News - May 2025 RSS Feed

CDA Court Our Lady of LaSalette #1585 of Milford hosted a Salad Luncheon on May 3. The theme was “All Fun and Games.” Elegance by Sarah Ruhs of Okoboji provided the style show. Profits from the salad luncheon and raffle items are used to fund court projects.

Two native sons from the Diocese of Sioux City were recently ordained. Father Lee Noel was ordained a priest May 28 for the Diocese of Cheyenne (Wyoming). He is pictured with Deacon Alex Solsma, recently ordained a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Arlington (Virginia).

Pope Leo XIVs address to the Pontifical Mission Societies in Rome last week. In their work of coordinating missionary formation and animating a missionary spirit on the local level, I would ask the National Directors to give priority to visiting dioceses, parishes and communities, and in this way to help the faithful to recognize the fundamental importance of the missions and supporting our brothers and sisters in those areas of our world where the Church is young and growing.

Staff of the diocesan Faith Formation Office will be traveling to the four diocesan Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage sites starting next week – and they are inviting parish faith leaders to join them on the journey.

Last week’s abrupt termination of Catholic Relief Services' (CRS) McGovern-Dole Food for Education school feeding programs will deprive school-age children of their only reliable meal each day. Beginning in July, more than 780,000 children across 11 countries will be left without their school meal, as 11 out of CRS’ 13 projects have been terminated—deepening the crises of hunger, malnutrition and poverty that already threaten their ability to learn, grow and thrive.

Despite a few bouts of rainy weather, construction of the new addition at Catholic Charities in Sioux City – Angline’s Wing – is not only on track but slightly ahead of schedule at this time. According to Amy Bloch, executive director, Catholic Charities broke ground in October but plans have been in the works for a few years. “Angeline’s Wing is an addition to our building that will be focused on providing mental health and substance use disorder services for children and families as well as psychiatric services for both children and adults,” explained Bloch.

UnityPoint Health and MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center have signed a letter of intent (LOI) for UnityPoint Health to acquire MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center and its facilities, including the hospital, physician practices and home care services. The decision reflects a thoughtful commitment on the part of these respected local medical communities to enhance access to high quality healthcare for residents of Sioux City and surrounding communities.

Marge Flannery of Fort Dodge and parishioner at Holy Trinity Parish, was recently honored for caring for children in the foster system for a half century. She shares her story with Lumen Media.

People sometimes complain that God doesn’t speak to them, or if he does, they don’t recognize his voice. We all know stories of people who suddenly hear God speak to them in the midst of extraordinary or dramatic events.

All are invited to the Saturday, June 21 Iowa March for Life in Des Moines at the state capitol at 1007 East Grand Avenue.

(bilingual) Bishop John Keehner's letter of support for the Pentecost weekend Aid to Domestic Churches special collection.

Cell phones are disappearing from diocesan classrooms. In January 2025, the Diocese of Sioux City School Board approved a ban on cell phones, smart watches and other communications devices during school day. Last month, when Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the HF 782 to limit cell phones in public schools, it was widely covered by media. The diocesan school board started discussions last fall about changing the current cell phone use policy. Patty Lansink, superintendent of Catholic schools, said she originally drafted a lengthy policy, but eventually the board adopted a more concise version.

LUMEN MEDIA Report – The Catholic Schools Office for the Diocese of Sioux City has announced winners of this year’s Bishop’s Education Awards. They will receive their awards at the fall Ministries Conference. Four teachers received Excellence in Education Awards and two staff members received Good Shepherd Awards.

The Virtual Franciscan Friends program began five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque were looking for a way to stay connected and continue to spread teaching about Franciscan values. According to Julie Tebbe, inviting and discerning minister with the Dubuque Franciscans, the program started in the 2020-21 school year and it “was such a positive experience for both the students and the sisters that we thought we’d continue to offer it each year.”

Progress continues on the construction of the new chapel at Trinity Heights Queen of Peace Shrine in Sioux City as the future sacred space takes shape. According to Terry Hegarty, executive director of the diocesan shrine, the 145-seat chapel is modeled after a northern-England/northern-Ireland chapel with the heavy emphasis on the old-world stonework and design.