A papal Missionary of Mercy brought storytelling and humor to the Advent parish mission – “60 Minutes for Jesus” - held at St. Mary Church in Remsen Dec. 15 to 17 as he presented talks each night for parishioners of Remsen and Marcus. Father Jim Sichko, a native of Texas and priest of the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, each night of the mission featured a 60-minute talk focused on the general themes of kindness, trust and leadership.

Always looking for ways to offer new prayer-filled formation opportunities, Holy Trinity Parish of Webster County will offer Epiphany Lessons and Carols at 7 p.m. on Jan. 11. “The Epiphany Lessons and Carols service will include a series of readings starting with the Nativity of Jesus and concluding with his baptism,” said Father Ross Caniglia, parochial vicar of the parish who will play the piano and direct the adult choir for the service.

Parishes around the diocese celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12, commemorating the patroness of the diocese and of the Americas and her apparitions to Juan Diego near modern-day Mexico City in 1531. Bishop Walker Nickless was on the altar at the Cathedral Parish Mass with Father Jeremy Wind, parochial vicar, presiding. The Mass was celebrated in Spanish and the bishop offered comments in English. “The gift of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a gift to the whole world,” he said. “Her one and only purpose in life is to lead us to her son, Jesus Christ.”

Bishop appoints four priests to the diocesan Presbyteral Council.

(bilingual) As a new federal administration pledges to change immigration policies and enforcement as of January 2025, area immigrants are expressing fear and concern, unsure of how they and their families might be affected. The Diocese of Sioux City and Iowa bishops are stressing preparedness and patience until more information on the changes are released. Catholic Charities' Welcome program is preparing informational materials and facilitating planning. A medida que una nueva administración federal se compromete a cambiar las políticas de inmigración y la aplicación de la ley a partir de enero de 2025, los inmigrantes del área expresan miedo y preocupación, inseguros de cómo ellos y sus familias podrían verse afectados. La Diócesis de Sioux City y los obispos de Iowa están enfatizando la preparación y la paciencia hasta que se publique más información sobre los cambios.

Father Thomas J. Topf, 87, died Dec. 11, 2024, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at Holy Cross Parish, St. Michael Church in Sioux City with Bishop Walker Nickless as celebrant and Father Will Vit as homilist. Visitation will be Dec. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. with a rosary and vigil service at 6 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars.

After six years of serving in Sioux City, on Dec. 11 Sister Gabrielle Marie Oestrich moved back to the Immaculata Monastery in Norfolk, Nebraska, where she will serve as the prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing. “I was extremely humbled to know that the sisters put their trust in me and have confidence that I can help lead our community into the future,” she said. “It is a job that involves being responsible for the sisters’ spiritual well-being as well as their normal needs.”

(bilingual) USCCB: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe es un poderoso recordatorio de que todos estamos llamados a ser uno en Cristo Jesús Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Powerful Reminder That We Are All Called to Be One in Christ Jesus

Grace Notes column by Sister Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT Jesus has laid down several conditions for entering the kingdom of God. These are well known and, of course, revolve around eliminating sin in our lives and becoming holy, becoming like Jesus. But he also said we have to become like little children. The problem is that many of us wouldn’t fit through the heavenly gates the way we are now. Our giant ego, our giant pride, our giant sensitivity, our giant selfishness, our giant need to be in control, keep us spiritually “obese.” (Photo of Irish writer Oscar Wilde)

The Carroll St. John Paul II Parish leadership “sees a spark of a revival” in the parish and the larger church. They hope to see it spread. The parish is hosting a two-day School of Healing through Encounter Ministries Feb. 28 and March 1 at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. Program marketing promises “teaching, activating (and) deploying Catholics to participate in the healing ministry of Jesus.”

Most Catholics have seen Knights of Columbus honor guards at special occasions but few may know the history and meaning behind the tradition of the fourth degree Knights. The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882, built upon the three principles and degrees of charity, unity and fraternity. In 1900, the fourth degree was added to the organization with a focus on love of God and country.

As the end of the calendar year approaches, opportunities for year-end giving can come to mind for tax savvy supporters. John Schmitz and Lexa Hawkins in the Office of Stewardship and Development hope that a donation to the Msgr. Lafferty Tuition Foundation (MLTF) may be up for consideration. Those contributing to the MLTF program receive a 75% Iowa tax credit on the total of their donation and other federal tax benefits could apply.

In this edition of Canon Corner, our judicial vicar, Father David Esquiliano explains why we are celebrating the Immaculate Conception on Monday, Dec. 9.

Partners for Patriots dogs-in-training have been on the Briar Cliff University campus to help students and staff de-stress. In turn, the students are assisting the non-profit organization, based in Anthon.

The Cash Raffle winners were announced on Facebook Live on Nov. 27.

News of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was received with “profound hope” by Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace.

The Catholic Vietnamese communities in Storm Lake and Sioux City celebrated the patron saints of Vietnam - the Vietnamese Martyrs.

Avid reader's family donates library to serve Marian Home residents and honor their mother. The library includes traditional-size print and large print books, Kindles, Audible books and headphones.

(bilingual) Every day for us as Christians should be a day of thanksgiving. In our country we are blessed to have a special day set aside to give thanks for all God’s blessings on us and our nation. Cada día para nosotros, como cristianos, debe ser un día de acción de gracias. En nuestro país tenemos la bendición de tener un día especial reservado para dar gracias por todas las bendiciones de Dios sobre nosotros y nuestra nación.

Bill Crotty was 15 years old when he started playing the pipe organ for Mass at Resurrection of Our Lord Church in Pocahontas. He is pleased to now help the next generation of organists get a start. The parishioner of St. Sebastian Parish of Pocahontas taught in Phoenix for nearly 30 years and substitute taught in Indiana for a time before returning to his hometown and taking a job as the kindergarten teacher at Pocahontas Catholic.