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High school senior Sam Lange of the Archdiocese of Dubuque is a member of the National Youth Advisory Council for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, where he was encouraged to lead a service project. Lange has created the Iowan Eucharistic Procession project, collaborating with dioceses and parishes to organize eucharistic processions in each diocese. Bishops will bless large puzzle pieces in the shape of each diocese's geographical area at the processions. The pieces will be united into the shape of Iowa at the Christ our Life Conference in Des Moines Sept. 26 and 27. The Diocese of Sioux City's procession will be Sept. 20 at Sts. Peter and Paul in West Bend starting with 10 a.m. Mass with Bishop John Keehner. The 0.6 mile procession around the Shrine Grotto of the Redemption will include prayer and hymns with a a meal to follow in the parish hall.

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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Since our last interview with Dr. Ryan Allen of the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa  (https://firefoundationnwiowa.org), the organization gave $80,000 in grants to diocesan Catholic schools to foster inclusion in the schools The mission of the foundation is to champion inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools by providing resources, fundraising and fostering a culture of belonging. What started as meetings of groups of parents has grown into an organization affecting Catholic schools throughout the diocese. Funds are raised in part through the annual Ignite the FIRE event. This year's will be Sept. 16 at the Sioux City Distilling Company. Support the mission and learn more 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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Heidi Probasco, diocesan director of stewardship and development shares more about the Oct. 11, 2026 Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Schools. Tickets will go on sale July 27. Find out which teachers and Catholic school employees will be honored as well as the return of the Clergy Award. Heidi shares other details such as an opportunity to pray through sung solemn vespers (optional) and a display of art from our Catholic school students. Bishop John E. Keehner will be our keynote speaker talking about the gifts of our Catholic schools. Come join us at the Oct. 11 event at the Marriott Riverfront in South Sioux City. Go to https://www.scdiocese.org/bishops-dinner to purchase and for other information. 

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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Another corporal work of mercy in the Catholic tradition is feeding the hungry and the conversation for this episode is the work of The Siouxland Soup Kitchen. Executive Director Lyn Kluender explains how the kitchen is supported by area community members, businesses and churches of various denominations. The Siouxland Soup Kitchen opened in 1987 in St. Joseph Church in Sioux City solely to feed the hungry. Today, they also serve the food insecure, families, children and low income as well as the unhoused - anyone who is hungry. Donors and volunteers in the region support the kitchen with food, cash and volunteer time. Learn how anyone can volunteer and/or contribute at www.siouxlandsoupkitchen.com 

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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Our first episode of season 3!

Father Patrick Behm, pastor of St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll, explains all things adoration for us. He explains what adoration is, how to participate in adoration and why Catholics should consider including adoration in their faith lives. Father Behm also talks about the adoration chapel at his parish.

Check with your own parish for adoration opportunities.

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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Wrapping up Season Two with Shayla Moore, executive director of The Warming Shelter in Sioux City. As it is a Corporal Work of Mercy to provide shelter to those experiencing homelessness, in this episode, we learn more about the origins of the shelter, involvement of area faith communities, the support network to help clients long-term and who uses the services at the shelter. Also, learn how you can help the cause at the shelter providing a safe place to stay 12 months out of the year. Also, learn more here: www.thewarmingshelter.com. 

Contact Shayla 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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Looking for a regional site for a meaningful road trip? The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, Wisconsin is about 7 to 8 hours away from diocesan parishioners, and many have visited. John Paul Brissette of the shrine shares the story of Servant of God Adele Brice and the message she received from Our Lady of Champion. He invites all to the July 1 to 9 Catholic Saints of America event to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. There will be a special exhibit with displays and presentations representing 76 shrine and guilds for U.S. saints, blesseds, venerables and servants of God "hall of fame of holiness." Relics will be available for veneration and speeches offered. July 5 is the anniversary of Brice's death and a special Mass and grave blessing will be held. The KCs will offer a picnic and activities will be available for families. Learn more at www.championshrine.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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Diocese of Peoria Bishop Louis Tylka invites all to make a pilgrimage to St. Louis Sept. 24 to celebrate the beatification of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen. The archbishop is a native of Peoria and was a pioneer in using the new media to evangelize and share the Gospel message. Bishop Tylka talks about the archbishop and invites the faithful to plan a pilgrimage to the beatification and include a stop in Peoria. For more information on Archbishop Sheen, the beatification and pilgrimage, go to www.celebratesheen.com. The diocese is creating The Sheen Experience museum and recently started renovating his former high school for the project. In the meantime, there is a museum available at the Diocese of Peoria pastoral center and visit Archbishop Sheen's burial site at the Cathedral. Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, pray for us!

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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Kelley Grothus, director of religious education (DRE) of Ascension Parish - St. Malachy Church in Madrid is passionate about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She shares her history of working with the program, how it works and how it meets the needs of children as they grow in their knowledge of the faith. Also, there are three levels of training available starting this summer for faith formation leaders. 

More information on the training (scholarships may be available): www.scdiocese.org/cgs

www.cgsusa.org

Resources mentioned by Grothus:

The Child in the Church, Maria Montessori

The Religious Potential of the Child, Sofia Cavalletti

The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old, Sofia Cavalletti

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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Bishop John E. Keehner promulgated his first pastoral letter on May 31 - solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The letter, Sic Deus Dilexit Mundum, God So Loved the World - A pastoral reflection on the meaning of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for our world today. He wrote it in anticipation of the June 11, 2026 U.S. Bishops' consecration of our nation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

He shares why he wanted to write the reflection and what he hopes the faithful take from the letter. Bishop also shares why he selected the image that accompanies his letter. Read the letter and prayers Bishop included in English or Spanish at www.scdiocese.org/letter. 

Novena to the Sacred Heart in English: https://www.usccb.org/novena-sacred-heart-jesus

Novena to the Sacred Heart in Spanish: https://www.usccb.org/es/novena-al-sagrado-corazon-de-jesus

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.