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After 70 years of providing a Catholic education for families in the Sheldon, Ashton and Sibley areas, the Sheldon St. Patrick Catholic School Board of Education and leadership made the difficult decision to permanently close the school at the end of the current academic year, Due to low and declining enrollment and other factors, it was determined that it was not feasible to continue to operate.

Last week, Iowa ACE (Alliance for Choice in Education) marked 20 years of school choice with hundreds attending an Education Celebration rally in the capitol building and a fundraising dinner in the evening for about 110 supporters. The contemporary school choice movement kicked off in 2006 when the Education Opportunity Act passed the Iowa legislature and was signed by then Gov. Tom Vilsack. The act provided for a state tax credit to be offered for contributions to school tuition organizations (STOs).

(Bilingual) The Diocese of Sioux City recently announced that as of March 9, Catholic Charities will serve as the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the diocese. La Diócesis de Sioux City anunció recientemente que, a partir del 9 de marzo, Caridades Católicas actuará como Coordinador de Asistencia a las Víctimas para la diócesis.

The search is on for a new superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City to lead the 14 Catholic school systems serving nearly 6,300 students. According to Juli Singer, diocesan director of human resources, Bishop John E. Keehner appointed a Search Committee to assist with this process and also enlisted the help of a recruiter, Grundmeyer Leadership Services (GLS).

(Bilingual) In a few days, we will celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, one of the patron saints of the Diocese of Sioux City. We celebrate his Feast as a solemnity, which means that the rigors of Lent are suspended so that we can celebrate this great saint with joy. En unos días celebraremos la fiesta de San José, uno de los santos patronos de la Diócesis de Sioux City. Celebramos su fiesta como solemnidad, lo que significa que se suspenden las exigencias de la Cuaresma para que podamos celebrar con alegría a este gran santo.

Grace Notes column by Sister Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT The greatest anxiety of our age often hides beneath more obvious fears about money, health, politics or family. Many people can name what keeps them awake at night—but underneath, there is a quieter, deeper question: Does my life actually matter, and what is all this for?

Bishop Emeritus Walker Nickless will be the guest speaker for the April 12 Divine Mercy Sunday event held at St. Michael Church in Sioux City. There will also be a novena each night at the shrine of Queen of Peace Trinity Heights, leading up to April 12.

In a society that often strives to numb itself against the reality of death, one diocesan priest said the Catholic Church has always made preparing for death a focal point. “The church doesn’t hide the fact that we’re all mortal and we’re all going to die, so there’s a real spirituality about preparing for our death,” said Father Zach Jones, parochial vicar at Divine Mercy Parish and chaplain at Bishop Garrigan Schools of Algona. “Even when you’re young and healthy, it’s good to keep these things in mind so we can live well and therefore die well.”

Students in grades 7-12 had the chance to reflect on “But who do you say I am?” – exploring not only who Jesus is but who they are in the eyes of God - during the Turn Conference held Feb. 28 in Jefferson.

The Iowa Catholic Conference (ICC), the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops of Iowa, has been following several pieces of legislation during this session at the Iowa statehouse. These items and their progress through the legislative system are shared by the ICC in weekly updates during the session: WIC restrictions, preschool access to state program, mid-year ESA signups, affirmative action affecting non-citizen professionals, black market abortion pill restrictions.

Lumen Media Report – The Diocese of Sioux City announced recipients of the 2026 Bishop’s Scholarships to attend Briar Cliff University this fall. The 2026 Bishop’s Scholars include: Emily Grell of Danbury, Corvin Griffin of Holstein and Sindy Rios of Sioux City. The scholarship is available to all high school seniors in the diocese. The scholars are eligible to renew their scholarships annually by maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA to receive a total of $30,000 over four years. The students receive $7,500 per year.

Three of the Society of Our Lady of the Trinity (SOLT) community from Willey participated in a new type of foreign mission with young families in tow. Sister Anne Marie Walsh, Sister Marie Hesed Champagne and Sister Jean Marie Walker spent nine days in Belize on mission with three young families through the SOLT Family Mission Experience.

Anthony Vera of Le Mars and seminarian studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome received the Ministry of Acolyte March 1 as the next step in his priestly formation.

Dr. John Flanery of Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools in Sioux City will be recognized with a Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award from the National Catholic Educational Association at the April 6 Convention and Expo in Minneapolis.

The diocesan Catholic Schools Office is accepting nominations for the annual Catholic school leadership awards. Winners will be honored at the Oct. 11 Bishop’s Dinner for Catholic Schools, which is returning to the diocese after a short hiatus.

The Light is ON for You confessions will be held March 3 in parishes throughout the Diocese of Sioux City. Father Andrew Galles explained that this special block of confession time is intended primarily for those who needed to be invited back to the sacrament.

A large crowd of Catholic Charities supporters, staff, board members, clergy and community members gathered in Sioux City Feb. 23 for the grand opening, blessing and Siouxland Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for the new 7,200 square foot Angeline’s Wing for Children and Families.

A unique bottle of bourbon will shine a light on a local parish and raise funds for a diocesan Catholic school. S & B Farms Distillery in Bancroft is donating a bottle of White Collar “wheated” bourbon to their Catholic school with a label sporting an image Father Zach Jones, parochial vicar, and Deacon David Penton of Divine Mercy Parish.

Gathered for the Rite of Election held Feb. 22, 65 catechumens – unbaptized seeking to become members of the Catholic Church – were reminded that while they chose to take the necessary steps to join the faith, it was God who first chose them. Bishop John E. Keehner was celebrant and homilist for the rite celebrated for catechumens from parishes throughout the diocese. “Today you have come to this Cathedral, the mother church of the Diocese of Sioux City, guided, I dare say, by the Holy Spirit, in order to proclaim your desire to enter into the mystery of the life, the death and resurrection of Jesus through the waters of baptism,” he said.

St. Joseph Parish in Salix is gearing up for the 100th anniversary celebration of its church building that will include Mass celebrated by Bishop John E. Keehner on April 26 at 11 a.m. According to Father Shinoj Jose, pastor, when he arrived at the parish on his first day in the summer of 2024 he noticed the cornerstone of the church was dated 1926. “At my first meeting with the finance council, I said we are going to have a wonderful gathering in 2026 to celebrate the 100 years,” he said, noting that St. Joseph Parish has the oldest church he has ever served.