Illuminating Catholics

Send us Fan Mail National Catholic speaker Braden Johnson will serve as keynote for the Nov. 2 Called Youth Conference in Granville. He shares his faith journey from attending parties and working in the entertainment industry to an invitation to spend time in adoration, which changed his life to focus upon his relationship with the Lord. Find out more about why he is driven to "awaken hearts...

Send us Fan Mail The Diocese of Sioux City is offering four Cycle Prep sessions for mothers and their young daughters starting Oct. 22. Andrea Ault, Bishop Garrigan High School alumna, will serve as facilitator for the Cycle Prep sessions. She shares how she learned about the Cycle Prep program and how it aligns with church teaching about the human body and God's design for our bodies.  For m...

Send us Fan Mail Maybe you've heard of Rachel's Vineyard or read about an upcoming retreat in your parish bulletin, but do you really know what it's about? Stormy Poss of Rachel's Vineyard is our guest, helping us to understand what the retreats entail and how they can help heal those hurt by a past abortion. Whether it's been a few years or decades, taking the time to ste...

Send us Fan Mail Longtime priest for the Diocese of Sioux City, Fort Dodge native and St. Edmond graduate, Father Bill Schreiber of parishes in Jefferson, Churdan and Grand Junction joins us as we are celebrating Catechetical Sunday this week.  Father Schreiber shares his experiences in adult faith formation throughout his ministry, including the "pre-RCIA" years and how it has evolved t...

Send us Fan Mail Following up from an episode last March, producer Savannah Crossfield of Lucidity Pictures discusses an upcoming 6-part docuseries, Cradled in Glass - the cold, hard truth about IVF. The producer walks us through her curiosity about the hundreds of thousands of abandoned frozen embryos in the United States and how that sparked the desire to produce a docuseries that explores some...

Send us Fan Mail The Msgr. Lafferty Tuition Foundation has been around for many years, providing scholarships for Catholic school parents and Iowa tax benefits for supporters. But do we still need MLTF with ESAs helping so many families? The answer is yes and Danbury Catholic School Principal Molly Petersen helps us to understand what this program really is and how it's crucial to help famili...

Send us Fan Mail Elizabeth M. Kelly, award-winning speaker and author is the keynote speaker for the Nov. 15 diocesan Women's Gathering in Fort Dodge, Love Like a Saint, based up on her book of the same name. She contributes content to numerous publications, Relevant Radio, EWTN and others.  She shares how the book came to be, how to read and pray with it and what Women's Gathering parti...

Send us Fan Mail Father Michael Cronin, pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Denison, recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of his priestly ordination by participating in a Camino this summer. He shares the history behind this spiritual and physical journey, why pilgrims are called to walk the Camino and how he prepared for the walk. Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics –...

Send us Fan Mail *Note to parents - some of the content discussed regarding human trafficking and sex trafficking may not be suitable for younger listeners.  Sister Shirley Fineran, OSF, longtime social work professor is a regular speaker on human trafficking in our nation and even in northwest Iowa. She shares what human trafficking is, how men and women and children become trafficked and the men...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Ryan Allen of the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa and diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools Patty Lansink share what the foundation does to facilitate inclusion in the 15 Catholic school systems in the diocese. Through grants and professional development opportunities, the foundation is supporting all diocesan schools. Students with disabilities can attend the same sch...

Send us Fan Mail Revathi Vongsiprasom, immigration attorney, and Norma Garza-Ramirez, case manager, of the Welcome program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City serve many of the immigrants and refugees in northwest Iowa. They shared the challenges and struggles of their clients and ways they can assist. With the increased immigration enforcement in recent months, there is growing fea...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Illuminating Catholics, Matt Willkom of Iowa Catholic Radio shares where the station has recently expanded within the Diocese of Sioux City. Learn about Iowa Catholic Radio's local programming and some areas where they look to expand in the future. Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern ch...

Send us Fan Mail For our 40th episode - Co-host Karmen Bower shares some of the efforts from her office during this busy summer (no rest for faith formation staff) including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training in Le Mars. The Office of Worship and the Office of Faith Formation offered a number of informational options regarding OCIA including a webinar, podcast episodes and regional meetings...

