Bishop John E. Keehner and the Sioux City Cathedral Parish are hosting a Blue Mass at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, 1000 Douglas Street. The Mass includes a procession of uniformed first responders - law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs, families and staff. This will be the first Blue Mass that Bishop Keehner will celebrate in the diocese. He was ordained bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City on May 1.

(bilingual) Bishop John Keehner's letter of support to urge the faithful to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza. This follows the USCCB statement of Aug. 20: “The situation in Gaza and across the Middle East cries out for the assistance of the Catholic community of the United States,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In a letter to the U.S. bishops, he asked them to consider taking up a voluntary special collection in their dioceses, if they are able, to support the efforts of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA). Both organizations have well-established partnerships with the Catholic Church in the region to allow them to respond quickly and efficiently.

The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) is deeply honored by today’s announcement that Pope Leo XIV will encounter the youth of the United States through a real-time digital encounter at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) general session on Nov. 21, 2025, at 9:15 a.m CT.

There will be a eucharistic rally held Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Heights Queen of Peace Shrine in Sioux City. There will be talks, exposition and procession with the Blessed Sacrament, songs, candlelight, personal prayer and sharing.

The Dubuque-based Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary hosted “Sprinkles of Gratitude” Ice Cream Social with neighbors this week Despite the heat and humidity, the Sisters of the Presentation were blessed to welcome so many neighbors and friends, both old and new, as they continue celebrating their150th anniversary.

The permanent deacons of the Diocese of Sioux City made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend last weekend. Msgr. Ed Girres, rector of the shrine, led the pilgrimage for the deacons and their wives.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City will offer a free, six-week parenting course this fall, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. Led by Nathan Phillips, LMHC, NCC, Clinical Supervisor of Child and School-Based Services, Parenting the Love and Logic Way® will equip parents with practical tools to strengthen relationships, build confidence and create a calmer, more respectful home environment.

Bishop John E. Keehner celebrated a Mass of Welcome Aug. 12 at the Sioux City Cathedral of the Epiphany for a crowd of nearly 500. It was third and final Mass of Welcome held this summer so that the new bishop could start to meet the faithful of the diocese. Similar Masses were held previously in Fort Dodge and Storm Lake. In his homily, Bishop Keehner referenced the Gospel reading story of the lost sheep from Matthew 18.

Decree by Bishop John E. Keehner regarding St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denison

Decree from Bishop John E. Keehner regarding St. Donatus Parish.

As Bishop John E. Keehner recently wrapped up the first 100 days of his episcopate in the Diocese of Sioux City, he reflected upon the last few months as he settles in to his role as shepherd in northwest Iowa. Bishop Keehner has had a very busy 100-plus days in the diocese. He started celebrating confirmations the weekend after his May 1 ordination. He has attended groundbreakings, his first Corpus Christi procession, ordained a new priest (Father Jake Rosenmeyer), attended the installation of a new archbishop in Omaha, blessed the Fort Dodge Marian Home addition, appointed vicars general and committee members, served at the Siouxland Soup Kitchen and attended numerous meetings, amongst other “firsts” in his new episcopate.

When the doors of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City open for class this year, among those in attendance will be new administrators. The Catholic Schools Office announced the addition of four new administrators and one administrator with new duties. This year Gehlen Catholic School in Le Mars will be led by a new president, Dr. Amanda Anderson. Holy Cross School in Sioux City, which is a part of Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools, has a new principal, Kristi Wilshire. At Storm Lake St. Mary’s Catholic School, the role of Kate Swanson has expanded as she will serve as the PK-12 principal. St. Mary’s also has two new assistant principals, Kate Besch and Amanda Woodall.

The number of active women’s groups in Catholic parishes throughout the country has been waning for the last 20 to 25 years, but one diocesan parishioner is doing her part to reverse that trend. Lisa Jacobsen is trying to build up the Women of Faith group at Sacred Heart Church in Ida Grove, which is part of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish. While she moved to Ida Grove four years ago, she was told that the women’s group at Sacred Heart had been basically dormant for the last 20 years.

Even though Planned Parenthood may have closed in Sioux City, pro-life leaders have stressed the importance of continued prayers as abortions continue to happen. With that in mind, about a month ago Dawn Grimes of Mary’s Choice Pregnancy Resource Center in Sioux City announced it would expand the hours of adoration in the chapel at the center in the near future. Mary’s Choice now offers an online adoration signup.

As the Vatican prepares for a Sept. 7 canonization of Blessed Carlos Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, many of the faithful of the Diocese of Sioux City – especially young Catholics – are excited. Many have a devotion to the young saints. Parishes and schools across the diocese share their plans and enthusiasm for the future saints' canonization.