As is the custom when bishops are named by the Holy Father, a bishop-elect works with a special artist to create a personal coat of arms and also one combined with the diocese they have been called to serve. Bishop John E. Keehner received his completed coat of arms designed by heraldic artist David Burkart, as recommended by Father Andrew Galles, director of worship for the Diocese of Sioux City.

While the siblings of Bishop John E. Keehner all had different reactions to their brother being named to the episcopate, they all agreed he has the qualities to make a great bishop. His younger brother and baby of the family, Rich Keehner, said he was shocked, “but in a good way.” His twin sister Carol Miller mentioned that she expected it. “I was overjoyed and knew that my parents, who are both deceased, would be completely overjoyed,” she said. “You know, he’s a good guy.”

Students at St. Rose of Lima School in Denison honored Mary with a maycrowning as part of the school Mass.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Education Contest Winners at State were presented with their awards at from St. Andrew Court #1540 at St. Andrew church in Sibley following Mass on May 4. Three of the awards were First Place & will be going on to be judged in the National Contest. Pictured left to right - CJ (Carter) Strouth, Amy Thole-2 First Place Awards, Jase Arend, Bonnie Gregg-First Place Award.

Sioux City Mater Dei Parish promoted high school senior Conan Kirkpatrick to Knight Commander and then Master Knight of the Knights of the Altar at a service May 4 in Immaculate Conception Church. He is a senior at Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City.

The St. Joseph Arts Council announced the upcoming concert with Father David Hemann on Sunday, June 1 at 4:30 p.m. in St. Joseph Church, 1305 Okoboji Ave, Milford. Father Hemann will present a meditative, contemplative, with an Irish flavor and a few upbeat surprises concert of his own songs and well-known favorites. Doors will open at 4 p.m. This is a free concert, a free will donation will be accepted.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The cardinals who enter the Sistine Chapel May 7 to elect a new pope use smoke signals to communicate with the outside world. Black smoke indicates they have cast their votes without anyone garnering the necessary two-thirds majority, while white smoke confirms that the Catholic Church has a new pope. The best time to be in St. Peter's Square to see the smoke is just after 7 p.m. (1 p.m. EDT) the first day of the conclave, May 7; and on the following days at 10:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. EDT) and noon (6 a.m. EDT), and again at 5:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m. EDT) and just after 7 p.m. (1 p.m. EDT).

On the eve of the May 1 episcopal ordination of Bishop John E. Keehner, the diocese held a solemn vespers service at the Sioux City Cathedral of the Epiphany with clergy, visitors and the faithful present. Bishop David J. Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown presided at the service and Bishop Walker Nickless, seventh bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, served as homilist.

Following the Easter Octave, Bishop Walker Nickless offered a Mass for the Dead for Pope Francis on April 28 at the Sioux City Cathedral of the Epiphany. A portrait of the Holy Father was in the sanctuary with black bunting draped around the frame, signifying the mourning following the death of the pope. Bunting was also draped over the main doorway leading into the Cathedral sanctuary.

Father John E. Keehner found “the epiphany” he had been searching for in his new home in the Diocese of Sioux City. The priest of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, was ordained the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City on May 1 with Archbishop Thomas R. Zinkula of Dubuque as the principal celebrant and ordaining bishop. Co-ordaining bishops were Bishop R. Walker Nickless, who is now bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Sioux City, and Bishop David J. Bonnar of Youngstown, Ohio.

Most Rev. John E. Keehner, a priest of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, was ordained as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City on May 1 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. He was ordained by Archbishop Thomas Zinkula of Dubuque with Bishop Walker Nickless, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Sioux City and Bishop David J. Bonnar of Youngstown serving as co-ordaining bishops.

It was St. John Paul II who called Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska “the great apostle of Divine Mercy in our time,” as her revelations of Jesus’ love and compassion inspired the Divine Mercy devotion. Pope John Paul II had canonized St. Faustina on April 30, 2000, and declared the second Sunday of Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday.

Three Kenrick Seminary graduates who are working in vocations ministry recently joined me for an online discussion about the current landscape of vocational accompaniment. We discussed trends that we are seeing and how we help young discerners cultivate an authentic and positive desire for a religious vocation.

Column by Sister Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT Jesus tells us that we will be accountable for every word we use. Right away, that tells us that there is something extraordinary about language and our use of it that must be respected. With a bit of reflection, it becomes apparent that language in all its forms is meant to serve communion, our communion with God and with others. Likewise, it serves our own inner healing and integrity so that true communion actually becomes possible for us.

Growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, Willie Suárez always knew he wanted to be a professor. His parents never discouraged this dream, but they did talk with him about the possibility of not earning enough as a professor in Mexico. So, he initially earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. That decision ultimately led him to move to the United States for college, knowing he would need to learn English to succeed in the business world.

Sixty-six golfers from six high schools participated in the annual CYO golf meet in Fort Dodge on April 30. The Carroll Kuemper Catholic boys and the Algona Bishop Garrigan girls won the team championships at the meet.