Send us Fan Mail

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

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.

Send us Fan Mail

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.

Send us Fan Mail

We had a conversation with Jim Murray, our new interim superintendent from Humboldt, and Dr. Dora Jung, our new Director of Catholic Schools from Sioux City, who will be leading our Catholic Schools Office. They both will hit the ground running July 1 as they begin their new positions with the Diocese of Sioux City and become acquainted with communities, schools, administrators and students. In this episode, you will "meet" Jim and Dora and catch the excitement they have for our unique 14 Catholic school systems in the diocese.

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Father Dan Greving, native of Willey and pastor of St. Donatus Parish (Alton, Granville and Hospers churches), helps us to understand Mary's role in the church, her intercessory role, basis in Scripture, Marian feast days and devotions for the Month of May. He clears up misconceptions such as worshipping Mary, adoration vs. veneration and praying to Mary versus requesting her intercession.

For more in Marian theology, Father recommends The Heart of Mary: Marian Theology and Doctrine and Introduction to Mary by Dr. Mark Miravalle.

Another resource - Hail, Holy Queen by Scott Hahn.

Not sure how to pray the rosary, our "go-to devotion" to Mary? Here's a guide: https://www.usccb.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary

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.

Send us Fan Mail

We interviewed Jerrett and Luisa Wendt of Built on Rock Parent Coaching. They share the journey that led them to Built on Rock, a Catholic parenting program. Despite many parenting courses, they found themselves at "rock bottom" and found a faith based approach. They will be presenting to parish formation leaders at a workshop in June and offering an evening session in Spanish. Learn more about the resources they offer at www.builtonrock.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.

Send us Fan Mail

Podcast co-hosts Dawn Prosser and Karmen Bower interview Father David Esquiliano, judicial vicar for the Diocese of Sioux City, about the Freemasons and Catholic teaching about the fraternal organization.

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Father Travis Crotty, director of vocations, shares the activities planned for the upcoming months including the June 1-4 Quest pilgrimage to Pilsen, Kansas, hometown of Father Emil Kapaun, servant of God, and Oklahoma City to visit the shrine of Blessed Stanley Rother. Also, there is a July 31 to Aug. 2 Quo Vadis retreat in the Iowa Great Lakes region. Learn more or register here. He explains the highlights of each opportunity. Both trips are designed for men high school (finished at least their freshman year) through college age. Visit www.siouxcitypriest.org for the Vocations Office website.

Ordinations open to the public, held at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Epiphany:

June 6 – transitional diaconate ordination of James Fitzsimmons and Garrett Hugeback

June 27 – priestly ordination of Deacon Thomas Kollasch (livestreamed on the diocese YouTube channel)

August 1 – permanent diaconate ordination of Kevin Holzman, Jeff Schoep, Will Swanson and Jeff Zyzda (livestreamed on the diocese YouTube channel)

Pray for vocations!

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Our embedded Catholic Mutual Group claims and risk manager, Dustin Heino, discusses the work of Catholic Mutual, including providing support and resources for parishes enhancing their safety and security measures. As there have been acts of violence, medical emergencies, natural disasters and other situations at houses of worship around the country, parishes need to be prepared for the worst and pray for the best. Dustin has provided numerous resources for parishes and has helped parishes form their own safety and security teams and develop safety plans in the Diocese of Sioux City. He points out it is our moral, ethical and legal obligation to be prepared - is your parish prepared? Resources available at www.cmgconnect.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.