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Illuminating Catholics
Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church
Welcome to the Illuminating Catholics - podcast of the Diocese of Sioux City. Your hosts are Dawn Prosser, director of Communications for the diocese and Karmen Bower of the Faith Formation Office. We will shed light upon topics of faith in the modern church. Our guests include Catholic clergy, religious sisters and other experts in their fields to help us understand what’s happening in the church today. We will explore issues (even tough ones) and find answers to common questions about Catholicism. Thank you for joining us for today’s Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Be sure to subscribe!
We are funded in part by the generous donations to Together as One - Our Diocesan Annual Appeal.
Episodes
80 episodes
Built on Rock Parent Coaching
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 fai...
Judicial vicar discusses church teaching on Freemasons
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.
Vocations events with Fr. Travis Crotty
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 ...
Safety and security in parishes with Dustin Heino
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 vio...
Conversation with Justin Derry on decision making, values and listening to God
Catholic therapist Justin Derry has recently served as breakout speaker for two diocesan conferences - the Turn Youth Conference in Ogden and the March Men's Conference in Le Mars. He shares an overview of his talking points from the pres...
Kenrick seminarians share formation experience
Kenrick-Glennon Seminarians Jimmy Fitzsimmons of Sioux City and Garrett Hugeback of Wall Lake stopped into our podcast studio on their Easter break for today's episode! They share their vocation stories as well as a glimpse into seminary life. ...
Divine Mercy unpacked with Father Matthew Solyntjes
As we approach Divine Mercy Sunday on April 12, we had a conversation with Father Matthew Solyntjes, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish of Kossuth County and West Bend. Father Solyntjes unpacks the Divine Mercy with the history and St. Faustina's ro...
Year of St. Francis with Briar Cliff University leadership
Dr. Matthew Draud, president of Briar Cliff University, and Dr. Michael Horka, campus minister at Briar Cliff, help us to usher in the Year of St. Francis at the Franciscan university. Bishop John Keehner has designated BCU's Our Lady of Grace ...
Conversation on anointing of the sick with Father Galles
Our director of worship, Father Andrew Galles explains what the anointing of the sick is, when it should ideally be administered and changes in the rite. He also answers practical questions such as when should you call a priest? What is Extreme...
Conversation with retired priests Father Ball and Father Hart
Retired priests in the diocese remain active - really active - by volunteering their time in our parishes, schools and communities. Father Rich Ball of Mapleton and Father Tom Hart of Humboldt share their biographies and histories in the dioces...
What does the church teach about cremation with Father Esquiliano
Our diocesan judicial vicar, Father David Esquiliano, dispels myths and misconceptions about cremation in the church. He shares the history of the practice and what the preferred practices for funerals, burial and care of cremated remains (also...
Conversation about 2026 Men's Conference with Dr. Ray
Dawn Prosser interviews Dr. Ray Gaurendi who will be the keynote speaker of the 2026 Men's Conference slated for March 21 at All Saints Parish, St. Joseph Church, in Le Mars, Iowa. Learn about the theme of the conference, why men would be inter...
Revamped ACRE assessment with Kelly Kohout
Our diocesan director of education services, Kelly Kohout, as been part of a collaborative effort to rewrite and re-tool the assessment that Catholic schools and religious education programs can use to measure the effectiveness of their religio...
All about Lent with Father Pelzel
As we prepare for the Lenten season, beginning with Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, do we really know what we are commemorating? Are we making the most of this penitential season of Lent? One of our vicars general and pastor of Mater Dei Parish in Siou...
Conversation with Bishop Keehner on genealogy
Bishop John Keehner makes his first appearance on the podcast since his May 1 ordination (he did join us while still Bishop-elect in March 2025). As the faithful are getting to know him, they often ask what his hobbies are. Today he talks exten...
Bishop's Dinner returns - conversation with Heidi Probasco
The diocese's new director of stewardship and development, Heidi Probasco, shares the news that the Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Schools is returning to the diocese! Probasco shares the details and a few new twists to engage more Catholic schoo...
Conversation with Liz Kelly on diocese Lenten book study
The author of A Place Called Golgotha: Meditations on the Last Words of Christ, Elizabeth "Liz" Kelly joined us for an episode to focus on the book, which is the basis for the Lent 2026 diocese wide study. She discusses when and why she started...
Carolyn Klika Catino of Abounding Joy Ministry
Certified Catholic divorce healing coaching of Abounding Joy Ministry will be leading the online Build a New Life workshop for separated and divorced Catholics, offered through a partnership with the Diocese of Sioux City. The workshop begins J...
Campus ministers and chaplains serve our Catholic schools
Fort Dodge St. Edmond Catholic School Chaplain Father Jake Rosenmeyer and Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School Campus Minister Grace Lange join us for the first episode of 2026. The two share how they keep the faith alive in their schools, help...
Holiday dinner brings Christmas spirit to community
Parishioners of Spencer Sacred Heart Parish want to make sure no one has to spend their Christmas dinner alone. The faithful volunteer on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to host a meal in their parish center for anyone who wants to come. The tr...
Social Justice and Laudato Si ministry with Father Emmet Farrell
Retired diocesan priest and Ayrshire native (Emmetsburg Catholic High School alumnus) Father Emmet Farrell was ordained in 1965 and after three years left diocesan ministry for missionary work in Latin America. Returning to the United States in...
Brandon Marsh of the John Paul II Medical Research Institute
Brandon Marsh, executive director of the Coralville John Paul II Medical Research Institute shares the mission of the institute, which is guided by Catholic moral teachings "and serving the sanctity of all human life." Founded by Dr. Alan Moy i...
Experiencing the Advent season with Father Galles
Father Andrew Galles, our diocesan director of worship, shares the hopeful anticipation of the season of Advent with us. From the Isaiah readings at daily Masses to the weekend Gospel readings, O Antiphons, the collect (opening prayers) and the...
History of serving vulnerable populations - diocesan archivist
Diocesan archivist Cecilia Lopez shares the history of the diocese serving vulnerable populations. She takes us back in time to the establishment of the good Shepherd Home for Girls, St. Monica's Home for Unwed Mothers and St. Anthony's Orphana...
Straight talk on pastoral planning
We hear the term pastoral planning, but do we know what it is and what it entails? It’s a tough topic and often emotional and we have straight talk on this episode with Deacon Mark Prosser, director of pastoral planning and Bishop John Keehner’...
