For information regarding our Diocese of Des Moines in Iowa, click here

Counseling Program - Consulting a qualified, professional therapist to assist in overcoming life’s problems can be an important decision for you or your family:  Catholic Charities Counseling Program offers professional individual, couple and family counseling services in downtown Des Moines, Altoona, Ankeny, Waukee, Perry and Council Bluffs. Licensed therapists work with clients of all faiths regarding a number of issues including depression, anxiety, stress, issues concerning relationships, child behavior problems, marital conflict, eating disorders, sexual abuse, separation and divorce issues, criminal behavior, addictions, physical handicaps, health problems and spiritual crisis. Insurance is now accepted and the program also serves those without insurance through a sliding scale fee structure that is based on income and family size. Evening appointments are available. To schedule an appointment contact the Des Moines office at 515-244-3761 or the Council Bluffs office at 712-328-3086.

Baseball season is almost here! Save the date for Catholic Charities Night at the Iowa Cubs June 24! Go to www.CatholicCharitiesDM.org  for more information.


Spring Computer Classes in Spanish for adults off to great start; Summer classes will begin in early July:  Catholic Charities Hispanic Community Outreach Program, in collaboration with DMACC, Principal Financial and the Hola Center, offers computer classes for Spanish speaking adults. The classes offer important job skills training in a non-intimidating environment along with opportunities to learn about other community initiatives and resources that can be useful in adapting to a new community and culture. Contact Mireya Ramirez at 515-237-5047 or mramirez@dmdiocese.org for more information about the program or the upcoming summer session.


Communications
Keep up to date:  The Diocese of Des Moines is now on Facebook. Look us up and be a fan of our page to get the latest news and information. If you prefer blogs, go to www.dmdiocese.org and sign up for a general diocesan news blog, a worship blog or a Catholic Charities blog. Hear the news first from the diocese.

Faith Formation
Center for Ministry Development will be here:  Mark your calendars now!  The Center for Ministry Development will facilitate a workshop at St. Francis of Assisi Parish Hall in West Des Moines on Thursday, May 20 entitled “Families and the Bible.”  The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 3 p.m.  Cost for this workshop is $49.  Lunch is included.  Some scholarships are available.  This workshop is intended for all parish leadership:  pastors, deacons, school administrators, youth ministers, adult faith formation coordinators and catechetical leaders.  For more information call 515-237-5058 or e-mail Jo Anne Dalhoff at jdalhoff@dmdiocese.org 


Youth Ministry
2010 Youth Rally:  Mark your calendar now for our 2010 Diocesan Youth Rally.  Junior high will be Nov. 6 and high school will be Nov. 7.  This year our keynote presenter will be Jesse Manibusan. More information will be coming soon.


Marriage Ministry

Contacts:  Deacon Dennis and Sarah Luft can be reached at 515-237-5056 or by e-mail at luft@dmdiocese.org.  Radio:  Listen to KWKY 1150 AM weekdays for: Building Marriages One Minute at a Time  U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter on marriage:  Click on http://www.usccb.org/laity/LoveandLife to view the document “Love and Life in the Divine Plan.”


Marriage Advisory Board:  Enhancing and strengthening ministry to marriage.


Marriage Preparation Programs for 2010:  Con-Validation: Council Bluffs session held at Catholic Charities; Des Moines sessions held at the Pastoral Center., 6-9 pm. A light dinner is served. Cost is $ 40 per couple. Register online.

§               Council Bluffs, Oct. 20

§               Des Moines, Oct. 6

Pre Marriage: Sessions will be held at the Pastoral Center in Des Moines 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Couples must do one session A and one session B.  Cost is $75 per couple. Register online.

Session A: Life Skills

§               July 31-Oct. 9

      Session B: Sacramental

§              August 7-Oct. 16


Diocesan Assessment

We do assessment for couples when:

ü      one or both have had a previous marriage

ü      one or both are 21 or under

ü      there is a pregnancy or a child(ren) is brought into the marriage 

Additional Opportunities:  We offer resources to parishes to assist building marriages such as “Education for Relationships- Children of Divorce- Building Step Families seminars and marriage enrichment gatherings.

 

Educational recourses for a better marriage:

Teams of Our Lady info@teamsofourlady.org

Worldwide Marriage Encounter dsm.ia.execs@mchsi.com

Natural Family Planning- Couple to Couple League feakers@q.com

Fertility Care Services of Central Iowa naproworks@msn.com

            Natural Family Planning of Central Iowa bmcgehe@aol.com


Msgr. Frank Chiodo of St. Anthony's Church is leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land next November.  Holy Land Pilgrimage - November 8th through 15th, 2010.  Join Msgr. Frank Chiodo on a spiritual journey of faith - walk in the footsteps of Jesus - you'll never be the same!  Informational Meeting at St. Anthony's Church, 15 Indianola Road in Des Moines - 255-4709.  The guest speaker is Uri Steinberg, Director of Israeli Tourism.  For more information call Marva Marasco at 779-7766 or email at cruzandtours@hotmail.com.