Local Youth Heads to Synodal Delegation in Ghana

July 22, 2025

Flag of Ghana with an airplane pin

By Ann Pierson

Catherine Wilwerding of Holy Trinity in Des MoinesCatherine Wilwerding of Holy Trinity Parish in Des Moines will see faith in action – from the opposite side of the world this August.

The senior from Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines is heading to Ghana for a synodal delegation with Catholic Relief Services and the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

She is among 10 delegates from the federation’s youth leadership council, National Youth Advisory Council, to attend.

Wilwerding has been a member of the council since October 2024. She has worked on addressing the needs of young people in the Diocese, especially through her work reestablishing Teens Encounter Christ, a retreat experience for high school juniors.

The synodal delegation will give the council members the chance to see the Church’s universal mission of ministry firsthand. The experience is designed to “deepen their understanding and witness the Catholic Church’s vital efforts in advancing justice and human development” according to a press release by NFCYM. 

“The goal,” said Natalie Ibarra, communications manager for NYAC, “is for [the council] to see service and faith in action, seeing the Gospel and corporal works of mercy.”

The members of the council, including Wilwerding, will observe the work of Catholic Relief Services in Ghana through the non-profit’s initiatives such as clinics and clean water resources. Members will also meet with young people in Ghana, listening to them and discussing their faith together.

Wilwerding is preparing for this experience by bringing a piece of Iowa with her. She plans to talk with her friends and peers regarding their questions about CRS and the Catholic Church in Ghana so she can address them at the synodal delegation.

After the meeting, Wilwerding’s council will reflect and show their takeaways from the synodal delegation in a documentary. The completed documentary will be played for the viewing of thousands of teenagers later this year at the National Catholic Youth Conference in November. The council will also release a statement, using what they have learned from the synodal delegation to call fellow young people to action.

Looking forward to the retreat, Wilwerding anticipates spending time with her fellow council members. She normally only sees them during their monthly Zoom meetings. She’ll have answers for her peers’ questions about the CRS and the Catholic Church in Ghana.

“I’m really excited,” said Wilwerding. “There will be lots that I’ll want to bring back and share with people.”