that it would also be a ministry of socialization, bringing together members of what is still a relatively newly-combined parish family from many historic churches and helping them get to know one another just a little bit better.

Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School announced seniors Mackenzie Tott and Abigail Demers have been named semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Competition (NMSC®). Their recognition follows their outstanding performance on the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. This honor places them among the top one percent of high school seniors in the nation.

Briar Cliff University announced earlier this month two initiatives to expand access to Catholic higher education for potential enrollees. One is targeted for low-income students and the other is designed to attract Catholic students.

The faithful of the Diocese of Sioux City can participate in a special collection in their local parish Feb. 1 and 2 to support the scholarship fund for Briar Cliff University, the only Catholic institution of higher learning in the diocese.

Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Sioux City are joining with schools throughout the nation to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 26 to Feb. 1. Listed here are just a few activities planned for schools within the Diocese of Sioux City. Most schools incorporate a mixture of prayer, service and ​recreational activities ​to mark the week. Bishop Walker Nickless will visit several schools as well.

(bilingual) Bishop Walker Nickless explains the 2025 Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope, will officially open Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. at the Sioux City Cathedral of the Epiphany with a Mass in English. Diocesan pilgrimage sites will be the Cathedral, Trinity Heights Queen of Peace Shrine in Sioux City, Grotto of the Redemption Shrine in West Bend and St. Joseph Church in Milford.

Sibley St. Andrew Catholic Daughters held a Women's Winter Party for all church women at The Lantern in Sibley on Jan. 18. A brunch was served followed by games, prizes and fellowship.