News - May 2026 RSS Feed

The Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Daughters of America Court 216 in Fort Dodge recently awarded scholarships to St. Edmond High School graduating seniors.

(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.

A few weeks ago, Storm Lake St. Mary’s School announced that due to a lack of coaches and an insufficient number of players interested in softball that the school would not have a Panther softball team for the 2026 season. Thanks to a warm welcome from Remsen St. Mary's, the Storm Lake girls have an opportunity to play high school competitive softball this summer.

(Bilingual) As the final days of the school year quickly tick away, the long awaited summer vacation nears. Summer can provide a great chance for needed downtime, but therapist Denys Azpeitia of Catholic Charities pointed out that the transition to summer and changes with routine can sometimes create stress, anxiety or feelings of loneliness for students. Mientras los últimos días del curso escolar pasan rápidamente, se acercan las tan esperadas vacaciones de verano. El verano puede ser una gran oportunidad para disfrutar de un descanso muy necesario, pero la terapeuta Denys Azpeitia, de Caridades Católicas, señaló que la transición al verano y los cambios en la rutina pueden, en ocasiones, provocar estrés, ansiedad o sentimientos de soledad en los estudiantes.

Jerry Mathine was in his mid-20s when he became a catechist for the religious education program at St. Elizabeth Seton in Glidden. After 57 years of service, the 83-year-old recently retired as a catechist. “I love teaching young people and I just stayed with it,” said Mathine, a Nebraska native who moved to Glidden with his wife Rita in August of 1967 to teach at Glidden-Ralston High School. He was a business teacher and coach for 33 years at the school and is the father of two daughters.

Guest column: Art Cullen, Pulitzer Prize winning Storm Lake Times Pilot editor was asked to speak to the Sisters of the Presentation last month. Following the presentation, he penned a column giving a nod to the religious order whose sisters provided a Catholic education for the Cullens and made a lasting impact upon the author.

Sixty-eight golfers from seven diocesan high schools participated in the annual CYO golf tournament at Fort Dodge last week. Kuemper Catholic won the team championships in both the boys and girls meets

Members of St. Mary Parish in Humboldt were among participants of the Walk to Mary Pilgrimage in Wisconsin. The pilgrimage started at the National Shrine of St. Joseph and the pilgrims walked 22 miles to Mary at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, Wisconsin.

Briar Cliff University welcomed friends and family to celebrate students who walked the stage for the 95th commencement ceremony on May 9, at the Sioux City Orpheum. The ceremony honored the University’s 2026 candidates for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees.

The Iowa March for Life will be held on June 20 in Des Moines at the state capitol. From noon to 1 p.m. there will be educational booths and music in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda. A rally is slated for 1 p.m. and the March for Life will commence at 2 p.m.

Stories of apparitions, healings, and other extraordinary events have always stirred the imagination of believers and non-believers alike. Many people feel both drawn to these accounts and unsure how to respond. Why does the church seem so careful — sometimes even skeptical — about such things, if she truly believes in miracles? The church’s caution is not a denial of God’s power. It stems from a conviction that faith is grounded in Jesus Christ and the revelation already given, not in a constant stream of spectacular signs. Miracles have a real place in Catholic life, but it is limited and specific.

After a lifetime of teaching, social work and volunteerism, Sister Shirley Fineran, OSF, is preparing to leave Sioux City after 35 years of service to the community. The former Briar Cliff University professor and founder of Lila Mae’s House is 81 and is ready to return to the Dubuque Franciscan motherhouse. “It’s time. I’m realistic – I’m in the last journey and I want to spend more time in prayer and contemplation. I’m looking forward to it,” she said, noting 12 of her original 47 classmates are currently living at the motherhouse. “It’s bittersweet to leave. Sioux City has been such a blessing for me. I just bless all that has happened, bless the memories and look forward to the journey, preparing myself and being with the sisters I know…and spend time with God.”

Just about five months after Father David Esquiliano became a citizen of the United States, he was the guest speaker at a Naturalization Ceremony in Sioux City where 24 candidates from various countries took their final step to citizenship. “Today is one of the great days of your life,” said Father Esquiliano, diocesan judicial vicar and rector of the Catholic, at the Mary J. Treglia Community House on May 1. “You did not arrive at this day by accident. For you this day has been years in the making. It has involved sacrifice, patience, uncertainty, hope and perseverance.”

As graduation nears for Briar Cliff University students, members of the university’s Catholic Daughters received their senior graduation Honor Cords. Father Travis Crotty, chaplain, blessed the members of Court Lady of Grace.

Julie Flattery is a woman of intentionality. When she and her husband, Anthony Flattery, moved to Fort Dodge with their newborn daughter, Sophie, two years ago, she purposefully began looking for young moms like herself. “It’s not good for a mom to be alone,” Flattery said. “Women need friendships. Moms need other moms in the same season of life.” Flattery is spearheading a new moms group at Holy Trinity Parish to bring like-minded young, Catholic moms together.