Hundreds Fed This Thanksgiving Thanks to Catholic Charities

For 30 years, the Catholic Charities Food Pantry’s annual Giving Thanksgiving event has helped food pantry clients celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.

Read Full Story

End-of-Year Gratitude, Giving Sustains the Catholic Mission

For those who have been strengthened by their Catholic faith, giving back is one of the most meaningful ways to express gratitude to God and ensure his work continues.

Read Full Story

Gift Stocks To Help Families With Catholic School Tuition

The stock market has been on quite a ride. Maybe now is the time to gift some stock and reduce your state tax burden before some rules change in 2026.

Read Full Story

Pray for Our Priests

Use this calendar as a reminder to pray for all the priests in the Diocese of Des Moines, both active and retired.

Download Calendar

Catholic Schools

There are millions of reasons why a Catholic education is the best education around. Witness the difference!

Learn More

Deacon Kurt Heinrich's Story

Deacon Kurt Heinrich is an ordained permanent deacon for the Diocese of Des Moines. You can learn more about the Permanent Diaconate by visiting dmdiocese.org/diaconate.

Learn More

Quick Links

Seminarian Appeal Living Advent Mental Health Ministry Eucharistic Adoration

News & Blog

Pray for Iowa National Guard Members Killed or Injured Last Weekend

December 15, 2025

Bishop William Joensen invites us to prayerfully lift up Iowa National Guard families whose loved ones died or were injured last weekend, in particular the Torres Tovar family., of Our Lady of the Americas Parish in Des Moines.

St. Francis Knights of Columbus Supports Diaconate Program

December 13, 2025

The generous donation will be earmarked for textbooks and other materials required for the 5-year deacon formation process.

Catholic Daughters Court St. Anthony #330 Installed New Members

December 8, 2025

Last month Court St. Anthony #330 installed three new Catholic Daughter members to the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

Diocesan Events

Living Nativity

December 19, 2025 6:00 PM
Location: Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, 510 E 1st St, Ankeny, IA 50021

All are invited to stop by our outdoor live nativity display - come see the wise men, the angels, the holy family, and live animals presented by OLIH's youth group!

Watching for Light

December 20, 2025 9:00 AM - 02:30 PM
Location: Emmaus House, 3315 70th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322

During this weekend of the winter solstice, “the longest night,” we will gather with others in the dark to reflect on and watch for what bears light.

Jubilee Mass at St. Ambrose Cathedral

December 28, 2025 11:00 AM
Location: St. Ambrose Cathedral, 607 High St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Close the Jubilee Year of Hope at Mass with Bishop Joensen on Sunday, Dec. 28th at 11 AM.

Ministries & Services

Giving

Your continued generosity each year helps provide the needed funds for programs and ministries throughout our Diocese. These programs provide services that no one parish could provide on its own. Every gift matters!

Catholic Charities Annual Appeal

Donors who commit to an annual gift help strengthen and empower individuals and families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Consider an annual gift that will help all year!

Mental Health Ministry

Mental Health Ministry is the process of spiritual accompaniment with others as they experience God's presence, love, and healing.

Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa

The Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa (CFSWIA) is a non-profit, charitable organization that assists individuals, parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations across the 23-county Diocese of Des Moines as they seek to secure and provide long-term financial support.