Brothers in the Service of the Lord
Hermanos al Servicio del Señor
4
2
Jesus washing Peter’s feet at the Last Supper / Jesús lavando los pies a Pedro en la Ultima Cena
by/por Ford Madox Brown
 A Formation Program for Aspirants and Candidates for the Permanent
Diaconate3
in the Diocese of Yakima.
Programa de Formación para Aspirantes y Candidatos al Diaconado
Permanente4
en la Diócesis de Yakima.
 Guidelines and Norms for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Yakima.
Normas y Directrices del Diaconado Permanente en la Diócesis de Yakima.
November / Noviembre 2008
4
P o p e J o h n P a u l I I , P a p a l A d d r e s s t o t h e P er ma n e n t D ea c o n s, D e t r o i t , S e p t e m b e r 1 9 , 1 9 8 7
J u a n Pa b l o I I , D i s c u r s o Po n t i f i c i o a l o s D i á c o n o s P e r m a n e n t e s , D e t r o i t , 1 9 S e p t i e m b r e , 1 9 8 7
3
P e r m a n e n t d e a c o n i n c o n t r a s t t o t r a n si t i o n a l d ea c o n w h o w i l l b e c o m e a p r i e s t .
4
Se llama Diácono Permanente por contraste con el Diác ono temporal que luego se ordenará de Sacerdote .
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
1
cf
2-23-09
2
Table of Contents
Page
Chapter I
T he Di aconate: “B roth ers i n th e Servi ce of t he Lord” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Chapter I I
A T heol ogy of the Di a conate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
A Hi s tory of the Di aconate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
O rdi nati on as a Deaco n: Hol y O rders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 4
T he Mi ni s try of Dea con . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
T he Vocati on of th e Perma nent Deaco n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 6
Wi ves as Col l aborators of Permanent Deacon s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
T he As pi rant and Pre- Candi date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
A. Requi rements for Ac cepta nce as a n As pi rant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
B . T he As pi rancy Yea r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
C. Accepta nce as a Pre- candi date t o t he D e ac o n F o r ma t io n P ro g r am . . 12
Chapter I I I
T he Deacon Form ati on Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
A. Characte ri s ti cs of the Deacon Formati on Prog ram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
B . T he T hree Phas es o f t he D e a co n F or m at i o n Pr og r a m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Phas e I :
Mi ni s ter of the Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 14
Phas e I I :
Mi ni s ter of Cha ri ty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 14
Phas e I I I : Mi ni s ter of the Al tar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 15
C. T i me Commi tment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
D. Cos t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
E . Pre-Can di date /Can di date Mont hl y Smal l Grou ps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
F. Pre-Can di date /Can di date E ducati on Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
G. T he Di oces e E val uates the Pr e -Can di date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
H. T he Pre-Can di date E val uates the Di oces e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Chapter I V
Formal Steps B efore O rdi nati on as a Perma ne nt Dea con . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
A. T he Mi ni s tri es of Reader a nd A col yte / Acce pt ance as a
Candi da te . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 18
B . T he Deacon Commu ni ty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
C. Mi ni s try Appoi ntment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
D. Mi ni s try Agreeme nt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
E . O rdi nati on Retreat a nd O rdi nati on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 19
Appendi x A: Permanen t Di acon ate Appl i ca nt I nfor mati on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Appendi x B : Permanen t Di acon ate Spo us e I nformati on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 31
Appendi x C: Deacon P re -Ca ndi date Formati on A greeme nt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Appendi x D: Readi ngs for t he T hree P has es of t he Dea con P re-Ca ndi date
Formati on Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Appendi x E : Permanen t Di acon ate Gui del i nes & Nor ms , ( F e b r ua r y, 2 00 1) . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Appendi x F: Permanen t Dea con Mi ni s try A greeme nt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 42
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
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cf
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Chapter I
The Diaconat e: "Brothers in t he Serv ice of t he L ord"
A.
A T heol ogy of the Di aconate
Pope J ohn Paul I I , i n addres s i ng the permanent dea cons and thei r wi ves
duri ng a vi s i t to the U ni ted States i n 1989, greeted hi s audi enc e wi th , "Dear
Brothers in the Service of the Lord ,” and "Dear Wives and Collaborators of
these men or dained to t he Per mane nt Diaco n ate."
I n doi ng s o, the Hol y Father was expres s i ng hi s heart fel t grati t ude a nd
res pect for perma nent deacons (and thei r s pous es ) becaus e of th ei r fa i th ful
s ervi ce to the Church whi c h, i n fact, s tretc hes acros s two thous and years of
Chri s ti ani ty. From t he apos tol i c ti mes w hen deacons fi rs t be gi n to a ppear i n
the Scri pt ures (Phi l i ppi ans 1:1) to our pres ent day, countl es s numbers of men,
s ome of them m arri ed and l ovi ngl y s upport ed by thei r s pous es , have pl aced
thei r l i ves i n di aconal s ervi ce to th e Ch urc h.
T hes e men ar e both "s ervants of the mys ter i es of Chri s t” an d s ervants of t he
s i s ters and brot hers of the Ch urc h 5 and i nd eed of al l of s oci ety, es pec i al l y
thos e who are mos t at ris k of bei ng negl ected. 6 As s ervants of the mys teri es
of Chri s t, deacons together wi th bi s hops and pri es ts are members of the
cl ergy. T hey are cus todi ans of the redempti ve pl an of God to uni te al l thi ngs
on heave n an d eart h t h roug h th e Pas c hal Mys tery of J es us a nd t he s en di ng
forth of the Hol y Spi ri t. 7 T hey effecti vel y make known thi s pl an of God to the
fai thful of the C hurc h and h umani ty at l arge throug h three f undame ntal
mi ni s tri es : Mi ni s try of the Al tar, Mi ni s try of Chari ty , and Mi ni s try of the Word.
Furthermore, b eca us e they ar e “di s pens ers o f God‟s mys teri es i n the s ervi c e of
Hi s peopl e…, they ( deacons ) are to nouri s h thei r s pi ri tual l ives from the two fol d tabl e of Sa cred Scri pt ure a nd t he E uc har i s t. ” 8
I n thi s s ame addr es s , Pope J ohn Paul II went on to s peak of
was for hi m to meet wi th permanent deacons and thei r
repres ent , he s ai d, a "great a nd vi s i bl e s i gn of t he worki ng of
i n the way of the Seco nd Vati can Cou nci l , whi ch pro vi ded for
of the pe rmane nt di acon ate i n t he C hurc h. " 9
the joy that i t
wi ves .
T hey
t he Hol y Spi ri t
t he res torati on
Permanen t deaco ns , s upported by thei r s po us es , i f they are m arri ed, are co workers wi th bi s hops and pri es ts i n the Chur ch's mi s s i on to procl ai m the good
news of J es us Ch ri s t. I n thi s s pi ri t Pope J ohn Pa ul I I cal l s them "Brothers i n
the Servi ce of the Lord" s i nce they effe cti vel y i mi tate J es us the Lord who
came "to s erve an d not be s erved. " (Mk 10:4 5)
4
5
6
7
8
P o p e Jo hn P a ul I I , P a pa l Addr es s t o t he P er m a nent D eac o ns , D et ro i t,
Se pt e m b er 19 ,
1 9 8 7.
F r a nc is C a rd i na l Geo r g e, D ea co n F or m a ti o n Pr o gra m , Y ak i m a, 19 9 2.
P o p e Jo hn P a ul I I , P a pa l Addr es s t o t he P er m a nent D eac o ns , D et ro i t,
Se pt e m b er 19 ,
1 9 8 7.
The C o d e o f C a no n L a w , L a t i n - Eng li s h Tr a nsl a ti o n, C a no n L a w So ci e t y o f Am e r ic a n,
1 9 8 3, Wa s hi ng t o n D .C ., #2 7 6, p. 9 7.
P o p e Jo hn P a ul I I , P a pa l Addr es s t o t he P er m a nent D eac o ns , D et ro i t,
Se pt e m b er 19 ,
1 9 8 7.
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
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cf
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J es us , T he Was he s the Feet of Hi s Di s ci pl e s , an E xampl e of Servi ce i n t he
K i ngdom
O nl y the Gos pel of J ohn tel l s us that, duri n g the l as t s upper , J es us removed
hi s outer garm ent, took a bas i n a nd tow el , and was hed the feet of Hi s
di s ci pl es . Yet, thi s memory of what J es us did i s so i mportant to the Church's
unders ta ndi ng of J es us ' l i fe and mi ss i on, that re -enacti n g i t on Hol y T hurs day
has been a fi xture i n the Chu rch for cent uri e s .
"J esus – fully aware that he had come from God and was going to
Father who ha d han ded everyt hing over to h im – rose from the meal
off his cloak. He picked up a towel and tied it around himself.
poured water into a basin an d bega n to wash his disciples' feet and
with the towel he had aroun d him."
God, the
and took
Then he
dry the m
"After he washed t heir fe et, he p ut his cloak back on a nd re clined at t he tabl e
once more. He said to them, 'You addre ss me as Teacher and Lord an d
fittingly enoug h for that is what I am. But i f I washed your feet – I, w ho am
Teacher an d Lord – the n you m ust wash ea ch othe r's feet. What I j ust did
was to give you an example: as I h ave done, so you must do."
(J ohn 13:1 -17)
T hi s event captures the es s en ce of how J es us s aw hi ms el f and thos e who
woul d be Hi s fol l owers . He and, therefore , they, were to al ways keep the
good of others at the cent er of thei r work and hum bl y attend to th em as a
s ervant atten ds to hi s or her mas ter or mi s tr es s .
"As the eyes of servants a re on the hands o f their masters , as the eyes of a
maid are o n t he hands o f h er mistress, so ar e our eyes on the Lord, our God,
till he have pity on us . "
(Ps al m 123:2)
E very J ew i n anci en t Pal es ti ne k new t hat t hos e who ha d s tatus and power ,
whether J ew or Roma n, often made th ei r authori ty fel t by l ordi ng i t ove r
others . I t was not to be thi s way for the fol l owers of J es us .
" Anyone who aspires to greatness must serve t he rest; whoever wants to rank
first among you must serve t he needs of all. The Son of Man has come not to
be served bu t to serve – to give his life in ra nsom for the many."
(Mk 10:43 -45)
J es us ' des i re i n al l that He di d was to es tabl i s h the K i ngdom o f God.
“I must procla im the good new s of the kingdom of God, because for this
purpose I ha ve been sent .”
