News features

The Catholic Church in the United States will observe National Migration Week from Sept. 22 to 28. This year, as the Universal Church marks its jubilee year, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be observed on Oct. 4–5, coinciding with the Jubilee of Migrants.*

After COVID-19 kept religious education classes from meeting in person for several months, the parents in the Granville, Alton and Hospers parishes “were longing for face-to-face interaction in the community,” according to Diane Rainbolt, director of religious education (DRE) for the three parishes. “I had not been a DRE before, but as I prayed about what our families needed, I saw my role as DRE not what to do but somebody who gets to walk with these families,” she said, noting parents juggle many schedules. Family nights were created to help.

With Catechetical Sunday set for Sept. 21, the day is a time to not only recognize the good works of catechetical leaders and catechists but an opportunity to reflect on successes of programs within the diocese. One such success story recently unfolded at St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll where the parish’s Vacation Bible School was reestablished this past summer after being on pause a few years. According to Erin Stevens, director of religious education (DRE) at the parish, VBS was held July 21-25 and it drew more than double the number of participants they hoped for.

Nearly 300 students from Bishop Garrigan High School in Algona and St. Edmond High School in Fort Dodge made a pilgrimage Sept. 17 to the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend as part of the Jubilee Year of Hope. According to Rose Walker, director of operations for the grotto, this was the most recent in a series of pilgrimages hosted by the diocesan shrine given that the Grotto of the Redemption is one of four pilgrimage sites named in the diocese for the holy year. “What a great place to bring people together,” said Walker. “We are the eighth wonder of the world.”

Shortly before his May 1 episcopal ordination, Bishop John Keehner received an invitation to attend a series of classes at the Vatican for new bishops, informally referred to as “Baby Bishop Bootcamp.” “There was a letter that arrived from Cardinal (Robert) Prevost, who was the head of the Dicastery for Bishops, insisting that I attend this (program) as an act of ecclesial union with the College of Bishops and an opportunity to meeting Peter – not knowing of course, that he would be Peter,” Bishop Keehner said of the letter he received from the clerical who would be named Holy Father just a few weeks later.

The permanent deacons and candidates of the Diocese of Sioux City gathered in Storm Lake last weekend for their fall continuing education day to learn more about the role that ongoing formation should have in their lives. Instructors from the Josephinum Diaconate Institute – Deacon Matt Coriale, executive director, and Deacon Roger Carrier, associate director – led the workshop which included presentations and hands-on exercises.

Briar Cliff University is proud to announce it has reached its Victory Goal of $12 million in the Foundations for the Future Comprehensive Campaign. This total does not include federal grant dollars awarded. Now stretching its goal to $15 million, the campaign focuses on enhancing affordability, improving the on-campus student experience, and helping make a BCU education affordable.

As of Sept. 1, MercyOne was officially acquired and is now known as UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s – Downtown, according to the UnityPoint Health webpage. The MercyOne signage was removed or covered from the grounds and buildings. It signified the end of a 135-year era of Catholic hospitals in Sioux City. The religious statuary in front of the medical center’s main entrance on Fifth Street has been removed as well as the marble statue in the lobby. However, leadership of the two health care entities ensured that the religious artwork would be placed at Catholic entities in the Sioux City area at the time of the acquisition.

A Jubilee Rally was held at the shrine of Trinity Heights Queen of Peace in Sioux City Sept. 11, 2025. The event included talks, a eucharistic procession, music and prayer. Speakers included Deacon Rich Kallsen, Deacon Fred Karpuk and Father Travis Crotty.

Supporters of the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa attended the annual FIRE and Flights event in Sioux City. The organization raises awareness and funds for inclusion of students with disabilities and special needs into Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City.

After the director of religious education (DRE) position at St. Patrick Parish in Estherville had been open for an extended time, for the last two years two women of the parish are sharing the duties. Double-team Courtney Newgard and Britney Rosburg have served as co-DREs for the faith formation program for kindergarten through confirmation at St. Patrick’s since July of 2023. The majority of their efforts are for the youth, but they are working to expand offerings for adults.

The day after the patron saint of the internet – St. Carlo Acutis – was canonized by Pope Leo XIV, Sacred Heart School in Sioux City blessed its new STEM lab that was named in honor of the first millennial saint. Deacon Kevin Poss, who is part of the Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools campus ministry team, led the prayers of dedication for the St. Carlo Acutis STEM Lab on Sept. 8. “Through the work of our hands and the help of technology, we cooperate with the creator who conferred the earth as a dwelling place for the human family,” the deacon prayed, asking the students to contribute to society and use technology as a way to follow Christ and serve one another in love.