Many people hope for a White Christmas, but so far we’ve had a white beginning to Advent instead. Because of the winter storm over the weekend, our Mass attendance was understandably low, as you will see below. Nevertheless, Advent has begun, and we are now preparing to celebrate Our Lord’s first coming in Bethlehem two millennia ago, while also being reminded that we must be ready for His coming in glory at the end of time.
Speaking of preparedness, this is a good moment to remind you of our cancellation policy regarding winter weather. As a general rule, we do not cancel weekend Masses—including weddings. It is important, however, that you exercise prudence and discern whether it is safe for you to come. The Church never obliges us to do the impossible; if weather or road conditions make it truly impossible for you to attend Mass, then you are not bound by the obligation. At the same time, we must be honest with ourselves: if we are willing to go out to eat or to shop for groceries, then we are capable of coming to Mass.
For weekdays, our policy follows that of Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools.
- If there is no school due to weather, then there is no Mass, and all parish activities are canceled.
- In case of a late start, our schedule is usually unaffected, although a late start after 9:00 a.m. would cancel the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
- If there is an early dismissal, all evening Masses, confessions, classes, and parish activities are canceled.
Whenever a cancellation occurs, we make every effort to notify you promptly through various means: these emails, our Facebook page at http://fb.com/sccathedral, and the homepage of our website sccathedral.org. We also alert local media when possible.
Immaculate Conception
Next Monday, December 8, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This is a holy day of obligation, which means all Catholics are required to attend Mass. You will find our parish Mass schedule in the graphic below.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Next Friday, we will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As in previous years, we will begin with the rosary at 10:00 p.m. on December 11, followed by a mariachi serenade from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., marking the beginning of this beautiful celebration with Our Blessed Mother.
On December 12 we will have:
- Mass in Spanish with our school students at 9:00 a.m. (doors close at 8:45 for safety, so please arrive early),
- Mass in English at 12:00 noon, and
- a solemn Mass with Bishop Keehner at 5:30 p.m., followed by a celebration in the school gym.
Please help us spread the word and invite your family and friends. It is truly a joyful celebration throughout the day.
Do you need to meet with me? Click here
Would you like me to call you back? Click here
Do you need to send me an email? Click here
Would you like me to come bless your house? Click here
Would you like to have me over for dinner? Click here
Do you want to meet with Fr. Galles? Click here
Do you want to meet with Fr. Wind? Click here
Parish Announcements
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception falls on Monday, December 8 and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Because it is a moral obligation and a precept of the Church, please make plans to attend Mass somewhere on December 8 or the evening prior on December 7 (after 4 pm). Masses at the Cathedral will be at the following times on Monday, December 8: 7:30 am (English), 9:00 am (Spanish), 12:00 pm (English), 5:30 pm (Spanish), and 7:00 pm (Spanish).
Visit our Christmas Wishlist if you would like to make a holiday gift to the parish for an item that falls outside our normal operating budget. The wishlist can be found near the doors of the church or online at www.sccathedral.org/wishlist. Thank you for your generosity!
Help us decorate our beautiful churches for Christmas! Forms for poinsettia donations will soon be available near the doors of the church. You may also donate online at www.sccathedral.org/poinsettias. If you donate in memory of a loved one, their names will be printed in the weekly worship aids throughout the Christmas season.
Advent begins November 30 and there are many prayer opportunities at the Cathedral, including Sung Vespers every Sunday at 4:00 pm and daily Mass, Monday through Saturday, at 12:00 pm in English. Go to an hour of Eucharistic Adoration in our Perpetual Adoration Chapel. We will have a Night of Mercy with Adoration and multiple priests hearing confessions at the Cathedral on December 23 from 7 to 8 pm. Prepare well to celebrate Christmas by making Advent a holy season – go to confession, pray the psalms at Sung Vespers, and worship the Lord in the Eucharist in Mass and Adoration.
Christmas at the Cathedral Concert on Sunday, December 7 at 5:00 pm by the Missouri River Choral Society under the direction of Dr. John Flanery. $10 tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 712-251-6705.
Due to a Deanery Meeting for all clergy on Tuesday, December 9, there will be no 4:30 pm confessions or 5:30 pm Mass.
The Soup Kitchen needs donations of both time and treasure. Those who would like to donate, or those who are 16 or older and would like to serve, may visit www.siouxlandsoupkitchen.com to sign up to serve or to give a monetary donation. Checks can also be mailed to the parish address.
