As the presence of the Bible-based character education program Lifewise Academy spreads across the country including in the Diocese of Sioux City, some questions and concerns pertaining to the program’s curriculum and alignment with Catholic teaching have arisen. “Lifewise Academy is an organization that works with local communities to provide Bible-based character education during the school day in accordance with national laws that allow these classes to occur as long as they are off of school property, are privately funded and are parent permitted,” said Karmen Bower, diocesan director of faith formation, who noted that parents must opt their children into these classes.

Column by Sister Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT It is a simple fact that our lives are lived out in the interaction between three realities: God, (including Mary, the angels and saints, the Church Suffering or Purgatory), ourselves (including all of our human relationships) and the evil one (including the many fallen spirits that work with him). Each of these three realities is characterized by a certain spirit.

Having effectively trained priests, deacons and seminarians is important to the life of the church and ministry to the Catholic faithful. The St. Joseph Education Society (SJES) in the Diocese of Sioux City was established to help in that effort by supporting the education and formation of clergy – both priests and deacons – before and after ordination. Catholics of the diocese can join in this effort by contributing to the special collection for the St. Joseph Education Society that will be taken up in parishes Nov. 1-2.

Sioux City Sacred Heart Parish has been waiting since 1991 to add statues to enhance the worship space. Pastor Timothy Friedrichsen blessed new St. Mary and St. Joseph statues Oct. 5 at a parish Mass.

(Bilingual) The USCCB is encouraging the faithful to pray a novena for mental health from Oct. 10 to 18 as Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day.

(CNS) In his first major document, Pope Leo XIV says Scripture and tradition clearly show that "God has a special place in his heart" for the poor and oppressed, and he asks his church "to make a decisive and radical choice in favor of the weakest."

Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City annual Spirit of Home for the Holidays fundraiser is set for Dec. 5 at Country Celebrations Event Center in Sioux City. Last year’s event raised $167,000 for the facility. Funds raised at the upcoming Spirit of Home for the Holidays are earmarked for updating and remodeling the second-floor nursing facility at Holy Spirit, while also supporting and providing activities and services for the residents.

A family mentoring program at Fort Dodge St. Edmond School serves both as a way to welcome new families as well as to help them navigate their new school. Once mentored themselves, the Ponce family is now serving as mentors to a new St. Edmond family.

The special Jubilee of Migrants and Jubilee of the Missions were held at the Vatican on the same weekend, giving Pope Leo XIV an opportunity to talk about the connection between sharing the Gospel and welcoming newcomers -- both of which are Christian obligations.

Briar Cliff University’s Theology Department Hosted its annual Sr. Ruth Agnes Ahlers Lecture in the St. Francis Center on Oct. 1. T Dr. Trish Zimmerman of St. Olaf College was the event's featured speaker.

The Jubilee of Migrants and the Jubilee of Missions are both being celebrated in Rome this weekend. Pope Leo XIV joined the two themes earlier this week when he met with participants discussing migration at a conference in Rome sponsored by Villanova University, the U.S. bishops and the Vatican.

Anne Loew, nurse practitioner from Carroll, serves homeless veterans through the Veterans Administration Central Iowa. She manages their health care, is on the team to provide basic necessities for the veterans and ensures the veterans are heard. "It's not anything that I'm doing, I'm trying to let God work through me," she said.

The diocesan Office of Worship and Office of Faith Formation have teamed up to offer a unique tool to assist parish OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) teams. The limited series podcast, OCIA Deep Dive, is available to assist any team member navigating the transition to OCIA.