Rockin’ Revs Delight Sold-Out Crowd

August 21, 2025

By Ann Pierson

A crowded Val Air Ballroom jammed out to music played by six young priests, including one of the Diocese’s own.

The first Concert for Life in Iowa had a sold-out crowd of 1,500. The concert raised more than $8,000 for Gabriel’s Corner in Council Bluffs and Pulse Life Advocates.

The bass guitarist for the band was Father Max Carson of the Diocese of Des Moines, who currently serves at St. Patrick Catholic Church and St. Albert Catholic in Council Bluffs. When the Diocese’s own priest entered the stage, the crowd went wild.

Iowans who have known Father Carson throughout his vocational journey came to support him.

“We had Father Max as a seminarian at St. Joe’s,” Chris and Dawn Linder of St. Joseph Parish in Des Moines said. “We’re here to see him.”

Christine and Tim Courtney belong to Father Carson’s parish of St. Patrick. They, along with other members of their parish, took a bus up to see their parochial vicar play.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to see [Father Carson] live with his band, so we’re excited,” the Courtneys said.

The concert was headlined by Father David Michael Moses of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, in Texas, who is widely known for his social media presence. His presence at the concert drew in people outside the Diocese of Des Moines.

Jessica Moore of Blue Earth, Minnesota, follows Father Moses on Instagram. When she heard about the Concert for Life, she and her family drove three hours to see the band play.

“I saw that they were going to play close to us. I’m like, ‘We’ve got to go!’” Moore said.

Holly and Faith Tenhulzen from Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City also saw on Father Moses’ social media page that the Concert for Life was coming to the state.

“We saw that he had a concert and it’s for a good cause. We figured it’s worth a trip,” Holly said.

St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines bought 148 tickets for those in its youth ministry and their families.

The concert was a unique experience, celebrating the joy of life, especially the joy in the priesthood.

“I like what [the concert] is supporting,” Leslie Hague of St. Anthony Parish in Des Moines said. “I’m excited to actually see priests do something fun that they enjoy doing.”

The concert’s songs were penned by Father Moses. The lyrics were about the Catholic faith, such as lightheartedly singing about challenges a priest faces, as well as more serious songs about trusting in God’s plan.

When the priests concluded the concert, the crowd chanted for an encore. The band, being merciful shepherds, appeased their flock’s request by singing another song.

The Concert for Life had those in all walks of life jamming out, enjoying great music.

“It is so family-oriented. You can bring your entire family … and everyone is going to get something out of it,” said Casey Dervay of Houston, Texas, who works behind the scenes at the concert.

The concert especially had young people on their feet, celebrating the joy their faith has to offer.

“How the kids were dancing and enjoying [the concert] was my highlight,” Sister Shiji Marttakal of St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale said. “They may not remember what we teach them in the catechism classes, but they will remember [this].”