Father Raphael Assamah

Meet Fr. Raphael

I was born on July 4, 1976 in Ghana. My basic and tertiary education were in Ghana. After discerning the voice of God through retreats and spiritual directions, I entered St. Paul's Major Seminary in 1999 to study Philosophy, Sociology and Spirituality. In 2003, I studied theology and education at St. Peter's Regional Seminary in Pedu, Cape Coast, Ghana. After a successful pastoral year, three of us were ordained as Deacons on January 6, 2008 and later into the priesthood on August 23, 2008 for the Archdiocese of Accra.

My first assignment was at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. While there I oversaw the youth programs and was chaplain to some societies in the Archdiocese. There was a need for priests to assist in Jamaica, so the door was opened for volunteers, and I opted as fidei donum (the Gift of Faith) priest for the Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica.

While in Jamaica I worked at St. Pius X and St. Peter Claver Catholic Churches respectively. It wasn’t until later that I was asked to assist as a Priest in the Diocese of Des Moines where I served in Shenandoah and Hamburg as the Pastor of St. Mary’s Churches. I obtained my Master’s in Theology and Christian Ministry from the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Recently, Bishop Joensen asked me to serve as the Pastor of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in Des Moines and I arrived here on the 7th of July to assume my new duties. I enjoy walking, music, playing the guitar, reading, cooking, washing my own car and meeting people.

Parish
News

Random Act of Kindness

As part of the 75th Anniversary celebration, we have designated a parish service project of having a Random of Act of Kindness Day (February 17). This includes the Parish, School, and […]

Altar Server Training

All boys and girls, third grade through high school are invited to our next altar server training on Tuesday, February 18, 5 p.m. in the church.  Contact Josh Tyrrell tyrrell.w.j@gmail.com […]

Pastoral Council General Meeting

You are invited to attend our general Pastoral Council Meeting on Thursday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. We’ll hear about upcoming Lenten activities and planned improvements for […]

Lector & Eucharistic Minister Interest

Are you interested in becoming a lector or serving as a Eucharistic Minister? Join us on Sunday, March 9, at 9:30 a.m. in the choir area to learn more. For additional […]

Rosary Making Class

Join Paul Chicoine in a wire rosary making class at St. Theresa.  Paul will teach you how to fix and makerosaries.  You can purchase all rosary supplies from Paul at […]

Pilgrimage to Italy

Come along with Fr. Dan Kirby and Fr. Mike Mahoney on an extraordinary ten day journey to Italy in October of the Holy Year of 2025.  We invite you to […]