Support and Assistance for the Youth Group
The youth group "The Society of Dead Theologians" (DTS) is called "Dead to the World, Alive in Christ." Next February will mark its third anniversary. The group meets twice a month, every two weeks, and currently has between 15 and 18 members. The adult team is requesting the cooperation and support of parishioners so that the group can continue operating. This program is based on the lives of saints, as the Society of Dead Theologians (DTS) inspires young people today to become the saints of tomorrow through the saints of yesterday and can help them discover their vocation to the priesthood, religious life, or marriage vocation.
We are requesting the help of all parishioners with prepared food or groceries, desserts, snacks, drinks, or gift cards from a store or restaurant so that we can continue providing dinner for the youth at each session. We are also looking for more people who would like to get involved and be part of the team. For more information, please contact the Cathedral office and speak with Mrs. Santa Fernandez or email santa.fernandez@sccathedral.org or Deacon Jorge L. Fernandez at jfernandez@sccathedral.org
The youth group "The Society of Dead Theologians" (DTS) is called "Dead to the World, Alive in Christ." Next February will mark its third anniversary. The group meets twice a month, every two weeks, and currently has between 15 and 18 members. The adult team is requesting the cooperation and support of parishioners so that the group can continue operating. This program is based on the lives of saints, as the Society of Dead Theologians (DTS) inspires young people today to become the saints of tomorrow through the saints of yesterday and can help them discover their vocation to the priesthood, religious life, or marriage vocation.
We are requesting the help of all parishioners with prepared food or groceries, desserts, snacks, drinks, or gift cards from a store or restaurant so that we can continue providing dinner for the youth at each session. We are also looking for more people who would like to get involved and be part of the team. For more information, please contact the Cathedral office and speak with Mrs. Santa Fernandez or email santa.fernandez@sccathedral.org or Deacon Jorge L. Fernandez at jfernandez@sccathedral.org
Middle school youth program
Looking for volunteers to help run a middle school youth program at the Cathedral. Please call Carla if you can help 712-255-1637 ext. 104. THANK YOU!
Parish Giving
Masses this Week
Monday, December 1
12:00 pm - Cathedral (English)
† Robert Thoma
† Robert Thoma
Tuesday, December 2
12:00 pm - Cathedral (English)
† Wayne & Shirley Vogt
† Wayne & Shirley Vogt
Wednesday, December 3
9:00 am- Cathedral (Spanish)
12:00 pm - Cathedral (English)
Thursday, December 4
12:00 pm - Cathedral (English)
Friday, December 5
12:00 pm - Cathedral (English)
12:30 pm - St. Joseph (Vietnamese)
Fr. Nguyen intention
Saturday, December 6
Sunday, December 7
8:30 am - Cathedral (Spanish)
10:30 am - St. Boniface (Spanish)
12:00 pm - Cathedral (Spanish)
12:30 pm - St. Joseph (Vietnamese)
Fr. Nguyen intention
Liturgical Ministries
Saturday, December 6 , 4 pm at St. Boniface
Lector
Lector
Debbie Organiscak
Servers
Juan Sebastian Lorenzo
Juanita Orozco
Mercedes Orozco
EMHC
Michelle Rethman
Cantor
Dawn Prosser
Sunday, December 7, 8:30 am at St. Joseph
Lector
Lector
Tim Stanek
Servers
James Plautz
Megan Trierweiler
EMHC
Jeanne Stewart
Cantor
William Danner
Sunday, December 7, 8:30 am at St. Boniface
Altar Servers
Peter & Patrick Kanaly
Sunday, December 7, 10:00 am at Cathedral
Lector
Lector
Michelle Jacobsen
Servers
Jordan, Christopher, & Jason Aragon-Paez
Cantor
Kristen Santos
Mass Counts
A Family of Faith
Our next Family Night & Sacramental Prep Night will be this Wednesday, December 3. Please be on time; classes starts at 6pm., many people are arriving very late to classes.Remember that on this evening, parents are required to attend the class with Father Esquiliano at the church.
Knights of Columbus
Contact - Check out our Facebook page for activities and updates “Knights of Columbus Council 743 USA”.
Email: KofC743USA@gmail.com.
Phone:
English -
Brent- 712-490-0410
Spanish -
Jorge 308-383-2517
- Next meal: Next meal will be December 6 & 7.
