Official Appointments for Deaneries

July 11, 2025

As provided for in Canon law, a deanery is a grouping of neighboring parishes. Deaneries assist in the coordinating of pastoral care, the facilitating of common pastoral action, the ensuring of implementation of diocesan policies, the sharing of pastoral concerns, and the communicating of information.

The Bishop appoints a priest, as a dean, to act in his name by providing general oversight of the administration and ministry within the deanery. The dean ensures people receive genuine pastoral care, creates opportunities for parishes to collaborate on shared concerns, goals, and ministry, and supports the life, ministry, and well-being of the priests within the deanery.  The dean serves as a bridge of communion and channel of communication among the pastors and parish communities within the deanery, and between the deanery and the Bishop.

Bishop William Joensen has made the following dean appointments, effective July 15.

Atlantic Deanery
Very Rev. Trevor Chicoine, while continuing as Pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul (Atlantic), St. Mary (Anita), Our Lady of Grace (Griswold), and St. Timothy (Reno/Cumberland); as well as the Diocesan Vicar for Divine Worship, is appointed Dean of the Atlantic Deanery for a three-year term.

Council Bluffs Deanery
Very Rev. Joel McNeil, while continuing as Pastor of St. Patrick Parish (Council Bluffs) is appointed Dean of the Council Bluffs Deanery for a three-year term.

Des Moines Northeast Deanery
Very Rev. Dominic Assim, while continuing as Pastor of Assumption Parish (Granger), is appointed Dean of the Des Moines Northeast Deanery for a three-year term. 

Des Moines Central Deanery
Very Rev. Raphael Assamah, while continuing as Pastor of St. Theresa Parish (Des Moines), is appointed Dean of the Des Moines Central Deanery for a three-year term.

Des Moines Southeast Deanery
Very Rev. Nicholas Stark, while continuing as Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Carlisle);  as well as offering pastoral service at Christ the King and to the Hispanic community throughout the diocese, is appointed Dean of the Des Moines Southeast Deanery for a three-year term effective July 15, 2025.

Des Moines West Deanery
Very Rev. Christopher Hartshorn, while continuing as Pastor of Sacred Heart (West Des Moines), is appointed Dean of the Des Moines West Deanery for a three-year term.

Harlan Deanery
Very Rev. Samuel Danso, while continuing as Pastor of St. Patrick (Dunlap) and Sacred Heart (Woodbine), is appointed Dean of the Harlan Deanery for a three-year term.

Norwalk Deanery
Very Rev. Daniel Kirby, while continuing as Pastor of St. John the Apostle Parish (Norwalk) and Administrator of the Shrine of the Assumption (Churchville); as well as Director of Junior and New International Priests, is appointed Dean of the Norwalk Deanery for a three-year term.

Red Oak Deanery
Very Rev. Lazarus Kirigia, while continuing as Pastor of St. Mary (Red Oak) and St. Patrick (Imogene), is appointed Dean of the Red Oak Deanery for a three-year term effective July 15, 2025.

The following diaconal appointment has also been made. Bishop William Joensen appointed Rev. Mr. Mark Burdt, from All Saints Parish, Des Moines, to St. Bernard Parish, Osceola, St. Joseph Parish, Mt. Ayr, and St. Patrick Parish, Grand River, effective June 16.