(Lk 4:43)
J es us preached, heal ed, gathe red di s ci pl es , confronted hypocri tes , fed the
hung ry, ate wi th s i nners , taught i n parabl es , forgave s i nners , was hed the fee t
of hi s di s ci pl es , i ns ti tuted the E uchari s t, and gave hi s l i fe on the cros s to
make pres ent i n the worl d t he K i ngdom of God. J es us was the Sacram ent of
the K i ngdom, the outward an d vi s i bl e s i gn whi ch made th e l ove, jus ti ce, and
truth o f G od pres e nt i n t he worl d.
A Servant Ch urc h, the Sacram ent of J es us i n the Worl d
Al l of God's peopl e who have be en bor n agai n i n Ch ri s t i n the wat ers of
Bapti s m, empowered by th e Hol y Spi ri t i n Co nfi rmati on, and trans for med eve n
more i nto the i mage of C hri s t throu gh t he E u chari s t are cal l ed to i mi tate J es us
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
4
cf
2-23-09
the s ervant. T ogether, l ai ty and cl ergy ali ke are a Servant Churc h! T hi s
Servant Chu rch i s to hu mbl y "was h t he feet" of i ts fel l ow memb ers and of t he
human commu ni ty i n wi tnes s to the Ri s en C hri s t. J es us i s made vi si bl e and
pres ent i n t he worl d thro ugh t hi s s ervant Chur ch whi ch t he Vati can Coun ci l
cal l ed a “Sacra ment o f Hu man Sal vati on. ”
“Since t he Ch urc h, in C hrist, is a sacrament - a sign and i nstrume nt, that is, of
communion with God and o f the u ni ty of the entire h uman ra ce …” (Lumen
Genti um, arti cl e 1)
“Christ was sent by the Father „to bring go od news to the poor…to heal the
brokenhearte d‟ (Luke 4:18), „to seek and to save what was lost‟ (Luke 19:10).
Similarly, the Churc h en compasses with its love all those who are afflicted by
human in firmity and it recognizes in those who are poor and who suffer, the
likeness of its poor and suffering foun der. It does all in its power to relieve
their ne ed a nd in the m it e ndeavors to serve Ch rist…” (L umen Genti um ,
arti cl e 8).
B.
A Hi s tory of the Di aconate
Very earl y on i n the l i fe of t he Ch urc h, s ome communi ty mem bers emerge d as
extraordi nary as s i s tants to t he A pos tl es . T he name deaco n was gi ve n to t hos e
as s i s tants , whi ch i n Greek mea ns mi ni s te r or s erva nt.
T hei r i nval uabl e
mi s s i on earned them profou nd res pe ct as col l aborators wi th l eaders cal l ed
bi s hops i n the s preadi ng of the Gos pel . I gnati us of Anti och i n the earl y part
of the s econd centu ry wri tes of deacons as "s ervants of the Bi s hop as Chri s t i s
the s ervant o f the Father. " 10
O ver the c entu ri es deacons have pa rti ci pate d i n a wi de vari ety of mi ni s tri es ,
as theol ogi ans , admi ni s trators of C hur ch o ffi ces and cha ri tabl e works , as wel l
as catechi s ts prepari ng me n and women for Bapti s m. However, overti me , the
uni que gi ft of the di aconate as a di s ti ncti ve rank wi thi n the hi erarc hy became
l os t to the Chur ch i n the Wes t a nd was abs orbed i nto the s tages of pri es tl y
ordi nati on.
T he Counci l of T rent di s cus s ed res tori ng the di aconate to i ts
anci ent a nd di s ti nct i ve rol e as a hel per to bi s hops . 11 I t was not unti l the
Second Vati can Coun ci l that the bi s hops of t he Ch urc h re cogni z ed t he need “t o
res tore the di aconate as a p roper a nd p e rmanent rank of t he hi erarc hy. ”
(Lumen Ge nti um, arti cl e 29)
Duri ng th e years fol l o wi ng the counci l , Pope Paul VI i mpl ement ed the wi s hes
of the cou nci l fat hers regar di ng the perma n ent di aconate. H e di d s o i n three
i mportant s tages . He fi rs t es tabl i s hed canoni cal norms for the permanent
di aconate i n hi s Apos tol i c Letter Sacrum Di a conatus O rdi nem i n J une of 1967.
T hen, i n J un e of 1968, Pope Pa ul VI aut hori z ed new ri tes for the conf erral o f
al l three of t he ordai n ed mi ni s ters , dea con, pri es t and bi s hop, i n the Apos tol i c
Cons ti tuti on Ponti fi cal i s Romani Recogni to .
Fi nal l y, on the Feas t of the
As s umpti on, Augus t 15, 1972, the pope publ is hed new norms for the di aconate
i n the Apos tol i c Letter Ad Pas ce ndum. 12
10
11
12
The Ne w D i c ti o na ry o f The ol o g y , e d . J . A. Ko mo nc ha k , M. C ol l i ns, D. A . La ne , Li t ur g ic a l
P r e s s , C o ll e g e v il l e, MN p . 2 6 8. , 1 99 3
Ba s i c Nor m s fo r t he F or m at i o n o f P er m a ne nt D ea c o ns, Di r ec t or y f or t he Mi ni s tr y a nd
L i f e o f P e rm a ne nt D e a co ns , C o ngr e g a t io n f or C a tho l i c Ed uc a ti o n, C o ngr e g a ti o n f or t he
C l e r g y, V at ic a n C it y , U ni t e d St a t e s C a t ho l ic Co nfe r e nc e, Wa s hi ng to n D. C. , 1 9 9 8 , p . 1 4 .
P e r m a ne nt De a co ns i n t he U ni t e d Sta t e s : Gui d e l ine s o n The i r F o rm a t io n a nd Mi ni s tr y ,
Bi s ho p ‟ s C o mm i t te e o n t he P e r m a ne nt D ia co na t e , Na t io na l C o nf e re nc e o f C a t ho l ic
Bi s ho p s , 1 9 84 , Wa s hi ng to n D. C ., p p. 1 -2 .
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
5
cf
2-23-09
I n May of 1968, the bi s hops of the U ni ted States wrote to Pope Paul VI
reques ti ng per mi s s i on to res tore the di aconate i n thi s country. T hei r reas ons
are s ummari z ed bel ow:
 “T o compl ete the hi erarchy of s ac red orde r s and to e nri ch and s t rengt hen
the many an d vari ous di aconal mi ni s tri es at work i n thi s country wi th t he
s acramental gra ce of the di a conate;
 T o enl i s t a new group of devout a nd competent men i n the acti ve mi ni s try
of the C hur ch;
 T o ai d i n extendi ng needed l i turgi cal and c h ari tabl e s ervi ces to the fai thful
i n both l arge urban and s mal l r ural comm uni t i es ;
 T o provi de an of fi ci al and s acrame ntal pre s ence of the Ch urc h i n man y
areas of s ec ul ar l i fe, as wel l as i n com m uni ti es wi thi n l arge ci ti es and
s pars el y s ettl ed regi ons where few or no pri e s ts are avai l abl e;
 T o provi de an i mpetus and s ource for c r eati ve adaptati ons of di aconal
mi ni s tri es to the rapi dl y cha ngi ng needs of our s oci e ty. ” 13
C.
Ordi nati on as a Deacon: Hol y O rders
Al l i n the Ch urc h are cal l ed to s erve i n the manner o f J es us who was he d the
feet of Hi s Di s ci pl es . T he s ervi c e th at dea c ons offer i s the Ch urc h's s ervi ce
s acramental i z ed. 14 Sacra ments are vi s i bl e ac ti ons and s i gns of the Chu rch
whi ch mak e pres e nt t he i nvi s i bl e and hi dden works of J es us th rough the Hol y
Spi ri t. T he di aco nate bel ongs to the es s enti al mi ni s tri es of l eaders hi p t o
whi ch J es us entrus te d the f unda mental ta s k of “as s uri ng that the Ch urc h
become and re mai n t he authe nti c s acrame nt of s al vati on. I n an ordi nati on, a
Chri s ti an bl es s ed wi th the abi l i ty to mi nis ter i s chos en from among the
members of Ch ri s t to occ upy a n of fi ce and to ful fi l l a rol e repres en tati ve of
both Chri s t a nd the Ch urc h. I n thi s s acra m ent, a bi s hop l ays hands upon a
man and, i n t he na me of th e Ch urc h, prays G od to empower hi m wi th t he gi fts
of the Spi ri t that wi l l enabl e hi m to f ul fi l l hi s parti cul ar rol e. ” 15
T he deacon, throu gh the s a cramen t of ordi nati on, becomes for the Chu rch a
vi s i bl e s i gn, a s acrament of the s ervant J esus . He repres ents i n hi s pers on
and mi ni s try who J es us i s to the Church an d who the Ch urc h i s to be for the
worl d, a s ervant. 16 T hi s i denti ty pervades every rel ati ons hi p and acti vi ty of a
deacon‟s l i fe. 17 Wi ves of d eacons , be caus e of thei r i nti mate as s oci ati on wi th
thei r s pous es and often t hei r cl os e col l aborati on i n mi ni s try, are drawn i nto
thi s i denti ty as wel l . I n th ei r l i ves , i n thei r very bei ng, dea cons are vi s i bl e
remi nders , to the Chur ch and to s oci ety , of J es us , the was her of feet, who
gave Hi s l i fe as a rans om for others . (Mark 1 0:35) Bi s hops , and by extens i on ,
pri es ts , are vis i bl e s i gns to the Church of J es us , the head of Hi s body, the
Chur ch. D eacons are thei r hel pers and as s i s tants i n s ervi ce to the Gos pel , a
rel ati ons hi p that i s made mos t evi dent i n t h e l i turgy of the Ch urc h w here the
bi s hop or pri es t pres i des and t he dea con as s i s ts .
Deacons are pu bl i c
mi ni s ters of the Gos pel of J es us Chri s t. I n the ordi nati on ri te of deacons , the
13
14
15
16
17
Ibid., pp. 1-2
P o pe Jo hn P a ul II, P apa l Addr es s t o t he P er m anent D ea co ns , D e tr o it , Se pt e m b er 1 9,
1 9 8 7.
P e r m a ne nt De a co ns i n t he U ni t e d Sta t e s : Gui d e l ine s o n The i r F o rm a t io n a nd Mi ni s tr y ,
Bi s ho p ‟ s C o mm i t te e o n t he P e r m a ne nt D ia co na t e , Na t io na l C o nf e re nc e o f C a t ho l ic
Bi s ho p s , 1 9 84 , Wa s hi ng to n D. C ., p. 1 2, ar t ic l e 22.
I b i d . , p 1 3, a rt ic l e 22 .
P e r m a ne nt D i ac o nat e Gui d e li ne s a nd Nor m s , D io ce s e o f Y a ki m a, J a nuar y , 1 9 94 , p. 1.
