About Immaculate Conception. Mater Dei Parish. · Sioux City, Iowa
Mater Dei Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, formed by the unification of two Morningside-neighborhood churches: the Church of the Immaculate Conception (dating to 1912) and the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Under its motto — 'One Holy Church, Adoring Christ, Living the Gospel, Forming Disciples' — the parish worships at both historic church buildings, operates a Faith Formation program, runs a Personal Product Pantry, hosts a Quilting Group, and serves as Sioux City's only Catholic Newman Center for college students at Morningside University, Western Iowa Tech, and nearby schools. Mater Dei describes itself as 'a parish where everyone belongs,' with a culture of hospitality, meaningful relationships, vibrant spiritual life, and strong Catholic education.
- Established
- 2017 (unification as Mater Dei Parish; predecessor Immaculate Conception Church incorporated 1912; Nativity parish established 1946)
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Bradley A. Pelzel
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sioux City
Why belong here
Mater Dei offers the rare gift of two worship sites in one parish family: the historic Church of the Immaculate Conception on Morningside Avenue and the Church of the Nativity, with daily Masses, weekend Masses, perpetual Adoration days, Saturday confessions, and a strong faith-formation program for children and adults. As Sioux City's only Newman Center, it walks with college students from Morningside University, Western Iowa Tech, and other schools — a real outreach to young adults that is uncommon for a parish of this size. Add the parish's signature ministries — the volunteer-run Personal Product Pantry, Funeral Ministry, Works of Mercy (Feed the Homeless, Post-Prison mentoring, Good Samaritan), a teaching Quilting Group, Little Saints Preschool, and the Life-Giving Wounds ministry for adult children of divorce — and Mater Dei is a community where families, college students, retirees, and anyone seeking Christ can find a place to belong.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception. Mater Dei Parish.
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM at Nativity Church
- One hour before all Masses, ending 15 minutes before Mass begins
- By appointment with one of the priests
- Additional Reconciliation opportunities during Lent and Advent
Adoration times
- Monday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Church
- Wednesday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM at Nativity Church
- Wednesday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Mary's Choice in Morningside
- Friday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Church
About Mater Dei Parish
Mater Dei Parish is a unified Catholic parish in the Diocese of Sioux City formed by the merger of two Morningside churches, Immaculate Conception and the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Its mission statement is 'One Holy Church, Adoring Christ, Living the Gospel, Forming Disciples.' The parish describes itself as 'a parish where everyone belongs,' combining lively liturgy, Catholic education (Faith Formation and Little Saints Preschool), and a wide range of ministries that reach both parishioners and the broader Siouxland community. Mater Dei also serves as Sioux City's Newman Center, walking with college students at Morningside University, Western Iowa Tech, and the Iowa School of Beauty.
- Parish motto: One Holy Church, Adoring Christ, Living the Gospel, Forming Disciples
- Two worship sites — Immaculate Conception Church and Nativity Church — both in Morningside
- Parish office: 1212 Morningside Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106
- Diocese of Sioux City
History of the Parish
Mater Dei brings together two long-standing Morningside congregations. Immaculate Conception Church has roots going back to 1912 (the date on its Iowa corporate registration); Nativity Church traces to the mid-1940s. In 2017 the legal entity 'Mater Dei Catholic Parish' was created (effective June 9, 2017) to unify the two parishes, with the consolidation substantially completed within the next year or so. In April 2025, parish Development Coordinator Lisa Niebuhr presented the parish's history at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, sharing photographs, newspaper articles, and old directories — and unveiling 'Ministry 2035,' a 10-year long-range strategic plan for the parish's next chapter.
- Immaculate Conception Church incorporated 1912
- Nativity Church founded mid-1940s
- Mater Dei Catholic Parish formed 2017
- History presentation at Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, April 2, 2025
- 'Ministry 2035' long-range strategic plan launched
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Mater Dei's Faith Formation program follows the Church's teaching that parents are the first and primary educators of their children in the faith. The parish builds a comprehensive system that begins with marriage preparation and baptism, continues through preschool, the grade-school years, Confirmation preparation, youth groups, and into early adulthood and vocation discernment — bringing the cycle back to marriage prep with the next generation. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is offered in second grade (contact Deacon Rick Roder).
