St. Mary’s Catholic School announced its Fund-A-Cause project for this year’s Ball and Charity Auction in early January. Since then, generous donors have stepped forward to support the much-needed renovation of the community gym entrance and first floor of the high school. To date, $579,060 has been committed toward the $1.5 million project, with additional donors actively being pursued so construction can be completed this summer.

In an effort to assist Bishop John Keehner in fulfilling his episcopal obligation to be more engaged with his parishes, and to make the best use of resources, many confirmation liturgies will be grouped, starting in 2027. Conversations to move towards consolidating confirmation liturgies began under Bishop Walker Nickless, now bishop emeritus of the diocese.

A background in pastoral ministry and higher education helped lay a path to Briar Cliff University in Sioux City for the school’s director of campus ministry. Dr. Michael Horka, Ph.D., who has been with the university since October, noted that while coordinating structured ministry activities and service opportunities are part of the job, some of the most important aspects of his work centers on being available to students. “It’s the behind the scenes, those interpersonal moments of meeting with students who want spiritual accompaniment,” he said, adding that it can be meeting with a student once or sometimes it’s walking with them “through a difficult moment of their life over a course of weeks.”

The second grade students at Denison St. Rose of Lima School received $1,000 to add a calming corner to Jean Fletcher's classroom.

(Bilingual) Following is a letter from Bishop John Keehner in both English and Spanish, addressing the current national immigration climate and the fears experienced by many of our immigrant brothers and sisters. This message echoes recent communications shared by the Iowa Catholic Conference and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding the dignity of every human person.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After praying the Angelus Feb. 1, Pope Leo XIV said the Olympics sends a powerful message of fraternity and hope for peace. "I hope that all those who care about peace among peoples and are in positions of authority will take this opportunity to make concrete gestures of détente and dialogue," he said.

Bishop John E. Keehner issues an official letter accepting Deacon Robert Lenz's request to retire.

Grace Notes column by Sister Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT. One of the deceptions in the modern search for healing is the subtle tendency to separate the grace for healing from the mystery of redemption won for us in Christ. This happens through an over emphasis and dependence upon programs and formulas that often end up placing the full burden for results outside the hands of the Divine Physician.

Remsen St. Mary School received a $150,000 contribution from Wells Enterprises towards the We Believe ... Our Faith, Our Family, Our Future building project. A check was presented in January by Wells at the high school to Father Tim Pick, pastor; Barry Galles, board president and Kim Phillips, principal.

On Feb. 1, 10 boys and 13 girls from Storm Lake showed off their free throw shooting skills. The youngsters ages 9 to 13, gathered for the annual Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. Nine were named local champions of the 2026 and have earned the right to compete at the district level. St Mary’s Council 2326 in Storm Lake sponsored the local competition at the Storm Lake St. Mary School gymnasium. All boys and girls ages 9 to 14 were eligible to participate.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City will host a grand opening, blessing and ribbon cutting for Angeline’s Wing for Children and Families on Feb. 23 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at 1601 Military Road in Sioux City. The program and ribbon cutting will begin at 4 p.m.

The author of two previous books, Marvin Wilmes of Boone is set to release his latest work in March. Rising Beyond Hope: A Memoir of Grief, Loss and Faith is planned as the first in an Odyssey of Hope series, inspired by the just-concluded Jubilee Year of Hope.

The first round of the Synod on Synodality occurred 2021-23 in the Diocese of Sioux City and diocesan parishes. Now, dioceses and bishops are asked to start synodal processes again, evaluating the responses from the first round. The diocese is now gearing up for the next phase.

The Diocese of Sioux City recently announced it will host a Marriage Celebration Mass this summer to recognize couples married in the last year and those marking milestone anniversaries. This celebration will be held during the usual 10 a.m. Mass on Aug. 30 at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. Couples will receive a special blessing during the liturgy and are invited to a reception that follows in the Cathedral Hall. The purpose of the event is to honor and celebrate the beauty and dignity of the sacrament, according to Father Andrew Galles, director of worship.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City joined together with schools across the country to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 25 to 31. Schools celebrate this week with a variety of activities ranging from special Masses and prayer services to recreational activities and service.

Diocesan band students Sophie Lane from Sioux City Bishop Heelan Sacred Heart and Faith Spieler from Gehlen Catholic High School were awarded the Diocesan Honor Band Scholarships during the Diocesan Honor Band Festival in Sioux City Jan. 28.

Bishop John E. Keehner announced today that Patty Lansink, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Sioux City, has resigned her position effective Feb. 27. She has accepted a regional vice president position with FACTS Education Solutions out of Lincoln, Nebraska.

(Bilingual) – “Your faith matters. Your prayers matter. Your acts of love and works of justice matter,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “The current climate of fear and polarization, which thrives when human dignity is disregarded, does not meet the standard set by Christ in the Gospel,” he continued, and as a step toward healing, invited bishops and priests across the United States to offer a Holy Hour for Peace. “Su fe importa. Sus oraciones importan. Sus actos de amor y obras de justicia importan”, dijo el Arzobispo Paul S. Coakley, Presidente de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos. “El clima actual de miedo y polarización, que se intensifica cuando se ignora la dignidad humana, no cumple con el estándar establecido por Cristo en el Evangelio”, continuó, y como un paso hacia la sanación, invitó a los obispos y sacerdotes de los Estados Unidos a ofrecer una Hora Santa por la Paz.