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.

The Onawa-Blencoe Knights of Columbus Christmas Toy Drive has started with the desire to make a merrier Christmas for area children and their families. New toys, food items and clothing can be donated in Onawa at Bomgaars, Dollar General, Lewis Pharmacy, Sunshine Foods and St. John Catholic church; also, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix. There are large boxes at each of these locations for the gifts.

Tapping into the church’s history of honoring and praying for workers in various professions, the Diocese of Sioux City, Bishop John E. Keehner and the Cathedral Parish in Sioux City are planning a Red Mass for attorneys, judges, lawmakers and those working in the legal profession.

Briar Cliff University announced the appointment of Dr. Brian Peterson as the next provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, effective January 5, 2026. Dr. Peterson joins Briar Cliff from LaGrange College, where he has most recently served as vice president for academic affairs.

Nearly 300 students in seventh to 12th grades from 13 parishes attended the Called Youth Conference held Nov. 2 at St. Joseph Parish in Granville. Delores Huemiller, diocesan faith formation coordinator who planned the event with a team of directors of religious education, said they received positive feedback about the speaker’s talks and were thankful Bishop John E. Keehner was on hand for Mass and hearing confessions. “I hope they came away with knowing that they can live a life in relationship with Christ even when it is hard. I hope they took advantage of confession opportunities. And I hope they came away encouraged and knowing that God loves them,” she said.

... the saints, whether they are great theologians like St. Thomas, or missionaries like St. Francis Xavier, or mystics/contemplatives like the great St. Theresas, are exactly like this as well. Their love for the lost and their desire for the salvation of every soul move them to great heights of holiness, to profound union with Christ in his redemptive work.