Discerning a vocation to become a deacon

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gez722

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For some time know, I feel that the Lord may be calling me to become a permanent deacon. I currently attend daily Mass, go to confession monthly, read the Bible each night and pray the Divine Office (morning, evening and night prayers only). I also have a great love for the Magesterium and a strong desire to spread the word about our Catholic faith and serve God.

However, I am currently 45 years old and have relatively young children which take up a lot of my time. My parish currently has 2 deacons, with 2 more being ordained shortly. Because of all of these facts, I don’t see the permanent diaconate in my immediate future, but perhaps several years down the road.

My question is, what else should I be doing in preparation? I’m not currently involved in any ministries at my Parish, but I’m not really sure where I fit in. I keep hoping that my Parish will put something in their bulletin requesting volunteers, but I haven’t seen anything.

I’d especially appreciate advice from other permanent deacons.

Thanks and God Bless!
 
My suggestion is to get involved in the parish as well as the community. Find a homeless shelter or a food bank where you can volunteer. Deacons need to be involved in social justice ministries, and this is one way you can do that. Alternatively, get some training and work at your local hospital as a chaplain (yes, I know that term can only be applied to priests – but that’s the Catholic use of the term, not everyone is Catholic). Take courses in hospice ministry and get involved there. Do work with AIDS patients. Consider visiting prisoners in jail (this usually requires training, perhaps through your diocesan detention ministry program).

May you persevere in your discernment process.

Deacon Ed
 
gez722, Welcome to these forums! All of the deacon candidates in my class were involved in ministry before studying for the diaconate. If there are already enough deacons assisting with parish pastoral duties, you may consider: a jail ministry, soup kitchen, hospital visits, homes for the aged, juvenile detention or protective custody juvenile programs Etc. These were to be the work of deacons, until parish shortages of priests and other help caused some deacons to have to turn inward to their parish. You mentioned that you have younger children. Religious Ed programs are always needing help. Perhaps the program that your children are in. Sounds like you have a great personal spiritual routine, which is always the first thing necessary for a vocation.

May God bless you as you continue to discern his will for you.
Deacon Tony
 
Once you get into formation, you will also be expected to (at least here) have a different ministry each summer. They also encourage you to do something that is outside of your comfort zone, to prepare you for diaconate life.

If there is an active diaconate program in your area (Detroit’s is out of Sacred Heart Major Seminary), contact the director for information.

You will also need your wife’s unbridled support. It’s a demanding vocation, because as the deacons here have noted, it’s going where the Church is not. The same things that make it demanding make it fulfilling. I will pray that God makes His Will for you clear.

God bless!
Sue
 
Deacon Ed:
My suggestion is to get involved in the parish as well as the community. Find a homeless shelter or a food bank where you can volunteer. Deacons need to be involved in social justice ministries, and this is one way you can do that. Alternatively, get some training and work at your local hospital as a chaplain (yes, I know that term can only be applied to priests – but that’s the Catholic use of the term, not everyone is Catholic). Take courses in hospice ministry and get involved there. Do work with AIDS patients. Consider visiting prisoners in jail (this usually requires training, perhaps through your diocesan detention ministry program).

May you persevere in your discernment process.

Deacon Ed
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While extremely common, being involved in social justice ministries is not a prerequisite to being ordained as a deacon.
 
Deacon Ed:
My suggestion is to get involved in the parish as well as the community. Find a homeless shelter or a food bank where you can volunteer. Deacons need to be involved in social justice ministries, and this is one way you can do that. Alternatively, get some training and work at your local hospital as a chaplain (yes, I know that term can only be applied to priests – but that’s the Catholic use of the term, not everyone is Catholic). Take courses in hospice ministry and get involved there. Do work with AIDS patients. Consider visiting prisoners in jail (this usually requires training, perhaps through your diocesan detention ministry program).

May you persevere in your discernment process.

Deacon Ed
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While extremely common, being involved in social justice ministries is not a prerequisite to being ordained as a deacon.

Catholic hospitals, including the Catholic Heathcare West chain here locally have deacons and well trained laypersons as “chaplains”
 
What you have said is true about a mandatory social justice history in order to be a deacon. However, in our diocese at least a 10 year history of lay-ministry was required. We have a Health -Care West hospital in our area and they are always crying for help for people to bring Communion or make visits. They have a chaplain and a deacon, but it does not cover all the needs, especially on weekends. There is a large Catholic Hospital in Fresno, St. Agnes, that is always looking for help and has training classes for lay-people in the various ministries.

May God bless you and your family,
Deacon Tony
 
Nota Bene:
While extremely common, being involved in social justice ministries is not a prerequisite to being ordained as a deacon.

Catholic hospitals, including the Catholic Heathcare West chain here locally have deacons and well trained laypersons as “chaplains”
Click to expand...
Working in the hospitals is considered a social justice issue in many dioceses. The point is that a deacon’s work is, according to the Church, primarily focused on social justice (which includes all the things I listed, and hospital work was one of them – in fact, it’s the second half of the sentence you highlighted in your response to me).

Deacon Ed
 
Thanks to all of you for your replies. Forgive me for my lack of understanding, but how do I get involved in community ministries? I don’t feel that I’m qualified to be a chaplain at a Catholic hospital, but I would like to be able to visit and pray with the sick (once I learn more about the Faith). I would prefer to get involved with a community ministry that is associated with the Catholic Church.

Would it be acceptable to speak with my pastor or talk to the diocese and present these questions? My main concern is that I’m putting the cart before the horse and that I shouldn’t even be thinking about the diaconate yet. Since I am not actively involved in any ministries, I really feel unworthy to discuss it with my priest.
 
your parish probably has a ministry of visiting the sick, bringing communion to the sick, bereavement ministry etc. You need to get involved in your parish community life and ministries, find out what is going on, where the need is, what needs are not being met, how can you work with exisiting organizations and ministries in the diocese to fill this need in your parish. What has to happen in your parish to make it happen. No, you are not qualified to be a hospital chaplain, only a priest can be a chaplain. Whatever ministry to take part in, it should be something in line with your interests, qualifications, where your heart is.

CCD, religious education for children, youth and adults
RCIA catechist or sponsor
St. Vincent De Paul
Pro-Life Committee
Social concerns committee
Visiting the Sick
Family Life committee
Finance council
Parish council
PTSO at the parish school
Youth Group mentor or leader
Any activity your kids are involved in, take a leadership role (combine quality time with kids and ministry)
K of C (invitation only? make it known you would welcome an invitation)
Men’s Club/Holy Name society
legion of Mary

Take any lay Ministry courses offered by your diocese

Find out what paid jobs are usually staffed by deacons in your diocese, what the salary level is (can you live on it), and which jobs currently held by lay people that they would prefer to have taken by deacons, you are not limited to work in your own parish.

When you find the type of position congenial to you, aim your preparation for that job as well. For instance deacons here have been liaison between St. Vincent and local food bank, running diocesan office on Immigration Affairs, Catholic Charities, Marriage Encounter, Marriage Preparation, Family Life office, NFP, and some chancery jobs.
 
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gez722:
Thanks to all of you for your replies. Forgive me for my lack of understanding, but how do I get involved in community ministries? I don’t feel that I’m qualified to be a chaplain at a Catholic hospital, but I would like to be able to visit and pray with the sick (once I learn more about the Faith). I would prefer to get involved with a community ministry that is associated with the Catholic Church.

Would it be acceptable to speak with my pastor or talk to the diocese and present these questions? My main concern is that I’m putting the cart before the horse and that I shouldn’t even be thinking about the diaconate yet. Since I am not actively involved in any ministries, I really feel unworthy to discuss it with my priest.
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Yes, speak with your parish priest. If there is a Catholic hospital near you go and visit with the chaplain there and tell him you want to get involved. If there’s no Catholic hospital check with the diocese (or your priest) about CPE (clinical Pastoral Education) which will qualify you to work in a hospital setting. Definitely get involved in parish ministry – it’s important that you are seen as a leader in your own parish since, in general, the pastor is the one who will put forth your name as a potential deacon.

It’s also good to speak to the director of the diaconate in your diocese. Let him know that you are praying about a possible vocation and ask him what is available to you to help in this discernment process.

Deacon Ed
 
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puzzleannie:
No, you are not qualified to be a hospital chaplain, only a priest can be a chaplain.
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While you are quite correct with regard to the Catholic use of this term, many non-Catholic institutions will use the term more broadly. For example, I’m a chaplain with the local police department – and I’m not a priest. In fact, my three brother chaplains are not even Catholic. The term, while restricted in a Catholic setting is not outside of that. In fact, there was an article about me and two other police chaplains in our diocesan newspaper several years ago – and they made no distinction between me and the two priests who were functioning as chaplains.