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
6
cf
2-23-09
bi s hop pres ents a co py o f the Gos pel s to each of the ordai n ed wi th t hes e
words :
"Recei ve the Gos pel of Chri s t, whos e heral d you have become . Beli eve what
you read, teac h wha t you bel i eve, and practi ce what yo u teac h. " 18
As publ i c mi ni s ters , deaco ns , together wi th bi s hops an d pri es ts , are e ntrus te d
wi th a uni que vo cati on to be s ervants of t h e Mys teri es of Chri s t . (Col os s i ans
1:26) B ecaus e of that, t he fai thful have a rightf ul cl ai m on the ti me and gi fts
of deacons as they do wi th al l the ordai ned , wi th due res pect , i n the ca s e of
deacons , for exampl e, for thei r marri ages an d work commi tmen ts .
Wi th thi s vi s i on of the di aconate i n mi n d, Pope J ohn Paul I I cal l s Permanen t
Deacons "Dea r B rothers i n the Servi ce of the Lord. "
D.
T he M i ni s try of Deacon
Deacons are as s i s tants to th e bi s hop. T he y are “governed by canon l aw,
l i turgi cal norms , and current gui del i nes of th e di oces e. T he power to procl ai m
the Gos pel and preac h at Mas s and other l i t urgi cal ri tes , as wel l as to bapti z e
and to admi ni s ter s ac ramental s deri ves f rom ordi nati o n. T he deacon‟s exer ci s e
of thes e mi ni s tri es i s governed by hi s pas toral as s i gnment. Hi s permi s si on to
wi tnes s marri ages and cond uct fun eral s i s normal l y del egated by th e Bi s hop. ” 19
Deacons are us ual l y as s i gned to work i n a pari s h or other eccl es i al s etti ngs i n
cl os e partners hi p wi th pri es ts . T hey al so work al ongs i de the l ai ty who, i n
many i ns tances , may overs ee t hem i n t he mi ni s try at hand. T hou gh t hey may
be doi ng the s ame work as l ay pers ons or even worki ng un der thei r s ki l l ed
di recti on, deacons s erve u nder a uni que rel ati ons hi p that comes from
ordi nati on. T he grace of the s acra ment mol d s and s hapes them i nto J es us the
s ervant, enabl i ng t hem to b e a vi s i bl e s i gn of the s ervant Chri s t to al l .
Deacons can s erve wi thi n the Chur ch i n many o f the ways i n whi ch l ay pers ons
s erve. T hey work wi th youth; i ns truct cat echum ens ; vi s i t the s i ck and the
i nfi rmed; tea ch rel i gi ous educati on; prepa re young coupl es for mar ri age;
organi z e and tea ch cl as s es for the Sacram e nts of Bapti s m and Confi rmati on;
work on retre ats ; di s tri bute food for St. Vincent de Paul ; trai n al tar s ervers
and organi z e E uchari s ti c mi ni s ters ; admi ni s ter pari s hes and/or retreat cente rs ;
as s i s t wi th the annul ment p roces s ; reach out to i nacti ve Cathol i cs and
evangel i z e unch urc hed peopl e; bui l d uni ty a nd fri ends hi p wi th Chri s ti ans from
other fai th comm uni ti es ; s erve as Natural Fami l y Pl anni ng i ns tructors ; advi s e
the pas tor on pas toral cou nci l s ; teach ad ul t edu cati on; and parti ci pate i n
s mal l churc h comm uni ti es .
Deacons are the ordi na ry mi ni s ters to l ead any form of publ i c prayer i n th e
abs ence of a pri es t. B ecaus e of t hei r cl os e as s oci ati on wi th the l i turgy of the
Chur ch, pe rmane nt dea cons are to s hape t hei r s pi ri tual i ty throug h frequ ent
parti ci pati on i n the E u chari s t a nd a re re q ui red to p ray t he Li tur gy of the
Hours , es peci al l y Morni ng a nd E veni ng Praye r.
18
19
The R i t e s o f Or d i na ti o n o f a Bi s hop , o f P r i es t s , and o f D e ac o ns, Sec o nd Ty pi c al Ed i t io n
( U S C C B, Wa s hi ng to n, D C, J ul y 2 00 3 ), p. 1 62 .
P e r m a ne nt D i ac o nat e Gui d e li ne s a nd Nor m s, D io ce s e o f Y a ki m a, J a nuar y , 1 9 94 . p. 2 .
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
7
cf
2-23-09
U nderl yi ng thes e mi ni s tri es i s a di aconal ch aracter of hel pf ul nes s and s ervi ce
that mus t be p res ent pri or to ordi nati on. I ndeed, part of t he di s cer nment of
the per manen t dea con vocati on i s t he c hal l enge to i den ti fy wi thi n the
candi dates t hi s di aconal cha racter of prop het i c s ervi ce.
T he s acramental i denti ty and the mi ni s try of a deacon are i nti matel y
connec ted. Di aconal mi ni s try fl ows from a n i denti ty rooted i n the Servant
Chri s t, whi ch i n tur n deepens an d expands t he i denti ty. Becaus e of the uni ty
that mus t exi s t between the i denti ty and mi ni s try of a deacon, all as pi rants to
the perma nent di aconate mus t demons trate an apti tu de for mi ni s try before
they can be a ccept ed as pre - ca ndi date s . Furthermor e, no man i nteres ted i n
the perma nent di aconate wi l l be ordai ned i n the di oces e of Yaki ma u nl es s he
has a cl ear a nd de fi ned mi ni s try i n whi c h he s erves pri or to ordi nati on.
E.
T he Vocati on of the P ermanent Deacon
Si ngl e men or marri ed men are encourag ed to cons i der a vocati on as a
permane nt deacon. T hi s vocati on is di s ti nct from that of a bi s hop or a pri es t.
Al l mi ni s tri es i n the Churc h are mi ni s tri es of s ervi ce . A bi s hop exerci s es a
s hepherdi n g ki nd of s ervi ce, i n whi ch a pri es t s hares , as p as tor of a
communi ty, a rol e that i s mos t cl earl y refl ected i n hi s pres i di ng at the
Chur ch's l i turgy. A bi s hop exerci s es a s anct i fyi ng ki nd of s ervi ce, i n whi c h a
pri es t s hares by abs ol vi ng peopl e's s i ns , offeri ng the E uc hari s t . A bi s hop
exerci s es a prop heti c ki nd of s ervi ce by his wi tnes s i ng to the pres ence of
Chri s t i n t he worl d i n w hi ch a dea con s hares by co nnec ti ng p eopl e to C hri s t i n
the detai l s of thei r d ai l y l i vi ng . For exampl e, t he deacon at t he E uc hari s t cal l s
al l to convers i on, procl ai ms the Go s pel , and mi s s i ons all pres ent to wi tnes s to
Chri s t i n s ervi ce to one a nother. Sac rament al l y, the three orders rep res ent to
the Ch urc h the heads hi p of C hri s t over hi s bo dy the C hur ch.
T he deacon bri ngs to the Churc h a kenos i s rol e of s ervi ce , i n other wo rds , an
i denti ty of as s i s tant and hel per whi c h al l ows hi m to focus energy on s pe ci fi c
tas ks i n competent and ef fecti ve ways . T hrough the gra ce of the s acram ent,
the deacon re pres ents to the Ch urc h J es us the s ervant who was hes the fe et of
others . Agai n, al l three modes of ordai ne d mi ni s try are a “s ervi ce” to the
Chur ch, bu t eac h req ui res di s ti nct chari s ms a nd gi fts .
Si ngl e men may come to s ee that , al t h ough they a re el i gi bl e for the
pri es thood, they mi g ht di s ce rn a vocati on t o the pe rmane nt di a conate ra ther
than t he pri es thood be caus e t hei r q ual i ti es and chari s ms ar e not s ui ted for
pri es tl y mi ni s try .
Convers el y, there may be marri ed men who , havi ng the qual i ti es and gi fts that
woul d make the m good pri es ts an d pres i d ers over a fai th commu ni ty , are
i nel i gi bl e to recei ve pri es tl y ordi nati on be cau s e of the Lati n Ch urc h‟s di s ci pl i ne
of cel i bacy, except i n extraordi na ry ci rc ums t ances .
A s tudy und ertaken at t he reques t of t he b i s hops o f the U ni ted States , has
i denti fi ed the s pe ci fi c gi fts t hat dea cons , i f they are to be ef fecti ve, m us t
bri ng to thei r mi ni s try. T hey are:
1. Rel ator – O ne w ho l i kes to work wi th others and des i res warm,
pers onal , true rel ati ons hi ps th at i ns ti l l confi d ence.
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
8
cf
2-23-09
2. Hel pi ng – O ne who i s obs ervi ng, favorabl y accepti ng of others ,
s ens i ti ve to thei r ne eds and probl ems and ps ychol ogi cal l y and
materi al l y attuned to as s i s ti ng others .
3. T eami ng – O ne w ho bui l ds co hes i on b y cons tru cti ng a pos i ti ve
atmos phere of s upport for the other me mb ers of hi s group effe cti ng
s ucces s ful work a nd mi ni mal confl i ct.
4. Spi ri tual i ty – O ne who can draw on a dee p s e ns e of God wi thi n and wi th
confi dent fai th el i ci t trans formati on i n othe rs thi nki ng toward a s ens e
of trus t a nd pea ce.
5. Accommodati ng – O ne w ho i s generous wi th ti me and energy a nd hi ghl y
fl exi bl e to qui etl y defer to the needs an d des i res of others .
6. K i nes theti c (energy) – O ne who has a hi gh l evel of energy, both
phys i cal l y and mental l y, who can be on the go wi th li ttl e sl eep, not
afrai d of p hys i cal or hardworki n g acti vi ty.
7. Pos i ti ve O ther‟s Percepti on – O ne who rece i ves pos i ti ve affi rmati on
from others . From earl y o n i n l i fe thi s p ers on i s s een as a "good"
pers on, ki nd wi th l i ttl e di s s ati s facti on from o thers .
8. Fami l y – O ne who pl aces a hi gh val ue on fami l y and the covenant
promi s e of marri age.
T hi s pers on has ha d cl os e rel ati ons hi ps wi th
fami l y members an d i ncl ud es them i n work a nd mi ni s try experi en ces .
9. Purpos e - O ne who a cts from a s trong s ys t em of bel i ef.
s ees focus ed di aco nal s ervi ce as a major as p ect of l i fe. 20
T hi s pers on
E ach appl i cant to the Deacon Forma ti on Program mus t u ndergo an exte ns i ve
i ntervi ew that wi l l hel p deter mi ne i f he has thes e qual i ti es . Furt hermore, he
i s as ked to obtai n references who wi l l be as ked to i denti fy whi ch of the above
qual i ti es the appl i cant has and to what degre e.
