News - May 2026 RSS Feed

Bishop John E. Keehner will promulgate his first pastoral letter tomorrow - Sic Deus Dilexit Mundum, God So Loved the World, a pastoral reflection on the meaning of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for our world today. The letter was authored ahead of the June 11, 2026, consecration of the nation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Catholic Daughters of America Court Our Lady of La Salette #1585 of Milford prayed a Patriotic Rosary on Memorial Day before the 9 a.m. Mass at Calvary Cemetery.

Today, on the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Bishop John E. Keehner promulgated his first pastoral letter, Sic Deus Dilexit Mundum: God So Loved the World, a pastoral reflection on the meaning of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for Our World Today.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV used a sweeping reflection on artificial intelligence to question whether the Catholic Church's centuries-old just war framework remains valid in modern warfare and to ask pardon for the church's role in slavery. The pope's 82-page encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas" ("Magnificent Humanity"), primarily focuses on the ethical development of artificial intelligence and the dangers posed by autonomous weapons, concentrated technological power and the erosion of human dignity. But within the document, Pope Leo also makes several broader interventions on war, violence and historical injustice.

The Missionary Benedictine Sisters will be leaving Holy Cross Parish in Sioux City as of July as they are needed at their monastery in Norfolk, Nebraska. Shrinking numbers of available sisters in the Benedictine community led to the difficult decision to leave. Sister Lumen Odom made the announcement at the weekend Masses at Holy Cross last weekend that the sisters will withdraw from the parish and the diocese.

With his 50th anniversary of religious life just around the corner, Father Louis Studer, OMI, recently reflected on his journey to the priesthood and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. This native son of the Diocese of Sioux City presently serves as president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and was the provincial of the U.S. Province Missionary Oblates.

The Child of God quilters welcome the newly-baptized at Remsen St. Mary Parish. They cut, piece and sew one of a kind quilts for babies on the day of their baptism.

(Bilingual) The relics of six Mexican martyr priests who were members of the Knights of Columbus will be at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City June 15 and St. Mary Church in Rock Valley June 18. Las reliquias de seis sacerdotes mártires mexicanos, miembros de los Caballeros de Colón, estarán en la Catedral de la Epifanía en Sioux City el 15 de junio y en la iglesia Santa María en Rock Valley el 18 de junio.

Earlier this week, Bishop John E. Keehner and Heidi Probasco, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development, announced in a joint letter to pastors and parish bookkeepers that the next Together as One (TAO) diocesan annual appeal cycle will not be kicked off until February 2027.

Diocesan priest Father Anthony Pick, 84, of Sioux City, formerly of Slayton, Minnesota, died May 25. His funeral Mass will be June 2 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Slayton. Burial will be at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Avoca, Minnesota.

After three years of planning, fundraising and construction, the 145-seat Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at the Sioux City Trinity Heights Queen of Peace Shrine was dedicated by Bishop John E. Keehner yesterday. Principal concelebrants were Bishop Emeritus Walker Nickless and Father David Hemann, rector of the Trinity Heights shrine. Priests from the surrounding area, including South Sioux City, also concelebrated.

(Bilingual) In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV wrote on the safeguarding of the human person in the time of Artificial Intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas. The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Development has released a summary document below.

The Gospel Award for Joy recognizes the spirit of living with faith, kindness, and positivity each day. At Remsen St. Mary's Schools, this award honors a student or students who bring encouragement to others, shares God’s love through their actions, and radiates joy in our school community. Through a caring heart, uplifting attitude, and faithful example, this student reminds us all of the true joy found in serving others and living out the Gospel.

The CDA Court of Our Lady of La Salette #1585 of Milford presented scholarships to two graduating seniors of St. Joseph’s Church on May 3.

The FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa, which provides thousands of dollars in grants to enhance inclusion in diocesan Catholic schools, hosted an informational meeting in Storm Lake this week to share their mission. Storm Lake St. Mary staff and John, Karen and Owen Keenan spoke on behalf of the work of the foundation in Storm Lake. Central Bank sponsored the event.