Our Lady's Immaculate Heart

About Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Parish

Our Lady's Immaculate Heart is a Catholic parish in Ankeny, Iowa, part of the Diocese of Des Moines. The parish worships at 510 East First Street and is led by Pastor Fr. James Ahenkora, Associate Pastor Fr. Ambrose Daniel, and four deacons, supported by a large staff for worship, faith formation, communications, finance, and operations. OLIH serves as a spiritual hub for the rapidly growing northern Des Moines suburb, offering daily and Sunday Mass, Adoration, Reconciliation, and ministries for all ages — from preschool through high school, plus adult faith formation and outreach.

Parish History and 50th Anniversary Renovation

Founded around 1960, the parish marked its 50th anniversary by engaging RDG Planning & Design (with liturgical designer Ken Griesemer) to renovate and re-dedicate the worship space in June 2010. The renovation refreshed lighting, sound, and finishes, rearranged the sanctuary and choir, and added a permanent reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, an octagonal Day Chapel, an enlarged Gathering Space, and a covered drop-off with a new bell tower. In the early 1980s then-pastor Father Gubbels created the OLIH Charitable Foundation, which has since grown to more than $500,000 and seeded the founding of nearby St. Luke the Evangelist in Ankeny.

• Founded c. 1960 in Ankeny, Iowa
• 50th Anniversary renovation and re-dedication completed June 2010 by RDG Planning & Design / Ken Griesemer
• Charitable Foundation established by Fr. Gubbels in the early 1980s
• Foundation grew past $500,000 after the diocesan Sharing God's Gifts campaign
• $250,000 from that campaign was donated to help found St. Luke the Evangelist, Ankeny

Clergy and Staff

The parish is served by a priest team of two and four deacons, along with an extensive lay staff. Fr. James Ahenkora was appointed pastor by Bishop William Joensen effective July 11, 2024, for a six-year term, coming from St. Patrick's Parish in Council Bluffs. He succeeded Very Rev. Michael Amadeo, who was reassigned to St. Anthony Parish in Des Moines while continuing as Vicar for Priests for the diocese.

• Rev. James Ahenkora — Pastor
• Rev. Ambrose Daniel — Associate Pastor
• Deacon Greg Kolbinger
• Deacon Jeff Boehlert
• Deacon Steve Udelhofen
• Deacon Pat Davitt
• Laura Kutscher — Director of Worship
• Patty Mayer — Adult Faith Formation Director
• Randy Henderson — Director of Youth Faith Formation
• Jackie King — Faith Formation Coordinator, Grades 1–5
• Mary Sankey — Faith Formation Coordinator, Early Childhood & Special Needs
• Klaire Madden — Middle School Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
• McKenna Smith — Coordinator of High School Youth Ministry
• Matt Dougan — Finance Director
• Kathy Bovee — Director of OLLL Preschool
• Abby Henderson — Communications Director
• Tom Primmer — Director of Operations
• Amy Wall & Connie Gorius — Administrative Assistants

Faith Formation

Faith Formation at OLIH walks families from cradle to high school, with separate coordinators for early childhood and special needs, elementary grades, middle school, and high school. Programs include the Nursery, Children's Liturgy of the Word, Vacation Bible School, First Reconciliation/First Communion prep, Confirmation prep, and a robust youth ministry with retreats and trips.

• Early Childhood Faith Formation (PreK3–K) & CLOW — Mary Sankey
• Elementary Faith Formation (Grades 1–5) — Jackie King
• Middle School Faith Formation & Youth Ministry — Klaire Madden
• High School Youth Ministry — McKenna Smith
• Director of Youth Faith Formation — Randy Henderson
• Adult Faith Formation — Patty Mayer
• Vacation Bible School, Nursery, Special Needs (Sonshine Kids, RISE, Special Needs VBS)

Deaf Ministry and Accessibility

OLIH is distinctive in hosting a Deaf ministry, including CEW for the Deaf events, alongside disability and special-needs faith formation programming. Mary Sankey coordinates the parish's Special Needs ministry offerings, including Sonshine Kids, RISE, and Special Needs VBS.

