Serva Fidem applies model for youth program to parishes

April 21, 2025

by Jennifer Willems

With a growing number of intentional disciples being formed through Ut Fidem at Dowling Catholic High School – and now as Serva Fidem at eight other Catholic high schools in the Midwest – the organization’s leaders are taking the next step.

They met with Bishop William Joensen and John Gaffney, director of Evangelization and Mission for the Diocese of Des Moines, to discuss a partnership that would take the youth ministry initiative to the parishes.

“It seemed like something we not only wanted to do, but it was an idea of what we were hoping for when we established the Parish Mission Renewal Fund through the Ignite! capital campaign a few years back,” Gaffney said.

What makes it so attractive is that it would allow parishes to work together in a way they hadn’t done before, and give them financial assistance to make it possible.

In this case, the Serva Fidem proposal includes Ss. John and Paul in Altoona as the lead parish, where Father Mark McGeary is pastor. The other two parishes in the pilot program are St. Luke the Evangelist in Ankeny, (Father Ken Halibur, pastor), and St. Joseph in Des Moines (Father Chris Fontanini, pastor).

There will be one coordinator, whom they hope to have in place in May, and mentors will be recruited this summer.

Gaffney said they anticipate launching Serva Fidem for high school students in the parishes this fall. The pilot program will take place over the next three years.

“I think the thing that we don’t ever want to change is the discipleship model that has been successful at Dowling Catholic and a number of other Catholic high schools across the country,” he said. “That art of accompaniment is at the very core and I think that is the thing that is really impactful for the young people, as well as the mentors that are walking alongside them.”

Gaffney is excited by how the Diocese, through its strategic plan, is already starting to experience this kind of innovation. Having Serva Fidem leaders bringing that innovation to diocesan leaders and asking for partnership is also exciting for him.

He said he appreciates the generosity of people who contributed to the Ignite! capital campaign, which makes it possible for these kinds of collaboration.

Gaffney is also looking forward to seeing how the pastors and parishioners – from young adults to grandparents – who are working with the program experience what it takes for youth evangelization to happen.