A Question for Catholic Deacons

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Yeoman

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Dear Deacons,

Can you post on what you do in an average week in connection with your vocation?

This assumes that you are a deacon who is not employed full time as a Deacon. I’m curious what such Deacons do in an average week, other than at Mass.
 
I’m not a Deacon, but most of the one’s I know have regular jobs - from Police to Accountants to Military, etc…
 
I’m not a deacon, but I am an aspirant to become a deacon. The deacon’s ministry is broken down into three parts. Ministry of the Word, Ministry of the Liturgy, and Ministry of Charity and Justice.

The list of things that a deacon may do in each if these is quite long.

For the ministry of word, this might include teaching PSR, RCIA, proclaiming the Gospel, leadership roles in retreat’s, evangelizations and renewal programs, as well as many other items.

For liturgy, you see the deacon at mass at the Lords table in many different ways. But it may also be present when he witnesses a wedding, performs a baptism, etc.

For Charity, it is a lot of different things. You see the deacon at the hospitals visiting the sick (sometimes bringing communion, and sometimes just being with them), you see him in the jails and prisons possibly doing bible study, communion services, or one on one discussions about faith. You may see him delivering food to the poor or helping in a soup kitchen. The list goes on and on.

Many people just think of the deacon as the man who stands next to father on the alter and who may proclaim the Gospel, but he is much more than that. Part of his call is that of Diakonia, or service. Much of what a deacon does is not seen by many, but only by a few (or possibly none at all). He doesn’t become a deacon for recognition, but to be the servant to the Church as Jesus was.

I hope this helps you with some of the question. If you are interested in learning more, there is a PDF file that the USCCB puts out titled the National Directory for the Formation and Life of the Permanent Deacons in the United States located at usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/diaconate/upload/DeaconDirectory.pdf

Peace,

John
 
I am a deacon. I work a full time Job and have 4 children at home. My formation lasted 5 years. My eldest child was 11 and youngest was 4 when we began formation. Our children went to formation weekends with us and spent the days with the young children of the other Candidates. To answer your question the role of the deacon can vary quite a bit. I have classmates who are retired and spend 20-30 hours per week in ministry. I spend much less time in ministry because my children are VERY busy with activities.

Another factor could be the parish priest. Some priests are very receptive to deacons and others will not allow them to do much of anything on the parish level. My diocese we each have a pastoral assignment. That could be anything from Nursing homes to prisons etc. The Bishop makes it quite clear that FAMILY comes before ministry and secular job duties take priority as well. Ministry is very unique to each deacon’s state in life.

Hop this helps.
 
Wow!

Sharing your occupation (unfortunately) I have to conclude that you are likely so busy, you have omitted sleeping entirely from your schedule.

Thank you, great answer.
 
deaconjohnO said:
I am a deacon. I work a full time Job and have 4 children at home. My formation lasted 5 years. My eldest child was 11 and youngest was 4 when we began formation. Our children went to formation weekends with us and spent the days with the young children of the other Candidates. To answer your question the role of the deacon can vary quite a bit. I have classmates who are retired and spend 20-30 hours per week in ministry. I spend much less time in ministry because my children are VERY busy with activities.

Another factor could be the parish priest. Some priests are very receptive to deacons and others will not allow them to do much of anything on the parish level. My diocese we each have a pastoral assignment. That could be anything from Nursing homes to prisons etc. The Bishop makes it quite clear that FAMILY comes before ministry and secular job duties take priority as well. Ministry is very unique to each deacon’s state in life.

Hop this helps.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
I am a deacon, and I am now fully employed by my Archdiocese. Before that, I spent 5 years in formation and was ordained in 2005. For the first years, I would preach once a month (at all our 6 Masses — 2 Saturday and 4 on Sunday). I interviewed and prepared couples for Sacramental marriage in our parish. I also owned my own business (teacher supply store) and used that to support my wife and 4 children.

In 2009, my Pastor asked me to take a part-time job at our parish and gather more couples into the Sacrament of Marriage. I continue to do this as a “side-job.” I still preach once a month (6 masses), teach or share in teaching the RCIA candidates, baptize a couple of times a month, meet with couples who are having difficulties, preside at Vigils for deceased members of our community, and sweep the floors a particular talent of mine]

In 2011, I closed my business and took a part-time job working with the jails in a nearby city. I enjoyed it so much that I continue working with retreats at the jail. In 2014, the Archbishop asked that I become the Director of our Diaconate Ministry and Life. And that has become my full-time assignment — though I was allowed to continue serving at my parish.

I am very lucky to have Pastors that allow me to work and serve at so many ministries. And I know more changes and challenges are coming.

But, of all the things and ministries I get to do, Baptisms are the absolute best.
 
Deacon Jeff, so does that mean the diocese has you doing canon law? One of the aspirants in my class is a canon lawyer and he is a judge in the tribunal office as does a lot of this. I think he is more on the side of defending the marriage if I recall correctly.

Peace,

John
 
Thanks for the clarification Jeff. I’m not familiar with nullity, and I don’t wish to hijack this tread from the OP, but if I make it into formation and make it to canon law, I’m sure I will learn about this.

Peace,

John
 
I would like to add that I do quite a few baptisms as well. My wife is the lead catechist for baptismal prep. From a ministry standpoint my hours vary widely. Some weeks 5-10 hours other weeks an hour or so…this is all outside of Mass. My priest expects me to be in attendance at all Masses on the weekends even when I am not preaching. One of the most rewarding parts of the ministry is the service work. I also LOVE preparing for homilies…it is like a mini personal retreat experience for me. I am still a “rookie” deacon as I was ordained less than 3 years ago. We were require to do 3 years post ordination formation. That just ended a few weeks ago. I also forgot to mention that in addition to 5 years of formation we were required to attended a 2 year ministry formation program as a prerequisite. My diocese requires Masters Degree training at the diocesan university. For those men who had no undergraduate degrees, they were still required to pass through the graduate program. I believe they received a certificate of some sort. Our wives were also offered the Masters degree as well if they qualified. FREE at no cost!
 
deaconjohnO said:
We were require to do 3 years post ordination formation. That just ended a few weeks ago.
Click to expand...
Can you share with us what that all entails? I understand this will be different from diocese to diocese, but I’m curious? Also, can you share which diocese that you are in?
 
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