Usually as Spring nears we await the announcement of priests’ assignments and any new parish alignments. However, in the midst of winter the Apostolic Nuncio for the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, has just announced the new bishop for our diocese. Pope Francis has named Reverend John Keehner, a priest of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio the 8th Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa.
Bishop-elect Keehner was born on November 19, 1965, in Youngstown, Ohio the son of the late John and Betty Lou Keehner. He has two brothers and a twin sister. He completed his seminary studies at Mount Saint Mary Seminary—in Cincinnati—ordained on June 12, 1993. His ministry includes the following: appointed parochial vicar at St. Charles Parish, Boardman; in 1997 he began graduate studies in Canon Law at the Angelicum, Rome; he then served as a Judge for the Diocesan Tribunal; he has served as Newman Center Chaplain for Youngstown State University, Rector of St. Columba Cathedral and as pastor of St. Christine Parish, Youngstown, St. Luke Parish, Boardman, St. Paul Parish, North Canton, Holy Spirit Parish Uniontown; lastly as pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Ashtabula, Assumption Parish Geneva, Corpus Christi Parish Conneaut and St. Andrew Bobola, Sheffield. In a news conference Bishop-elect Keehner stated that he is truly humbled by and grateful for the Holy Father’s decision to name him Bishop of Sioux City. He has chosen for his episcopal motto the words of his patron saint, John the Baptist, which he speaks in reference to Jesus; He must increase, I must decrease. Bishop David Bonnar of the Youngstown Diocese is overjoyed to welcome Bishop-elect Keehner as a brother bishop.  He expressed, “it is obvious that Pope Francis desires men with a shepherd’s heart to be his episcopal shepherds.  Bishop-elect Keehner will be ordained and installed as the 8th Bishop of Sioux City on May 1, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany, Sioux City. With this announcement Pope Francis formally accepted the resignation of Bishop Nickless who turned 77 last May. When bishops reach their 75th birthday they are to formally send a letter of resignation to the Pope. For the past two and half years Bishop Nickless has eagerly awaited Rome’s choice for the new bishop while serving our diocese faithfully, with care and dignity. Bishop R. Walker Nickless was named the 7th Bishop in the 108-year history of  the Diocese of Sioux City on November 10, 2005. His selection as Bishop was one of the first appointments made by Pope Benedict XVI, following the death of Pope John Paul II. Bishop Nickless was born in Denver, Colorado, one of ten children born to R. Walker Nickless and E. Margaret McGovern Nickless. He has four brothers and five sisters. His mother died in early 2006, shortly after her son’s ordination as Bishop. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Denver on August 4, 1973. Just a bit about the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, where Bishop-Elect Keehner has served. The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown was established on May 15, 1943, and was canonically erected on July 22, 1943. Located in Northeast Ohio, the diocese includes six counties: Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull. This area totals 3,404 square miles. There are 81 parishes with 93 active churches served by 70 priests (fifteen of whom are from religious orders). Diocesan seat is Youngstown, the county seat, with a population of approximately 60,000. It is located on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and home to Youngstown State University, serving 11,000 students, (with the Penguins as their sports mascot). Cleveland is 58 miles away to the northwest and Pittsburgh is 61 miles to the east. Our new Bishop is either a Browns fan or Steelers fan, (but possibly cheered for the Eagles in last Sunday’s Super Bowl). We welcome Bishop Elect Keehner to our diocese, soon to be an ‘Iowan.’
 God Bless, Fr. Tim 
FYI: “Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be, even as wheresoever Christ Jesus is, there is the catholic church.” (Ignatius of Antioch)