Council 2326 of the Knights of Columbus from St. Mary’s Catholic Church is answering the call in these uncertain times of food insecurity. Once again, the Knights are proving that small efforts can lead to big impacts for our local community. The council has been collecting redeemable aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and glass from residents and businesses across the area, recycling them, and turning the proceeds into community donations.

Siouxland Catholic Radio 88.1 FM is presenting its Fall Pledge Drive, Nov. 11-13, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year, the station will broadcast the entire first day from Bishop Heelan High School with a special focus on “Salute to Service” spotlighting many military veterans with a connection to the station.

Helen Erpelding, 84, of Waukee, died Nov. 7. She is the mother of Father Michael Erpelding. Her funeral will be held Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Boniface Church in Waukee

Decree from Bishop John E. Keehner regarding St. Donatus of Alton

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

Words matter. That is just one of the points made by Charleen Katra, executive director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) during the Clergy Day held Nov. 6 at St. Mary Parish in Storm Lake that focused on inclusion of persons with disabilities into parish life. Due to the topic, lay catechetical leaders were also invited to attend this session.

On Nov. 5, the Algona Bishop Garrigan School community gathered for a special Veterans Day Mass to honor the men and women who have served the country. The Mass ministries were led by members of the school family who have a special connection to the military.

Bishop John Keehner made his first visit to the University of Northern Iowa and the St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center yesterday. He met with several students from the diocese, offered confessions and celebrated a Mass.

The 800-550 Series CH-1 military chapel was constructed in August 1942 for the World War II-era Sioux City Army Base. Building 105-Chapel 2 was built for Catholic troops and was considered a temporary structure, intended to serve the base for five to seven years. Still standing decades later, the chapel will be demolished this winter to make way for “future development opportunities for the aviation industry,” according to the City of Sioux City. It was decommissioned this week.

Members of the Storm Lake St. Mary Class of 1999 gathered at Carver Hawkeye arena to cheer on their classmate Ben McCollum as he led the University of Iowa men's basketball team in his first game as head coach Nov. 4.

In response to the cuts in federal funding of the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) last week, the Diocese of Sioux City and diocesan parishes and schools are making extra efforts to get food in the hands of those who need assistance. From cash collections to food drives, Catholics are stepping forward to feed the hungry.

Since 2016, the Catholic Church has observed the World Day of the Poor on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time as way for Catholics to reflect more deeply on our call to love the poor as our brothers and sisters. On November 15-16, parishes in many Catholic dioceses throughout the United States are able to observe this year’s World Day of the Poor by taking a collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the domestic anti-poverty initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

November is Black Catholic History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Black Catholics to the Roman Catholic tradition. Established in 1990, Black Catholic History Month affirms the richness of diversity within the Church and allows us an opportunity to appreciate the various gifts and talents that Black Catholics bring to the universal Church.