Deacon Ed
 
Gez,

I’m in Formation to the Diaconate in Detroit.

What I would actually recommend is that you investigate what the requirements are for the diaconate in your diocese. This should include both ministrial and educational.

Most diocese that I know of either require formal Pastorial Ministry training as part of , or as a prerequist to, Diaconal formation.

Here is the formal education requirements for the Diaconate in Detroit

Link Here

This is just to give you an idea. Your diocese will probably have different classes and requirments.

Generally, it will be about 2 classes each night. If your diocese has some type of Pastorial Ministry certification, and if it’s a requirment for the Diaconate, I’d recommend starting now with a class or 2 each year.

Maybe look into being a Reader at your parish, or maybe an EMHC. If you’re going to be proclaiming the Gospel and giving homiles some day, you might as well start by reading an Epistle on Sundays 😉

And the program is doable with small children. I’m 38 and DW and I have 4 children, the oldest of whom is 6, the youngest is 1 month. The community (both our parish and the other students) are incredibly supportive.

God Bless,

Brendan
 
Brendan

I too am in formation for the Permanent Diaconate for the AOD. Since I haven’t seen you at formation I’m wondering if you are in the program or are in discernment?

Peace…
 
Hello gez722, I thoughtI was on my way to being a Deacon in Sept and then in Nov my fourth daughter was born. I’m afraid I may have to put it off since my family life takes up so much of my time. I can’t leave my wife to take care of everything and I believe your wife also gets interveiwed.

I believe discernment classes are a part of becoming a deacon. The Deacons on this board will have more info than I.

Peace & God Bless You.
 
Deacon Ed:
Working in the hospitals is considered a social justice issue in many dioceses. The point is that a deacon’s work is, according to the Church, primarily focused on social justice (which includes all the things I listed, and hospital work was one of them – in fact, it’s the second half of the sentence you highlighted in your response to me).

Deacon Ed
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That’s all quite true, but it’s certainly not mandatory. If a person was for example a gifted teacher and felt the call to the diaconate, he might well focus on religious education and catechesis.

Both are still service, the cornerstone of the diaconate.
 
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jthibodeau:
Brendan

I too am in formation for the Permanent Diaconate for the AOD. Since I haven’t seen you at formation I’m wondering if you are in the program or are in discernment?

Peace…
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I was accepted into the program last year, but Deacon Ron and I decided that I would be best to join next years class.

I had a lot of business travel last winter\spring so I had to drop all my classes. There was no point in joining a formation ‘class’ when there was zero chance of being ordained with any of them.

So technically, I am an Aspirant and taking classes this year, but I have been relieved of my obligation to attend Formation Days (though I was at the Christmas party at Guardian Angels). So I will, in effect, have a 2 year Aspirancy.

DW and I were at the Couple’s Retreat a few weeks ago as well (very nice, BTW)
 
Wonderful! Welcome to the group. Look forward to meeting you next year.

Peace…
 
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jthibodeau:
Wonderful! Welcome to the group. Look forward to meeting you next year.

Peace…
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What year are you? My DH was ordained for the AOD in 2003! 🙂

Brendan -

Some of those formations days are kind of worthwhile (some - not all). It’s kind of nice you will have an extra year to utilize every avenue for learning about your vocation!
 
Brendan,

Thanks so much for your informative post! Your words of encouragement were exactly what I needed to hear. At this point, I’m not sure if the Lord is calling me to become a deacon, but I know he’s calling me to discern whether it’s right for me.

I’m glad to hear that it can work with younger children. I have 7 year old twin girls, both of whom have a degree of autism and I have a lot of responsibilities at home. My wife is very supportive of the fact that I may become a deacon some day, but I don’t want to neglect my primary vocation as husband and father.

A parish ministry such as reader is something that would probably suit me well at this time. Even though I would very much like to volunteer in a hospital someday, that wouldn’t be too practical for me right now.

I have been hesitant to approach my pastor about discerning my vocation, because I really feel unworthy at this point. I’m kind of embarrassed asking questions about the permanent diaconate when I’m not involved in any ministries. I now see that I should talk to him about it so I can start to prepare for the possibility, even if it is several years in the future. I will also contact the Diocese of Trenton (I’m in N.J.) and see if they offer any discernment guidelines.

Thanks to all of you for your advice. It’s helped me a lot!

God Bless!
 
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