Bishop closes Jubilee Year of Hope in diocese

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
Pope Leo XIV will formally close the Jubilee Year of Hope in Rome on Jan. 6, 2026, on the feast of the Epiphany. In the Diocese of Sioux City, Bishop John E. Keehner closed the holy year on Dec. 28, on the feast of the Holy Family, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.
 
Despite a snowstorm the morning of the closing Mass, the bishop noted there were several pilgrims present who participated in a November pilgrimage to Rome for the jubilee year with Father David Esquiliano, rector of the Cathedral.
 
During the offertory, the Cathedral Choir led the Hymn of the Jubilee Year 2025 by Pierangelo Sequeri and Francesco Meneghello.
 
“Like a flame my hope is burning, may my song arise to you: Source of life that has no ending, on life’s path I trust in you,” was the refrain of the jubilee hymn.
 
After Communion, the faithful joined to sing the Jubilee Year Hymn of Thanksgiving, Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.
 
Homily
Bishop Keehner acknowledged that Christians often focus on the idyllic representations of the Holy Family in sacred art, especially during the Christmas season, that it is easy to forget the realities of the Holy Family’s life.
 
“In the sentimentality so often associated with Christmas, we can easily ignore the difficulties inherent in giving birth to a child in a stable or raising a child in ancient Palestine during the Roman occupation,” he said, adding the threat posed by King Herod causing the family to flee the area.
 Today’s faithful look to the Holy Family as a model for their own families and may become frustrated that they can’t live up to Jesus, Mary and Joseph and “their love for one another, their love for God and their obedience to God’s word.” 
The bishop said the faithful should consider our love for family members despite failings, and work to rebuild and heal those relationships.
 
“…consider what it means to forgive family members who have hurt us, even as we ask God to forgive us,” he said.
 
As all humans have failings and sin, Christ walks with all his children and offers hope to the faithful.
 
“Today we also conclude our celebration of the Jubilee of Hope,” Bishop Keehner said. “And so, let us reflect upon the great things God has done for us in this past year in offering us the forgiveness and reconciliation for which we yearn.”
 He pointed out that in the past year, many pilgrims visited the diocesan designated pilgrimage sites including the Trinity Heights – Queen of Peace Shrine in Sioux City, the Cathedral, West Bend’s Grotto of the Redemption and St. Joseph in Milford. Some also traveled to other holy sites around the world. 

“Whether we took part in a pilgrimage or not, whether we have participated in the jubilee celebrations or not, let us consider the ‘river of grace’ which God has bestowed upon us, offering us the comfort of knowing God’s love and forgiveness and his concern for us as individuals and as a holy people.”

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