2025 Bishop's Celebration of Catholic Schools

The Bishop's Celebration of Catholic Schools is an annual event that unites the entire Diocese of Des Moines community in celebration of the life-changing impact our faith-centered education has provided for more than 150 years.

Proceeds from this year's event will help meet the needs of diverse learners in our Catholic schools.

EVENT DETAILS

Saturday, September 13, 2025

  • 4:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Ambrose Cathedral
  • 5:00 p.m. - Social Hour at the Diocese of Des Moines Pastoral Center-Krause Hall
  • 6:00 p.m. - Dinner and awards ceremony at the Diocese of Des Moines Pastoral Center-Krause Hall

HONOREES

Each year during the event, the diocese recognizes the teacher, administrator, and volunteer of the year winners for their impact on our Catholic schools. This year's award winners are:

  • Teacher of the Year: Cindy Schwery, Shelby County Catholic School
  • Administrator of the Year: Erica Arnold, Dowling Catholic High School
  • Volunteer of the Year: Tomas Munoz, Holy Trinity Catholic School

Read about this year's award winners >

Guest Speaker

 

Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools is thrilled to announce that Dr. Brandy L. Ficek, M.D., M.B.A., has accepted Bishop Joensen’s personal invitation to be the guest speaker at the 2025 Bishop's Celebration of Catholic Schools.

Dr. Ficek is not only a nationally recognized leader in Palliative Medicine but also a proud product of our own Diocese. A 2000 graduate of St. Albert Catholic High School, Dr. Ficek credits her Catholic school upbringing as foundational to the successful and compassionate physician she is today.

  • Current Role: She serves as the Medical Director of Palliative Medicine & Supportive Care and Clinical Bioethics teams at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, Kansas.

  • Pioneering Work: In 2018, she was appointed the founding Chair of the Kansas Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council, instrumental in developing the state's first-ever 5-year Palliative Care State Plan.

  • Accolades: Dr. Ficek's dedication has earned her numerous awards, including Phoenix Magazine’s “Top Doctor” (2016), Arizona Business Magazine’s “Most Influential Millennials” (2016), and the Center for Practical Bioethics “Ethics Champion" (2020).

Read more about Dr. Ficek and her inspiring work >

 

Co-Chairs

  • Tracy & Matt Edwards (St. Luke the Evangelist parishioners)
  • Mercedies & Cole Steinkamp (Holy Trinity parishioners)
  • Angelo and Lendi Provenza (St. Francis of Assisi parishioners)

Emcee

  •  Matt Edwards

For more information or to get involved in this year's event, email jshama@dmdiocese.org.