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Siouxland Soup Kitchen announced Oct. 22 plans to expand its dining room at 717 W. 7th St. in Sioux City adding approximately 1,500 square feet of new dining space so Siouxland neighbors can share a free, hot meal in a safe and welcoming space. The $1.1 million project is already 75% funded, and Siouxland Soup Kitchen is launching the public phase of its Make Room at the Table campaign to raise the remaining $275,000.

The Diocese of Sioux City will be celebrating the quasquicentennial in 2027 – 125 years since the establishment of the diocese. The commemoration will be marked with several events starting January 2027 at diocesan sites and historical news content published throughout the year, as well as other activities yet to be finalized.

Nearly a year ago, Charleen Katra, executive director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD), was the speaker for a diocesan Clergy Day training, focusing upon inclusion of persons with disabilities into parish life. Following that training, the diocese now is an affiliate with the NCPD, which provides a wide variety of resources and training on disability ministry to clergy, faith formation directors and the laity interested or involved in disability ministry.

Priests on a regular basis help their congregations lift their voices to the heavens in praise of God. Father Matthew Solyntjes, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish of Kossuth County and West Bend, in recent months has reached new heights taking to the skies for recreation. “I started taking ‘fly lessons’ in April and I have all of my requirements but am waiting for a designated pilot examiner,” he said.

The Diocese of Sioux City will be celebrating the quasquicentennial in 2027 – 125 years since the establishment of the diocese. The commemoration will be marked with several events starting January 2027 at diocesan sites and historical news content throughout the year from Lumen Media, as well as other activities yet to be finalized.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2026 Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, Maryland, Nov. 16-19. The public sessions on Nov. 17 and 18 will be livestreamed on the USCCB website.

Judge John Sandy penned The conjunction we keep forgetting: Catholic social teaching and the immigrant in northwest Iowa, recent published in Christian Ethics Today. Sandy often authors articles on social justice issues.

Bishop John E. Keehner and the Sioux City Cathedral Parish are hosting a White Mass Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Epiphany to honor and pray for active and retired health care workers. A reception will follow in the Cathedral Hall.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City is inviting pastors and church leaders of all denominations to attend one of three free Strong Minds, Strong Farms educational sessions focused on mental health in rural communities. Strong Minds, Strong Farms initiative equips trusted community leaders to recognize concerns and connect rural families with help.

Father Peter J. Fransco, retired diocesan priest, died Oct. 2026 in Ruthven. His funeral Mass was Oct. 20 at Sacred Heart Church in Ruthven with Bishop John E. Keehner presiding.

As October is Respect Life Month, the Diocese of Sioux City and the Cathedral Parish offer an annual Memorial Mass for miscarriage and other types of infant loss. Names of about 80 children who were lost were read in the petitions at the Mass.

Judge John Sandy of Spirit Lake, and frequent guest columnist for Lumen Media, wrote an article on pastoral planning in Iowa, published by America Magazine. We have a link to the full article with permission from America.

Iowa Has Always Invested in Students. Now It Includes Every Student. (Originally published in the Des Moines Register Oct. 15, 2026) By the Superintendents of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Dubuque and the Dioceses of Davenport, Des Moines, and Sioux City

Originally published in the Des Moines Register on Oct. 15, 2026. The four superintendents of the Iowa Catholic dioceses Catholic schools joined forces to craft a document to share facts regarding ESAs and their role in Catholic schools.

Father Travis Crotty was granted bi-ritual faculties to preside at the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Catholic Church, which is in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. With the permission of Bishop John E. Keehner, he can assist at the Byzantine Church when necessary, and retain his current responsibilities as vocations director and administrator of parishes in Estherville, Emmetsburg and Graettinger.

Columnist Sister Anne-Marie Walsh, SOLT, ponders the role of the body, the soul and the Lord offering us salvation.

Loving The Chosen historical drama about the life and ministry of Jesus and can’t wait for season 6 to be released Nov.15 on streaming platforms? There is a way to see it first as Nativity Church of Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City is one of the churches throughout the world to offer an early access screening of the first episode of season 6. According to Deacon Jeff Schoep, parish life director at Mater Dei, the public is invited to view the first episode at 1 p.m., Oct. 25 at Nativity.

“For citizens in a representative democracy such as our own, participation in public life – including voting – is both a right and a responsibility,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in a message leading up to Election Day in the United States on Nov. 3.