Diocesan Impact Report for 2025 Now Available

The Diocese of Des Moines has released the 2025 Impact Report, detailing how the Diocese and our parishes are embracing our strategic mission.

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Des Moines Church Gets Visit from West African Sister Parish

For the first time in a 20-plus-year sister parish relationship, a priest from the West African country of Togo came to visit St. Theresa Parish in Des Moines.

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October is Respect Life Month

The 2025 Respect Life theme is "Life: Our Sign of Hope," reflecting the ongoing Jubilee Year of Hope.

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Sign Up for The Catholic Mirror Newsletter

Launching this Advent, every issue will feature Catholic news & events from around the Diocese of Des Moines plus additional news stories out of the Vatican and USCCB.

Catholic Schools

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

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The Pope's Visit to Iowa

In October 1979, Pope John Paul II made Iowa one of the stops on his inaugural tour of the U.S. Follow the logistical and spiritual planning process for the Pope’s visit to the Heartland in this documentary from Iowa PBS.

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Quick Links

Seminarian Appeal Jubilee 2025 Mental Health Ministry Eucharistic Adoration

News & Blog

Catholic Tuition Organization Has Tax Credits To Award for 2025

October 1, 2025

Don't wait until the end of the year to make a gift to the CTO. Help a family choose a Catholic education for their children and get state tax credits for your gift.

What is Mental Health Sunday?

October 2, 2025

As part of the National Catholic Mental Health Campaign, the USCCB is encouraging Catholic parishes to participate in Mental Health Sunday on the weekend following World Mental Health Day.

Keychain Connections: St. Luke Students Bond with School in Ghana

October 1, 2025

What started as a gift of keychains became a transformative relationship between students on opposite sides of the globe.

Diocesan Events

Nourish for Caregivers

October 13, 2025 6:00 PM
Location: St Pius X Catholic Church, 3663 66th St, Urbandale, IA 50322

Nourish for Caregivers is an on-going ministry that gathers once a month to support the practical, emotional and spiritual needs of family caregivers.

Sensory-Friendly Mass

October 19, 2025 10:30 AM
Location: Ss. John and Paul Catholic Church 1401 1st Ave. S. Altoona, IA 50009

All are invited to attend a sensory-friendly Mass at Ss. John and Paul in Altoona, with a special invitation extended to any person with sensory issues.

64th Annual Dowling Catholic Pancake Breakfast

October 26, 2025 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Varied Industries Building, 3000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317

Please join us for the 64th Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, October 26th in the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm.

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.