Bishop reflects on fifth anniversary
September 19, 2024
On his fifth anniversary of ordination and installation as the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines, Bishop William Joensen will be with his brother bishops celebrating the ordination and installation of the new bishop of the Davenport Diocese.
As he wishes Bishop-Elect Dennis Walsh well, Bishop Joensen will remember what it felt like to wear similar shoes. Five years ago on Sept. 27, the Loras College teacher, spiritual director, and priest assisting rural and city parishes answered God’s call to lead the faithful in the Diocese of Des Moines.
A lifelong Iowan raised in Ames and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Bishop Joensen is thrilled that he can serve people in his home state.
“I’m an Iowan. I’ve really grown to love the people of our Des Moines Diocese!” said the diehard Cyclones fan.
He recently reflected on his fifth anniversary as shepherd of the Diocese’s 80 parishes and 16 Catholic schools, on grappling with a pandemic and emerging with a renewed sense of mission and opportunities to accompany people as they come to know and love God.
Perhaps among the best parts of his five years as shepherd have been celebrating sacraments, landmark parish anniversaries, ordaining new priests and deacons, and just being with people.
Reflective of the responsibilities as bishop, particularly as his good friend Father Scott Bullock prepares to become Bishop Bullock of the Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota, Bishop Joensen is humbled by his role. He gets to experience Iowa “through the lens of being a priest/bishop who is both to be a visible witness, a humble disciple, but a courageous leader willing to lay down his life both spiritually and in whatever way God might ask of me.”
Bishop Joensen’s strength stems from the Holy Spirit.
“There’s no way I could do one day of this role without the guidance and peace and counsel of the Holy Spirit.”
His strength also comes from your prayers.
“For 30 years I was ordained a priest. I certainly believed in the Holy Spirit. But I have ever greater assurance and gratitude that the prayers of the people in Mass, where my name is mentioned, are truly effective,” he said.
In his time leading the Diocese of Des Moines, there’s been great joy and many blessings.
Eucharistic Revival
This past summer, the Diocese had the unique experience of participating in the national Eucharistic procession that moved through Omaha and into Council Bluffs, Glenwood, Imogene and Shenandoah. And a 300-strong group of pilgrims from the Diocese went to the national Eucharistic Congress last summer.
Those events plus local parish events during the national three-year Eucharistic Revival hopefully “have advanced the appreciation, the devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,” said Bishop Joensen.
The upcoming Christ Our Life Catholic Conference, which is organized in partnership with his office and draws thousands of people to Des Moines, is another opportunity for people to grow in their faith.
“I continue to be a participant and promotor of the Christ Our Life conferences,” he said. “It’s one of those joyful things that gives me a chance to be in communion with people, to preach, to celebrate our faith with people, as well as to be fed, too.”
Diversity
Another highlight of his five years is the outreach to those of diverse backgrounds.
Two years ago, the Diocese of Des Moines welcomed a national conference for African Catholic clergy and religious.
“We celebrated the presence of international priests in our Diocese. Their missionary spirit both blesses us and continues to allow us to be Church for all of our parishes. But it also spurs us to say we can’t be passive recipients of others’ ministry. We have to be more missionary in our own right.”
For the Hispanic community, a lay leadership formation program will be expanded and offered both in Des Moines and Council Bluffs. Those who complete the program work with their pastors to serve fellow parishioners.
Servant leadership
Ministries serving the faithful have been reorganized or expanded, such as the permanent diaconate.
Deacon Jim Houston was hired as the director of the permanent diaconate, who works closely with Deacon Matt Halbach, the director of formation.
After a review, the formation program was revamped to include accommodations for those in rural areas and for Spanish speakers, and included a greater use of technology.
In addition, while there is currently a group of men and their wives in formation, a second, concurrent formation group will be created next year. For the first time in the diocesan program, there will be two groups of men and their wives in formation.
“I think this will bring new life and service to our parishes,” said Bishop Joensen.
Another area of service involves Church law.
The Tribunal, which focuses on situations involving canon law, is in the process of being reorganized. While the Tribunal will continue to assist and accompany persons seeking annulments, the Tribunal seeks to serve the people of the Diocese in a broader sense.
“The law should not be a heavy burden placed upon people but help guide, order, and free people to take their rightful place in the Body of Christ. The staffing of our own diocesan Tribunal and the formation of both vice-chancellor Adam Storey (who is studying for a degree in canon law) and Father Alex Kramer (who recently completed his canon law license) allows us to do locally what we had previously outsourced. Along with present Judicial Vicar, Father Christopher Pisut, they assist me in my role as shepherd to respect the procedures and guidelines that inform our way of being church.”
Bishop Joensen has overseen the strengthening of the Diocese’s effort to more boldly and clearly communicate Church teachings through the hiring of digital evangelist Alexis Nicholson. Last year, the Diocese rolled out a service called Catholic Social Media that helps parishes use social media tools to reach out in their communities.
And John Huynh, who holds a doctorate in theology and pastoral ministry, focuses on Catholic Social Justice for both the Diocese and Catholic Charities.
During his five years in the Diocese, Bishop partnered with Barbara Decker, executive director of Catholic Charities. He wishes her well as she retires and is grateful for her work strengthening families and empowering individuals through Catholic Charities’ refugee services, and programs providing counseling, shelter, and food to those in need.
Spirit-led
Bishop Joensen says the Holy Spirit is alive and well in the Diocese evidenced by the number of people entering the Catholic Church at the last Easter Vigil.
“It’s something to shout from the rooftops,” he said. “Even as we recognize many who don’t identify with a particular faith community, we’re working to cultivate connections in Christ by providing those moments of encounter, by looking to establish friendships that are not superficial, by creating meaningful relationships that are life-giving and reflect the goodness with which God has created us as brothers and sisters in our human family. Ultimately, we seek to abide in the communion that God generates through death and resurrection of Jesus.”
Looking ahead
New resources are helping.
Thanks to the generosity of the faithful, the successful Ignite! capital campaign raised $37 million, shoring up resources for caring for retired priests and seminarians while positioning the Diocese to better pass on the faith through Catholic schools and parishes.
Also, the new Education Savings Accounts provided by the state “are a great godsend” said Bishop Joensen. ESAs provide financial resources for parents who want to choose the kind of education that’s best for their children.
Catholic schools are working smarter to be good stewards of resources.
The Des Moines Catholic school regionalization process will consolidate business practices, like payroll, among 11 Catholic schools so they can focus on education and faith formation. This year, four Des Moines-area schools join two who piloted the program last year, and the remaining Des Moines-area Catholic schools will join next year.
“I’m committed to the Des Moines region,” said Bishop Joensen. “I think our persistence, even as we make necessary adjustments in how we deliver our educational mission, is one from which we will ultimately see fruit.”
Through a consultative, grassroots, Spirit-led discernment process, parishioners across the Diocese shared what they need to grow in their faith. Their feedback was used in determining key pastoral priorities that parishes will focus on in the coming years.
The mission and vision -- sowing God’s Spirit so we may cultivate connections in Christ through encounter, friendship, and communion -- presents new opportunities to evangelize.
“We won’t be complacent,” said Bishop Joensen. “God continues to call us to be a people for whom the Lord offers us a portion and cup of eternal life.”