A Call to the Diaconate

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A Call to the Diaconate
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Who

• a man at least 35 years of age
• having a proven record of service
• has Completed
• PMFP, plus Specialization
• CMFP. Plus Specialization
• has at least a high school diploma or GED

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Who . (cont.)

• Has completed Safe Environment Training
• Has had the required fingerprint background check
  
• Has completed State Mandate Reporter Training

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Who has

• a natural inclination of service to the Christian
  community and all in need
• psychological integrity
• a capacity for dialogue
• the ability to share his faith yet listen
  respectfully to other points of view
• the capacity to listen carefully and without
  prejudices

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Who has (cont.)

• respect for others in the context of their
  religion, race, gender, ethnicity, and culture
• good communications skills
• a sense of responsibility that includes the
  fulfilling of ones word and completing ones
  work
• self-direction and collaborative accountability

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Who has (cont.)

• balanced and prudent judgment
• generosity in service
• the ability to lead, motivate, facilitate, and
  animate others into appropriate action and
  service.

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Who possess

• certain spiritual and evangelical qualities
  including
• sound faith
• good Christian reputation
• active involvement in the Churchs apostolate
• personal integrity, maturity, and holiness
• regular participation in the Churchs sacramental
  life

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Who possess (cont.)

• evidence of recognized, ongoing commitment to the
  Churchs life and service
• participation in faith enrichment opportunities
  
• a positive and stable marriage, if married or a
  mature celibate state of life, if single
• an active membership in a parish community

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Who possess (cont.)

• capacity for obedience and fraternal communion
• a deep spirituality and prayer life.

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Who seeks .

• to be a servant leader in the diakonia of the
  Churchs Ministry of the Word, Ministry of the
  Liturgy, and Ministry of Charity and Justice

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Who is able to..

• proclaim the word in a varied contexts of
  ministerial service
• kerygma (proclaiming the truth),
• catechesis,
• preparation for the sacraments,

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Who is able to.(cont.)

• assist in the celebration of the sacraments and
  sacramental service at the altar
• preach
• educate the Christian community on the social
  dimension of the Gospel

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Who is able to.(cont.)

• foster by facilitation, motivation, and
  organization the Churchs ministry of charity and
  justice, and the preferential option for the
  poor.

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Who

• is already living a life of mature Christian
  spirituality
• through a simplicity of heart
• total giving of self
• humble and helpful love

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Who . (cont.)

• brings a greater and more direct presence of
  Church ministers in the various spheres family,
  work, school, etc.
• serves Gods people by their witness to the
  gospel value of sacrificial love
• is a man of good reputation, filled with wisdom
  and the Holy Spirit.
• is firmly rooted and grounded in faith

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And

• If married
• Has his wifes wholehearted support
• she will journey with him and complete the
  formation work, including but not limited to PMFP
  and CMFP courses.

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And (cont.)

• If he has children
• They support his decision
• They are old enough to be left alone

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What Is A Deacon

• An Ordained Minister in service to the Bishop
• In a parish
• In charity
• In a hospital
• In a detention facility
• In other service to the Bishop
• In the market place

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Parish Service

• Assist at Mass
• Deacon of the Word
• Proclaiming the Gospel
• At times preaching
• Leading the Prayers of the Faithful
• Deacon of the Altar
• Instructing the people
• Preparing the gifts
• Mission the people at the end of Mass

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Parish Service (cont.)

• Weddings
• Baptisms
• Funerals
• Catechesis
• Ministry of Charity
• Advocate to the Tribunal

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Charity

• Working to fulfill the Churchs Charitable works
• Food pantries
• Out reach to the homeless
• Advocacy for the social needs of the community

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Hospital

• Visiting the Sick
• Hospital Chaplaincy

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Detention Facility

• Visiting detainees
• Conducting liturgical services
• Prison Chaplaincy

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Other Services

• Liaison to different Ecclesial groups
• Work on Diocesan committees
• Other specific assignments

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In the Market Place

• An Ordained Catholic presence
• In the world of work
• In the places of commerce
• In the community

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How to Begin

• Recommendation to Inquirer Phase
• Three or more years active service to the Church
• Dialogue with pastor or pastoral coordinator
• Pastor or pastoral coordinator recommendation

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How to Begin (cont.)

• After recommendation received by Office of
  Formation
• Inquirer form
• Reflection statement
• If prerequisites met
• Application Process

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How to Begin (cont.)

• Application Process
• Application
• Wifes Statement
• Autobiographies (husband and wife)
• Baptismal record
• If these meet the minimum standards .

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How to Begin (cont.)

• Deacon Perceiver Interview
• Possible Home Interview
• Reference Checks
• And Then ..

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How to Begin (cont.)

• Screening Workshop
• Admissions Committee Review
• And then

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How to Begin (cont.)

• If acceptable psychological evaluation
• Back to the Admissions Committee
• If accepted

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How to Begin (cont.)

• Recommended to the Bishop to begin an Aspirant
  Phase ..

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Aspirant Phase Year 1

• Opening weekend retreat
• One to two weekends per month
• Saturday and Sunday
• Human
• Personal characteristics
• Spiritual
• Personal and couple spirituality

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Year 1 (cont.)

• Intellectual
• Diaconal History/Charism
• Scripture
• Theology
• Pastoral
• Directed practicum
• Detention Ministry

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Year 1 (cont.)

• Discernment (personal and diocesan)
• Evaluation
• Self
• Spousal
• Peer
• Pastor
• Parish
• Formation Staff
• Admissions Committee

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Year 1 (cont.)

• End of the year retreat
• For those selected by the Bishop
• Rite of Candidacy

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Candidate Phase Year 2 4 One to two weekends
per month

• Human
• Develop human qualities
• Relational and collaborative skills
• Giftedness
• Strengths and limitations
• Self-criticism
• Balance
• Personal, family, business, Church

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Year 2 4 (cont.)

• Spiritual
• Spiritual direction
• Pattern of prayer
• Increased holiness
• Spiritual writings
• Continued Discernment
• Spiritual Integration
• Personal, family, business, Church

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Year 2 4 (cont.)

• Intellectual
• Christian doctrine and practice
• Theology
• Ecclesiology
• Morality
• History
• Canon Law
• Liturgy

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Year 2 4 (cont.)

• Intellectual (cont.)
• Scripture
• Christology
• Pneumaology
• Evangelization

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Year 2 4 (cont.)

• Pastoral
• Theological reflection
• Homiletics
• Pastoral Practicum
• Social Justice
• Hospital
• Parish

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Year 2 4 (cont.)

• Installation in Orders (Bishops selection)
• Lector (year 2)
• Acolyte (year 3)
• Weekend retreats
• Year 2 and 3
• Five day retreat
• Year 4
• Preordination Canonical retreat

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Year 2 4 (cont.)

• Evaluations (annually)
• Personal
• Spousal
• Peer
• Pastor
• Parish
• Formation Staff
• Admissions Committee

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Ordination

• For those selected by the Bishop
• Sacrament of Holy Orders
• Vow of obedience
• Laying on of Hands
• Book of Gospels
• Believe what you read, preach what you believe,
  practice what you preach

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Ordination (cont.)

• Assignment (1-3 year, renewable)
• By Bishop
• Parish
• Other needs
• Covenant Agreement

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Ordination (cont.)

• Faculties (1-3 year, renewable)
• Baptize
• Preach
• Witness to Matrimony
• Conduct Funeral Services
• Take Viaticum to the dying

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And Now

• Questions
• and
• Answers