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When people think of summer programs in the church, they often imagine Vacation Bible School, retreats, or mission trips. This year Sioux City Mater Dei Parish added a new summer camp designed specifically for students who missed the usual confirmation preparation timeline.

Wesley native and San Antonio Oblate School of Theology President Father Louis Studer, OMI, celebrates the 50th anniversary of his ordination on June 19.

Pulse Life Advocates and other pro-life organizations across the state will sponsor the fourth annual Iowa March for Life at the Iowa Capitol on Saturday June 20, 2026.

SPIRIT LAKE – With so many area families using local food pantries, the Iowa Great Lakes Knights of Columbus Council 5043 presented a check May 4 to Matt Carstensen, Mayor of Lake Park and owner of Carstensen’s Meat and Grocery, for his untiring work with Lake Park Dinner date.

Verna Welte was honored as Catholic Daughter of the Year by Court Ave Maria, Sioux City.

When parishioners and families attended the Memorial Mass on May 25 held at Calvary Cemetery in Milford, they had the opportunity to view updates that have been made over the last year and participate in a rededication ceremony. Father Zach Jones, a native son of the parish, celebrated the Mass with Father David Hemann, current pastor, and Father Travis Crotty concelebrating. Chris Jones, a parishioner at St. Joseph Parish in Milford, headed up the project with the help of his siblings and Lynn Moritz, the cemetery sexton.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion – the first and only approved Marian apparition site in the U.S. – is hosting the Catholic Saints of America exhibit July 1-9, 2026, to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary. This first-of-its-kind Carlo Acutis-inspired exhibit will honor the holy men and women of America, Saints, Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God, who have shaped the nation’s faith and offer inspiring models of Christian virtue.

Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City welcomed eight new members during the Pentecost Mass on May 24 as they received the sacraments of confirmation and first Communion. In total, 31 catechumens and candidates were welcomed into the church at Mater Dei during the Easter Vigil, Divine Mercy Sunday and Pentecost. To celebrate the new members of the church, the parish held a Pentecost Party and around 170 people attended.

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.

(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.

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.

Seven area women were inducted into the Confraternity of Christian Mothers at Sioux City Mater Dei Parish - Immaculate conception Church May 19 at a morning Mass with Father Peter Nguyen presiding.

SPIRIT LAKE – The Knights of Columbus Iowa Great Lakes Council 5043 oversaw the exemplification for two new members. The ceremony was held May 9 after Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. Inducted by District Deputy Jim Miller, with State Chaplain Father Dan Guenther presiding, the new members included Robert Egan and Jim Barnett. Egan is a member of the Spirit Lake Knights of Columbus, and Barnett is in the Spencer Council.

The Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Daughters of America Court 216 in Fort Dodge recently awarded scholarships to St. Edmond High School graduating seniors.

Members of St. Mary Parish in Humboldt were among participants of the Walk to Mary Pilgrimage in Wisconsin. The pilgrimage started at the National Shrine of St. Joseph and the pilgrims walked 22 miles to Mary at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, Wisconsin.

St. Andrew Catholic Daughters presented certificates and ice cream coupons to all of the students who completed the learning of required prayers during religious education classes in Sibley. Four members of the CDA Court assist the children in learning their prayers during their classes. Pictured are Jeni Sarringar, DRE and Father Siby Punnoose, CDA Chaplain, and the students.

St. Andrew Catholic Daughters of Sibley presented certificates to the winners of the Catholic Daughters of the America's Poetry and Poster State Contest following Mass on May 3. Pictured are Chaplain Father Siby Punnoose; Bonnie Gregg, Regent; Maddison Thole, 3rd Place at state; Amy Thole, First Place Winner in three categories at State and Yvonne O'Leary, Education Chairperson. Thole's three first place entries will go on to be judged at National CDA.

Actor Jim Caviezel who portrayed Christ in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ will provide the keynote for the Nov. 21 Pulse Live Advocates 16th annual fundraising dinner at the Iowa Event Center in Des Moines.

Richard, "Dick" Seivert, longtime teacher and coach at Le Mars Gehlen Catholic High School and leader of the Then Feed Just One program to feed the poorest of the world, died April 27. He was responsible for helping numerous diocesan parishes and schools conduct food packaging events and shipping the food to Honduras and other places experiencing poverty. He also helped the diocese send food and supplies to the border.

To celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion – the first and only approved Marian apparition site in the U.S. – is hosting the Catholic Saints of America exhibit July 1-9, 2026. This first-of-its-kind Carlo Acutis-inspired exhibit will honor the holy men and women of America Saints, Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God who have shaped our faith and serve as powerful examples of Christian virtue.