"T he I denti ty and mi ni s try of the permanent dea con i s rooted i n
rel ati ons hi ps …For a marri ed pe rmane nt dea c on, fami l y l i fe, as he an d hi s wi fe
l i ve out the s acrament o f Matri mony, i s a funda mental expres s i on of thei r
rel ati ons hi p wi th C hri s t…When the deacon a nd hi s wi fe excha nged cons e nt i n
the s acrament of Matri mony, thei r l i f e together, wi th i ts mutual
res pons i bi l i ti es , ass umed pre ceden ce ove r al l s ubs eque nt commi tments ,
i ncl udi ng di aconal s ervi ce.
T he pres ervati on and enhan cemen t of the
marri age and fami l y l i fe of the marri ed d eacon and hi s wi fe i s of ut mos t
i mportance to al l con cern ed wi th the pe rman ent di aconate. " 21
T he permane nt d eacon i s al ways a de acon i n i de nti ty, but hi s fi rs t
commi tment of ti me, i f he i s marri ed, i s to hi s wi fe and fami l y. Hi s s econd
commi tment i s rel ated. I t i s to hi s job where he s erves s ti ll wi th the i denti ty
of a deaco n. A few per manen t deaco ns w ork wi thi n the s tr uct ures of the
i ns ti tuti onal chur ch. Mos t p ermane nt dea co ns ei ther work wi thi n s ecul ar l i fe
and c ul ture or are reti re d . T here t hey h a ve the s ame m andate as do al l
fai thful l ay peopl e: to tra ns form t he workpl a ce wi th th e power of the Gos pel . 22
T hi s commi tment to thei r work i s an extens ion of thei r commi tments to thei r
20
21
22
The D e a co n P e rc e i ve r , S el e ct i o n R e s e ar c h, Inc. Li nc o l n, Ne b r as k a , 1 98 0 .
P e r m a ne nt D i ac o nat e Gui d e li ne s a nd Nor m s , D io ce s e o f Y a ki m a. 19 9 4, p . 1 .
O n Ev a ng e l i z at i o n i n t he Mo d e r n Wo r l d , Po p e P a ul V I, R om e , 1 9 75 , p . 4 6 .
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
9
cf
2-23-09
fami l i es and takes preced ence over s pe ci fi c di aconal d uti es fo r the Cathol i c
i ns ti tuti on to whi ch they have bee n as s i gned. 23
Permanen t deaco ns are me n who bri dge t h e experi ence betwee n cl ergy a nd
l ai ty wi th a foot i n each worl d. Becaus e of thei r bapti s m i n the Father, Son,
and S pi ri t and thei r ordi nati on i n that s am e T ri une God, p ermane nt d eacons
are cal l ed to be s i gn and s acrament of the s ervant Chri s t i n al l ci rcums tances ,
both s ecul ar a nd rel i gi ous .
T herefore, a mos t effe cti ve and power ful s er vi ce that a deaco n and hi s s pous e
render to the Chu rch and s oci ety, i s th e wi tnes s of t hei r mut ual l ove,
fri ends hi p, an d u ni ty i n mar ri age. T hi s rel ati ons hi p provi des the corners ton e
for ef fecti ve di aconal s ervi ce, i ndi vi dual l y a nd as a cou pl e. T hi s rel ati ons hi p
as hus ban d an d wi fe s hapes a nd forms the s pi ri tual i ty of a dea con a nd s pous e
through t he dema ndi ng vows of the Chri s ti a n marri age to l ove, honor, and be
true to one another:
I, N. , t a k e y o u, N. , t o be m y wi fe ( hus ba nd) . I pr o m i s e to be t r ue t o y o u i n goo d
t i m es a nd i n ba d, i n s ic k nes s a nd i n heal t h. I wi l l l ov e y o u a nd ho no r yo u a l l t he
da y s o f my l i fe. 24
A di aconal s pi ri tual i ty, a generous res pons e to the l ove of God i n s ervi ce to
another, begi ns i n the home. A deacon an d hi s wi fe are fi rs t s ervants to one
another and to thei r chi l dren. T he marri ag e and fami l y l i fe of a permanent
deacon are t he ce ntral rel ati ons hi ps wi thi n hi s l i fe and, the refore, take
pri ori ty i n nurt ure, devel opmen t, and growth.
I n the s ad even t that a deacon's wi fe s houl d di e before he or that t hey s houl d
di vorce, the di s ci pl i ne of cel i bacy c on necte d to the Sacra ment of O rde rs takes
hol d. T hough a deacon s ti l l mai ntai ns hi s rel ati ons hi ps as father a nd eve n
grandfa ther, etc. , he i s obli ged to li ve now as a si ngl e pers on i n s ervi ce to the
Chur ch. (Canon 1037 ) Al l coupl es i n the Deacon Formati o n Program wi l l be
as ked to make a marri ed coupl e retreat i nd ependen t of the program s uc h as
Marri age E ncou nter or R etrouvai l l e.
F.
Wi ves as Col l ab orators of Deacons
Pope J ohn Paul I I recogni z e d the very i mp ortant rol e that wi ves of deacons
pl ay i n both t he formati on of thei r hus ban ds ‟ vocati on and i n t hei r s ervi ce as a
coupl e. 25 T he wi ves of deacons are fi rs t and foremos t s een as uni que pers ons
made i n God's i mage and li kenes s . T hey, too , have been wounded by s i n, but
through th e s acraments have become God' s bel oved daughters , s i s ters and
fol l owers of J es us and T empl es of the Hol y Spi ri t. T o all whom God cal l s , God
al s o mi ss i ons . T hrough the Sac raments of I n i ti ati on, the wi ves of deacons are
cal l ed and gi fted to wi tnes s to the Ri s en Chr i s t through word and deed by the
events and rel ati ons hi ps of thei r l i ves .
T hrough the Sacra ment of Marri age, the wi ves of deacons wi tnes s to the l ove
God has for al l humani ty through the l ove and uni ty they s hare wi th thei r
s pous es . Wi th thei r s pous es , they generous l y w el come chi l dren i nto thei r
homes , rai s e them i n the vi rtues of fai th, hope, and l ove, and i ns truct them
regardi ng thei r di g ni ty i n C hri s t and i ns pi re t hem to l i ve an d l ove as J es us di d.
23
24
25
P e r m a ne nt D i ac o nat e Gui d e li ne s a nd Nor m s , D io ce s e o f Y a ki m a, J a nuar y , 1 9 94 , p. 1.
The R i t e s o f t he C a t ho l ic C hurc h, V ol um e I , Int er na t i o na l Co m mi s s io n o n Eng li s h i n
t he L i t urg y , Li t ur gi c al P r e ss , © 1 9 90 , C ol l e g e vi ll e , MN. p. 74 1.
R e f e r to f oo t no t e # 1
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
10
cf
2-23-09
Before they became t he wi ves of deacons , they were col l aborators wi th thei r
hus bands i n creati ng a " domes ti c chur ch" wh ere the Hol y Spi ri t empower s the
practi ce of a g os pel of s ervi ce at i ts mos t bas i c l evel . Ski ll ed i n the art of
home-maki ng a nd col l aborators wi th t hei r s pous es i n the forma ti on and
educati on of thei r chi l dren, t he wi ves of dea cons are al s o ful l y acti ve i n t hei r
communi ti es as profes s i onal s , workers , and ci ti z ens . T hey are hi ghl y effecti ve
i n bri ngi ng the Gos pel mes s age to bear on the i ns ti tuti ons and i s s ues of thei r
nei ghborhoods a nd ci ti es . T he wi ves o f dea c ons , cal l ed and gi fte d, have mu ch
to offer the C hur ch from who they a re as pe rs ons and what th ey know and do
i n s ecul ar l i fe.
Pope J ohn Paul I I , i n honori n g the gi ft of women to the Ch urc h, wri tes :
“T he Chur ch gi ves t hanks for al l th e mani fe s tati ons of the fe mi ni ne “ge ni us ”
whi ch have app eared i n the cours e of hi s tory, i n the mi ds t of al l peopl es an d
nati ons , s he gi ves thanks for al l the chari s ms whi ch the Hol y Spi ri t di s tri butes
to women i n the hi s tory of t he Peopl e o f Go d, for al l the vi ctori es whi c h s he
owes to thei r fai th, hope, and chari ty: s he gi ves thanks for al l the frui ts of
femi ni ne hol i nes s . ” 26
A woman w ho s upports h er h us band‟s ordi n ati on as deacon does s o wi th the
s ame freedom and cons ent t hat s he gave to becomi ng a coupl e on t hei r
weddi ng day.
T hi s i s s o i mportant to t h e di s cernme nt o f h er hus band's
vocati on to the di aconate that , i f t hi s free co ns ent i s not pres ent, her hus ba nd
wi l l not be ordai ned.
Wi th regard to the di aconate, the fi rs t an d mos t i mportant way that a wi fe of
a marri ed dea con as pi rant a nd p re-ca ndi da te i s as ked to col l aborate i s i n
as s i s ti ng her hus ba nd i n di s cerni ng hi s voc ati on. A s pous e, be caus e of the
i nti mate l i fe whi ch s he s hares wi th her hus band, has a uni que i ns i ght to hi s
gi fts and has a s ens e of what God i s as ki ng, not onl y of hi m, b ut of t hem.
T he wi fe of a perma nent deacon as pi rant a n d pre- candi date mus t unde rs tand
that al thoug h s he i s not the one to be ordai n ed, s he wi l l al so enter i nto a new
and perman ent rel ati ons hi p wi th the Ch urc h through he r hus b an d‟s vocati on.
A wi fe m us t be free to s eek God's wi l l , not jus t for her hus ban d, but al s o for
thei r marri age and fami l y. She properl y q u es ti ons her h us band's vocati on i f,
i n al l s i nceri ty, s he does not s ee i n thei r marri age vocati on hi s cal l to the
di aconate.
Wi ves of deacon as pi rants a nd p re-ca ndi date s are expe cted to parti ci pate onl y
i n thos e as pects of t he prog ram tha t are es s enti al for them to un ders tand the
vocati on of a perma nent dea con, th e rol e of a deaco n‟s wi fe, a nd the
di s cernment ne ces s ary t o compl ete thi s proces s .
However, t hey ar e
encourag ed to parti ci pate i n the enti re formati on proces s i f they s o choos e.
Pers onal l y gai n i ng from the formati on pr ogram , they l earn more abou t
thems el ves , devel op effecti ve tool s for s trengtheni ng t hei r marri ages , deepen
thei r u nders tan di ng o f t he C hur ch and i ts m i s s i on, and grow i n thei r l i fe a nd
uni on wi th God t hrough J es us i n t he gi f t of the Hol y S pi ri t. E vents to w hi ch
wi ves are expected to be pres e nt wi l l be cl ea rl y i denti fi ed before han d.
