Monsignor Frank Ernest Chiodo

Monsignor Frank E. Chiodo passed peacefully into Eternal Life with the Lord our God early Thanksgiving morning, November 23, 2023 after two and a half years of battling cancer. A Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 3, 2023, with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, December 4, 2023 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church followed by a Graveside Service and burial at Glendale Cemetery. Refreshments will be served at the church after the burial.

Monsignor Chiodo was born July 6, 1949 in Des Moines, IA to Frank M. Chiodo and Rose May Cardamon Chiodo. Msgr. loved his family and is survived by his brother, Ned F. (Marilyn) Chiodo; sister, Mary Frances Chiodo; sister-in-law, Rosemary Chiodo (brother Louie, dec.); aunt, Carmella (Joe, dec.) Cardamon-Yacavona; nephews, Frank John (Lisa J.) Chiodo, Jeff (Jennifer) Chiodo, John (Kristin) Chiodo, David M. (Kelly) Chiodo, Joe J. (Nicole F.) Chiodo; nieces, Lisa M. (Joe) Chiodo-Standefer, Theresa (Kelly) Chiodo-Forret, Mara Rose Proctor; 18 great-nieces and nephews; and many cousins and extended family. He is preceded in death by his niece-in-law Lisa M. O’Hern-Chiodo.

Monsignor Chiodo’s Catholic Education began at St. Anthony’s in Des Moines from grades 1-8, where his vocation to become a priest was nourished and inspired by priests and religious sisters. These teachers and mentors encouraged him to serve Mass with reverence and devotion to the presence of Jesus in the Mass. Serving Mass in his early years led him to love the solace and peace provided by the presence of the Lord all of his life.

A proud graduate of Dowling Catholic High School in 1968, Monsignor Chiodo’s educational journey at St. Anthony and Dowling Catholic High School forged enduring friendships that lasted a lifetime. Dedicated to his calling, he pursued his vocation at the Immaculate Conception Seminary, where he honed his spiritual and intellectual foundation. His quest for knowledge led him to St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Moral Theology, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

Ordained in 1976 by Bishop Maurice Dingman in the Diocese of Des Moines, Monsignor Chiodo’s life was a testament to his unwavering commitment to faith and service. He served at Christ the King Catholic Church from 1976 to 1978. He then became a beloved figure at St. Albert’s Catholic School, while teaching with the faculty, imparting the richness of Faith Formation and English. In his pastoral service, Monsignor Chiodo embraced the diversity of both rural and urban parishes, bringing comfort, guidance and the love of God to all he encountered.

In 1980, he began Team Ministry serving parishes south of Des Moines, including St. Brendan Parish in Leon and Sacred Heart Parish in Chariton. Monsignor Chiodo formed lasting relationships with parishioners who joined him on pilgrimages to Holy sites and kept in touch with him at his later parishes.

In 1985, he began service at the Basilica of St. John in Des Moines. During his first 10 years there, he led and initiated a Priory of Brothers. The Brotherhood of St. John, with Monsignor Chiodo’s guidance, assisted parishioners and neighbors, and worked with the United Church of the Inner City to help shelter the homeless. In 1987 the Basilica became a listing on the National Register of Historic Sites and was elevated in 1989 to a Minor Basilica through Monsignor Chiodo’s efforts to preserve history and to appreciate the beauty of the church building that reflects the beauty of God in a place of welcoming worship and prayer. The House of God equals The Basilica of St. John.

In 1998 Monsignor Chiodo went to Rome, Italy for three months and studied Advanced Theology at Pontifical North American College. In 1990 he was honored with the title of Monsignor, a Prelate of Honor by St. John Paul II (Pope). This was an acknowledgement of Monsignor Chiodo’s Devotion to the Church of God’s People. He believed in spiritual faithfulness made simple by: 1. Being faithful to Jesus through faithful promises of ordination; 2. Being faithful to the duties of his assignments; and 3. Being faithful to personal prayer.

In 2001 Monsignor Chiodo was asked by the Archbishop to become Administrator Pastor of St. Thomas More Church in Omaha, NE where he served parishioners and school staff with compassion, dedication, warmth and wisdom. He then returned to Des Moines and served at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

In 2007 he moved to his home Parish of St. Anthony Catholic Church coming back full circle to his roots of Des Moines. Monsignor Chiodo wanted to preserve the history of the Faith Journey of the Italian Immigrants who built and served the church, and more recently the Hispanic Immigrants who also serve the church. Monsignor Chiodo actively encouraged the printing of a book about the history of St. Anthony Catholic Church; Building A Missionary Church for the Southside of Des Moines. He explains, “to travel down the pathway to Faith, a very blessed and unique experience”; “I have been richly blessed being able to celebrate the Sacraments of my youth”; “this church puts us in touch with God who is present to us through the signs and symbols around you in this historic church” - and in turn, St. Anthony was added to the National Registry for Historic Sites in 2021. “So many souls made personal contributions to the beauty of God’s temple.” Monsignor Chiodo also supported the replicating of the original Grotto from the 1930s, calling on a group of parishioners to create a Holy Place for the Parish and the Catholic Community. A Holy Place to look for answers, peace and serenity. St. Anthony’s story is a discovery of faith and of hope.

Monsignor Chiodo used contemporary media to spread the word of God to a hurting world, and to encourage us to live a life of faith and love. His homilies were often filled with truth & passion.

Monsignor Chiodo authored three books Cross Your Heart and Hope to Live, One Daily Dose of Meditation and Spiritual Healing, and What Senses Fail to Fathom the Eucharist. His books and CDs recap much of the faith stirring in hearts and minds, which he also expressed in his homilies and reflections. His CDs, “The Power of the Cross”, “The Presence of Christ”, and “Power of Faith”, all tell about God with powerful talk of love and mercy as we open our hearts to God’s truth.

Monsignor Chiodo had a weekly radio program called “Hearts Treasure” on Iowa Catholic Radio and he was the religious editor of Catholic Leader magazine, as well as the author of many articles in the Catholic Digest. He donated time to traveling and speaking for Cross International to raise funds for the needy.

Monsignor Chiodo was known for celebrating the extraordinary form of the Catholic Mass. Throughout his life, he weaved in times of serving as chaplain, ministering to the Polk County Sheriff’s office, Des Moines and West Des Moines Law Enforcement and the Iowa National Guard. He also served as chaplain at the Addiction Recovery Center at St. Gregory’s, praying with and guiding patients to accept God’s mercy to recovery, healing and forgiveness. He was also an advocate for the right to life, promoting the Holy Family Project, and supporting InnerVisions Health Care, as well as Pulse Life Advocates where he served as a Keynote Speaker for their annual gala.

Monsignor Chiodo traveled with many people on countless pilgrimages to Holy Sites from 1979 to 2019, always inspiring others to trust in the Lord. A testament to all he embodied can be found in a favorite scripture of his, 1 Peter 5, which states: “Tend the flock of God which is among you, guiding not under constraint, but willingly according to God, becoming from the heart a pattern to the flock.” Monsignor Chiodo, you tended to us from the heart and you did it exceptionally well. We’ll miss you so.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Monsignor Chiodo’s name are appreciated to the Grotto-Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Divine Mercy at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.