The parish Pastoral Council provides counsel to the pastor in the leadership of the parish. They are a helpful bridge in communicating the concerns of parishioners. Together the pastor and council discern how the parish could fulfill its mission more effectively. The council is comprised of 6 resident parishioners and 6 student parishioners.

The parish Finance Council provides expertise and guidance in financial matters to the pastor so that the financial resources of the parish are used in the best way to fulfill the mission of the parish. They generally meet monthly to review expenses, income, and savings.  Together with the parish business manager, they help set the parish annual budget. Canon Law requires each parish to have an active Finance Council to serve as an advisory council to the Pastor.   

Siena Foundation

The St. Catherine of Siena Foundation was established in 1998 as a division of the Drake Newman Community, an incorporated Iowa non-profit corporation and a parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines. The Foundation is governed by its bylaws, its board of directors, and has its own bank account. The endowed fund was created “exclusively for the purpose of soliciting, collecting, investing and disbursing funds for the benefit of Drake Newman Community in Des Moines and St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Student Center.”

The Foundation began giving grants in 2004 and has supported programs such as:
-The Campus Ministry Leadership Institute
-Reading Night and Math Night at Holy Family Catholic School
-The sister parish program in El Conocaste, El Savador
-Children and Family Urban Ministries
-Katrina Relief project
-“Coffee & Catholicism” coffee house project
-Antioch Retreat program
-A student service project in El Salvador

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Drake Newman Center parish communications committee works closely with parish staff to develop a series of communication vehicles to foster the mission of Saint Catherine Catholic Student Center and to inform student and resident parishioners about the many opportunities for enrichment and service through the parish community. Parish Center communications are Parish Bulletin, Parish Newsletter, For the Walk Home ( student publication) Drake Newman website, Annual Report, parish blog and podcast, Twitter and Facebook.