26
P o p e Jo hn P a ul I I , O n t he D i gnit y a nd V oc a t io n o f Wom en , Theo lo g y o f t he Bo d y :
H um a n L o v e i n t he Di v i ne P l a n , C hr i st o p her We s t , e d i to r. D a ug ht er s o f St . P a ul,
Bo s t o n, 1 99 7. p . 4 8 8.
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
11
cf
2-23-09
Permanen t De a cons are es s e nti al to the i de nti ty and mi s s i on of t he Ch urc h.
Pope J ohn Paul I I cal l ed the m “Brothers i n the Servi ce of the Lord” a nd
addres s es thei r wi ves as “Col l aborators ” i n the mi ni s try of thei r hus bands . 27
T hrough thei r i de nti ty and mi s s i on they re mi nd al l of the bapti z ed of t he
s ervi ce J es us renders the Chu rch and of th e s ervi ce the C hur ch i s to rend er
the worl d!
27
R e f e r t o f oo t no t e # 1
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
12
cf
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Chapter II
The Aspirant and Pre -Candidate
A.
R equi rements for A cceptance of an As pi rant
Permanen t d eaco ns are pr es ent a nd s erve i n the vas t majori ty of Lati n Ri te
di oces es of the Ch urc h i n the U ni ted S tates and i n very ma ny of the pari s hes
here i n t he Di oces e o f Yaki ma. T he fi rs t ord i nati on of a per manen t deaco n i n
the Di oces e of Yaki ma took pl ace on J un e 28 , 1980, and was cel ebrate d by t he
then bi s hop of Yaki ma, Wi l l i am Skyl s tad. At thi s wri ti ng i n 2008 , t here are 21
permane nt deacons ac ti vel y s ervi ng the Cathol i c communi ty i n the Di oces e o f
Yaki ma.
T oday mos t men are i ns pi red to cons i der a vocati on to the di aconate be caus e
they s ee deacons who as s i s t at the l i turgy and parti ci pat e i n pari s h mi ni s try i n
a mul ti tude of ef fecti ve an d cre ati ve ways .
Becomi ng a deaco n i s di ffere nt from the de ci s i on to joi n a s oci al cl ub, l earn a
hobby, or parti ci pate i n a pol i ti cal party. I t invol v es i denti fyi ng one‟s s pi ri tual
gi fts and di s cerni ng wi th the Ch urc h how to pl ace thes e gi fts at the s ervi ce of
the com muni ty. E very bapti z ed p ers on i s gi ft ed wi th the Hol y Spi ri t a nd cal l ed
to us e thes e gi fts wi thi n t he C hur ch a nd s o ci ety. A man s eri ous l y i nteres ted
i n becomi ng a p ermane nt dea con (an d hi s w i fe, i f he i s marri ed) may re ques t
that the bi s hop ac cept hi m as an as pi ran t to the perma nent di aconate .
T hi s fol l owi ng bi bl i cal text cl earl y pres ent s the qual i ti es and c harac teri s ti cs
that today‟s per ma nent deacons a re to have.
“Si m i l a rl y , deac o ns m ust be di gni fi ed, no t dec ei t ful , no t a ddic t ed to dr i nk, no t greedy
fo r s or di d ga i n, ho l di ng fa s t t o t he my s t ery o f t he fa i t h wi t h a c l ea r c o nsc i enc e.
Mo r eo ver , t hey s ho ul d be t es t ed fi r s t ; t hen, i f t her e i s no t hi ng a ga i ns t t hem , l et t hem
s er v e a s dea co ns .
Wom en, s im i l ar l y , s ho ul d be di gni fi ed, not s l a nder er s , but
t em per at e a nd fa i t hful i n ev er yt hi ng. D ea co ns m a y be m ar r i ed o nly o nc e a nd m us t
m a na ge t heir c hil dr en a nd t hei r ho us eho l ds wel l . Thus t ho s e w ho s er v e well a s
dea c o ns ga i n go od s t a ndi ng a nd m uc h co nfi dence i n t heir fa it h i n C hr i st J es us. ” ( 1
Ti m o t hy 3 : 8 - 13 )
I n the Di oces e o f Yaki ma, i f a man i s to be a ccepted as an as pi ra nt , he m us t :
1.
B e a practi ci ng Roman Ca thol i c .
2.
Provi de documenta ti on for rece pti on of al l the s acrame nts avai l abl e to
hi m.
3.
B e of s ound moral chara cter.
4.
I f marri ed, p rovi de a l etter of (ent hus i as ti c) s upport from s pous e.
s upport of chi l dren may al s o be i mportant.
5.
Have the s upport of a s po ns ori ng pas tor or i ns t i tuti on that woul d wel come
hi s mi ni s try.
6.
B e at l eas t 32 years of age at the ti me of entran ce i nto the Deaco n
Formati on Program (mi ni mum age for ordi nat i on i s 35). [Appl i cants may
be no ol der than 65 at the ti me of thei r projected ordi nati on date
wi thout a wri tte n exempti on by the bi s hop. ]
7.
Demons trate p rayerf ul nes s and ope nnes s to f ormati on.
8.
Have at l eas t a hi g h s chool di pl oma (or i ts e qui val ent).
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13
The
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9.
Be of s ound p hys i cal and me ntal heal t h.
10. Be attuned to the mi ni s try and mi s s i on of t he Chur ch t oday.
11. Have demons trate d acti ve s ervi c e, apos tol i c i nvol vement, and l ead ers hi p
among the Peopl e of God.
12. Have demons trate d fi na nci al s tabi l i ty wi th the l ong ra nge ma teri al and
fi nanci al ca re of t he fa mi l y bei ng mana ged.
13. Have compl eted the di oces a n program f or l ay formati on
compl eted compa rabl e cou rs e -work th rough o ther mea ns ).
(or
have
T he pres entati ons of the
14. Have a good gras p of E ngl i s h or Spani s h .
Deacon Formati on Program ( DFP) wi l l be i n both l anguag es . Wi ves of
hus bands w ho are ap pl yi ng need not be fl uent i n both E ngl i s h an d
Spani s h, but thi s woul d certai nl y be hel pful .
15. Be wi l l i ng and abl e to repres e nt t he C hur ch wi th i ntel l i gence, di gni ty, an d
uns el fi s h s ervi ce.
16. Show proof o f bei ng a U . S. ci ti z en or have l e gal res i dent s tatus .
17. Meet for a n i n-d epth i n tervi ew wi th t he di re ctor of the Dea con Formati on
Program.
18. Si gn a rel eas e form aut hori z i ng a pol i ce back ground che ck.
19. Meet wi th the bi s hop of the di oces e .
the s pous e of t he as pi ran t.
I f m arri ed, thi s meeti n g i n cl udes
20. Compl ete a Dea con Per cei ver S urvey.
21. Compl ete the ap pl i cati on for p re -ca ndi dacy.
22. O btai n fi ve referen ce l etters from fri en d s , co -workers , and cl ergy,
es peci al l y from the s pons ori ng p ari s h. Copy Rel eas e Forms on P p. 29 -30
and gi ve to thos e from who m refe renc es wi l l be reques te d.
23. T ake and pas s the Mi nnes ota Mul ti phas i c Per s onal i ty I nventory (MMPI ) for
ps ychol ogi cal fi tnes s .
B.
T he A s pi rancy Year
T he As pi rancy cl as s of the Dea con Formati on Program meets mont hl y over a
one-year pe ri od to s tudy as p ects of di acona l theol ogy, mi ni s try and s pi ri tual i ty
to gi ve parti ci pants t he i n formati on n eeded to di s cern w heth er t hey want to
appl y for ac ceptan ce i nto t he D eacon Formati on Program as a pre- candi date.
C.
Acceptance as a P re -Candi date to the De acon Formati on P rogram
T he Deaco n Formati on Commi ttee ( DFC) con s i s ts of the b i s hop, a pri es t, t he
Deacon Formati on Di rector, dea cons of the di oces e and thei r wi ves . T hi s
commi ttee recei ves al l appl i cati ons . After appl i cati ons have been revi ewed,
the DFC m ake s a recomme ndati on to t he B i s hop regardi ng the a ccepta nce or
non-ac cepta nce of an as pi rant as a pre -candi date . E ach appl i cant wi l l be
contacted by t he progr am di rec tor regar di ng hi s s tatus . T hos e i nvi ted i nto th e
program are a ccepte d on a p has e -by- phas e bas i s . T hi s means that after eac h
phas e (year) of the prog ram an as s es s ment of the appl i cant wi l l be condu cted
by the DF C who wi l l recomme nd to t he bi s h op whi ch p re-ca ndi dates oug ht to
be i nvi ted to conti nue i n the formati on pro ce s s .
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Chapter III
The Deacon F ormation Pr ogram
A.
Characteri s ti cs of the Deacon Formati on P rogram
As pi rants accepte d i nto the Dea con Forma ti on Program are refer red to as
“pre-can di dates ” for the fi rs t two years of th e program. I n t he thi rd yea r t hey
become candi dates for or di n ati on to the Pe rmanent Di aco nate . T he Dea con
Formati on Program i ntegrates the huma n, s pi ri tual , i ntel l ectual , pas toral , and
vocati onal di mens i ons of l i fe i nto a s ys temati c proces s of l earni ng.
T he
di s cernment o f a cal l to the di aconate hap pe ns i ndi vi dual l y and i s not s ubject
to a three -yea r ti me frame.
T here are fi ve bas i c di mens i ons of th e Dea con Formati on Program:
1. Human Di mens i on : T hrou ghout t he Deacon Formati on Program atte nti on i s
gi ven to human devel opment, maturi ty and thos e s ki l ls ess enti al for
effec ti ve
col l aborati on
wi th
others :
s el f -awarenes s ,
l i s teni ng,
accommodati ng, rel ati n g, hel pi ng, ca ri ng, an d commu ni cati ng. Mos t of al l ,
attenti on wi l l be gi ven to t he s pous al and fa mi l i al rel ati ons hi ps of the precandi date.
2. Spi ri tual Di mens i on : T he very words “s pi ri tual di mens i on” cl earl y refer to
the acti on of the Hol y Spi ri t that i s at the he art of any Chri s ti an formati on.
I t i s the Hol y Spi ri t who trans forms s omeone i nto a s ervant i n the way that
J es us was a s ervant.
O rdi nati on conforms a pe rs on to Chri s t by
es tabl i s hi ng a profoundl y new rel ati ons hi p between the deacon an d Chri s t
through hi s Chur ch. Conformi n g one‟s l i fe to the l i fe of J es us the Servant
i s a dai l y tas k of s pi ri tual di s ci pl i ne. Cons equentl y a s pi ri tual di mens i on of
prayer an d s urre nder, o f s ervi ce and o f s i m pl i ci ty, of doci l i ty to the Word
and to the work of t he C hur ch wi l l be fos tered i n every as pec t of the
formati on program.
