Knights of Columbus Refugee Celebration

June 12, 2025 5:30 PM
Location: St. Augustin Catholic Church, 545 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312

Thursday, June 12, join the St. Augustin Knights of Columbus in welcoming Brother Knight and refugee Dr. Jim Duong MD, to tell his refugee story.

In 1975 Iowa accommodated more Southeast Asian refugees than any other state. Governor Ray and Lieutenant Governor Branstad lead this initiative. Ambassador Quinn was a State Department Vietnamese translator put on special assignment to assist refugee resettlement in Iowa.

At 5:30 pm, The Most Reverend, William C. Joensen, PhD, Bishop of the Des Moines Diocese, will deliver a multi-cultural Mass. After Mass, join us in the Parish Hall for international cuisine from Vietnam, The Sudan, Ethiopia, and Atria. At dinner, each table will meet a refugee child living in Des Moines. Learn why they sought asylum, how they selected Des Moines, and how Catholic Charities assisted them.

Only 20 tables of 8 can be served. Preferential seating for $1000 table sponsors. Individual seats are $50 each. All proceeds from ticket sales and donations will be split between the Des Moines refugee ministry at St. Ambrose and Catholic Charities refugee initiatives.

RSVP to Cindy Sullivan at info@staugustin.org, or (515) 255-1175.