News features

Diocesan priest Father Anthony Pick, 84, of Sioux City, formerly of Slayton, Minnesota, died May 25. His funeral Mass will be June 2 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Slayton. Burial will be at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Avoca, Minnesota.

After three years of planning, fundraising and construction, the 145-seat Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at the Sioux City Trinity Heights Queen of Peace Shrine was dedicated by Bishop John E. Keehner yesterday. Principal concelebrants were Bishop Emeritus Walker Nickless and Father David Hemann, rector of the Trinity Heights shrine. Priests from the surrounding area, including South Sioux City, also concelebrated.

(Bilingual) In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV wrote on the safeguarding of the human person in the time of Artificial Intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas. The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Development has released a summary document below.

(CNS) Pope Leo XIV's much-anticipated encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," (“Magnificent Humanity”) on the protection of the human person in the age of AI, will be released May 25, 2026, with Pope Leo attending the document's presentation at the Vatican.

When the bell rang for the final time before summer break this week at Sacred Heart School in Boone, Emmetsburg Catholic and Pocahontas Catholic – the schools’ principals were not only wrapping up another school year but their long-time careers in Catholic education.

The diocesan Office of Vocations is offering three events this summer for youth and young adults for faith and prayer opportunities alongside their peers. - June 1 to 4 – Quest pilgrimage for young men - July 30 to Aug. 1 - Ave retreat for young women - July 30 to Aug. 2 – Quo Vadis discernment retreat for young men

When Jimmy Fitzsimmons is ordained a transitional deacon by Bishop John E. Keehner on June 6, the seminarian will not only be taking a big step closer to the priesthood but continuing his journey of drawing closer to Jesus.

Wall Lake native Garrett Hugeback said the excitement is “incredible” as he and his Kenrick-Glennon Seminary classmates prepare for ordination to the transitional diaconate. Hugeback and fellow diocesan seminarian Jimmy Fitzsimmons will be ordained at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City June 6. (See related article.)

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2026 Spring Plenary Assembly in Orlando, Florida, June 10-12. The public sessions on June 10 and 11 will be livestreamed on the USCCB website.

(Bilingual) La Oficina de Formación en la Fe de la Diócesis de Sioux City organiza un taller para padres en español el 25 de junio en la parroquia de Santa María, en Storm Lake. La presentadora del programa es Luisa Wendt, de Familias Conectadas. The Diocese of Sioux City Office of Faith Formation is hosting a parenting workshop in Spanish on June 25 at St. Mary’s Parish in Storm Lake. The program presenter is Luisa Wendt of Familias Conectadas.

(Bilingual) Reflection on the Consecration to the Sacred Heart by Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty. Reflexión sobre la Consagración al Sagrado Corazón Por el Arzobispo Alexander K. Sample, Presidente del Comité para la Libertad Religiosa

On July 7, 2021, the seven Catholic faith communities in Kossuth County and Sts. Peter and Paul in West Bend were canonically merged and the mammoth Divine Mercy Parish was erected. The combined parish ministers to around 2,000 registered families. Father Matthew Solyntjes, pastor, and Father Zach Jones, parochial vicar, realized that the fifth anniversary of the merged parish would be in July and that somehow, it should be celebrated.