• CEW for the Deaf (Catholic Encounter Weekend)
• Sonshine Kids
• RISE
• Special Needs VBS
• Special Needs Faith Formation coordinated with families

Our Lady's Little Learners Preschool

Our Lady's Little Learners (OLLL) is the parish's fully licensed preschool, welcoming children of all faiths and backgrounds. It provides a nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment supporting social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth in 'an atmosphere of God's love.' Registration for the following school year opens in late winter/early spring, and OLLL hosts community events like a Fun Run and Halloween Bingo.

• Fully licensed preschool open to all faiths
• Director: Kathy Bovee ([email protected])
• Phone: (515) 964-3106
• Website: ourladyslittlelearnerspreschool.org
• 2026–2027 Registration is open

Worship and Music Ministry

Worship is coordinated by Director of Worship Laura Kutscher, with a large music ministry that draws together musicians of all ages. Parishioners can sign in to the MSP (Ministry Scheduler Pro) account to view the liturgical volunteer schedule, request subs, or note availability, and recorded and livestreamed Masses are posted on the OLIH YouTube channel.

• Director of Worship: Laura Kutscher
• Liturgical Volunteer scheduling via MSP
• Livestream and recorded Masses on OLIH YouTube
• Eucharistic Ministers and Music Ministers

Parish Outreach and Charity

OLIH runs a wide social-ministry network that serves both Ankeny and the greater Des Moines area. Through the Ankeny Circle of Faith coalition, parishioners partner with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity; teams cook and serve lunch weekdays at the Connection Café downtown; a group serves dinner at the Catholic Worker House on the 4th Friday of each month; and the parish's Agape Garden donates more than 20,000 pounds of fresh produce each year to local food pantries.

• Habitat for Humanity — Ankeny Circle of Faith
• Connection Café — free lunch program, downtown Des Moines (Mon–Fri at noon)
• Catholic Worker House — dinner served on the 4th Friday of each month
• Agape Garden — 20,000+ lbs of produce donated annually
• Food Pantry / DMARC partnership
• Meals for Moms
• Catholic Charities parish ambassadors
• Fair Trade Gift Mart (first weekend of each month)
• JustFaith and Engaging Spirituality small groups

OLIH Charitable Foundation

The OLIH Foundation is a permanent endowment fund that provides long-term financial support for the spiritual and physical needs of the parish. Only a portion of earnings is granted each year, with larger amounts reserved for parish emergencies or disasters. The board is led by Parish President Chuck Beard, and the pastor (Fr. James Ahenkora) sits as a member.

• Established by Fr. Gubbels in the early 1980s
• President: Chuck Beard; Vice President: Josh DeVries; Secretary: Mary Stoltenberg; Treasurer: Pat Quinlin
• Members: Fr. James Ahenkora, Tom Friedman, Kevin Smith, Mike Tjarks, Kris Gaspari, Tim Lallier
• Invested through the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa

Becoming a Parishioner

Newcomers are warmly welcomed. Registration can be done in person at the parish office or by completing the online Registration Form (a Spanish version is also available). The parish notes that staff speak a little Spanish in the office and are happy to help with questions. Online giving and parish communications (weekly updates, bulletin, Hallow app) help new members stay connected.

• Stop by the parish office or complete the online Registration Form
• Spanish-language registration form available
• Online giving available via the website
• Weekly email updates, social media (Facebook, Instagram), YouTube, and the Hallow app

Visit, Contact, and Office Hours

OLIH's parish office, faith formation office, and preschool share the campus at 510 East First Street, Ankeny, IA 50021. Office hours are Monday–Friday 8 am–5 pm, with reduced summer hours (June 1–July 31) of Monday–Thursday 8 am–4 pm and Friday 8 am–12 pm. Mass, confession, and adoration are also listed on the parish's Mass Times page and on the Diocese of Des Moines parishes directory.

• Parish Office & Faith Formation: (515) 964-3038
• Preschool: (515) 964-3106
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.olih.org/
• Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8 am–5 pm (Summer: Mon–Thu 8 am–4 pm; Fri 8 am–12 pm)