3. I ntel l ectual Di mens i on : T he i ntel l ect ual di mens i on i nvol ves the s tu dy of
di aconate mi ni s try as thi s i s unders tood i n Scri ptu re, T radi ti on, and
contemporary t heol ogy and pra cti ce. I t s hapes the other di me ns i ons of
formati on. At ti mes i t can s eem to domi nate the others , but i t i s meant to
enhan ce a nd to s erve t he othe r di me ns i ons . T hi s as pect of di ac onal
formati on as s i s ts greatl y i n the very p roc es s of di s cernme nt. Al s o, the
s oci ety i n whi ch the dea con s erves i s i ncreas i ngl y rel i ant on educati on as a
means of devel opi ng t he s ki l l s for ef fec ti ve s ervi ce. As al ways , i n order to
be abl e to prea ch God‟s Word more ef fecti vel y, i t i s i mportant to s tudy t hat
Word wi th both head a nd hea rt.
4. Pas toral Di mens i on : B ecaus e the goal of di aconal formati on i s to embody
the s ervan t J es us , to ma ni fes t Hi s compas s i on and me rcy, t he pas toral
di mens i on of s uch forma ti on i mportantl y u nderl i es every as pect of the
program: t he dea con i s m eant to be an effe cti ve mi ni s ter. Servant l eaders hi p i s a hal l mark of the dea con. Si nce t he deaco n precandi date / candi date i s al ready i nvol ved i n acti ve s ervi ce i n the C hur ch,
pas toral fo rmati on i s meant to ass i s t hi m i n comi ng to recogni ti on of the
gi fts he bri n gs to s uch s ervi c e and to enh ance t hem s o that t hey mi ght
become ever more fr ui tful i n col l aborati ve mi n i s try and i n p as toral s ervi ce.
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I f pos s i bl e, o pportuni ti es for s upervi s ed mi n i s try i n s etti ngs that i n
parti cul ar s erve peopl e who are poor, negl e cted, s i ck, and i mpri s oned wi l l
be offere d.
5. Vocati onal Di mens i on : I ntegrated throug ho ut the formati on proc es s are
ti mes for refl ecti on and di s cer nmen t of a p ers on‟s cal l to the di aco nate.
E ach pre-ca ndi date wi l l be as ked to s earch out a s pi ri tual di rector who wi ll
as s i s t hi m i n determi ni ng i f God i s call i ng him to the di aconate. Vocati onal
di s cernment i n the name of t he C hur ch i s u l ti matel y the res pons i bi l i ty of
the bi s hop. T he bi s hop, worki ng wi th the pre-ca ndi date an d the DFC,
refl ects on al l the i nformati on s ubmi tted b y the pre-ca ndi date, hi s gi fts
and l i mi tati ons , fami l y l i fe, comments by hi s pas tor, and the vari ous needs
for di aconal mi ni s try i n hi s pari s h a nd i n th e di oces e, a nd determi nes i f t he
pre-ca ndi date i s cal l ed to t he di aconat e.
B.
T he T hree P has es of the Deacon Formati on P rogram
T he Deacon Formati on Program i s di vi ded i nto three phas es , Mi ni s ter of the
Word, Mi ni s ter of Chari ty, and Mi ni s ter of th e Al tar. Foll owi ng are the phas es
wi th the s pe ci fi c topi cs t hat wi l l be covered d uri ng t he edu cati on days .
P has e I: M i ni s ter of the Word
Readi ngs : (See Ap pendi x D)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
I ntroducti on to t he Deacon Forma ti on Progra m: T heol ogy of the Di aco nate
Retreat for Marri ed Co upl es
Mi ni s ter of the Word (Cano n Law)
Di vi ne Revel ati on/O l d T es tament
Di vi ne Revel ati on/New T es tament
Chri s tol ogy
Fi rs t Fi ve Centuri es – Revi ew of t he Fath ers of the C hur ch a nd t he Great
Counci l s that s ha ped C hri s ti ani ty
8. T heol ogy of Procl amati on
9. Art of Procl ama ti on
10. Homi l y Practi ce an d Cri ti que
11. Homi l y Practi ce an d Cri ti que
12. Day of Prayer
P has e II: M i ni s ter of Chari ty
Rea di ngs : (See Appe ndi x D)
1.
2.
E nneogram Works hop (A w eekend o f Sel f -aw arenes s and P ers onal Growth)
T he Art of Human Rel ati ons hi ps : Ski l l s in l i s ten i ng, communi cati on,
confl i ct res ol uti on, grou p dyna mi cs .
3. I ntroducti on to Pas toral Care, Su pervi s ed Mi n i s try : Group Refl ecti on I
4. Pas toral Care, Supe rvi s ed Mi ni s try : Group Re fl ecti on I I
5. Pas toral Care, Supe rvi s ed Mi ni s try : Group Re fl ecti on I I I
6. Pas toral Care, Supe rvi s ed Mi ni s try : Group Re fl ecti on I V
7. Pas toral Care, Supe rvi s ed Mi ni s try : Group Re fl ecti on V
8. Cathol i c Soci al T eachi ng, Supervi s ed Mi ni s try : Group Refl e cti on VI
9. Day of Prayer
10. Pas toral Care, Supe rvi s ed Mi ni s try : Group Re fl ecti on VI I
11. Pas toral Care, Supe r vi s ed Mi ni s try : Group Re fl ecti on VI I I
12. Pas toral Care, Supe rvi s ed Mi ni s try : Group Re fl ecti on I X
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P has e III: M i ni s ter of the Al tar
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
C.
Readi ng s : (See Appe ndi x D)
T heol ogy of O rders
Sacrame nts & Ri tual
Sacrame nts of C hri s ti an I ni ti ati on & T he Ri te of Bapt i s m for I n fants
B apti s mal Ri te Practi cum
T heol ogy of Matri mony & T he Ri te o f Marri ag e
Retreat wi th Deacon Commu ni ty
Death of the Chri s ti an & T he Ri te of C hri s ti an Buri al
Li turgy and P reac hi ng Pra cti cum
Li turgy and P reac hi ng Pra cti cum
Li turgy and P reac hi ng Pra cti cum
T he Deacon i n the Pari s h
Preparati on Retre at for O rdi n ati on
T he T i me Commi tment
O rdi nari l y, deacon pre-ca ndi dates /ca ndi date s wi l l meet twi ce monthl y. T hey
wi l l meet over one weekend for extended e ducati on, prayer, and formati on.
T hey wi l l al so meet monthl y i n s mal l groups for i ntegrati on of topi cs s tudi ed,
preparati on for upcomi ng s tudy days , praye r, mutual s upport, and mentori n g
by a deacon coupl e.
D.
Cos t
T ravel cos ts to the s es s ions , as wel l as mos t other cos ts l i ke meal s , books ,
materi al s and l odgi ng, are bor ne by th e pre -ca ndi date /c andi date , u nl es s
otherwi s e i ndi ca ted by the Di rector o f the Formati on Program.
E.
P re-Candi date /Candi da te M onthl y S mal l Groups
Parti ci pants i n t he s mal l groups gather every month wi t h the as s i s tance of t he
mentor cou pl e who i s pres ent . A Mentor Co upl e i s compos ed of a dea con and
hi s wi fe who are, wi th t hei r pri or cons ent, a ppoi nted to thi s i mportant s ervi ce
by the Di rec tor of the Formati on Prog ram. T he ti me and date o f t he me eti ngs
are deci ded upon by the parti ci pants . T hes e meeti ngs occur by regi on and
wi l l normal l y be near where the parti ci pa n ts l i ve. T he purpos es of thes e
gatheri ngs ar e:
1. to pray wi th one another and offer eac h other mutual s upport and
fri ends hi p;
2. to befri en d a deacon cou p l e who wi l l s erve as men tors thro ughout th e
formati on proces s ;
3. to prepare for up comi ng formati on days ; an d
4. to refl ect on the mos t re cent formati on day f or the purpos e of cl ari fi cati on
and u nders tan di ng of the topi c at ha nd.
F.
P re-Candi date /Candi da te Educa ti on Day s
Pre-ca ndi dates /Candi dat es and thei r s pous es wi l l meet throughout the yea r
general l y on the thi rd Satur day of t he mont h
T he purpos es of t he E duca ti on Days are t he f ol l owi ng:
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1. fos ter wi thi n pre- candidates / candidates and thei r wi ves a deacon
s pi ri tual i ty rooted i n s ervi ce .
T hus , s up ervi s ed mi ni s try fol l owed by
pers onal and g roup r efl ecti on to as s i s t can di dates i n becomi n g ef fecti ve
caregi vers wi l l be as pects of the de acon form ati on educati on days .
2. broaden t he pre -can di date s ‟/can di dates ‟ un ders tandi ng o f the di aconate
wi th a s ound t heol ogi cal i nves ti gati on i nto the nat ure o f the Chu rch as
Servant, a theol ogy of orders , a s tudy of the ri tes , ri tual s , and s ymbol s of
the l i turgy, a theol ogy of and practi ce i n preachi ng, and s peci fi c trai ni n g i n
al l the ri tes and ri t ual s whi ch a deacon i s expected to carry out.
3. prepare pre-c andidates /ca ndidates to preac h and t each the Sc ri ptures from
a more focus ed s tudy of i ndi vi dual texts i n both the O l d and New
T es taments , of the l ecti onary, and of the compl ex rel ati ons hi p between th e
two tes taments of Scri pt ure.
4. draw on the s pi ri tual gi fts tha t the pr e-ca ndidates /can didates and th ei r
wi ves have al ready demons tra ted i n t hei r pe rs onal l i ves and as s i s t them i n
i ntegrati ng t hes e gi fts wi thi n the l i fe and mi n i s try of the C hur ch.
5. deepen t he l i fe o f fai th, hope, an d l ove t hat parti ci pa nts enjoy i n the
T ri ni ty through s mal l group prayer and refl ecti ons , retreat days , and
prayi ng the Li turgy of the Hours .
G.
T he Di oces e Eval uates the P re -Candi date
Before the s econd and t hi rd phas es of the three phas e DFP t here wi l l be a
vi s i t to the pre - candi date a nd s pous e, and t he hos t pari s h by a membe r(s ) of
the DFC. I nfor mal i ntervi ews wi l l be conduc ted wi th the coupl e, pari s h cl ergy
and l eaders to det ermi ne t he pr e-ca ndi date's curre nt s tatus i n the program.
A report wi l l be mad e to th e DFC whi ch wi l l meet to deter mi ne w hi ch of al l of
the pre - candi dat es wi l l be i nvi ted to co nti nue i nto t he next phas e.