- KoC meeting: Tuesday December 16, 2025 starting with the Holy Rosary at 6:15 pm
Knights in Action: Knights helped set up the Advent wreath.
Community Announcements
Catholic Daughters will meet Tuesday, Dec. 2nd beginning with a 5:30 pm Mass at St. Michael's Chapel followed by our Christmas Party provided by our Officers and volunteers and a meeting. Remember to bring your Christmas gifts for our Sisters.
St. Serra Club will meet Tuesday, Nov. 25th at St. Michael's Chapel beginning with a 5:00 pm Rosary, followed by a 5:30 pm Mass and meeting.
Siouxland Catholic Radio
Tune into Faith in Action at 9 a.m., Monday, Dec. 8 on Channel 88.1 FM, Siouxland Catholic Radio. Learn about life at the U.S. Naval Academy from 2022 Heelan grad Jacob McGowan, grandson of Dr. Gerald and Sheryl McGowan and son of Chris and McGowan, all of Sioux City. This program replays at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Other local programming also on Siouxland Catholic Radio includes: Live Divine Mercy at 3 p.m.
Catholic Ministry Professionals airs on Tuesdays 3:20, Draw Near airs on Wednesdays at 4pm, Father Knows Best at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Scriptural Rosary at 8:30 p.m. and at 9 a.m. on Sundays live Mass from Mater Dei Parish. Programming is subject to change.
If you would like to submit announcements for Lines of Faith, please send them to Blanca at bcancino@sccathedral by 10am Friday.
Carmelite Nuns Celebration
All parishioners and friends are invited to attend a celebration commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Carmelite Guild Board of Directors and Carmelite Nuns of Sioux City. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 18 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Holy Cross St. Michael Parish Center, 2223 Indian Hills Drive. Doors open at 12:30pm.
The day includes a dessert bar, beverage, information on the Carmel Guild and peace cards, display of Carmel memorabilia, and a slide show. Cards may be played until 3:00pm. Raffle tickets can be purchased until 2:30pm at $1.00 each, and the winners will be announced at 3:00pm. There will be a free will donation. For more information please call 212-0248 or 635-4488.
Bible Study
We will have a new 5 week Bible Study during Easter entitled “The Power of the Resurrection” led by Fr. Jeremy Wind. We will meet Thursday’s at 6:45pm starting April 20-May 18th. Please contact the office for more information.
We need volunteers to help with the occasional funeral luncheons at St. Boniface, St. Joseph, and the Cathedral. Time commitment would be from approximately 9:30am-1:00pm. No cooking or prep work is involved; all the luncheons are catered. Responsibilities include setting up, greeting the caterer, possibly making lemonade or coffee, assisting the family, and light clean up afterwards. We are happy to provide families and friends a space to gather for sharing, which is an important part of the grieving process. Please call Julie at 712-255-1637x109 or email jkrogh@sccathedral.org Thank you!
Calvary Cemetery will have a Memorial Day Mass at 9:00 am Monday, May 29.
Calvary Cemetery
Help Wanted: Caretaker at Calvary Cemetery
Duties include groundskeeping, maintenance & customer service.
This is a full-time position with 401K, PTO, health & life insurance.
For more information, contact Bob at (712) 259-0603 or bobr@scdiocese.org.
The Cathedral Hall will be closed for the entire month of June as work will be undertaken to replace the flooring.
Deacon Jake Rosenmeyer extends his thanks and gratitude to the Cathedral parishioners for their prayerful support, especially those who attended his Ordination Mass this weekend. Please pray for Deacon Jake as he prepares to go to his summer assignment at John Paul II Parish in Carroll and as he prepares to finish his last year of seminary in St. Louis.
Sunday Vespers will not be celebrated during the summer months at the Cathedral due to low attendance. The last Vespers of this season will be on June 2, Corpus Christi Sunday. 4:00 pm Vespers will resume on Sunday, September 8.
Sunday Vespers will not be celebrated during the summer months at the Cathedral due to low attendance. The last Vespers of this season will be on June 2, Corpus Christi Sunday. 4:00 pm Vespers will resume on Sunday, September 8.
Please remember to either silence or turn off your phone before you come into the church. We have recently had several instances of phones going off during the Mass and it is a good reminder to please observe this act of courtesy and respect for both our Lord and other parishioners.
