Illuminating Catholics

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Patty Lansink, our diocesan superintendent of schools, talks about the 15 different Catholic school systems in the diocese and how each has a unique character to serve students of all faiths, cultures and abilities. System-wide, enrollment has collectively risen 5% over last year. Lansink also shares how the MLTF program and ESAs help make Catholic education more affordable for parents. To celebrate the value that Catholic schools bring to our communities, Lansink and Bishop Walker Nickless will be traveling to four different diocesan school sites during Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27 through 31. Students will have the opportunity to interact with the bishop. The superintendent also shares different ways the faithful can support their local Catholic school.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Follow us for more episodes on topics of the Catholic faith. We are funded in part by Together As One - our diocesan annual appeal. For more news from the Diocese of Sioux City, visit lumenmedia.org.

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Sister Anne Marie Walsh of the Society of Our Lady of the Trinity authors a column for Lumen Media and is a speaker and retreat leader. She lives near Willey (Carroll County) at the Domus Trinitatis Center for renewals and retreats. 

Sister Anne Marie shares her history growing up in a Catholic community outside Milwaukee. She first discerning a vocation in a time when the religious sisters she looked up to were leaving their veils and habits behind - or leaving the convent altogether. She shares her diverse array of retreat and conference topics and the history and mission of Domus Trinitatis.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Follow us for more episodes on topics of the Catholic faith. We are funded in part by Together As One - our diocesan annual appeal. For more news from the Diocese of Sioux City, visit lumenmedia.org.

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Hosts of the popular Outcast Catholic podcast are also our diocesan Office of Vocations leaders. Father Shane Deman is director of seminarians for our diocese and also vice-rector at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary and Father Travis Crotty is director of vocations as well as chaplain for Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School and Briar Cliff University. They share their vocations stories and answer our "mythbusters" questions about religious vocations.

To contact the Office of Vocations and Seminarians, email: [email protected] or call (712) 233-7523.

Interested in Father Crotty's music video when he was in seminary (mentioned by Karmen in the episode)? click here

Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Follow us for more episodes on topics of the Catholic faith. We are funded in part by Together As One - our diocesan annual appeal. For more news from the Diocese of Sioux City, visit lumenmedia.org.

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Happy New Year's Eve! Sister Jane Conrad and Sister Joy Peterson of the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary out of Dubuque share the rich history of ministry of the community with roots in Cork, Ireland, as they celebrate 150 years of "tending the light." Learn why the lantern is an important symbol of the sisters, the start of their ministry in the Diocese of Sioux City and the expanded ministry of the Presentation Sisters today.

Those who want to honor the ministry of the Presentation Sisters in their parish or school can consider participating in the 150 Trees for 150 Years here: https://dbqpbvms.org/150-trees-150-years

The community's website is: https://dbqpbvms.org/

Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Follow us for more episodes on topics of the Catholic faith. We are funded in part by Together As One - our diocesan annual appeal. For more news from the Diocese of Sioux City, visit lumenmedia.org.

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Deacon Jake Rosenmeyer, seminarian for the Diocese of Sioux City studying at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, discusses his thesis regarding care for the earth. He shares highlights from A Theology of Agriculture and its Relationship with Laudato Si, including Scripture basis from Genesis, the dignity of work and feeding the world and man's role as steward of the land. Living in a rural diocese and the son of fourth generation farmers in Kossuth County, Deacon Rosenmeyer has a deep understanding of agriculture and our call to care for creation.

You can read Pope Francis' entire encyclical here.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Follow us for more episodes on topics of the Catholic faith. We are funded in part by Together As One - our diocesan annual appeal. For more news from the Diocese of Sioux City, visit lumenmedia.org.

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Dr. Matthew Draud, the new president of Briar Cliff University, shared his extensive background in higher education and the path that led him to the top leadership role at Briar Cliff. He shares his impressions of Briar Cliff with its Franciscan values and Franciscan roots, academic and campus highlights that attract students to the only Catholic university in the diocese. The president shared the university had a soft launch of their Foundations for the Future campaign to raise funds for scholarships so that more students can have access to a BCU education. Karmen and Dr. Draud share their favorite professional football teams - and they aren't the same team. Find out who they are! Charger fans and graduates of Briar Cliff will want to tune in and learn more about the new BCU leader. Learn more about Briar Cliff at www.briarcliff.edu. 

Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Follow us for more episodes on topics of the Catholic faith. We are funded in part by Together As One - our diocesan annual appeal. For more news from the Diocese of Sioux City, visit lumenmedia.org.

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Msgr. Ed Girres, rector of the West Bend Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption helps us to understand the rich history of the shrine and how to encounter Christ in a pilgrimage to the shrine. You will learn which grotto is Monsignor's favorite and what is significant about the center of the campus of the shrine. Monsignor shared that the grotto (and Trinity Heights) will be featured on EWTN's Hidden Gems in 2025.

2025 Grotto fundraising calendars available via Venmo @grottocustodian (Bruce Helleseth) Recommended donation is $20 + $5 for shipping. Or write to: Grotto Custodian 309 4th Street; West Bend, IA  50597.

Follow the grotto on Facebook - here  and follow Grotto Custodian here.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Follow us for more episodes on topics of the Catholic faith. We are funded in part by Together As One - our diocesan annual appeal. For more news from the Diocese of Sioux City, visit lumenmedia.org.

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Diocesan judicial vicar and pastor of the Cathedral Parish in Sioux City Father David Esquiliano discusses marriage from a canon law (church law) perspective. He explains how marriages between a man and a woman are a covenant founded in Scripture and how a couple preparing for marriage with a priest is preparing for a life together, not just the sacramental ceremony itself. We also discuss the decrease in the number of sacramental marriages over several decades and where a Catholic marriage sacrament should take place. 

Have a topic you want to have illuminated by our guests? Email us at [email protected].

Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Follow us for more episodes on topics of the Catholic faith. We are funded in part by Together As One - our diocesan annual appeal. For more news from the Diocese of Sioux City, visit lumenmedia.org.

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What was known as RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is now OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). But what does this mean for those looking to join the church or for the faithful in the pews? (Hint: the faithful in the pews are an important component of OCIA.)

Diocese of Sioux City Director of Worship Father Andrew Galles and Director of Faith Formation Karmen Bower (also our co-host) explain what OCIA will mean for the diocese, as well as upcoming opportunities to learn more.

You can also watch the OCIA webinar here.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Follow us for more episodes on topics of the Catholic faith. We are funded in part by Together As One - our diocesan annual appeal. For more news from the Diocese of Sioux City, visit lumenmedia.org.

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Executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City, Amy Bloch, discusses the state of youth mental health in the nation and in northwest Iowa. As children are experiencing depression and even contemplating suicide, parents, schools and therapists can ensure they receive help. Bloch shares the warning signs, how to get help and discusses the new Angeline's Wing at Catholic Charities to better serve youth and families.

Have a mental health concern? You can reach out to Bloch here: https://www.cathchar.com/contact

Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Follow us for more episodes on topics of the Catholic faith. We are funded in part by Together As One - our diocesan annual appeal. For more news from the Diocese of Sioux City, visit lumenmedia.org.