Area news

During Poverty Awareness Month, the faithful are encouraged to join the Secretariat of Justice and Peace, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and the Catholic community in the United States in taking up Pope Leo's challenge to live in solidarity with the poor.

The St. Serra Club of Siouxland hosted most of the diocesan seminarians for a breakfast and Mass at St. Joseph Church in Sioux City. Father Travis Crotty, director of vocations, and Father Shane Deman, director of seminarians and Bishop John Keehner were also present. The club supports vocations in the Diocese of Sioux City.

The Moville Immaculate Conception Church, Sts. Isidore and Maria Parish sixth grade Faith Formation class, led by Mike and Molly Brauer, made 'Blessing Bags' for people in need. These bags were all decorated by their class and they filled them with basic necessities like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, lip balm and other items. The Bauers then took them to downtown Sioux City and hung them for anyone in need to take and use right before Christmas.

The Storm Lake area Knights of Columbus partnered with St. Mary Parish in Storm Lake to support Hope for Life (formerly Cornerstone for Life), the Storm Lake area pregnancy support center for women and families in need. The drive was part of Respect Life Month.