- Faith Formation for preschool through 8th grade
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist prep in 2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation for teens
- Marriage preparation for engaged couples
- Little Saints Preschool on the parish campus
Newman Center & College Ministry
Mater Dei is the Catholic Newman Center for Sioux City, serving students at Morningside University (a Methodist-affiliated school), Western Iowa Tech Community College, and the Iowa School of Beauty. The center offers weekly men's and women's Bible studies led by college students themselves, faith-sharing dinners, and community-building activities at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center. The parish works closely with its youth ministry's 'Called' program, which tracks graduating high-school seniors into their colleges, and partners with a Methodist campus pastor to ensure all students are connected to a faith community in Sioux City.
- Men's and women's weekly Bible studies
- Dinner and faith-sharing at Immaculate Conception Parish Center
- Open to high-school seniors and college students
- Outreach to Morningside University, Western Iowa Tech, and Iowa School of Beauty
Life-Giving Wounds Ministry
Mater Dei hosts the Life-Giving Wounds ministry, a unique retreat and ongoing chapter program for young adults (18+) and adults whose parents are divorced or separated. Participants reflect intentionally on the wounds caused by family breakdown together with peers and trained leaders, discovering a path forward to sustain healing and a mission in the midst of their suffering.
- Retreat-based healing ministry
- Ongoing chapter meetings for participants
- Open to adults 18+ from divorced/separated families
Works of Mercy & Outreach
Mater Dei's Works of Mercy Ministry coordinates several outreach efforts that put Catholic social teaching into practice across Siouxland. These include a Personal Product Pantry that supplies non-food household items to families with limited resources, a Post-Prison Ministry Mentor Program, a Feed the Homeless effort, and a Good Samaritan program. The parish also brings Communion to the homebound and to residents of area nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
- Personal Product Pantry — open Mondays 4:00–5:30 PM
- Post-Prison Ministry Mentor Program (Deacon Dennis, 712-226-4316)
- Feed the Homeless (Deacon Dennis)
- Good Samaritan (Sam Hacker, 712-226-4318)
- Communion visits to homebound, nursing homes, and assisted living
Parish Life & Service Groups
Beyond Works of Mercy, Mater Dei hosts a range of service and community groups that knit the parish together. The Quilting Group welcomes beginners and meets twice a month. The Funeral Ministry coordinates funeral luncheons at both church sites. The Mowing Ministry maintains parish grounds. The Welcome Committee greets new members, the Environment Committee handles seasonal decorating, the Building & Grounds Committee advises the pastor on facilities, and the Safety and Security Committee — staffed by law enforcement, medical, fire, and legal professional parishioners — keeps the worship and school spaces safe.
- Quilting Group — meets 2nd & 4th Mondays, teaches beginners
- Funeral Ministry — luncheon volunteers at both churches
- Mowing Ministry
- Welcome Committee
- Environment Committee
- Building & Grounds Committee
- Safety and Security Committee
Staff & Leadership
The parish is served by a pastor and parochial vicar, four deacons, and a Development Coordinator. Parish Pastoral Council board co-chairs include Dennis Kluver and Beth McGrath (terms 2023–2027). The Iowa Secretary of State lists Deacon Dennis Brockhaus and Daniel Rupp among the registered agents for Mater Dei Catholic Parish.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Bradley A. Pelzel
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Peter Duc Hung Nguyen
- Deacons: Dennis Brockhaus, Rick Roder, Will Fergen, Jeff Schoep
- Development Coordinator: Lisa Niebuhr
- Parish Pastoral Council co-chairs: Dennis Kluver and Beth McGrath (2023–2027)
Get Involved / Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed to participate. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM and Friday 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM (closed weekends). Volunteers are needed across ministries from the Personal Product Pantry to the Quilting Group to funeral luncheons. To get involved, call the parish office at 712-276-4821 or email [email protected].
- Parish Office: 1212 Morningside Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106
- Phone: 712-276-4821
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: M–Th 8:30–4:30; F 8:30–2:30