Briar Cliff University is proud to announce an ambitious initiative, the Foundations for the Future Comprehensive Campaign. With a minimum goal of $10 million, the campaign will focus on enhancing affordability, improving the on-campus student experience, and securing Briar Cliff’s position as the most affordable private university in the tri-state region.

Nineteen vocalists from Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City were chosen to be members of the All-State Choir. Henry Osborn was accepted into the chorus for his fourth time, which is a notable feat.

Danbury Catholic School received a $25,000 MHRD grant for window replacement in their building both for energy conservation and safety. Principal Molly Petersen and school board member Julie Hamann accepted the award on behalf of the school Oct. 24.

Fr. Paul Nguyen, pastor of St. Sebastian Parish, Pocahontas, received a special gift at the Pocahontas Catholic School Mass Oct. 18 in Resurrection of Our Lord Church in Pocahontas. Parishioner Bonnie Wood, presented Fr. Paul with a hand-made quilted blanket.

Briar Cliff University in Sioux City hosted the 25th anniversary of the Woodbury County Drug Court, a vital community program dedicated to supporting substance abuse recovery, treatment, and accountability for juvenile and adult offenders. This event marked a significant milestone in the program's long-standing commitment to rehabilitating lives and improving the community through evidence-based approaches.

Briar Cliff University in Sioux City welcomed more than 70 local high school students for a special night dedicated to exploring the nursing profession. The students had the unique opportunity to hear from experienced faculty members and alumni, engage in hands-on activities in the state-of-the-art nursing lab, and attend a home volleyball game to experience campus life firsthand.

Denison St. Rose of Lima School students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month and the cultures represented in their school through food and art.

Although many diocesan school students are receiving a $7,826 education savings account (ESA) this year towards Catholic school tuition and other qualifying expenses, many families still need funding from the Monsignor Lafferty Tuition Foundation (MLTF) to finance a Catholic education for their children. Since the implementation of ESAs in the 2023-24 academic year, there has been confusion regarding the continued need for MLTF funds. John Schmitz, director of stewardship and development for the diocese, said some mistakenly believe MLTF is no longer needed.

The 5th Annual Jaywalk-a-thon took place on Oct. 11 at the Gehlen Catholic football field and track for students and families. Jaywalk-a-thon is the largest student fundraiser at Gehlen Catholic for grades TK-12th. Each student was encouraged to raise $75 by asking family members, friends, and neighbors to sponsor them.

A student sponsored Life Chain was recently held in Fort Dodge. The St. Edmond Respect For Life student group arranges this event each year with the support of St. Paul Lutheran Church, whose public sidewalk area is utilized as it sits on one of the busiest streets in Fort Dodge.

St. Edmond high school student Liam Shannon reading to Ms. Teresa Touney's second grade class. He is reading the book "Before I Was Me" by Frank Fraser.

When school leaders were discerning a focus for the annual Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball fund-a-cause, concern for the condition of the band room was pointed out by Gehlen School Board members. “Our students use the band room daily, but many parents and benefactors didn’t know what kind of shape the room was in until we were able to show them through touring or video,” explained Amy Jungers, director of development for Gehlen Catholic School.

Briar Cliff University in Sioux City hosted its annual donor memorial service, honoring those who graciously donated their bodies for scientific study, providing valuable educational opportunities for Briar Cliff students. “The donor memorial service provides students and faculty with an opportunity to show gratitude to the donors and their families,” said Kelsey Stevens, assistant professor for Physical Therapy. “Students are given the opportunity to show their gratitude through various means: thank you cards, artwork, music, spoken reflections, and even a meal of celebration.”

This year’s homecoming court included (from left to right): Cade Pepper of Remsen, Iowa; Helene Getz Bergmo of Moelv, Norway; Aiden Lindley of Ashland, Nebraska; Candence Davis of Gilbert, Arizona; King E’mond Pittman of Atlanta Georgia; Queen Sarah Glover of Sioux City; Rachel Langel of Le Mars, Iowa; Luke Davies of Yorkville, Illinois; Braxton Brockhaus of Creighton, Nebraska; and Kelly Baade of Algona, Iowa.

St. Rose of Lima School in Denison, Kuemper Catholic in Carroll, Storm Lake St. Mary Schools, Sacred Heart Parish in Sioux City and Divine Mercy Parish in Algona held pet blessings recently in honor of the feast of St. Francis.

Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City is excited to announce the members of the 2024 Homecoming Court. The crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen will take place during a special assembly on Sept. 27.

Nineteen boys and 27 girls competed in the annual CYO cross country meet in Holstein last week.

Bishop Heelan claimed the championship in the annual CYO volleyball tournament held in Algona last Saturday. Kuemper Catholic finished second, followed by Gehlen Catholic, St. Edmond, Remsen St, Mary and Bishop Garrigan.

With a theme of a Blast from the Past, Gehlen Catholic School will kickoff Homecoming activities with a Powderpuff game on Sept. 29. Various dress-up days such as movie character day are planned for the week. Pictured here is the Homecoming court: (Front L to R): Rysaiah Sitzmann, Aurora Goebel (Emcee), Jocelyn Roder, Samantha Zubrod, Haley Gries and Emerson Schmidt and (Back L to R): Jake Bogen, Alex Peters (Emcee), Cole McCarty, Zach Harpenau, Kale Pearson and Tyler Czyz.

As part of the Carroll Kuemper Homecoming activities Sept. 27 and 28, the school will celebrate 150 years of Catholic education in Carroll County.