Department of Evangelization and Mission Staff Members

Department of Evangelization and Catechesis

John Gaffney, Team Director, Adult Evangelization and Leadership Formation

Reachable by phone, 515-237-5026, or email

Responsibilities include:

direct the Evangelization and Mission daily operations and staff
provides strategic direction and leadership to enact the Diocesan Strategic Plan’s mission and vision through the efforts of the Diocese of Des Moines’ Pastoral Council and the Pastoral Priority Commissions.
leads a diverse team of professionals in achieving goals to enhance missionary zeal within parish communities throughout the Diocese of Des Moines.
provides resources, formation and consultation around parish adult faith formation programming
provides lay ecclesial ministry formation especially in the formation of catechetical leaders and catechists, directors of youth ministry and volunteers, and adult faith formation directors which includes portions of RCIA team formation
oversees catechetical services which continually reviews resources for use in parish and school formation children and teen programming

Reachable by phone, 515-237-5058, or email

Responsibilities include:

performs general clerical and administrative support for the Evangelization and Mission Team.
responds to inquiries and provides standard information regarding procedures, policies and services of the Evangelization and Mission Team.
designs various media, publications, and team materials along with creating and maintaining directories and databases.

Reachable by phone, 515-237-5051, or email

Responsibilities include:

implements diocesan pastoral plan for youth promoting lifelong faith formation
advocates a vision of comprehensive youth ministry as part of the USCCB vision.
fosters adult faith formation focused on discipleship youth ministry
provides formation for parish leaders in Confirmation and Sacramental preparation

Reachable by phone, 515-237-5058, or email

Responsibilities include:

advocates for the advancement of marriage and family priorities throughout the Diocesan strategic direction and parish and regional level operations.
supervises the mission team element of the Evangelization and Mission Team.
coordinates marriage preparation and enrichment programs throughout the diocese.

Reachable by phone, 515-237-5054, or email

Responsibilities include:

Lead the curation, development, and presentation of compelling digital content that brings to life the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Catholic faith.
Collaborate with other internal and external stakeholders to foster a digital strategy that drives engagement of Catholics with this content.
Contribute content to the various priorities of the Communication’s team in support of the work of the Bishop and the Evangelization and Mission Team.

Reachable by phone, 515-237-5011, or email

Responsibilities include:

collaborate and advocate on behalf of Hispanic residents to enhance the pastoral care of the Hispanic Community and promote the dignity of Hispanics in the parish communities.
promote the evangelization message of the Diocese of Des Moines communicating the teachings of the Church more boldly and clearly.
promote leadership and faith formation among the Hispanic laity.
serve as a consultant to the Bishop, Communication team, Diocesan Pastoral Council and Strategic Commissions, Presbyteral Council, and Parish Leadership on the issues and challenges of the Hispanic community.

Reachable by phone, 515-237-5073 or email

Responsibilities include:

direct regular operations of the Disability Ministry program.
advocate for children and adults with disabilities across the diocese and in the community.
encourage access for those with special needs to appropriate formation, sacramental preparation, liturgy, and other events around the diocese and at the parish-level.
facilitate ASL interpreting services at Diocese events and Deaf community parish Masses.

Reachable by phone, 515-237-5006, or email

Responsibilities include:

providing strategic leadership to advance the social justice mission and vision of the Diocese of Des Moines and Catholic Charities
engaging with diocesan parishes to advance Catholic Social Teachings and social justice works
engaging local and national Catholic organizations on social justice matters
providing oversight of respect life and social justice advocacy
coordinating disaster relief actions associated with targeted response and delivery needs
developing and delivering formation opportunities on Catholic Social Teaching and advocacy skills
managing digital communication resources related to social justice matters
advocating for respect life and related social justice activities, including engagement with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)