Bishop Richard Pates has appointed Father David Muenchrath as the new vocations director for the diocese, succeeding Father Chris Fontanini, effective July 9. Father Fontanini will serve as chaplain of Dowling Catholic High School.

Father Muenchrath, ordained five years ago, served St. Anthony Parish in Des Moines before going to three rural parishes in the southern portion of the diocese in Clarinda, Villisca and Bedford.