News - October 2026 RSS Feed

(Bilingual) “There is much that can be done to avoid the rupturing of our families and communities brought about by indiscriminate and aggressive enforcement actions,” said Bishop Brendan Cahill and Reverend Walter Kim in an ecumenical statement released today. “Hay mucho que se puede hacer para evitar la ruptura de nuestras familias y comunidades provocada por medidas de aplicación de la ley migratoria indiscriminadas y agresivas,” dijeron el obispo Brendan Cahill y el reverendo Walter Kim en un comunicado ecuménico publicado hoy.

(Bilingual) Father Saúl de la Cruz Camarena came to the Diocese of Sioux City from Mexico to serve as Priest - Sacramental Minister for two years. He received permission from his Cardinal and Bishop John E. Keehner for this temporary assignment. Father Camerena will assist at parishes in the diocese celebrating Mass, hearing confessions and providing other pastoral services. His presence helps address the spiritual needs of Spanish-speaking Catholics, many of whom face language barriers and must balance their religious practices with demanding work schedules.

Nearly 450 supporters of Catholic education from northwest Iowa and beyond gathered last night at the Bishop’s Dinner for Catholic Schools - Rooted in Faith, Forming Saints and Scholars. It is the first Bishop’s Dinner scheduled since the 2022 event.

Among Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City hold special activities during Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, were St. Rose of Lima School in Denison and St. Mary Schools in Storm Lake.

Danbury Catholic Elementary students had a wonderful time celebrating their grandparents on Grandparents Day. Their grandparents and special guests came from around the area and as far away as Illinois to share their special day.

The Knights of Columbus Iowa Great Lakes Council 5043 oversaw the exemplification for four members. The ceremony was held Oct. 10 at St. Mary’s Church in Spirit Lake.

Briar Cliff University received a $19,775 Professional Development Award from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) through the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) to support faculty and staff formation centered on vocation, discernment, and the University’s Catholic Franciscan Mission.

The fourth annual Day of Prayer for the Health and Wellness of Clergy and Men and Women Religious will take place on Oct. 16. This annual event offers a sacred space of prayer and reflection for those who have dedicated their lives to God and the service of others, while encouraging renewal of mind, body, and spirit.

High school Spanish students and kindergarten students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, learning about culture, traditions and Hispanics who have made a difference.

Richard Lansink said he became a Mass server around the age of 7 or 8 in the mid-1940s when he was recruited by the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Ida Grove. He recently retired after 80 years of serving Mass at churches near and far.

Briar Cliff University students took a break from classes to participate in Celebrating Joyful Service Oct. 2, allowing the community to learn more about and live out one of its core Franciscan values. According to Michael Horka, director of campus ministry and one of the main organizers of the event, more than 700 students participated in the day-long event that began with a campus walk in honor of Sister Mary Arnold Staudt, OSF. Known for her daily walks around campus, she taught in the music department at Briar Cliff for more than 30 years.

LaVonne Friedrichsen, mother of Father Timothy Friedrichsen, died Oct. 7 at the age of 91 at the Maple Heights Nursing Home of Mapleton, Iowa. The funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Oct. 14 at St. Mary’s Church in Mapleton, part of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish. Father David Esquiliano will officiate. Committal services will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery of Mapleton.

Service is a virtue that is instilled in the diocesan Catholic schools and for those involved in agricultural classes or the Future Farmers of America at Storm Lake St. Mary’s School, on Oct. 2 they had the opportunity to feed those who help feed others. “Feed the Farmer was a community service project created to give back to local farmers and recognize their hard work during harvest season,” said Jessica Tuttle, ag teacher.

Not quite one year old, Fulton Lutter attended the Sept. 24 beatification Mass of his namesake, Blessed Fulton Sheen, with his parents Tucker and Laura Lutter. The family is from Hawarden and attend Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City will hold its Spirit of Home for the Holidays fundraiser Dec. 4 at Country Celebrations Event Center in Sioux City. Tickets are on sale now.

Fort Dodge artist Mary Jo Hinds' St. Michael the Archangel painting graces the narthex of Holy Trinity Church. The artwork has also been printed on prayer cards for parishioners and St. Edmond School students to promote a devotion to the angels and archangels, specifically St. Michael.