Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools held their annual 'Then Feed Just One' food packaging event on March 20 successfully packaging 19,512 bags of food, equivalent to 117,072 individual meals. Students in grades 5 through 12 from all Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools participated in this meaningful service event, demonstrating their commitment to living out their Catholic faith by serving others.

After 25 rounds of spelling, Vivian Poppen, Pocahontas Catholic School 5th grader, placed 4th at the Knights of Columbus State Spelling Bee. The contest started with 12 students from across the state. Vivan is the daughter of Kevin and Rachel Poppen of Pocahontas.

Le Mars Gehlen Catholic students received a blessing and sendoff March 18 before embarking upon their Mission Honduras trip. This is the 51st mission trip that Gehlen has sponsored. Father Klein offered a blessing and prayer for the missioners,

On Sunday afternoon, Bishop-elect John E. Keehner will receive a bit of Youngstown, Ohio, history at his farewell Mass held at the St. Columba Cathedral. Bishop David Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown will preside at the Mass. Bishop Bonnar will present a pectoral cross and an episcopal ring to the bishop-elect that belonged to Bishop James. W. Malone, who was the third bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown and former president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is known as having attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council from 1962-65.

The Fort Dodge Marian Home and Village announced that retired priest Father Jim Bruch has accepted the position as the new chaplain for the long-term care center. “With decades of experience in pastoral ministry, Father Bruch brings a compassionate presence and deep commitment to his new role,” said Tracy Trotter, Marian Home executive director. “As chaplain, he will provide spiritual guidance, celebrate Mass, offer sacraments and be a source of comfort for residents, families and staff.”

Although winter weather kept the diocesan permanent deacons from attending their spring training in person, the men participated in a video conferencing session on marriage last weekend. Father David Esquiliano, canon lawyer and judicial vicar for the diocese offered the presentation - Marriage: Theological and Juridical Principles for the deacon training.

Although Father Cuong (Paul) Nguyen, pastor of St. Sebastian Parish of Pocahontas, has officially been a priest of the Diocese of Sioux City for just two years, this year he will mark his 25th anniversary of priesthood. It was on Jan. 1, 2023 when he was incardinated into the diocese, after serving as a priest of the Society of the Divine Word for nearly 23 years. This spring he will be among the clergy to be recognized at the Jubilee Mass slated for May 5 at St. Mary Parish in Storm Lake.

After extensive planning and waiting for the announcement of a new bishop for the Diocese of Sioux City, almost three years later the episcopal ordination of Father John E. Keehner is now less than six weeks away and many details of the ceremony have been finalized. According to Father Andrew Galles, the 2 p.m. Mass of Ordination will be held on May 1 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. “The ordination is by invitation only because an event of this magnitude and diocesan importance needs to be limited out of practical necessity,” said Father Galles, diocesan director of worship.

Boone Sacred Heart School is in the midst of building upgrades. The main hallway is getting new lighting and new doors are being installed on the east and south sides.

“Since the launch of Walking with Moms in Need, Catholics in dioceses and parishes across the country have put the Gospel of Life into action,” said Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is asking for assistance from the public in light of the federal government’s recent pause of humanitarian aid. The organization is noting that millions of children and adults are at risk.

A modern day Norbertine will be coming to Divine Mercy Parish, St. Cecelia Church, in Algona during the Lenten season, bringing the message of Christ that does indeed remain, ever ancient, ever new. The mission will run from March 23 through March 26, at St. Cecelia. Each evening will begin with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 6:20 p.m., followed by a talk from Father Ambrose at 6:30 p.m. The mission lasts about one hour each night, with a reception to follow on the final evening. There will also be an opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation each evening beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Over 100 catechumens, those unbaptized who wish to join the church, had their names enrolled in the Book of the Elect during the March 9 Rite of Election at the Sioux City Cathedral of the Epiphany with Bishop Walker Nickless. Now called “the elect,” they will continue their journey to full communion with the church, receiving the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil in their respective parishes throughout the Diocese of Sioux City. Those already baptized in the Christian tradition participated in the Rite of Candidacy in their own parishes on March 9. They will receive the sacraments of Eucharist and confirmation at the Easter Vigil in their home parishes.

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the Wernimont Education Fund that was established to help with educational expenses of seminarians in major seminary. George N. Wernimont and his wife, Helen, established the fund in 1976 through the gift of farmland and other assets. According to the couple’s nephew, Hubert Hagemann, the fund is a nonprofit 501(c)3 public foundation. “They were faithful people and were concerned about education for men studying for the priesthood,” said Hagemann.

(bilingual) Parishes throughout the Diocese of Sioux City are participating in a Lenten effort to encourage the faithful to receive the sacrament of reconciliation, especially those who have not been to confession in a while. Las parroquias de toda la Diócesis de Sioux City están participando en un esfuerzo de Cuaresma para animar a los fieles a recibir el sacramento de la reconciliación, especialmente a aquellos que no se han confesado por un tiempo.

Denise Wunn, St. Joseph Milford parishioner is on pilgrimage in Rome and was able to connect with Pontifical North American College seminarians Thomas Kollasch and Anthony Vera.