The Des
Moines
Meeting
✦
A cultural event; the result of an encounter
A cultural event; the result of an encounter
At a moment of encounter with something extraordinary and fulfilling, Peter said what came most naturally to him, and he desired the moment to last. We, too, desire these moments where we are struck by what is truly good and beautiful.
Join us for a time of encounter at the Des Moines Meeting. Hear the witness of people who spent time with a man on the path to sainthood. Engage questions about what it means to be human in a digital age. Listen to music performed by talented artists. Experience a cultural event with people whose lives have been shaped by an encounter with God.
This event is free and for everyone. Welcome! It is good that we are here.
Des Moines Bishop William M. Joensen will begin the day with prayer and an introductory message.
The Most Rev. William M. Joensen, Ph.D., was ordained and installed in 2019 as bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines. He leads 79 parishes across 23 counties in central and southwest Iowa with a zeal for evangelization and a deep desire to lead people to a deeper friendship with Christ. Born in 1960, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University, a master’s degree in moral theology from Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and a doctorate in philosophy from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Dubuque in 1989.
Pope Benedict XVI (then Cardinal Ratzinger) gave the homily at the funeral Mass for Monsignor Luigi Giussani in 2005. He opened with these words:
Father Giussani grew up in a house that was—to use his words— poor in bread but rich in music, so that from the very beginning he was touched, or, better, wounded, by the desire for beauty. He was not satisfied, however, with just any ordinary beauty, with beauty however banal; he sought rather Beauty itself, infinite Beauty, and thus he found Christ. In Christ he found true beauty, the path of life, true joy.
Now recognized as a Servant of God, the cause for beatification of Luigi Giussani will soon advance from the local level to the Vatican.
Hear from people whose lives were definitively shaped by their experience with this man, and learn what they observed in this priest full of passion for life and for Christ.
Stephanie Stokman is a wife and mother to six kids. They live and homeschool in Deerwood, MN. In addition to her work at home, she is a member of the board for Well-Read Mom and leads School of Community.
Holly Peterson spent the majority of her career in her native California. She has been a high school teacher and principal and on the education faculty of both the University of San Francisco and the Catholic University of America. Her doctoral dissertation centered on the pedagogy of Mons. Luigi Giussani, and she is presently the Assistant Superintendent for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio.
Riro Maniscalco, born and raised in Italy where he studied law at the Catholic University of Milan, moved to the States with his family in 1994 to start up a Vocational Training program sponsored by the Catholic Migration Office in Brooklyn, New York. Following that first experience he started an “American English” language school which he managed for 18 years. He is one of the founders, and the President of New York Encounter (www.newyorkencounter.org), a cultural event that takes place every year in NYC.
By now everyone knows: the young people born between 1997 and 2012 have lived in a world that has always known the internet and smartphones. With seemingly endless connection and the ability to curate an online persona and experiences that uniquely fit one’s particular interests, is there an ongoing need for communal worship, for non-virtual experiences, for God? Young people and their mentors offer their perspectives.
Fr. Stefano, born and raised in northern Italy, has a BS and MS in Physics from the University of Milan, a BA in Philosophy from the Lateran University and a BA in Theology from the Gregorian University. After 8 years in Spain, Fr. Stefano moved to North St. Paul and has taught at St. Peter since 2023. In his 15 years of teaching experience, he has taught calculus, algebra, physics, and religion in Italy, Spain, and the US. He enjoys playing guitar, fishing, and cooking.
As a recent graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism now working in high school ministry, Caroline's everyday life is entrenched in all things Gen Z. Her work with Serva Fidem involves launching a pilot program within the Diocese of Des Moines to equip public school students with the resources to sustain their faith beyond graduation.
My name is Emlda Tombe and I've grown up in Des Moines Iowa. I'm a transfer student going to the University of Iowa this fall, studying Psychology and planning to pick up a double major in Criminology and minor in Communication. I'm involved with multiple parishes doing catechesis and youth media relations for my home parish.
As a Junior at PCM high school, Kash Fischer is an active member at Ss. John and Paul Parish. He participates in both his youth group and the Serva Fidem program. Following his high school graduation, Kash plans to run track and field at the collegiate level while studying actuarial science and theology at an undecided Catholic university. In his free time, he loves to fish, go to Adoration, and play guitar.
Much of our life and identity is shaped and determined by our work. The lack of work can be a disorienting and painful ordeal. For some, work is a place where leadership and business acumen is fully expressed. For others, the work of their hands is its own reward. Work may be seen as a distraction from a contemplative life, a tool to allow us to “skip to the good part.” What is the meaning of work when artificial intelligence has the potential to replace work previously done by humans? A panel of thought leaders offer their perspectives on the meaning of work and faithfulness to the divinely-ordained dignity of work.
Nathan Beacom is the Executive Director of the Serva Fidem Foundation, a ministry dedicated to inviting young people to friendship to Christ through their own friendships. He is an Iowan and member of the Des Moines SOC.
Damien Riehl is a technology lawyer who clerked for state and federal judges, litigated for 15 years, and helped companies with cybersecurity. At Clio, Damien and his team combine the Business of Law and Practice of law, using Generative AI to extract and generate valuable insights from a dataset of over one billion legal documents — worldwide.
Andy Gustafson is an Economy of Communion Entrepreneur, and also Professor of Business Ethics and Society at Creighton University where he has taught for 21 years in the Heider College of Business. He is interested in the ways faith can be integrated into our business lives, and even how business can contribute to and be a part of our spiritual life. He lives with his wife Celeste and two kids, Amos (3 1/2) and Vivian (1).
Close the day with an evening of live piano. A moment of beauty to end a day of encounter.
Classical pianist and educator Dr. Brian Billion presents concerts regularly around the US. He also teaches a thriving piano studio in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Dr. Billion holds degrees in Piano Performance from The Juilliard School, Catholic University of America, and The University of Minnesota. In his performances, Dr. Billion presents both the music of the great masters, played with musical feeling and technical brilliance, as well as the spoken word, elucidating with expertise what he finds most interesting, relevant, and moving about the music.
11:00 – 11:15
Welcome & Introduction
Bishop William Joensen
Diocese of Des Moines
11:15 – 12:15
First Panel
Those who knew Giussani
12:15 – 1:00
Lunch Together
Stand, eat, and talk
1:00 – 2:00
Second Panel
Faith & Gen Z
2:30 – 3:30
Third Panel
The Dignity of Work
4:00 – 5:00
Mass
At the Cathedral
5:00 – 7:00
Dinner
On your own
7:00 – 8:00
Piano Concert
At the Cathedral
Join Us
This is a day for anyone who takes their life seriously and
hungers for something more.
For our planning purposes, please tell us if you can come.
