Fr. Dan Kirby - Pastor

I was born in Des Moines on February 21, 1966 to Robert and Marie Kirby, I am the youngest of five. I attended St. Anthony grade School and graduated from Dowling high School in 1984.

I graduated from Conception Seminary College in 1990 with a degree in Religion. I attended Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. where I received my MDIV in Theology in 1994. I was ordained a priest on June 24th, 1994 at St. Ambrose Cathedral.

My first assignment was associate pastor of Queen of Apostles in Council Bluffs. After two and half years I was appointed pastor of St. Mary’s & Holy Cross in Elkhart, where I served for a year and a half. In 1998 I was appointed pastor of St. Patrick’s in Neola and St. Columbanus in Weston. After four years of service in these parishes I returned to Queen of Apostles in Council Bluffs as pastor. During my nine and half years in Council Bluffs I was a part of combining the three west end parishes into one parish named Corpus Christi.

It was in Council Bluffs that I was also active with St. Alberts School and served as the director of Seminarians for the diocese.

In 2012 I received a sabbatical where I attended a program at the North American College in Rome. For the last six years I have had the privilege of pastoring St. Joseph’s in Winterset and St. Patrick’s at the Irish Settlement.

I look forward to the opportunity to pastor at St. John’s in Norwalk and the pastoral care of Our Lady of the Assumption Shrine in Churchville.

Jacque Mahoney - Business Manager

    I am originally from Independence Iowa, although I have lived in the Des Moines area for over 30 years and over 25 years in Norwalk and as a member of St. John’s parish.

I was involved in RCIA here at St. John’s for many years.  I served as a sponsor and on the team of leaders.  I loved the fact that I got as much from the experience as each person joining the Catholic faith.

I graduated from St. John’s Catholic High School in Independence and received my degree in Business Management from William Penn University.

My background  has been in financial services including banking, investments and Insurance.  I held many management and leadership roles in my career.  Volunteerism is also very important to me.  I have held leadership roles in several philanthropic business groups.  I also volunteer for Free Clinics of Iowa at the Valley Junction Free Clinic. 

My two daughters, Sarah and Erica, graduated from Norwalk High school and the University of Iowa, and I have four grandkids I love to spend time with and spoil.

I am so excited to be here as the Business Manager!  This is a great parish with awesome spiritual and social activities.  The volunteerism is outstanding.  I am looking forward to helping develop our “new normal” in a post Covid world!

Rev. Mr. Kelly Stone - Deacon

Rev. Mr. Michael Huntsman - Deacon

Rev. Mr. David L. Miller – Deacon (Retired)

Born January 5, 1946

Attended Immaculate Conception grade school, Wapsie Valley High School.  Served four years in the U.S. Navy, Communication Technician.  Married June 18, 1966, two sons and five grandchildren.  B.S. degree Business Management 1989. John Deere supervisor 13+ years, self-employed flooring contractor 20 yrs. Attended Conception Seminary College from 2002-2006.

Ordained August 19, 2006 and assigned to St. John the Apostle.  Currently oversee obtaining and preparing meals for the less fortunate at Connection Café, here at St. John the Apostle.  Hospice volunteer 2006-current, facilitator of Men’s group for men who have lost a spouse.  Currently serving on the Diaconate Council and Core Team Member, helping to guide candidates thru the education stage of the Diaconate training. 

Bryan Stout– Facilities Coordinator

Bryan's duties include building maintenance, building sanitation, cleaning, overseeing vendor contracts, and general coordination of day to day maintenance operations.

Contact Bryan at 515-981-4855.

Melissa Hill – Faith Formation Director

Melissa lives in Des Moines with her husband, Jimmy Garcia, and her children Bradley and Maggie, along with their dog, Annabelle. Before coming to work at St. John, she was the Director of Religious Education at St. Anthony in Des Moines. She earned a BA in Human Services at Grandview College and has a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. Melissa loves to spend time with her family, playing cards, games, or being outside. She also enjoys walking, reading, and knitting. She is excited to be on the staff here at St. John the Apostle, and looks forward to serving the families of this parish.

She would love to hear your ideas or input for Faith Formation at all ages. Contact her at https://stjohnsnorwalk.org/_modules/form.php?id=10 or 515-981-4855.

Jessica Pudenz--Accountant

 I grew up in Carroll, IA and attended Kuemper Catholic High School. I then went onto UNI to obtain my degree in Accounting. I have held various accounting positions from external auditing to internal auditing, and general accounting to financial analysis roles. I have lived in Norwalk since 2011 with my husband Todd and two young children.

In my free time, or for fun, I enjoy being active outside with my children, play sand volleyball, go for bike rides, or go to the lake to fish, kayak, or play at the beach with the kids. When not outside, I enjoy baking sweets and playing card or board games.

I am excited to work at St. Johns, in a family environment, where I can still be home part time with my kids as well as use my accounting skills. Also, this will help me grow my faith even more as I get more involved in the parish and get acquainted with more parish families.

Alayne Pieper – Secretary/Receptionist

 Alayne is an Ottumwa native who completed the RCIA program in 1986 before marrying Melvin, also from Ottumwa. She has had the privilege of living all over the country and working in a variety of positions. In 2014, after 28 years, she and her family returned to Iowa and live on an acreage south of Norwalk.  Alayne has two grown children, Victoria and Ethan, and two dogs and three rescue cats. Alayne enjoys cooking, decorating, landscaping, playing cards and board games, reviewing restaurants, and traveling. She is excited to be part of the St. John community and the opportunity to meet more of her church family, and grow in her Catholic faith.

Contact Alayne at apieper@stjohnsnorwalk.org or 515-981-4855.

Ned Kluever - Custodian

My wife Denise and I have been married 40 years. We have two sons Jeff and Tracy. We have lived in Norwalk for 34 years, and have been attending St. John's for all of those years. I joined the church approximately 30 years ago and have been actively involved in the music ministry and  the Knights of Columbus for all of those 30 years.

My wife is an Occupational Therapist and works at Drake University. I have been retired from Maurices Distribution Center since 2014 where I worked for over 27 years as an Operations Manager.