Since his ordination last May as our shepherd guiding Sioux City Diocese, Bishop John Keehner has expressed a desire to visit the parishes and parishioners as his busy schedule allows

“'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.

“And Jesus said,‘There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being.’”(Luke 18:1)

“As Jesus was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him.”As defined by the World Health Organization, leprosy, also known as Hansen disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused mainly by a type of a certain bacteria

The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you say to this mulberry tree, ‘be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

“Memories of Autumn are as notable as those of the sun filled days of summer. Pick up football games played in a neighbor’s backyard; streetlights guiding us back to our respective homes; the anguish of raking leaves and the awaiting reward of lighting the pile on fire—the distinctive smell, and a marshmallow on a stick; bedroom window open wide under the warmth of a quilt.

Do you desire to grow in your Catholic faith? Do you seek connection with other women in our parish community? We invite you to consider Walking With Purpose, a Catholic women's bible study program this fall!  Our kick-off Connect Coffee talk will be held on Saturday, October 4th at 9 am at Sacred Heart Church in Boone. Weekly small group study sessions at various times will begin after that. 

“On this Catechetical Sunday, we look back to our‘foundation’of faith; how was it formed, who was responsible, what virtues and values were instilled, how does it remain a consistent —albeit challenged—part of our character to this day?

“Christ Jesus emptied himself, taking the form of aslave, coming in human likeness;and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on across.”

Like other organizations the Church makes use of various acronyms. Not ‘GOAT’ or ‘IRS’ but those reflective of faith. ‘IHM’, the Immaculate Heart of Mary; ‘IHS’, the first letters in Greek of ‘Jesus’; ‘CCC’, the Catechism of the Catholic Church; and, ‘PBVM’, the order of Sisters called, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (of which my aunt belonged).

Ascension Parishioners are invited to join us for an outdoor Mass at 10:00 AM on Sept. 7th. Immediately following Mass, the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus will be cooking hamburgers and brats. Drinks will be provided. Please bring your own plates and utensils. Guests are also asked to bring a dish to share. If your last name starts with A-H please bring a salad, I-Q a dessert, and R-Z a side dish.

Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.

Bishop Keehner received a letter from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops requesting all parishes within our country to consider supporting Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Near East Welfare Association in their outreach to the Catholic community in Gaza, and the people—especially the children —who are facing conditions of starvation and absence of any medical care.

Next month we begin the OCIA gatherings/discussions. Formerly RCIA, it stands for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.

“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” (LK 12:35)

“Takecareto guard against all greed, for though one may berich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”(LK 12:15) “Vanity of vanities.”(Ecclesiastes 1:2)

“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (LK 12:15) “Vanity of vanities.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

“Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.” Michael Pennock has devoted his life to our Catholic faith via his profession as a teacher. He has edited and written different books concerning our faith, and maintained an open heart to Christ Jesus via his classroom work with teenagers; their questions and struggles and desire to search for the Real Presence in their lives have challenged his own faith.

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.” (LK 10:41). In her book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life, Joanna Weaver states:

“But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. . . .He took him to an inn, and cared for him”