News - August 2024 RSS Feed

(bilingual) Our Catholic faith calls us to pray, work, and advocate for protections that allow all laborers to thrive— both those newly arrived in our country and those whose families have been here for generations. Nuestra fe católica nos llama a orar, trabajar y abogar a favor de protecciones que permitan que todos los trabajadores prosperen, tanto los recién llegados a nuestro país como aquellos cuyas familias han estado aquí durante generaciones.

Deacon David Penton of Divine Mercy Parish in Algona has been named coordinator of formation for the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, a newly-created position for the Diocese of Sioux City. He will begin the new position Sept. 16, housed in the Storm Lake St. Mary Parish administrative offices to be onsite with Father Brent Lingle, director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.

Many of us are familiar with parish mergers and suppressions, but we may not realize that dioceses sometimes go through similar processes, often for similar reasons. (Photo the Cathedral in Grand Island, Nebraska.)

(bilingual) As the shepherd of this diocese, it is my responsibility to instruct each of the faithful about the church’s teachings. Around election time, the faithful often request that I reprint my earlier letter on the “non-negotiables” of the Catholic faith as it pertains to politics and policies of candidates running for office at all levels of government. Como pastor de esta diócesis, es mi responsabilidad instruir a cada uno de los fieles sobre las enseñanzas de la Iglesia. Cerca de la época de elecciones, los fieles a menudo me piden que reimprima mi carta anterior sobre los "no negociables" de la fe católica en lo que respecta a la política y las políticas de los candidatos que se postulan para cargos públicos en todos los niveles de gobierno.

(bilingual) The Diocese of Sioux City is leading another Fall 40 Days for Life prayer campaign in front of the Planned Parenthood location at 4409 Stone Avenue, Sioux City. La Diócesis de Sioux City está dirigiendo una vez más la campaña de oración Otoño de Cuarenta Días por la Vida frente al local de Planned Parenthood en 4409 Stone Avenue, Sioux City

Distributions totaling $800,000 will soon be issued to several diocesan entities. “This is the largest amount ever distributed in the 22 years since the inception of the Centennial Campaign for Excellence,” noted Jill Maise, diocesan accounting manager. According to Maise, distributions from the endowed fund are made annually in the fall. Including this year’s amount, it brings the fund’s total disbursement through the years to more than $9.67 million.

It was in February of 2018 when the 6,100-square-foot Manzer Early Childhood Center opened its doors as an addition to Sacred Heart School in Spencer, offering childcare for 2- and 3-year-olds. Gracie Dammann, the center’s director, said starting on Aug. 12 they expanded their services into a couple of classrooms to include infant childcare.

(bilingual) For the second consecutive year, a semi-trailer packed with 24 pallets of food and supplies was sent the McAllen (Texas) Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley Humanitarian Respite Center to assist the center in their care of migrants. The project includes several collaborators including the Diocese of Sioux City.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City will offer a Suicide Support Group in Carroll this fall with the first of six meetings on Oct. 15.

The Fourth Annual FIRE and Flights fundraiser for the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa will be held Sept. 11 at Marto Brewing Company in Sioux City. Funds raised help the organization to distribute grants to diocesan Catholic schools assisting them in serving students with disabilities. Tickets are $75 and are available for purchase.

Superintendent Patty Lansink announced the first Bishop's Excellence in Education Award today at Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City. Math Department head/teacher Mindy Oberle is a 34 year veteran at BHHS.

He will call upon me and I will answer.” – Psalm 9:15 That is the Scripture verse upon which catechetical leaders drew inspiration for the name of the upcoming Called Youth Conference for 7-12th grade students. Co-sponsored by the Diocese of Sioux City and catechetical leaders from the Northwest Deanery, the youth conference is slated for Oct. 27 at St. Joseph Parish in Granville.

Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Sioux City was named the recipient of a $1 million Economic Development Match Grant on Aug. 22 from Missouri River Historical Development, Inc. “We are here today to give our largest single grant of the year,” said Sara Kleber, MRHD board president, who noted this grant can range from $250,000 to $1 million.

Gehlen Catholic School of Le Mars hired its first full-time mental health specialist, Katie Arkema, to serve prek-12 students and staff. Arkema obtained her bachelor’s degree in family services from the University of Northern Iowa and a masters in family and consumer sciences specializing in marriage and family therapy from Iowa State University. Chris Bork, principal of Bishop Heelan High School, said the school has had a counselor focused on mental and social health for more than 10 years.

(bilingual) Newly-acquired affiliation with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), will allow the Welcome program of Catholic Charities to enhance the services they provide to northwest Iowa immigrants of all faith backgrounds. Welcome provides quality immigration legal assistance and case management out of the Sioux City Catholic Charities office. CLINIC recently approved Welcome as an affiliate.

In the United States, a newly-ordained priest might receive a chalice as a gift from parents or family members. The custom in India is similar, according to Father Sunny Dominic, native of the Diocese of Palai in Kerla, south India. The priest is currently serving as pastor at St. Mary Parish in Larchwood and Holy Name Parish in Rock Rapids. He was ordained at St. Sebastian Church in Manjamattam, India, on April 12, 1994. His two sisters purchased a chalice for their brother for his ordination. “It’s special to me because my sisters gave it to me,” Father Dominic explained. “My sisters feel great I am using the same chalice.”

(bilingual) The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs has released the results of a recent diocesan survey it conducted on parishes and Hispanic/Latino ministry. The survey aligns with the launch of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry and serves as a baseline for implementing it as a 10-year plan.