DIOCESE OF DES MOINES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Professional Development
The director of professional development coordinates efforts across the diocese to build highly effective school administrators and classroom teachers through collaborative planning, professional development, coaching, alignment of curriculum and assessment practices, data analysis to inform best practices, and the development of systemic responses to academic and behavior needs for all students.
Job Titles:
- Bishop Emeritus
- Bishop for 11 Years, from 2008 - 2019, When He Retired. since Retiring He Has Served As Apostolic Administrator at Various Dioceses across the Country
Bishop Richard Pates served as bishop for 11 years, from 2008-2019, when he retired. Since retiring he has served as Apostolic Administrator at various dioceses across the country.
Bishop William Joensen is our current bishop, installed in 2019 by Pope Francis.
The Most Rev. William M. Joensen, Ph.D. was ordained and installed in 2019 as bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines.
Born in 1960, Bishop Joensen completed studies at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio and was ordained a priest in 1989. He earned a doctorate in philosophy at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 2001. He has served in parishes, as spiritual director at St. Pius X Seminary in Dubuque and in a variety of roles at Loras College in Dubuque.
Bishop Joensen writes a regular column for The Catholic Mirror and hosts a weekly radio show on Iowa Catholic Radio.
Job Titles:
- Director of Teaching and Learning
The director of teaching and learning leads all efforts at K-12 school improvement. These efforts include overseeing the training and implementation of all required federal- and state-mandated educational programs. In addition, the director leads diocesan-wide initiatives, as well as assists principals in making local curricular and instructional decisions. School improvement includes standards-driven education, assessment, instruction and professional development, data collection, analysis, and management. The director of teaching and learning assists the schools and their personnel with a variety of special programs, including various professional and religious development programs.
Job Titles:
- Superintendent of Schools
The superintendent of schools assists the Bishop in all matters that pertain to his educational/formational ministry in Catholic schools. The superintendent consults with the bishop and the chancellor on matters affecting the Catholic identity, policies and regulations, and personnel of the schools. In addition, the superintendent upholds the accreditation standards for all the schools from the Iowa Department of Education, serves as the executive officer of the Diocesan Catholic Schools Board, is the liaison between the board and the local schools and confers with the diocesan attorney on legal matters. The superintendent provides service to school administrators, school pastors and local boards of education/school boards.
Fr. Christopher Pisut, pastor of St. Augustin in Des Moines, is the judicial vicar. He is responsible for overseeing the Tribunal and advising the bishop on issues related to Church law.
Fr. David Fleming serves as a vicar general. He is responsible for assisting the bishop in the general administration of the diocese.
Job Titles:
- Pastor of Our Lady 's Immaculate Heart Parish in Ankeny, Will Serve As the Episcopal Vicar for Priests
- Vicar for Priests
Vicar for Priests
Fr. Michael Amadeo, pastor of Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Parish in Ankeny, will serve as the episcopal Vicar for Priests.
Job Titles:
- Pastor Christ the King in Des Moines, Will Serve As the Vicar for Hispanic Ministry
- Vicar for Hispanic Ministry
Job Titles:
- Pastor in Atlantic, Anita, Griswold, and Reno / Cumberland, Serves As the Vicar for Worship
- Vicar for Worship
Job Titles:
- Bishop Emeritus
- Bishop for 13 Years, from 1994 - 2007, When He Retired Due to Health Reasons
Bishop Joseph Charron served as bishop for 13 years, from 1994-2007, when he retired due to health reasons.
Job Titles:
- Director of Multicultural Programming
The Director of Multicultural Programming serves as advocate for multicultural students and parents by supporting enrollment and marketing initiatives as well as managing the diocesan English Language Learner program in our Catholic schools. This position coordinates with the superintendent of schools, school administrators, teachers of English Language Learners, as well as area public school partners and education agencies.
Job Titles:
- CCSL - Director of Marketing
Job Titles:
- Annual Giving Coordinator