News - June 2025 RSS Feed

Newly-accepted seminarian, Joseph Masching of St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll, said he began to seriously consider the seminary as early as eighth grade as a student in Kuemper Catholic Schools. “Because I was preparing to go into high school soon – in my freshman year, it was on the back burner. It wasn’t that important,” the 2025 Kuemper graduate said, noting he also contemplated a career in science or animal science at that time.

The first of three Masses of Welcome for Bishop John E. Keehner was held June 24 at Holy Trinity Parish of Webster County. One Mass in each of the three diocesan deaneries were scheduled in order to give the faithful of the diocese a chance to meet their new shepherd. “Brothers and sisters, on this feast of St. John the Baptist, my patron, we gather together to celebrate the Eucharist,” the bishop said in opening remarks.

What is it about the finest gifts that makes so many folks put them away “for good?’ Picture Grandma’s best china stored away out of sight, lest a little one chip a plate. Or what about that fancy watch your dad wore every Sunday, tucked away in a drawer, never to see the light of day again? Gifts are meant to be used, enjoyed, savored until every plate is broken or the last tick of the watch runs out.

Merely six weeks after his episcopal ordination, Bishop John E. Keehner had the opportunity to meet with his brother bishops on a large scale during a week-long retreat held June 16-20 in San Diego. “Every year the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meet twice,” explained the bishop. In most years, the June meeting of the U.S. bishops is to discuss business. Every third year the spring assembly is a retreat for bishops to pray, converse and strengthen one another in their ministries.

School, parish and community members gathered on June 23 to bless and break ground in preparation for construction of a new elementary school addition that will attach to the existing middle/high building at St. Mary’s School in Remsen. According to Father Tim Pick, president of the school and pastor of Most Holy Name of Mary Parish, a capital campaign kicked off just five months ago and due to the generosity of donors the $7 million goal needed to complete this addition has already been raised. More funds are being sought for a challenge goal to make additional improvements on the school campus.

Several parishes in the Diocese of Sioux City held eucharistic processions on June 22 for the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, which was previously called Feast of Corpus Christi.

Summer is a time of joy for many – family picnics, time at the ballpark, spending time with family and friends. For the nearly one million adult children of divorced parents, summer can also be a time of hurt, anger and suffering. Mater Dei Church in Sioux City will assist Adult Children of Divorce (ACODs) turn redemptive suffering into resurrection joy as the parish hosts the Life-Giving Wounds (LWG) Retreat Sept. 5-7.

"There is no faraway conflict when human dignity is at stake," Pope Leo XIV told thousands of people gathered at the Vatican for the midday recitation of the Angelus after the United States bombed targets in Iran.

Sister Elizabeth Huber, BVM, is celebrating her 70th jubilee with the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She entered the convent September 8, 1955.

(bilingual) “As your shepherds, your fear echoes in our hearts and we make your pain our own. Count on the commitment of all of us to stand with you in this challenging hour,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), “Como pastores suyos, sus temores hacen eco en nuestro corazón y sentimos su dolor como nuestro. Cuenten con el compromiso de todos nosotros de acompañarlos en estos momentos difíciles”, aseguró el arzobispo Timothy P. Broglio, presidente de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB, por su sigla en inglés).

(Bilingual) When Father Paul Kelly was ordained to the priesthood in the early 1980s, he said he never would have dreamed that a large portion of his ministry would focus on ministering to Spanish speakers. Of his 42 years in the priesthood, 25 have included Hispanic ministry. He said that aspect of his priestly service has not only been a nice challenge but also a joy through which he has made many friends. Cuando el Padre Paul Kelly fue ordenado al sacerdocio en los años 1980, dijo que nunca hubiera soñado que gran parte de su ministerio estaría enfocado al ministerio de hispanohablantes. De los 42 años en el sacerdocio, 25 de ellos han incluido el ministerio hispano. Dijo que ese aspecto de su sacerdocio ha sido no solamente un reto, pero también a traído alegría y muchas amistades.

After seeing a need for middle and high schoolers to gather during the summer, Ascension Parish initiated Summer Wednesdays. “The idea was born out of a few different things,” said Megan Ulrich, director of religious education (DRE) at Ascension Parish for the churches in Boone and Ogden.

As a young boy the thought of becoming a priest when he grew up was definitely on Avery Fetrow’s mind. “The earliest I remember thinking about the priesthood was when I was 5 or 6,” said the 2024 graduate of St. Mary High School in Storm Lake and member of his parish Knights of Columbus. “That is all I wanted to be from age 6 to 12.”

(bilingual) After serving 12 years as the only Yankton Benedictine in the Diocese of Sioux City, Sister Jodie Zimmerman, OSB, will be moving to her community’s monastery at the end of the month. She has been serving in pastoral ministry and religious education for Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Rock Valley St. Mary Church. Después de haber servido durante 12 años como la única benedictina de Yankton en la Diócesis de Sioux City, la hermana Jodie Zimmerman, OSB, se trasladará al monasterio de su comunidad a finales de este mes. Ha trabajado en el ministerio pastoral y en la educación religiosa en la Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y en la Iglesia de Santa María en Rock Valley.

Bishop John E. Keehner recently published a lengthy list of the appointments of priests as deans and presbyteral council members on the Lumen Media news site. The bishop appointed Msgr. Kevin McCoy and Father Brad Pelzel as vicars general in May and both made their oaths for the office. However, the priests were not appointed to new positions, all were actually reappointments.

The Iowa March for Life will be June 21 from noon to 3 p.m. The educational booths and rally will be in the Iowa State Capitol Rotunda. The march will be outside around the capitol and supreme court building.

Briar Cliff University is excited to announce this year’s recipients of the Presidential Scholarship. The Presidential Scholarship is the highest honor and largest scholarship available at Briar Cliff. Scholars awarded will receive compensation for the full cost of their Briar Cliff tuition for all four years (eight semesters). It is awarded to incoming undergraduate students who exemplify academic excellence, outstanding contributions in their community, and extraordinary leadership in their educational careers. The incoming recipients of the Presidential Scholarship are Thomas Göetz, Morgan Johnson, and Jordyn Ratzlaff.