More than a move: Faith, community made Sioux Falls home

This paid piece is sponsored by Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

When this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade winds through downtown Sioux Falls, the Cleary family will be front and center.

Shawn Cleary, a longtime volunteer who has chaired the parade committee for a decade, was named this year’s grand marshal, a celebration of his Irish heritage but also the latest chapter for a family that has grown strong community ties for more than 25 years.

Shawn and Julie Cleary moved to Sioux Falls in 1998 when their two sons, Corbin and Nolan, were entering fourth and second grade.

Before moving here, Julie taught preschool at St. Mary Catholic School in Dixon, Illinois. One of the first things the family did after their move was visit the Catholic elementary schools. They all choose St. Michael Elementary School because it was a fairly new school and the principal and teachers were all very welcoming, they said.

Julie spent the first year after the move volunteering at school, and at the end of the year, she was asked to consider working as an educational assistant. She liked it so much that she stayed for almost 20 years.

Moving to a new community with no family around can be incredibly difficult, but the Clearys said the warm welcome from the school and the church made the transition much easier.

“After six months, we felt like we had been here six years. It was a good move for our family. The boys adjusted and did very well. Many of the friends we met in the beginning are still good friends today,” Julie said.

Memories of those early years are plentiful. Their first Dakota Bowl made quite an impression on the family. Coming from a small town, they had never seen such a production for a high school football game. In Shawn’s opinion, Dakota Bowl has played a significant role in fostering the community of Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

Exciting community builders are not the only reason the Clearys have continued to support the school system.

“We must continue Catholic education in Sioux Falls. With today’s culture that our young people are faced with, they need a strong faith foundation,” Shawn said.

“The teachers work with the parents to make saints.”

Julie agreed that the ability to practice and celebrate our Catholic faith in the classroom is what makes Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools special.

“It goes back to the saying ‘Be in the world, but not of the world.’ It is important to be the light and teach our students that your Catholic faith is the most important thing you will ever have,” she said.

With their sons both grown, the Clearys now get to enjoy seeing their grandchildren experience Catholic schools.

Julie’s favorite part is “watching them take part in the weekly school Mass and learning to pray. Faith is an important part of their lives. It is beautiful to see.”

Both Shawn and Julie have continued to support the schools over the years and said it is the faith aspect and high standards that set Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools apart. It is the dedicated faculty and staff who make it all possible.

“With the tenure of our teachers, it shows the commitment to the mission and our faith,” Shawn said.

According to the Clearys, “We have pretty good public schools in Sioux Falls, but if you want a school that teaches faith, virtue and moral values, along with excellent academics that support students and their families, then you should ‘come and see’ Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.”

Interested in setting up a tour? Inquire today at ogknights.org, or email [email protected]. Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is open!