Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City often commemorate Dìa de los Muertos with ofrendas and photos of their loved ones who have died. Storm Lake St. Mary first, second and fourth grade students created artwork around their display in time for parent-teacher conferences. The Sioux City Cathedral Dual Language Academy has an ofrenda displayed in the school.

Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Sioux City are participating in a three-year pilot program in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Dubuque to attempt to measure faith growth in students over time and using that data in their faith formation approach.

In an effort to encourage reporting of potential wrongdoing in diocesan entities and to protect those reporters, the Diocese of Sioux City recently updated its Whistleblower Policy and is distributing it widely throughout the diocese.

When a dance team member at St. Mary’s School in Storm Lake saw that the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association (ISPTA) was promoting a care initiative she wanted to become involved. “On social media, I saw other teams were doing service projects with the #ISDTACares,” said Ruby Phelps, a junior at St. Mary’s. “I had just spoken with Mrs. Amy Halder and had discussed the food insecurity within our school system. I knew that I wanted to take action and figured this was the perfect opportunity.”

Pulse Life Advocates hosts their 15th annual fundraising dinner on Nov. 22 at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Des Moines with a pro-life Christmas Gala, inspiring advocates for life. Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life, keynotes with a riveting tale of her dialogues on hostile college campuses.

(Bilingual) The Feast of All Saints and the commemoration of All Souls invite us to look both inward and backward—not so we can dwell on the past with longing, not so that we can surround ourselves with pain or mourn for days gone by—but so that we can remember who we are, so that we might look forward to the future not with fear but rather with trust and hope—trust that God will not abandon us even in death, and hope in the resurrection to eternal life which Jesus promises to all who place their faith in him. La solemnidad de todos los santos y la conmemoración de todos los fieles difuntos nos invitan a mirarnos internamente y externamente- no para que miremos el pasado con anhelo, no pare que nos encerremos en doler y lloremos por los días que se han ido- pero para que recordemos quienes somos, para que veamos hacia el futuro, no con miedo, pero con verdad y esperanza, confiando que Dios no nos abandona ni siquiera en la muerte, y esperar en la resurrección a la vida eterna la cual Jesús prometió a todos los que ponen su fe en él.

Catholic school religion teachers, school chaplains and administrators attended a Theology Day Oct. 28 to receive some personal enrichment and tips to help form students in the faith. Sponsored by the Catholic Schools Office, Kelly Kohout said this is the second year their office has offered a day of professional development for those who work in religion/theology in the diocesan schools. The educators in this field had requested it as these types of development days are offered in other subject areas. “Last year people really appreciated getting together to pray together and learn together,” said the director of education services for the diocese. “Some of the smaller schools do not have the opportunity to collaborate and connect over this subject area.”

LUMEN MEDIA REPORT – It was just over a year ago when a four-person production crew was in the Diocese of Sioux City to record video footage and interviews at the two diocesan shrines. The Shrine of Trinity Heights Queen of Peace in Sioux City and Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend will soon be featured in EWTN’s series called Hidden Gems: Catholic Shrines in America. According to Terry Hegarty, executive director of Trinity Heights, the Sioux City shrine will be featured in an episode to air on EWTN at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 10. Msgr. Ed Girres, rector of the Grotto of the Redemption, said the West Bend shrine will be aired on Hidden Gems at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 8.

Decree from Bishop John E. Keehner regarding St. Mary Church in Pomeroy.

On Oct. 26, the religious education students from St. Sebastian hosted Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat. Residents in Pocahontas, Fonda and Newell were asked to set out non-perishable items, if they were able to, and the students would go around and collect them. Over 1500 pounds of food was donated to the two local food pantries.

Six students of Remsen St. Mary School earned Gospel Spirit Awards this week.

CDA Court Our Lady of LaSalette Court #1585 of Milford participated in the White Ribbon Against Pornography campaign the week of Oct. 26 to Nov. 2. The white ribbons around the trees in front of St. Joseph Parish are to raise awareness and as a reminder to pray for an end to pornography.

Storm Lake St. Mary’s School sixth grade traveled to Spirit Lake to view glacial land formations on Oct. 17. This trip was an introduction to a soil and conservation unit led by Colleen Schwanz of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Bishop John E. Keehner presided at the fourth annual White Mass at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City Oct. 21. The White Mass was established in the 1930s to honor, thank and pray for those working in the healthcare field. It was named to reflect the customary white coats and uniforms worn by healthcare workers.

For the first time in over 70 years, the Kuemper Catholic School system in Carroll is planning a major facility expansion project. Last week, school leadership unveiled the $28.5 million uKnighted: Building a Future in Faith campaign at an informational meeting with supporters.

People who work in the legal profession and courts in Fort Dodge and Webster County were honored at the Red Mass held Oct. 23 in Fort Dodge.