Mental health in our world, our country and even in the Diocese of Sioux City is a growing concern. Suicide rates are alarming. Is anyone immune from life and work stressors that can lead to mental health challenges?

Although his own children are grown, Jeff Zyzda mentioned he was “nudged by the Holy Spirit” to explore some type of altar server program that Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City could establish. “I grew up as an altar server at St. Francis, (a Sioux City parish that closed in the late 1990s),” said the member of the parish who is also a candidate for the permanent diaconate. “Like everyone, I enjoyed serving but I didn’t think that much about the impact.” It was about two years ago when Zyzda began to really ponder about what could be done to give altar servers a little more direction and support in their ministry.

The USCCB released a statement from the Department of Migration and Refugee Services Advocacy and Policy Office this week to articulate the Catholic elements of reform based on social teaching - Catholic elements of immigration reform.

Commentary by Sister Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT Most of us could stand to have a little more joy in our lives. In fact, St. Thomas Aquinas said that man cannot live without joy. And if he does not find authentic joy, he will inevitably be drawn to carnal delights (pleasures of the flesh) and the innumerable addictions that derive from them. Pope St. John Paul II speaks of joy this way, “God made us for joy. God is joy, and the joy of living reflects the original joy that God felt in creating us.”

Holy Cross Parish of Sioux City and All Saints Parish, Le Mars, are offering the Building a Eucharistic Marriage series for couples from newlyweds to those married for decades. Couples enjoy a "date night" setting, camaraderie and tools to strengthen their relationships.

The Carroll New Creation Pregnancy and Resource Center was featured on the cover of the national Knights of Columbus Columbia magazine for January/February 2025. The local Knights were instrumental in opening the center.

Iowa State University Women's Basketball program announced that Algona Bishop Garrigan graduate Audi Crooks reached 1,000 career points in her 49th career game - the fastest of any ISU women's basketball player to reach this milestone.

Just as the Three Wisemen gave gifts to Baby Jesus, St. Rose of Lima School students in Denison mirrored the actions of the Epiphany as the students purchased and then donated baby items to the local Crawford County Baby Boutique.

Storm Lake St. Mary High School named the 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame athletes that will be inducted at the Jan. 17 homecoming game, including the 1935-36 boys' basketball team. In addition to their athletic victories, 10 of the 12 members served in the military during WWII. Other inductees will include Tim White, Class of 1987 and former boys' basketball coach, Brad Wilkening.

St. Mary's School in Storm Lake welcomed Deb Mortensen, a children's author, to the school last month. Mortensen is a retired teacher who used her own personal experience in working with students to create a wonderful children's book titled "Not Me."