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Bishop John E. Keehner and the Sioux City Cathedral Parish are hosting a Blue Mass at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, 1000 Douglas Street. The Mass includes a procession of uniformed first responders from the area.

Dr. Dora Jung, director of Catholic schools, pointed out that the availability of ESAs helped “balance the playing field” so that families of all income levels could consider enrollment in a Catholic school. ESAs provide $8,148 per student for the 2026-27 academic year. She also addresses common misconceptions about ESAs in this article.

During a pastoral visit to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Sioux City by the metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Nathanael Symeonides of Chicago made a point to visit Bishop John E. Keehner. The two bishops shared conversations about their personal backgrounds, their experiences as church leaders and faith lives during a tour of the Shrine Queen of Peace at Trinity Heights in Sioux City, led by the shrine’s executive director, Terry Hegarty.

Women of the diocese will have a chance to rest in the peace of Jesus and have time for reflecting on the faith with others during the 2026 Women’s Gathering set for Nov. 14 in Fort Dodge. According to Maddie McLarty, diocesan faith formation coordinator who is planning the event with an eight-person committee, the theme of the gathering is based on Matthew 11:28 – “Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” Acknowledging that “rest” can be found in many different ways, she said this is an opportunity to for women to put Christ at the center of their lives and find peace in him.

Bishop John E. Keehner and the Sioux City Cathedral Parish are hosting a Blue Mass at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, 1000 Douglas Street. The Mass includes a procession of uniformed first responders from the area.

Briar Cliff University has welcomed five new members to its Board of Trustees, bringing a broad range of experience in higher education, business, finance, and institutional leadership to the University’s governing board. The new trustees are Steve Freeman ‘69, Dr. Sandra Harper, Jennifer Letch, Timm Funk ‘77, and Craig McGarry.

Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly was honored today to be appointed by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as a member of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. Formed by Pope Francis, the Dicastery’s mission is “the promotion of life, the apostolate of the lay faithful, the pastoral care of the family and its mission according to God’s plan and for the safeguard and support of human life.”

Column by Judge John Sandy of Spirit Lake St. Mary Parish, sharing the story of Rosa Marmor Kramer and her fight to stay alive despite those who did not recognize the dignity and sanctity of every human life.

As anticipation builds for Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Mel Gibson’s long-awaited return to one of history’s most influential stories, Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment, the leading specialty distributor of content to theatrical partners worldwide, will bring The Passion of the Christ back to theatres nationwide. Newly remastered in stunning 4K with Dolby Atmos sound, the landmark film returns to the big screen Sept. 10 to 17, offering audiences the opportunity to experience again—or for the very first time—the cinematic event that became a global phenomenon.

Although a little over 20 miles apart, teachers and staff at Humboldt St. Mary and Fort Dodge St. Edmond Catholic schools kicked off the academic year together with a day-long retreat Aug. 17. Father Jake Rosenmeyer, parochial vicar for both Holy Trinity Parish of Webster County and St. Mary Parish in Humboldt, led the retreat.

Although St. Mary Church in Dow City has had church building status with no regular weekend Masses since 2017, former parishioners gathered to nearly fill the church for a final Mass Aug. 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. St. Mary is now part of the canonically merged St. Rose of Lima Parish, based in Denison. Bishop John E. Keehner presided and gave the homily with Father Shane Deman, administrator of St. Rose of Lima, concelebrating. Deacon Mark Prosser of Cathedral Parish assisted at the Mass.

Bilingual: Message from Bishop John E. Keehner "...let us get back to the basics of who we are and who we are called to be." "...volvamos a lo esencial de quienes somos y de quienes estamos llamados a ser."

The Diocese of Sioux City was represented in an American Community Media (ACoM) national news briefing last week titled, Crackdown, slowdown: How federal immigration policy is reshaping small town America. The briefing included discussions on demographics, economics and the immigration workforce in rural America, including northwest Iowa.

Father Paul D. Bormann died Aug. 17, 2026, at Eagle Ridge Assisted Living in Guttenberg, Iowa. He was 67. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Aug. 24, at Divine Mercy Parish – St. Cecelia Church in Algona. The funeral will be live streamed on the Divine Mercy Parish YouTube Page. Bishop John E. Keehner of the Diocese of Sioux City will preside.

Ten parishioners from Divine Mercy Parish in the Diocese of Sioux City took part in a mission trip to Guatemala Aug. 3-10 for a week of service, cultural immersion and spiritual growth. According to Deacon David Penton, participants from Divine Mercy included parish leaders, educators and students, including five recent graduates of Bishop Garrigan High School and one from Algona High School. “The experience reminded the travelers that missionary discipleship is not simply about traveling somewhere to ‘help’ others,” said the deacon.

The Mercy and Forgiveness of God (and man’s struggle with sin) is the theme of the 2026 men’s retreat to be offered Sept. 19 at St. Anthony Church in Hospers that is part of St. Donatus Parish. According to Justin Derry, the retreat is open to any adult man who wants to deepen his faith. The rosary will begin the day at 6:15 a.m. with Mass at 7 a.m. with talks starting at 8:15 a.m. The sessions will wrap up at noon with lunch concluding the day.

The Sioux City Briar Cliff University Board of Trustees is pleased to announce it has extended the presidency of Dr. Matthew Draud through an evergreen agreement, reaffirming the board’s confidence in his leadership and the direction of the university. Under the new agreement, Dr. Draud’s initial three-year commitment will automatically renew, providing continuity in leadership as Briar Cliff continues its work to strengthen the university and position it for long-term growth.

All are invited to a memorable afternoon of music with internationally renowned Irish tenor Mark Forrest on Sept. 6, at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph Church in Milford. A reception afterward with cookies and refreshments will be offered.

A house divided: Why does the devil try so hard to divide us? Grace Notes column by Sister Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT.