Are you becoming a deacon?

[ddeluna]

Who is in deacon formation? I am, in the Oakland, CA diocese. We go thru the 3 year School for Pastoral Ministry (one Saturday a month) then another 3 years on the deacon track.

What are other diocese’ doing for formation requirements?

Why are you becoming a deacon?

 

[DiscerningDave]

I plan on applyng to the diaconate in the close, near future. Our diocese require men wanting to be deacons to attend 2 years of collegiate level formation classes given by our diocese in conjunction with a local seminary. The classes consist of the following topics: intro to the old testament, reading the new testament, vatican II, morality, liturgy, etc… After the two years of college credit theology (about 14 college hours) then one may apply to the diaconate which is an additional 3 years on top of the two years of formation previously mentioned.

 

[darryld]

I am entering into my final year of Diaconate Formation. Here, in the Archdiosese of Louisville, we have a four year formation program. The first year is considered an aspirancy year. You get a little taste of everything. Years 2 & 3 were classroom years. We took 8 college level courses in subjects including prayer and worship, leadership, canon law, social justice, etc. I will receive the order of Acolyte in August, 2007. In this fourth year, we have several months of hospital ministry. Beginning Jan. 2008, we enter the final phase of our training, which is basically, “stand here, say this.” I will be ordained in August 2008.

It is not an easy road. A classmate of mine recently tabulated our educational hours: 35 hours on scripture, 19 hours on church history, 14 hours on the sacraments, 14 hours on ecclesiology, 14 hours on Christology, 21 hours on moral theology, 15 hours on catechesis, 15 hours on social justice, 35 hours on homelitics, 39 hours on pastoral care & hospital ministry, 23 hours on spirituality & prayer, 28 hours on church Tradition & canon law, 49 hours on liturgical presiding & 75 hours in spiritual retreat for a total of 396 hours. This DOES NOT include our time reading the assigned books, writing papers & homilies or study groups.

If married, the deacon candidate must have his wife’s permission to serve. She also agrees to accompany him throughout the entire formation process. (She takes all of the classes too!)

 

[Brendan]

I’ve been in formation for the Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

After some reflection with my wife, I’ve stepped back a few years after the recent birth of our daughter. ( I’m only taking 1 class instead of the normal 2 each semester and pulled back from the ministry work)

It been a very fulfilling calling.

As to why, it’s simple God called. Once you (and your spiritual advisor) have determined that, what more need you know

Our program is a 5 year program. The first year is Application year. You begin basic classes at Sacred Heart Seminary while you work on your application.

If your application is accepted, the next year is your Aspirancy year, where you take classes and determine if the calling is really there.

Each summer is a ministry project and will cover service to the poor, elderly, prison work and health ministry ( so each summer you get a ‘taste’ of the different work a deacon might do)

The remaining 3 years are classwork (with the Summer ministries)

The last summer before Ordination is working directly with a parish deacon as a Acolyte, doing parish minstry work)

Here are the Academic Requirement in Detroit

Link Here

 

[Heath_Bar]

I am in the process of discovery. I feel that I am called to become a Deacon, but I am just now starting the process of determining what to do and who to talk to. It may take ten years before I even begin the process, it might be next year, I don’t know. All I know is that I have a strong calling to the Diaconate and I have set it as something I want to pursue. If God doesn’t mean for me to start immediately, then all I can do is pray that when the time comes then I’ll be ready to start the process. It is rather a frightening prospect, all the studying and schooling, but it is something I’m willing to do.

 

[ddeluna]

Here are the Academic Requirement in Detroit

Link Here

Wow. Actually more rigorous than our diocese. Very similar (duh) courses, but ours are fewer hours (a little fewer) and not graded. Of course you’ll definitely get a call if your papers aren’t getting turned in and you aren’t showing up.

I love every minute of it and the only classes I ever missed was once from pneumonia and another time when I was running the parish crab feed.

I think I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

 

[ddeluna]

It is rather a frightening prospect, all the studying and schooling, but it is something I’m willing to do.

The coursework I LOVE. Yes, it’s a real burden some months, but even then I love it. What really scares me is the committment. How many hours will I really work each month? And doing what? (I know all the many possible roles, but which will my pastor call me to focus on?). Also, I sometimes wonder how much respect I’ll get, actually how serious I’ll be taken. These parishioners know me. I’m stewardship head, bishop’s appeal lead guy, ad nauseum. I wonder if they’ll be whispering to each other, “isn’t that the coffee and donut Sunday guy and the one who always harangues us to sign up for EFT?”

 

[darryld]

Also, I sometimes wonder how much respect I’ll get, actually how serious I’ll be taken. These parishioners know me.

I have the same problem. When I started this journey through formation, I could not imagine myself anywhere but my home parish. I have recently decided that I need to serve somewhere else. The spirit nudges us in in many ways.

 

[ddeluna]

I have the same problem. When I started this journey through formation, I could not imagine myself anywhere but my home parish. I have recently decided that I need to serve somewhere else. The spirit nudges us in in many ways.

So then you’ll serve in a different parish specifically due to your concern about your home parishioners not taking you seriously, or other reasons? Just curious.

 

[darryld]

So then you’ll serve in a different parish specifically due to your concern about your home parishioners not taking you seriously, or other reasons? Just curious

Well, I was concerned because of those reasons. I was looking into the possibility of going somewhere else when, out of the blue, another deacon transferred into my home parish! The signal could not have been more clear. I am now free to find another location without the “guilt” that I am “abandoning” those who sponsored me.

 

[ddeluna]

I am now free to find another location without the “guilt” that I am “abandoning” those who sponsored me.

I too, feel a strong sense of loyalty to my parish, probably more accurately, my pastor. We are quite close and have a strong personal relationship. He’s done first communion and confirmation for all my kids. The poor man is run ragged managing a sometimes less than appreciative parish of over 2000 single-handedly (at the moment we have a visiting priest from Malawi working on his doctorate at the Jesuit Theo. Seminary in Berkeley so he helps with masses). I know he is desperate for help and he’s got plans for me. In the end, it’s not possible for me to turn my back on him as long as he remains in our parish.

 

[darryld]

I know he is desperate for help and he’s got plans for me. In the end, it’s not possible for me to turn my back on him as long as he remains in our parish.

I can say that I was in those same shoes a few months ago. I know that you didn’t ask for advise, but I’ll offer some anyway.

I know that you are feeling “trapped” right now. Be open to the possibility that God may have a different path for you to follow in your ministry. I don’t believe that God would call you to this vocation and then trap you in a place where your gifts would be ineffective or unappreciated. I will be praying for you.

 

[ddeluna]

I can say that I was in those same shoes a few months ago. I know that you didn’t ask for advise, but I’ll offer some anyway.

No, please. It’s the very reason I started this thread - for dialogue and sharing. Indirectly, I guess I am asking for advice, or at least sharing of perspectives and viewpoints.

I think you’re right. It’s God, not my pastor calling me so I need to make sure I focus on what HE is saying rather than what he is saying. Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes we need a re-grounding from time to time.

 

[mozier]

I will be starting my diocese’s deacon formation in August of next year. It is a 5 year program, with the first year being an aspirancy year. I am looking forward to it!

 

[Brendan]

Wow. Actually more rigorous than our diocese.

That’s pretty interesting, since your Bishop ( +Vigernon), used to be the Rector at my Seminary, and helped set up the program

Our classes are certainly graded, and are full blown college classes. Most of the time, they are the exact same classes the Seminarians are taking.

If you take the Grad route, you get a MA in Parish Ministry. If you take the undergrad route, (and have certain pre-reqs from other Universities, you can get a BA)

We really miss Bishop Vigernon , maybe we can get him back when Cardinal Maida retires

 

[ddeluna]

That’s pretty interesting, since your Bishop ( +Vigernon), used to be the Rector at my Seminary, and helped set up the program

We really miss Bishop Vigernon , maybe we can get him back when Cardinal Maida retires

Wow! Small world. Bishop Vigneron is a wonderful, holy man. Yes, I’m aware he was rector at a seminary. Which one, where? We’re in the midst of completing our new cathedral and other positive changes and budgetary consolidations, all of which, of course, he is overseeing.

Actually, I hear the diaconate program is gettting not quite an overhaul, but certainly is changing in ways I understand His Excellency is involved in. I’m confident it will only result in further improvement.

Funny how small our world is.

 

[Brendan]

Wow! Small world. Bishop Vigneron is a wonderful, holy man. Yes, I’m aware he was rector at a seminary. Which one, where? We’re in the midst of completing our new cathedral and other positive changes and budgetary consolidations, all of which, of course, he is overseeing.

Actually, I hear the diaconate program is gettting not quite an overhaul, but certainly is changing in ways I understand His Excellency is involved in. I’m confident it will only result in further improvement.

Funny how small our world is.

Bishop Vigeneron is from the Detroit area. He used to be the Rector at Sacred Heart Major Seminiar in Detroit ( the regional seminary for Michigan). He (and Cardinal Szoka) turned that seminary around and made it into a bastion of orthodoxy

When he was made an auxiliary bishop, his region included my Vicariate, so we say him at Mass during his visits.

Fantastic Man!