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

Vacation Bible School

Students entering grades K-5 in the fall of 2025 join this summer for VBS!June 24-27, 8:30-11:30 a.m.  St. Theresa Parish HallTo volunteer or ask questions, contact Jane Ann Becicka, 515-279-4654 x304 […]

75th Anniversary Apparel Items

Our apparel store is back open. Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase a t-shirt, sweatshirt, apron or plastic cup. The store will close on April 7th so don’t delay in […]

Easter Flowers

If you would like to purchase Easter flowers in memory of your loved one(s), or simply to contribute to the floral display on the altar for the Easter season, you […]

Mass of Anointing

Thursday, April 10, at 4:30 p.m.The Sacrament of Anointing is open to all those in need of spiritual or physical healing including those who have health problems due to illness, […]

Friday Lenten Meals

Join us each Friday evening for Stations of the Cross at 5 p.m. The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a dinner each Friday evening during Lent in the school […]

Lunch & Learn

Join us on Thursday, April 3, at 10 a.m. Brian Becicka, a member of the parish and a participant in the Schoenstatt Movement, will be sharing a reflection on the […]