From Iowa to Kenya With Love

by Diocese of Des Moines | May 13, 2026

A group of parishioners who traveled to Kenya with Fath

Parishioners of St. Patrick in Imogene and St. Mary in Red Oak collaborated recently to host a Kenyan experience night. Several parishioners traveled with their pastor, Father Lazarus Kirigia, to his homeland in Kenya and to their sister parish of Holy Family in Mukothima, Kenya in December 2023/January 2024 and/or in January and February of 2026.

Those on the journey shared both faith and culture that they learned in their travels. They shared a video of Father Linus Kinyua, the pastor of Holy Family. They also shared Kenyan food and traditional Kenyan attire.

 Father Lazarus Kirigia shares about his Kenyan culture and homeland with parishioners

Diocese of Des Moines

The Diocese of Des Moines, created in 1911, serves people over a 12,446 square mile area in the southwestern quadrant of Iowa, including 23 counties.