Precandi dates and wi ves conti nui ng thei r own di s cernm ent us e thi s ti me to al so
ques ti on the di oces e a nd as s es s th ei r s tatus wi thi n t he p rogram to deter mi ne
i f they wi s h to conti nue.
As s i s ti ng the bi s hop i n di s cerni ng a vocati on to the perma nent di a conate i s
the Deaco n Formati on Commi ttee (DFC). T he DFC rev i ews al l appl i cants and
cons ul ts wi th pas tors and repres e ntati ves f rom the appl i cant‟s pari s h . DFC
members pers onal l y tra ck s pe ci fi c ap pl i cants thro ughout the formati on
program s o as to as s i s t the bi s hop i n voca ti onal di s cernment. T he D FC al s o
revi ews and cri ti ques , wi th re commen dati on s , the Deaco n Formati on Program
i ts el f. T he di oces e i s taki ng a hard l ook at each pre- candi date to s ee i f thi s
pers on has :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
a s ervant or dea con c hara cter;
demons trated mi ni s teri al commi tment a nd ef f ecti venes s ;
a l i turgi cal p res en ce;
good unders ta ndi ng o f Cathol i c tea chi ng and Scri ptur e;
a s trong marri age and heal thy fami l y l i fe;
s ki l ls i n s el f -awarenes s , commu ni cati on, an d pas toral care;
a pers onal fou ndati on for prayer a nd s pi ri tua l growth;
s ki l ls i n publ i c s peaki ng a nd read i ng;
a commi tment to conti n ui ng ed ucati on a nd formati on.
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I n i denti fyi ng thes e ni n e bas i c s ki l l s and foundati onal as pects of di aconate l i fe
wi thi n the pre -ca ndi date , the Bi s hop , wi th the ai d of the DFC, wi l l be abl e to
di s cern th e mos t i mportan t ques ti on r egar di ng the pre- candi date :
Is God
calling him to the order of deacon?
H.
T he P re -Candi date Eval uates the Di oces e
T he pre-candi date an d hi s wi fe al s o take a "hard l ook" at the di oces e by
as ki ng the fol l owi ng or s i mi l ar ques ti ons :
Does this dioces an community, with its community of priests, deacons, wives
of deacons, and bishop, embody the spirit of Gospel service to which we want
to belong?
Is the life of the Trinity (an intimate communion of persons, distinctly unique
and profou ndly one ) manifested in the way this particular community of the
ordained respects a nd appre ciates one a nother in t he diffe rent roles of
bishop, priest and deacon?
Can this commu nity of t he ordaine d welco me us with our particular gifts,
challenges, life experien ces, hopes, and cult ural uniq ueness?
Does this commu nity of the ordained of f er the type of commitm ent a nd
support of one anot her th at can e mpower us to be effe ctive ministers to God's
people?
Is this a community of the or dained t hat communicat es honestly with o ne
another, works ou t con flicts, and forgives one anothe r with the tende rness
and mer cy of J esus?
T hes e are s ome o f t he es s enti al q ues ti ons that pr e - ca ndi dates an d s pous es
mus t conti nu e to as k throughou t the forma ti on peri od s o as to di s cern the al l
i mportant q ues ti on; “Is God calling me ( my spouse) to a vocation as a
permane nt dea con in t he Diocese o f Yakima ? ”
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Chapter IV
Formal Steps Bef ore Ordi nation as a Permane nt D eacon
A.
T he M i ni s tri es of R eader and Acol yte / Ac ceptance as a Candi da te
I n the fi rs t phas e, the pre-can di date wri tes to the bi s hop as ki ng to
i ns tal l ed as l ector. I n th e s econ d phas e, the pre -ca ndi date wri tes to
bi s hop as ki ng to be i ns tal l ed as Acol yte.
Duri ng t he thi r d phas e of
program, thos e pre - candi dates who are i nv i ted to conti nu e i n the DFP
peti ti on the bi s hop by l etter to be formal l y accept ed as ca ndi dates for
Permanen t Di acon ate for the Di oces e of Yaki ma .
be
th e
t he
wi l l
th e
T o each peti ti on t he bi s hop wi l l res pond i n ki nd wi th dates s et , by m utual
agreement of al l concer ned, for the R i tes o f I ns tal l ati on as Lector and Acol yte
and th e Ri te of Candi da cy. T he s i te o f th es e ceremoni es i s al s o determi ned b y
mutual agre ement o f al l conc erned.
Fi nal l y , candi dates wi l l peti ti on the bi s hop to ordai n them as Perma nent
Deacons for the Di oces e of Yaki ma. He wi l l res pond i n ki nd and as k them to
s i gn an Oath of Fidelity and make a Declarati on of Freedom.
The Oath of Fidelity affi r ms that the dea con wi l l fai thf ul l y preac h, tea ch, a nd
s erve i n commu ni on wi th th e Roman Ca th ol i c Churc h. T he De claration of
Freedom confi rms tha t the ca ndi date i s as ki ng to be ordai ned i n compl ete
freedom a nd wi thout any res erva ti on.
B.
T he Deacon Communi ty
When the pre- candi date has take n part i n the Ri te of Candi da cy, he, now
offi ci al l y a candi date (and s pous e) , wi l l be invi ted to parti ci pate i n al l events
of the di aco nate comm uni ty. Mos t i mporta nt of t hes e events i s the ann ual
retreat for deacon coupl es , us ual l y i n Feb rua ry or Marc h.
C.
M i nis try A ppoi ntment
Pri or to ordi nati on the bi s hop wi l l meet wi th the deac o n ca ndi date (and
s pous e) to fi nal i z e hi s mi ni s try ass i gnment upon ordi nati on. “T he pri nci pal
cri teri a for the as s i gnment are the pas toral needs of the di oces an Ch urc h a nd
the pers onal qual i fi ca ti ons of the dea con, as thes e have bee n di s cer ned i n hi s
prev i ous experi ence and th e cours e of hi s formati on. T he as s i gnment al s o
acknowl edges the d eacon's fa mi l y and occu pati onal res pons i bi l i ti es. ” 2 7 T he
bi s hop wi l l then i s s ue a formal l ette r of ap poi ntment.
D.
M i nis try A greement
After recei vi ng the l etter of ap poi ntm ent from the bi s hop, the deaco n
candi date ( and s pous e) and pas tor (for pari s h as s i gnments ) or s upervi s or (fo r
i ns ti tuti onal as s i gnments ) meet to e nter i n to a formal mi ni s try agreem ent.
27
Na t i o na l D i re c to r y fo r t he F or m at i o n, Mi ni st r y, a nd L i f e o f Pe r m a ne nt D e ac o ns i n t he
U ni t e d S t at e s – U S C C B, 2 00 5
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T he agreement wi l l outl i ne the ti me and res ource commi tmen t of the deacon,
hi s expected mi ni s try d uti es , and the res ou rces the pari s h or i ns ti tuti on wi l l
provi de the dea con, i ncl u di ng com pens ati on, i f any.
T he agreeme nt wi l l al s o addres s di oces an expectati ons that the deacon wi l l
parti ci pate i n conti n ui ng edu cati on opport uni ti es and that the pari s h or
i ns ti tuti on wi l l s upport hi m i n hi s conti nui ng educati on an d trai ni ng. T hi s
s upport wi l l cover , at mi ni mum , attendance of the bi s hop/deacon day, deacon
educati on d ay and deacon retreat hel d e ach year, a ny di oces an requi red
trai ni ng updates , and the avai l abi l i ty of a $100 annual book all owance for
pers onal conti n ui ng ed ucati on a nd s pi ri tua l growth. I f s pe c i fi c trai ni n g i s
needed for ongoi ng mi ni s try, the mi ni s try agreement i s to make cl ear to what
extent the pari s h or i ns ti tuti on wi l l pay for obtai ni ng the need ed trai ni n g.
T he mi ni s try agree ment i s to be s i gned by t he pas tor or i ns ti tuti onal
s upervi s or, the deacon candi dat e, and (i f ma rri ed) hi s wi fe, and t he bi s hop or
hi s des i gnee. T hree copi es are to be s i gned, one for the di oces an fi l e, one for
the pari s h or i ns ti tuti on fi l e, and one for the deacon‟s fi l e. T he mi ni s try
agreement i s to be revi ewed each yea r near the anni vers ary of i ts s i gni ng by
the pas tor or s upervi s or and the dea con and s pous e, i f marri ed. T he
agreement i s to be amen ded i f needed and res i gned and dated. I f s i gni fi can t
chang es are made i n l i ght of t he c urre nt re vi ew, they wi l l awai t concur ren ce
by the bi s hop wi th hi s s i gnature. T hi s mi ni s t ry agreemen t i s requi red and i s i n
addi ti on to any empl oyment agreement or other contract ual agreement tha t
mi ght al ready be i n pl ace.
T he Pas toral Cente r's Chi e f of Sta ff ( Moder ator of t he C uri a) wi l l col l aborate
wi th the D eacon Li ai s on to ens ure that Mi ni s try Agreemen ts are c urrent i n
pari s hes s erved by per mane nt dea cons .
T he text of the Mi ni s try Agree ment i s fo und on pages 42 - 44 as A ppen di x F .
E.
Ordi nati on R etreat & Or di nati on
Pri or to the di aconate ordi nati on, the can di date (and s pous e) wi l l make a
retreat, taki ng ti me away for a weekend of prayer and refl ecti on to prepare
for ordi nati on.
T he ordi nati on date wi l l be s et accordi ng to the bi s hop's
s chedul e a nd th e s che dul e of ea ch candi dat e (and s pous e).
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APPENDIX A
DIOCESE OF YAKIMA
PERMANENT DIACONATE
APPLICATION TO ENTER FORMATION PROGRAM
[Please do not remove this form from the document. Make a copy.]
In completing this application, we understand that:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
A.
B.
This is the first step of the interview and evaluation process that screens,
selects, and recommends candidates (and involves spouses) for the Permanent
Diaconate Formation Program.
The interviews, evaluations, and group development process are an integral part
of the Formation Program.
The personal growth, evaluation, and accountability process continues after
ordination.
Acceptance into the Formation Program does not guarantee eventual ordination
as a permanent deacon.
We may withdraw from the Program without prejudice any time before
ordination as a permanent deacon.
Ordination as a permanent deacon entails a particular commitment to the
diocese and the Bishop.
We offer our time and services as a gift to the Church. We take full
responsibility for the financial and other resource needs of our family now and
in the future in case of our incapacity, disability, or death.
We and our family cannot obligate the Diocese of Yakima or any of its agents
in any way because of our involvement in the Permanent Diaconate.
The Ministry and Education Office, the Diaconate Community, and the Deacon
Formation Committee are available to us for community, guidance, direction,
and evaluation.
