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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(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.

Remsen St. Mary fifth grade students to lead decade of the livestreamed World Mission Rosary Jan. 28.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Advocating for unborn children is fulfilling the Lord's command to serve him in the most vulnerable, Pope Leo XIV told those taking part in the March for Life. "I would encourage you, especially the young people, to continue striving to ensure that life is respected in all of its stages through appropriate efforts at every level of society, including dialogue with civil and political leaders," he said in a written message released by the Vatican Jan. 22.

Earlier this month Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City hosted a lunch meeting to kick off a new group open to area Catholics – the Siouxland Catholic Professionals Network. According to Heather Marreel, one of the eight-person organizing committee, the new group was established via a grassroots effort as a means to bring Catholic professionals – those presently working and retired - together.

After serving in the Diocese of Sioux City as a missionary priest since 2011, Father Francis Makwinja was officially incardinated into this diocese earlier this month. In a Decree of Incardination made effective by Bishop John E. Keehner on Jan. 15, the bishop stated, “Having considered that Reverend Makwinja, will be useful for the ministry of the Diocese of Sioux City for the good of the Church and the good of the souls, I, the undersigned Ordinary, by means of this Decree, hereby incardinate the Reverend Francis S. Makwinja as a Priest of the Diocese of Sioux City, in accord with the norms of canons 265, 267, and 269 of the Code of Canon Law.”

We must continue to support pregnant and parenting mothers in need and offer spiritual and emotional help to all who have participated in abortion,” said Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, marking the 53rd anniversary of the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide.

(CNS) To love one's neighbor -- whom Jesus identifies as anyone who has need of us -- is within everyone's reach, Pope Leo XIV said in his message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, observed by the church Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Decree promulgated incardinating Father Francis S. Makwinja as a priest of the Diocese of Sioux City.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The teachings of the Second Vatican Council are still "the guiding star" the Catholic Church is meant to follow, Pope Leo XIV said. Rereading all of its teachings "is a valuable opportunity to rediscover the beauty and the importance of this ecclesial event," he said Jan. 7, and because its work remains "a guiding principle for us today."

Just a month after his ordination to the permanent diaconate in the summer of 2021, Deacon David La Mar began to serve in jail ministry of which he believes he has been called. “Nobody ever really approached me about this ministry. I recall during diaconal formation while at prayer, discerning what I believe was the prompting of the Holy Spirit: ‘You should go to the Boone County Jail and see if you can help them with jail ministry,’” said the deacon who serves at Ascension Parish in Boone County.

The Manning Sacred Heart Community Closet is available to anyone, no matter their financial situation, noted Melanie Enenbach, the director of the closet. Recently, when SNAP benefits were in limbo, Enenbach noted she “saw a huge surge of people coming in.” Other reasons for the increase include changes in seasons and changes in family circumstances.

Storm Lake St. Mary's High School announced the 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees who will be honored Jan. 23 between the homecoming games vs. Manson Northwest Webster. The 2026 inductees: Bill McCoy, Class of 1968, the 1984 Softball Team, Abby (Richardson) Jacobson, Class of 2007, and Panther of Honor, Pete Laven.