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During his reflection offered Sept. 12 during a prayer service for the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Abortion, Bishop John E. Keehner asked those gathered to choose life. The service was held at the Circle of Life Memorial to the Unborn at Trinity Heights Queen of Peace Shrine in Sioux City. It was one of more than 200 services held throughout the country.

As part of the diocesan Catechetical Sunday commemorations, parishes were invited to submit names of catechists reaching milestone anniversaries for their service to parish religious education, faith formation and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd programs. Included in this article is a listing of the submissions and the parishes they serve.

(Bilingual) As we celebrate Catechetical Sunday, we recognize in a special way those who give of their precious time and resources to serve as catechists in our parishes, sharing their faith with children, youth, and adults. Al celebrar el Domingo de la Catequesis, reconocemos de manera especial a quienes dedican su valioso tiempo y recursos a servir como catequistas en nuestras parroquias, compartiendo su fe con niños, jóvenes y adultos.

Beginning Sept. 14 and continuing through November, Catholic Charities will offer expanded telehealth appointment hours, including early morning, evening and limited weekend availability. The expanded hours are part of Strong Minds, Strong Farms, a new rural mental health initiative made possible in part through a Working Here Grant from Farm Credit Services of America.

The Catholic Church in the United States will observe National Migration Week beginning Sept. 21 and culminating with the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sept. 27.

The third annual Eucharistic Rally was held at Trinity Heights Queen of Peace Shrine on Sept. 10. The event started by praying the rosary by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace statue, then exposition, speakers, music, eucharistic procession to the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

After surpassing its fundraising goal, the Our Faith. Our Future. Our Legacy. campaign for Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City has moved into the fulfillment stage. The campaign kicked off in May with a goal of $3.5 million and more than $4.4 million was pledged from 580 out of 1,768 registered households, about a 35% participation rate.

Father Richard A. Sitzmann, 91, passed away at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City on Sept 6, 2026. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Sept. 11 at Holy Cross Parish - St. Michael’s Catholic Church, in Sioux City. Burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery (Neptune) in Hinton.

Except for somewhere around 60 minutes (or more if you are a daily Mass-goer) on a Sunday, we live our lives out in time, in Chronos. But as soon as we begin to celebrate Mass, we enter into a different kind of time. And this time, called Kairos, is very different from Chronos.

It was more than two years ago when the town of Marcus added a walking/biking trail that extended along the property line of Holy Name Cemetery. Soon after, the parish cemetery committee suggested the possibility of adding a gazebo to the cemetery grounds. Father Tim Pick, pastor of Holy Name Parish in Marcus, said with the collaborative efforts of the parish cemetery committee, the finance and endowment boards and a generous donor, the idea recently came to fruition.

FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionaries have shared the Catholic faith for many years on college campuses, developing friendships and forming disciples. In recent years, FOCUS has expanded their mission to include parishes. St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll recently hired Gregory Kinser as a full-time missionary.

(Multilingual - English, Spanish and French) The Vatican released Pope Leo XIV's message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated Sept. 27, the last Sunday of the month. This year's theme, “Even just one of these children,” focuses on the vulnerability of minors who are forced to flee, trafficked or harmed along the way.

Nearly three years after the last students moved out, Toller Hall once again welcomed Briar Cliff University students. This time, the university responded to growing demand for on-campus housing driven by rising enrollment, an echo of the very need that built the hall in the first place.

(Bilingual) Message from Pope Leo XIV for the 11th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2026. “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Isaiah 2:4)

During a pastoral visit to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Sioux City by the metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Nathanael Symeonides of Chicago made a point to visit Bishop John E. Keehner. The two bishops shared conversations about their personal backgrounds, their experiences as church leaders and faith lives during a tour of the Shrine Queen of Peace at Trinity Heights in Sioux City, led by the shrine’s executive director, Terry Hegarty.

Bishop John E. Keehner and the Sioux City Cathedral Parish are hosting a Blue Mass at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, 1000 Douglas Street. The Mass includes a procession of uniformed first responders from the area.

Briar Cliff University has welcomed five new members to its Board of Trustees, bringing a broad range of experience in higher education, business, finance, and institutional leadership to the University’s governing board. The new trustees are Steve Freeman ‘69, Dr. Sandra Harper, Jennifer Letch, Timm Funk ‘77, and Craig McGarry.

Column by Judge John Sandy of Spirit Lake St. Mary Parish, sharing the story of Rosa Marmor Kramer and her fight to stay alive despite those who did not recognize the dignity and sanctity of every human life.

Although a little over 20 miles apart, teachers and staff at Humboldt St. Mary and Fort Dodge St. Edmond Catholic schools kicked off the academic year together with a day-long retreat Aug. 17. Father Jake Rosenmeyer, parochial vicar for both Holy Trinity Parish of Webster County and St. Mary Parish in Humboldt, led the retreat.