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.

Not everyone experiences or at least realizes when they have been called in their lives. For Father Paul Nguyen, he had two life-changing calls – a call to the priesthood and a call (rather calls) to receive an organ transplant. It was two to three years ago when Father Paul Nguyen’s kidney function began to decline and close monitoring by his nephrologist commenced. The pastor of St. Sebastian Parish of Pocahontas and Fonda started dialysis about a year ago, and believing he could manage that treatment, opted not to pursue a transplant. “However, it proved to be to far more challenging that I expected – physically exhausting and spiritually limiting,” he wrote in an update to his parishioners. “I struggled to celebrate Mass faithfully and often felt drained, with little energy to do anything.”

Strong parent and grandparent involvement in Catholic schools is one of the many wonderful blessings and traditions of diocesan schools be it working in concession stands or reading to students. For about five years now, parents and grandparents at St. Edmond School in Fort Dodge have had to opportunity to become involved in a distinctively spiritual way through the Prayer Partner Program. They are asked to pray daily for specific faculty and/or staff members of the school.

Briar Cliff University in Sioux City has announced the establishment and expansion of two endowed scholarships supporting students pursuing degrees in education. The Sister Ruth Schock Endowed Scholarship has been increased to $100,000, and the newly created Franciscan Educators Endowed Scholarship has been established at $100,000.

For the first time in 25 years, the magnificent first-class relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux have arrived in the United States honoring the 100th anniversary of her canonization. They will be on display at the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill Nov. 15-18. Holy Hill is one of only 40 sites in 10 states nationwide to host the relics.