Rendering by Fiegen Construction
By Emily Leedom, executive director of The Lourdes Center
We all know someone. Perhaps it’s the farmer struggling silently with despair after another difficult season. Maybe it’s the young mother battling postpartum depression in isolation. It could be the teenager wrestling with thoughts of self-harm, or the couple whose marriage is fracturing under the strain of unspoken wounds. Perhaps that someone is you.
Since our founding (formerly Catholic Family Services) in the 1950s, The Lourdes Center has stood as a beacon of hope for those seeking healing—a place where the deep truth of our Catholic faith meets an ever deepening understanding of the human person. As a ministry of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, we believe true healing is possible, and by the grace of God, it is happening here every day. Today, we are thrilled to share that we are taking a huge leap of faith to extend Jesus’ ministry of healing even further and invite you to join us in this mission that will serve generations to come.
A milestone worth celebrating
We are overjoyed to announce that we are building a new standalone home for The Lourdes Center! Further, our Building Hope Campaign to make this dream a reality has surpassed the halfway mark! Thanks to the remarkable generosity of donors throughout our diocese, we have raised over $750,000 toward our $1.5 million goal.
This achievement demonstrates that our Catholic community recognizes mental and emotional health as essential components of human flourishing, and that Jesus is using his power to heal here in the Diocese of Sioux Falls. Every dollar contributed represents a prayer for healing, a commitment to compassion and a recognition that Christ’s ministry to the suffering continues through us today.
While we celebrate this progress, we need your continued support to bridge the remaining gap and ensure that this sanctuary of healing becomes a reality for all who need it.
The increasing need
The need for The Lourdes Center’s services has grown dramatically. Over the past five years, we have witnessed a staggering 350 percent increase in demand for our counseling and support services. This growth reflects both the increasing challenges our communities face and the growing trust in our unique approach to care.
The Lourdes Center is committed to serving every corner of our diocese through in-person and telehealth counseling services or educational programs offered across the diocese. Wherever you live, the healing ministry of The Lourdes Center is accessible to you.
Our expansion project will provide the physical space necessary to grow our counseling services and programs and increase privacy for those we serve. The new facility will include dedicated areas for group sessions, educational workshops and, most importantly, a beautiful on-site chapel where the spiritual heart of our work can truly flourish. This sacred space will serve as a constant reminder that all healing ultimately flows from the Divine Physician.
An invitation to complete the mission
At its core, the Building Hope Campaign is about one simple, profound truth: Jesus Christ came to heal the brokenhearted, and his ministry continues today.
As we look to break ground on our new mission headquarters this spring, we invite you to prayerfully consider how you might help us reach our $1.5 million goal. Your gift—whether large or small, one-time or pledged over multiple years—is an investment in the spiritual and emotional well-being of your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Every contribution helps ensure that when a soul is weary, when a heart is breaking, when hope seems distant, the Church’s ministry is extended. We’re building more than a facility—we’re building a center for healing to serve our diocese for generations.
The mercy of God has been extraordinarily evident in bringing us to this halfway point. Let us move forward with confidence and gratitude, knowing that Christ’s healing power is taking root across our diocese every day.
Thank you for your prayers, your generosity and your partnership in bringing hope to the people of the prairie.
To learn more about the Building Hope Campaign or to make a contribution, please contact The Lourdes Center at emily@thelourdescenter.com or visit thelourdescenter.com.
