Tom Quinlan

Tom Quinlan is the Ministry Director at the St. Joseph Evangelization Center (SJEC) in West Des Moines, Iowa. He assumed this role on July 1, 2019, after a distinguished career spanning nearly 30 years in parish and diocesan catechetical leadership. Prior to his current position, he served for 17 years as the Director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois.12

Background and Experience

• Education: Quinlan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from DePaul University and a Master of Divinity from the University of St. Mary of the Lake.1
• Publications: He is a published author, having written three books, including Excellence in Ministry and At Home in the Heart of God: Family, Jesus and the Eucharist (2023).23
• Leadership Roles: He has been actively involved with various Catholic organizations, including the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership and Alpha in a Catholic Context, where he contributes to evangelization efforts.23

Responsibilities at SJEC

At SJEC, Quinlan focuses on:

• Evangelization: Coordinating efforts to spread the Catholic faith across 24 parishes in the Des Moines area.
• Adult Faith Formation: Developing programs aimed at enhancing the spiritual growth of adults within the Catholic community.45

Quinlan emphasizes supporting parents in their faith development to foster a vibrant Catholic identity within families. He is committed to building relationships and collaborating with local parishes to further the mission of evangelization.12

Personal Life

Tom lives in Des Moines with his wife, Kristi, and their two sons. He expresses a deep commitment to his faith and community, viewing his role as both a professional and personal calling.23