Send us Fan Mail Our Faith Formation Office intern, alumna of Benedictine College and Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School, Grace Mahaney was called to participate in mission/service trips while in college. Now that she's earned her degree, she's going to embark upon a year of mission with Christ in the City, working with the homeless. Grace will live in community and get to know those e...

Send us Fan Mail Pope Francis said artificial intelligence (AI) is an 'exciting and fearsome tool.' Our diocesan director of educational services, Kelly Kohout of the Catholic Schools Office dives into AI in the Catholic school setting. Learn if your students - and their teachers - are already using AI. How can AI enhance the educational experience in our Catholic schools? How will YOU u...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to our second season as we begin the new fiscal year! The new executive director of Siouxland Catholic Radio, Tim Swedean introduces himself and shares his vision for the Sioux City-based Catholic radio station. He was joined on the show by Tony Michaels, director of marketing and outreach, who is relatively new to the station. Learn how both men came from the secular busi...

Send us Fan Mail We connected with Briar Cliff University alumna Beth Knobbe, senior trainer of presentations and facilitation for Catholic Relief Services in Chicago. Beth shares her appreciation for the Franciscan values she experienced at Briar Cliff. Her work with CRS includes talking to Catholic audiences about how our neighbors are across the street and across the globe as we are all God&apo...

Send us Fan Mail Deacon David Penton, coordinator of the Formation Office for the Permanent Diaconate, shares insights about his own journey to the diaconate, the formation process, what diaconate ministry looks like and more. Learn more at:  PERMANENT DIACONATE :: Diocese of Sioux City :: Sioux City, IA . Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to unders...

Send us Fan Mail Karmen Bower, director of the Office of Faith Formation, and her staff of three faith formation coordinators - Danielle Fennessy, Maddie McClarty and Delores Huemiller - share insights about their work in the Diocese of Sioux City. Learn how this office can help parishes in the diocese and about some of the upcoming programming. Thank you for listening to this episode of Illuminat...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Illuminating Catholics, podcast hosts Dawn Prosser and Karmen Bower interview Maggie DeWitte, executive director of Pulse Life Advocates. Learn about this non-profit organization's prolife efforts. Find more information about Pulse Life Advocates at pulseforlife.org as well as the Iowa March for Life on June 21 in Des Moines. Thank you for listening to this...

Send us Fan Mail Faith Formation Office Coordinator, Danielle Fennessy, discusses the June 12 Miracle Church Bus trip for students in grades 6 to 8. Students will board busses in Willey and Breda about noon and then will visit the historic Carroll County churches in Breda, Mount Carmel, Templeton and Willey. Students will enjoy the journey together as well as experiencing the beauty at each site a...

Send us Fan Mail Host Karmen Bower along with Allison Schoonover and Kathy Steffen of Carroll St. John Paul II Parish discuss Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program. Also, those interested in learning more about CGS  or want to implement it in your area, there will be Level I CGS training held in Carroll, starting Aug. 30. Be sure to check with your local parish to see if CGS is offered. He...

Send us Fan Mail Amy Jones of the Sioux City office and Lejeana Anliker of the Spencer office of Catholic Charities share the history and services offered through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City . Learn more about the prevalence of mental health concerns with adults and children, how to get help and update on the construction and expansion . Remember to wear green May 15 to share t...

Send us Fan Mail Two diocesan seminarians are currently studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome - the PNAC or NAC - Thomas Kollasch of Bancroft and Anthony Vera of Le Mars. They share their experiences and observations since the death of the Holy Father on April 21 while living in Rome. Hear about their memorable experiences and what to expect as the conclave begins May 7.  Keep...

Send us Fan Mail Father Travis Crotty, diocesan director of vocations, discusses the June 2 to 5 vocations trips planned for young women and men. Ave will take young women to Nebraska to visit shrines and two convents as well as recreational opportunities. Quest  wiill take young men north to Minnesota to visit Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, area shrines and enjoy outdoor activities and more. ...