Starting in the Diaconate program at age 55, too old?

[JRKH]

God calls us where we are at, and the situation we are in affects that.

Our first calling is to our family and those who depend on us.

I’ve read enough of your posts to see that you are obviously open to the Spirit.

(I hope that doesn’t sound like a teacher)

Thanks TG…I figured you and a I are familiar enough to each other that you know my current situation…

By the way, I love the pic in you sig…

Peace
James

 

[triumphguy]

Thanks:thumbsup:

 

[garn9173]

What do you think?

Good luck and thank you for hearing God’s call!

 

[mikeghiorso]

You should be about “in the middle” of the pack in your class. At least that was my experience … ordained in 2005 …

 

[cradlecatholic5]

I think it’s great that you’re being called. Will pray for you.

 

[LaMusicaSenior]

Your never to old to follow God’s call!

Your in my prayers.

God bless you on this journey,

Chloe M.

 

[TimothyH]

Is that 3-5 years even if one has no college???

I only have two years of “technical” College in an engineering discipline…

Peace
James

I don’t have a degree, and if it is God’s will, I will apply late 2012 to early 2013 for the cohort starting here in Atlanta January 2014. I will be 49 in

Archbishop Gregory of the Archdioces of Atlanta wrote the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States when he was president of the USCCB. He has implimented the Directory in North Georgia and many diocese are moving toward the directives in the document partly as a means to a more consistent formation process throughout the US. .

Having said that, there can be a big difference in formation from one diocese to another.

In Atlanta there are three phases - inquiry, aspirance, and candidacy. Inquiry is where you have talked to your pastor, he determined that there are no immediate impediments, and has put forward your name to the office of formation as a potential aspirant. At that point things start to happen. I was invited to spend two Saturdays at the formation center where there were presentations on a variety of topics by deacons, deacons’ wives, etc. I asked some very blunt questions, made new friends, and met the formation director for the Archdioces. The inquiry sessions helped me tremendously.

From there you put in your application. Once the application is in, evaluation for aspirancy is a four month process. If accepted, classes are one Saturday per month during school months with summer off, plus a ten week (one night per week) hospital ministry course at a local hospital. From aspirancy, you go to candidacy, and that is four years of study, two Saturday’s per month with summers off. You also have to do a yearly retreat. They tell me that there is about 10 to 15 hours of study per week, but only one three page paper during summer.

I’m told that we have one of the more intense formation programs. That is what I am told. My father-inlaw is a deacon in Detroit, and only went to school Saturday evenings two times per month. I have little college, but am certified up the ying-yang in various higly technical subjects, so am used to study.

Given that our Archbishop wrote the National Directory, I would imagine that most formation programs can’t be much more aggressive than ours, and that the snapshot given above is probably a worst-case in terms of workload and commitment. Much of the national directory document is geared toward formation directors, but chapter 2 is worth reading.

-Tim-

 

[TimothyH]

A college degree is not a requirement in the Archdioces of Atlanta. All take courses together regardless of educational background.

Formal formation is five years. Aspirancy is the first year, with one Saturday per month in class during school months and summer off. Candidacy is four years, two Saturdays per month during school months with summers off. There is also a hospital ministry class, one night per week for ten weeks which must be completed some time during formation. I am told to expect 10 to 15 hours per week of study outside of the classroom setting. A yearly retreat and ongoing spiritual direction is required.

There appears to be a wide variety in formation depending on which diocese you are in, and I have been told that the USCCB is pushing for a more consistent formation process as laid out in the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States. The directory is mostly geared toward formation directors, but chapter 2, “The Ministry and Life of Deacons” is worth reading. The directory was a product of the current Atlanta Archbishop back when he was president of the USCCB, so he has implimented much of it here already.

I will be 49 this fall, and if it is God’s will, and if nothing significant changes, my intent is to submit my application late 2012 or early 2013 for the cohort beginning January 2014. I’m sending for the college transcripts, getting the physical exam, and gathering all the info required for the application right now. The application is 72 pages! About twenty pages are for deacon’s wives, and that is a big “Not Applicable” for me.

Aint that the truth!

-Tim-

 

[triumphguy]

A college degree is not a requirement in the Archdioces of Atlanta. All take courses together regardless of educational background.

Formal formation is five years. Aspirancy is the first year, with one Saturday per month in class during school months and summer off. Candidacy is four years, two Saturdays per month during school months with summers off. There is also a hospital ministry class, one night per week for ten weeks which must be completed some time during formation. I am told to expect 10 to 15 hours per week of study outside of the classroom setting. A yearly retreat and ongoing spiritual direction is required.

There appears to be a wide variety in formation depending on which diocese you are in, and I have been told that the USCCB is pushing for a more consistent formation process as laid out in the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States. The directory is mostly geared toward formation directors, but chapter 2, “The Ministry and Life of Deacons” is worth reading. The directory was a product of the current Atlanta Archbishop back when he was president of the USCCB, so he has implimented much of it here already.

I will be 49 this fall, and if it is God’s will, and if nothing significant changes, my intent is to submit my application late 2012 or early 2013 for the cohort beginning January 2014. I’m sending for the college transcripts, getting the physical exam, and gathering all the info required for the application right now. The application is 72 pages! About twenty pages are for deacon’s wives, and that is a big “Not Applicable” for me.

Aint that the truth!

-Tim-

Here in Calgary it’s very similar

1st year propaeduetic
Years 2-4 1 weekend per month with no summer off.
We also complete 2 pastoral care courses/certificates
Annual retreat with spouse, and annual retreat with the men.
Say office (morning and evening prayer) daily with spouse.
Expectation of daily mass - or as often as possible.
The candidate and the spouse need to have spiritual direction - for the man it needs to be a priest.
Year 2 insitituted as a lector, Year 3 as an Acolyte, Year 4 ordained.

The psych evaluation is “thorough”! I was convinced I had failed.

 

[anruari]

The best thing you can do is find out who your Diocesan Director of the Diaconate is and ask him.
You need to know the guidelines that your specific bishop has issued for your dioceses.
The Vocations director for the Diocanate is probably the Director of the Diaconate. Find out who he is and talk to him.

Your Parish Priest should be willing to put you in touch directly… You would probably need his sponsorship anyway.

 

[TimothyH]

Here in Calgary it’s very similar

1st year propaeduetic
Years 2-4 1 weekend per month with no summer off.
We also complete 2 pastoral care courses/certificates
Annual retreat with spouse, and annual retreat with the men.
Say office (morning and evening prayer) daily with spouse.
Expectation of daily mass - or as often as possible.
The candidate and the spouse need to have spiritual direction - for the man it needs to be a priest.
Year 2 insitituted as a lector, Year 3 as an Acolyte, Year 4 ordained.

The psych evaluation is “thorough”! I was convinced I had failed.

Given the fact that most candidates are married with children, I can’t see it getting more intense than that.

-Tim-

 

[triumphguy]

Given the fact that most candidates are married with children, I can’t see it getting more intense than that.

-Tim-

You are right!