News - January 2026 RSS Feed

The author of two previous books, Marvin Wilmes of Boone is set to release his latest work in March. Rising Beyond Hope: A Memoir of Grief, Loss and Faith is planned as the first in an Odyssey of Hope series, inspired by the just-concluded Jubilee Year of Hope.

The first round of the Synod on Synodality occurred 2021-23 in the Diocese of Sioux City and diocesan parishes. Now, dioceses and bishops are asked to start synodal processes again, evaluating the responses from the first round. The diocese is now gearing up for the next phase.

The Diocese of Sioux City recently announced it will host a Marriage Celebration Mass this summer to recognize couples married in the last year and those marking milestone anniversaries. This celebration will be held during the usual 10 a.m. Mass on Aug. 30 at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. Couples will receive a special blessing during the liturgy and are invited to a reception that follows in the Cathedral Hall. The purpose of the event is to honor and celebrate the beauty and dignity of the sacrament, according to Father Andrew Galles, director of worship.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City joined together with schools across the country to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 25 to 31. Schools celebrate this week with a variety of activities ranging from special Masses and prayer services to recreational activities and service.

Diocesan band students Sophie Lane from Sioux City Bishop Heelan Sacred Heart and Faith Spieler from Gehlen Catholic High School were awarded the Diocesan Honor Band Scholarships during the Diocesan Honor Band Festival in Sioux City Jan. 28.

Bishop John E. Keehner announced today that Patty Lansink, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Sioux City, has resigned her position effective Feb. 27. She has accepted a regional vice president position with FACTS Education Solutions out of Lincoln, Nebraska.

(Bilingual) – “Your faith matters. Your prayers matter. Your acts of love and works of justice matter,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “The current climate of fear and polarization, which thrives when human dignity is disregarded, does not meet the standard set by Christ in the Gospel,” he continued, and as a step toward healing, invited bishops and priests across the United States to offer a Holy Hour for Peace. “Su fe importa. Sus oraciones importan. Sus actos de amor y obras de justicia importan”, dijo el Arzobispo Paul S. Coakley, Presidente de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos. “El clima actual de miedo y polarización, que se intensifica cuando se ignora la dignidad humana, no cumple con el estándar establecido por Cristo en el Evangelio”, continuó, y como un paso hacia la sanación, invitó a los obispos y sacerdotes de los Estados Unidos a ofrecer una Hora Santa por la Paz.

Women from St. Andrew Church in Sibley, St. Mary in Ashton and St. Patrick in Sheldon gathered at the Winter Women's Party hosted by St. Andrew CDA in Sibley on Jan. 24. The committee served an egg bake, coffee cake, fruit parfait, juice and coffee. Fun games were played and many prizes were awarded. Organizers said it fine time for fellowship for all on a very cold day.

Mater Dei Catholic Parish in Sioux City is offering the Life Giving Wounds retreat for adult children of divorce or separation. The retreat is March 6 to 8 and is open to the public.

After nearly a four-year absence, the major diocesan fundraiser for Catholic schools is returning to the Diocese of Sioux City, with a few changes to involve a wider group.

Fort Dodge St. Edmond Catholic School announced their Friends of St. Edmond Ball chair couples today.

Here is a brief overall of some of the activities to be held by Catholic schools throughout the diocese for this year’s Catholic Schools Week. The weeklong celebration runs Jan. 24-30 and includes a mix of activities ranging from spiritual to service and fun. This list is just a brief overview of activities planned for the week.

Parishes throughout the Diocese of Sioux City will participate in a special collection during their weekend Masses Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 – Briar Cliff Sunday. The collection coincides with Catholic Schools Week, which runs from Jan. 25 through Jan. 31.

Catholic schools around the nation are celebrating Catholic Schools Week Jan. 25 to 31. The 15 school systems in the diocese are no exception. To help them celebrate, Bishop John Keehner and Superintendent Patty Lansink will be traveling to seven different diocesan schools to visit and in some instances, celebrate Mass with the students and staff.

Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools in Sioux City released their 2026 Heelan Auction theme and chair couples. The auction will be held April 10.

(Bilingual/bilingüe) For the third year in a row, enrollment in Catholic schools of the Diocese of Sioux City have seen an uptick. According to Stacia Thompson, coordinator of enrollment and outreach, student enrollment in diocesan schools for 2025-26 is 6,360. That’s an increase of 2% over the previous school year. Por tercer año consecutivo, la inscripción en las escuelas católicas de la Diócesis de Sioux City ha experimentado un aumento. Según Stacia Thompson, coordinadora de inscripción y alcance, las inscripciones de estudiantes en las escuelas diocesanas para 2025-26 son de 6,360. Eso es un aumento del 2% con respecto al año escolar anterior.

After nearly a four-year absence, the major diocesan fundraiser for Catholic schools is returning to the Diocese of Sioux City, with a few changes to involve a wider group.

(Bilingual/bilingüe) Beginning Sunday, Jan. 25, we join with members of the faithful throughout the United States in celebrating National Catholic Schools Week. In doing so, we celebrate the great gift Catholic education has been and continues to be not only to the millions of persons who have been educated in our Catholic Schools but also the great gift that education has proven to be to our great nation, in forming good and faithful citizens.