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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV advanced the sainthood cause of Father Edward Flanagan, the Irish-born founder of a pioneering home for at-risk boys in the United States, recognizing that he lived the Christian virtues heroically.

About 150 men attended the March 21 diocesan Men’s Conference, co-hosted by All Saints Parish Men’s Group in Le Mars. Keynote speaker Dr. Ray Guarendi, psychologist, national speaker and host of “The Doctor is In” EWTN radio program. Standing Strong as a Man, Parent and Grandparent was the conference theme.

UPDATED Several parishes in the Diocese of Sioux City are holding Divine Mercy Sunday services on April 12. Many of the services include reflections, adoration, confession and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

The FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa recently announced that six Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City were awarded major grants to strengthen inclusive education and expand support for students with diverse learning needs. According to Dr. Ryan Allen, president of the foundation, a combined total of $80,000 was awarded. “It’s just a testament to how much energy, effort, heart and soul has gone into this effort – not for the five or so years that FIRE has been in existence but for the years leading up to that,” he said. “I’m so grateful, so humbled by what we’ve been able to accomplish together with an all-volunteer base.”

(Bilingual) Bishop John Keehner provides an update on an upcoming surgery and how that would affect his duties and upcoming confirmations. El Obispo John Keehner ofrece información acerca de una cirugía que se llevará a cabo próximamente y de cómo afectará sus funciones y las próximas confirmaciones.

As the Mass of Reparation and Healing opened at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City on March 23, Bishop John E. Keehner set aside his miter and crosier – symbols of the episcopal office – as a sign of penance. The entrance antiphon, “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned,” set a tone for the liturgy and that same psalm, Psalm 51, was used for the responsorial. Serving nearly 11 months as bishop, this was Bishop Keehner’s first time to preside at the Mass of Reparation in the diocese. He was joined by 12 priest concelebrants – a mix of active and retired priests some of whom traveled two hours to be at the Mass.

Most parishes in the Diocese of Sioux City are experiencing steady numbers or at least a modest increase in the number of those joining the church. Overall, there's an increase of non-infant baptisms and several parishes are seeing growth in youth wanting to receive their sacraments outside of the traditional timeline. Parish leaders share insight into their individual situations in this article.

In gratitude for their dedicated service over the years and in an effort to provide for the needs of priests no longer in active ministry, the Diocese of Sioux City established the Retired and Infirm Priest Collection (RIPC) at the Easter weekend Masses throughout the parishes.

Sacred Heart School in Spencer recently learned that it received a grant to support hands-on nutrition education that will allow students to learn about gardening and healthy food choices from seed to table. “To be one of seven schools chosen in the state of Iowa, it’s a pretty big deal for us,” said Tyler Horkey, principal at Sacred Heart. The grant will not only support the school’s effort to connect students with local food systems through hands-on learning but will enable the school to develop outdoor garden spaces, expand nutrition education and increase access to fresh produce.

Several parishes in the Diocese of Sioux City host adult faith formation gatherings that feature a speaker in a casual environment. While some have hosted traditional Theology on Tap events held at bars or restaurants for young adults, many parishes have initiated their own programs that have similar vibe but are often designed for a broader age range. Thirsty Souls, Curious Catholics and The Catholic Sun are some of the offerings. Working in collaboration with Sacred Heart Parish in Spencer, The Great Hall of Royal hosts Ponderings at the Pub.

T.J. Schneider, member of Ascension Parish is hosting the fourth annual Extreme Way of the Cross for men this Lent. The rugged 6-mile hike starts in Madrid at 8:30 p.m. on March 27, just prior to the Palm Sunday weekend. It will conclude with Mass at St. Malachy Church at midnight. All priests, men and any sons capable of making the hike are encouraged to participate.

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.