New priest and deacon appointments made by Bishop William Joensen

April 7, 2025

Diocese of Des Moines, Office of the Bishop

Bishop William Joensen has made the following appointments to go into effect during 2025.

Priest Retiring or Moving in 2025

  • Rev. Michael Acquah from parochial administrator, St. Mary, Red Oak, and St. Patrick, Imogene, to pastor of St. Claire in Clarinda, Sacred Heart in Bedford, and St. Joseph in Villisca, for a six-year term effective July 10, 2025.
  • Rev. Daniel Adjei from parochial vicar at St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale to one-year assignment as parish administrator at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Des Moines, effective July 10, 2025.
  • Rev. John Owusu-Agyemang from Des Moines metro chaplaincy to parochial vicar at St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale, for a two-year term effective July 10, 2025.
  • Rev. John Brobbey from parochial vicar at St. Francis of Assisi to chaplain of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, beginning in August 2025.
  • Rev. Jason Catania, with the Anglican (Catholic) Ordinariate, while continuing as MercyOne Hospital chaplain, to be in residence and offering sacramental assistance at St. Augustin in Des Moines, effective July 10, 2025.
  • Rev. Ly Chu from pastor at St. Peter Vietnamese Catholic Community in Des Moines to retirement.
  • Rev. Lazarus Kirigia returns from sabbatical on July 10, 2025. He will continue to serve as pastor of St. Mary in Red Oak and St. Patrick in Imogene under his current tenure, which ends in July 2029.
  • Rev. Ambrose Ladu from parochial vicar at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines to parochial vicar at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Parish in Ankeny and part-time Ministry with Migrant Community via St. Ambrose Cathedral, for a two-year term, effective July 10, 2025.
  • Rev. Rodrigo Landeros from parochial vicar at St. Anthony Parish in Des Moines to parochial vicar at Christ the King in Des Moines, for a one-year term, effective July 10, 2025.
  • Rev. Jason Lee from parochial vicar at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart in Ankeny to pastor of St. Mary in Shenandoah and St. Mary in Hamburg, for a six-year term, effective July 10, 2025.
  • Rev. Thinh Nguyen, SVD, priest from the Divine Word Missionaries, to parish administrator of St. Peter Vietnamese Catholic Community in Des Moines, effective July 10, 2025.
  • Rev. Sylvester Okoh from pastor at St. Claire in Clarinda, Sacred Heart in Bedford, and St. Joseph in Villisca to Des Moines metro chaplaincy, for a two-year term, effective July 10, 2025.
  • Rev. Protas Okwalo from pastor at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Des Moines to parochial vicar at St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines, for a two-year term, effective July 10, 2025
  • Rev. Nick Smith from parochial vicar at Christ the King in Des Moines to pastor at St. Patrick in Perry, for a six-year term, effective July 10, 2025.
  • Rev. Nick Stark, while remaining pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Carlisle, will offer sacramental and pastoral care to the Hispanic communities at St. Patrick in Lenox until January 1, 2026.
  • Rev. Litto Thomas from pastor at St. Patrick in Perry to parochial vicar at St. Anthony in Des Moine,s for a two-year term, effective July 10, 2025.

Priests Extending Tenure in 2025

  • Rev. Chinnappan Devaraj granted a six-year extension of tenure as Pastor at St. Boniface Parish in Waukee.
  • Rev. Ken Halbur granted a six-year extension of tenure as pastor at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Ankeny.
  • Rev. Dan Siepker, having completed 12 years of tenure, will remain as pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Glenwood.

Deacon Assignments

  • Rev. Mr. Michael Knipp, to St. Theresa Parish, Des Moines, from April 7, 2025 to August 30, 2026.