The annual Mass for Life in the Diocese of Des Moines will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at Christ the King Parish, 5711 SW 9th Street in Des Moines. The Mass for Life is held annually in part by Catholic Charities Social Justice Consortium, which promotes the social justice mission of the Catholic Church through a coordinated effort to work towards a comprehensive and consistent ethic of life for the pursuit of the common good.

On April 7 from 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m., The Phoenix House Domestic Violence Shelter & Sexual Abuse Program invites the community is invited to attend the third annul Art of Healing at Queen of Apostles Parish Hall, 3304 4th Ave. in Council Bluffs. This year’s theme celebrates the art of cooking, featuring fine foods from talented chefs and elegant presentation. Event sponsors include Mercy Hospital, Hy-Vee, Doll Distributing, Ameristar Casino and Hotel, Council Bluffs Savings Bank, The Daily Nonpareil, Heartland Properties & the Narmi Group.

Catholic Charities received a $15,000 grant from the Nationwide Insurance Foundation for St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter and St. Mary Family Center in Des Moines. Funds will support the work of both programs which are part of Catholic Charities Poverty Reduction Programs that seek to provide basic needs for individuals and families as well as resources and support to return to self-sufficiency.

More than $59,000 in pledges and donations was raised during the annual Catholic Charities Night at the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park on June 24. Sponsored by Mercy Medical Center for the sixth year, proceeds support programs and services in central Iowa that provide food, shelter, counseling and other services to all people in need.

Recipients of Catholic Charities’ Bishop Charron Caritas Award were announced at the annual volunteer appreciation dinner held May 25 in Des Moines. Purcell Printing & Graphics received the award in the group category, and Dennis Wilson, volunteer for St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter and St. Mary Family Center, received the individual volunteer award. Sponsored by Mercy Medical Center, the Bishop Charron Caritas Award recognizes Catholic Charities volunteers for compassion, humility, commitment and enthusiasm in helping all those in need. Purcell Printing and Dennis Wilson will be recognized publicly at Catholic Charities Night at the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park on June 24 as they join Bishop Pates and Catholic Charities’ Executive Director, Nancy Galeazzi, on the field prior to the first pitch.

Catholic Charities Board of Directors voted today to independently continue resettling refugees.

Catholic Charities honors Legal Aid as 2010 Agency of the Year in appreciation for the help it has offered.

The United Way of the Midlands named Catholic Charities' Domestic Violence Sexual assualt Response and Resource Team as Volunteer Group of the Year! Nominated by Catholic Charities' Phoenix House, those recognized by the honor are: Memory Mescher, Sharon Stokes, Lesa Socha, Mary Lou Pfeiffer, Bard Hovenga and Ian Steele.

Timothy and Meggan Bierbaum will be celebrating the first birthday of their daughter Sophia next month. They welcomed their adopted daughter into their lives on her birthday May 29, 2009. Sophia was born at the University of Iowa Hospital. Her adoption was finalized in December 2009. Sophia and her parents live in Des Moines.

St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter broke ground Monday on a project that will double its capacity to house homeless families thanks to a $1 million gift and a grant through the I-JOBS program.

With the expectation that comprehensive immigration reform could soon be considered by Congress, it is important that supporters of reform make their voices heard on Capitol Hill. Join the Justice for Immigrants Postcard Campaign and urge Congress to pass reform legislation. Here is how you can particiapte: Download the postcards to sign and send to your representatives Parishes and groups can receive postcards by emailing Mireya Ramirez at mramirez@dmdiocese.org, Hispanic Community Outreach Specialist, with the number of postcards requested as well as the parish contact person and address.