St. Francis Knights of Columbus Supports Diaconate Program

by Diocese of Des Moines | December 13, 2025

Dan Werner and brother knights from Knights of Columbus Council 12422, St Francis of Assisi Parish, in West Des Moines presented a check to Deacon Jim Houston, diocesan director of the Permanent Diaconate.

The generous donation will be earmarked for textbooks and other materials required for the 5-year deacon formation process. The Diocese of Des Moines currently has 18 men and their wives in the third year of formation and has begun the process of taking applications for a congruent formation class that will begin in September 2026.

The St. Francis Knights of Columbus are a group of Catholic men serving St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, the Diocese of Des Moines, and the global Church. The Knights are called to acts of charity that include volunteering in the community, organizing fish fry dinners, and raising money for charitable causes including vocations.

Learn more about the Permanent Diaconate at www.dmdiocese.org/vocations.