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:
1.
Name _________________________________________ Age ________________
2.
Place of Birth _____________________________ Birthdate ___________________
3.
Address ______________________________________________________________
4.
Phone: (Work) ____________________________ (Home) _____________________
5.
Your ethnic group: ____ Native American
(check one)
____ African
____ Asian
____ Hispanic
_____ European
_____ Other
FAMILY:
1.
Marital Status:
(check all that
apply)
_____ Never Married
_____ Separated
_____ Divorced
_____ Married
_____ Widowed
_____ Remarried
If married, is this a first marriage for you? _____ Yes _____ No
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If you have been married more than one time, were your previous marriages canonically
resolved? _____ Yes _____ No
If so, please provide us with a copy of the papers which show your freedom from previous
marriage bonds. If former spouse is deceased, provide a copy of the death certificate.
If never married or if widowed or divorced, have you discerned a lifelong commitment to a
celibate lifestyle?
_____ Yes
_____ No
Comment: ________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
If married, in the event of your spouse’s death after ordination, you will be asked to live a
celibate lifestyle. This is a discipline of the Church that will be required of you. What are
your thoughts about this?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2.
Age at marriage ________
Years married ________
Marriage Date _________
3.
Names and ages of children (mention the schools they attend or their marital
status/occupation - include other dependents as well. Use a separate sheet if necessary).
a. __________________________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________________________
c. __________________________________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________________________________
e. __________________________________________________________________
f. ___________________________________________________________________
4.
Are you now or have you ever been a foster parent?
_____ Yes
_____No
5.
About how many hours a week do you spend away from your home either through
work and/or volunteer commitments?
____________________________________________________________________
6.
How many hours per week can you see yourself giving to the work of a deacon?
____________________________________________________________________
7.
How do you (and your spouse) work (together) in your Church and other volunteer commitments?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
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cf
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8.
Describe how you (and your spouse) work (together) within the home.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
9.
If married, what are aspects of your marriage that unite you and your spouse? Explain.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
10. If married, what are aspects of your marriage that have been divisive? Explain.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
C.
CHRISTIAN LIFE:
1.
Home Parish (where you attend and financially support)
_____________________________________________________________________
2.
Were you a candidate for the priesthood or in training for religious life?
_____ Yes _____ No
Did you take vows?
_____ Yes
_____ No
Were you ordained?
_____ Yes
_____ No
(Attach a copy of the indult and/or dispensation.)
If you answer “yes” explain why you left religious life and/or ordained ministry.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3.
Have you become a Catholic from another faith tradition (denomination)?
_____ Yes _____ No
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cf
2-23-09
4.
If yes, When? ____________ From what? _________________________________
5.
What are your work responsibilities and how do you bring a Catholic Christian
perspective there?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
6
List the activities that you are involved with in your parish, diocese, and other Catholic
institutions?
a. ___________________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________________
c. __________________________________________________________________
d. __________________________________________________________________
e. __________________________________________________________________
f. ___________________________________________________________________
7.
What are some aspects of Catholic life that you find positive and like?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
8.
What are some aspects of Catholic life that you find negative and don’t like?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
9.
Check off any of the following leadership programs in which you have participated.
Please give an approximate year and date.
Cursillo _______________
Marriage Encounter _______________
Parish Retreats _______________
Charismatic Prayer _______________
Ignatian Retreat _______________
Parish Leadership _______________
Substitute Magnificat _______________
Other _______________________________________________________________
Any comments? _______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
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cf
2-23-09
D.
FINANCIAL AND LEGAL POSITION:
1.
Indicate past and pending legal actions involving you or your family.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2.
Under most circumstances a deacon does not receive a salary or stipend. In general
terms describe how you will be able to manage the financial responsibilities for yourself
and your family.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3.
Do you provide for other financial contingencies such as retirement,
disability/hospitalization insurance, etc.? _____Yes
_____No
4.
Have you ever been convicted of a gross misdemeanor or felony? Yes
No
If so, please explain. ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5.
Will you agree to a Washington State Patrol background check?
6.
Have you ever been accused and/or convicted of sexual abuse of children and minors?
_____ Yes
_____ No
Yes
No
If yes, please explain. _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
E.
EDUCATION:
1.
List all the schools attended (including vocational schools) with graduation or certificate
dates:
Degree/Certificate/
School
Dates
Emphasis
Diploma
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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cf
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2.
Special training and education: ___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3.
Government and Church volunteer experience (e.g. Jesuit Volunteer Corp, Peace Corp)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
4.
Other fields of academic interest: __________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
5.
Special achievements/awards: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
6.
Foreign language skills:
Language
Speak
Read
Write
____________________ Yes / No____________ Yes / No _____________ Yes / No
____________________ Yes / No____________ Yes / No _____________ Yes / No
____________________ Yes / No____________ Yes / No _____________ Yes / No
F.
RECREATION AND HOBBIES:
1.
What do you generally do during your leisure hours? Include sports and hobbies.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2.
What organizations do you actively participate in?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
G.
MEDICAL:
1.
Describe your general health and list any medical problems (for serious physical,
emotional, or psychiatric care, list doctor and dates). If there are any other concerns
about your health or well-being that you believe should be mentioned, please mention
them at this time.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
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27
cf
2-23-09
2.
When did you have your last physical examination? ___________________________
3.
Do you have any past history of substance abuse (drugs or alcohol)? ____Yes ____No
If so, please explain, particularly treatment programs and your sobriety.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
H.
OCCUPATIONAL:
1.
Please list your last four employments beginning with your present:
Dates (from-to)
Employer
Job Title
a. ___________________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________________________________
I.
2.
Does your job require extensive travel?
_____ Yes
3.
Are you likely to be transferred out of the Diocese?
_____ No
_____ Yes
_____ No
TIME DEMANDS:
1.
Diaconate formation will demand meeting in small groups, study days, interviews,
ministry training, and travel. You may need to withdraw from present ministry and
other volunteer commitments to make time for diaconate preparation. Please comment:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
J.
REFERENCES:
1.
List below the names of the five persons you have asked to be personal references.
None of the five are to be family members (by blood or marriage) or former employers.
At least two of the five are to have worked with you in a Church or civic volunteer
activity. (Provide each one with a reference form found on pp.29 and 30 and an
addressed, stamped envelope.)
Name _________________________________________ Phone _______________
Name _________________________________________ Phone _______________
Name _________________________________________ Phone _______________
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cf
2-23-09
2.
Give the names of your current parish pastor, a former pastor, another priest or deacon
who know you and your family and who have had significant influence on your faith.
Provide a reference form and an addressed, stamped envelope to each. See pp 29 and 30.
Name __________________________________________Phone _______________
Name __________________________________________Phone _______________
Name __________________________________________Phone________________
3.
Give the name of your employer and/or immediate supervisor and a former
employer/supervisor. Provide a reference form and an addressed, stamped envelope for
your employer.
Employer/Supervisor ______________________________Phone________________
Employer/Supervisor ______________________________Phone________________
K.
OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION:
Add any information or comments you feel might be important for the Ministry Formation
Committee in assessing your application to the Permanent Diaconate of the Diocese of
Yakima.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
L.
COMMITMENT STATEMENT:
1.
To aspire to diaconate requires in some way an obligation to be a public minister. This
will be a “gift” to your family as well as an occasion for difficulty and stress. Describe
both the gift and difficulty you foresee in serving in public ministry as a deacon.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
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29
cf
2-23-09
2.
Why is it important for you to prepare for diaconate ministry at this time?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
M.
COMMITMENT AWARENESS AND APPLICATION SIGNATURE
I (we) have read and understood the statements (listed on page 20 of this application),
involved in commitments made to the Deacon Formation Program. All statements and
personal information in this application are true and correct to the best of my (our) ability.
__________________________________
Signature (Applicant)
________________________
Date
__________________________________
Signature (Spouse)
Mail this completed application form to the Deacon Formation Program Director.
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cf
2-23-09
LETTER OF REFERENCE
DEACON FORMATION PROGRAM
DIOCESE OF YAKIMA
[Please do not remove this form from the document. Make a copy.]
(Please print or type the following information)
Name of Applicant: _______________________________________________________
Name of Reference: ______________________________________________________
Relationship of Reference to Applicant: ________________________________________
How long has reference known applicant? _____________________________________
STATEMENT OF RELEASE
I waive my right to any information provided by the reference named above. I agree that this
information will be held in strictest confidence by the Deacon Formation Program.
Signature of Applicant: ____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
To the Reference:
Thank you for taking the time to serve as a reference for the Applicant who is applying for
the Deacon Formation Program of the Diocese of Yakima. This program lasts for three
years and consists of three components; academic preparation (on one weekend per
month); supervision in a pastoral or service related setting; counseling for spiritual
development and participation in retreats and workshops.
As a deacon, the Applicant will serve in a parish or faith community of the Diocese of
Yakima as a public minister of the church. Applicants should demonstrate the following:

They should be knowledgeable about current Roman Catholic teachings and
practices.

They should express their spirituality as an integral part of themselves and nurture
their relationship with God through regular prayer.

They should speak and act in ways congruent with the Church’s faith, beliefs, moral
and social teachings.
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cf
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
They should respect all individuals and demonstrate sensitivity to the rich ethnic,
racial and cultural diversity of parishioners; they should celebrate and integrate the
individual uniqueness of all persons.

They should maintain respect for the dignity, worth and potential for growth of
individuals and communities and for alternative points of view.

They should take responsibility for themselves, make decisions, and deal with the
consequences.

They should set goals, articulate personal values, and make decisions in light of
personal values and without undue influence from others. At the same time, they
should be able to follow goals set by those responsible for the common good and act
according to established procedures.

They should identify their personal strengths and weaknesses, remain open to
feedback from others and be able to change behaviors, attitudes, and needs.
Your reference is an important part of the admissions process. The Admissions Committee
is especially interested in any specific information you have about the following areas:

How would you assess the character of the applicant?

What strengths does the Applicant have for serving as a deacon? How has the
Applicant already demonstrated these strengths?

How would you assess the marriage and family life of the Applicant?

What competencies or qualities will the Applicant need to develop in order to serve
as a deacon?

Do you have any reservations about the Applicant’s ability to complete this formation
program successfully or to serve as a deacon?
PLEASE ATTACH THIS RELEASE FORM TO YOUR LETTER OF REFERENCE AND
MAIL TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
Deacon Formation Program
Robert Schrom, Director
7240 Rd 17 SW
Royal City, WA 99357
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APPENDIX B
DIOCESE OF YAKIMA
PERMANENT DIACONATE
SPOUSE INFORMATION
[Please do not remove this form from the document. Make a copy.]
A.
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:
1.
Name ___________________________________________ Age _________________
2.
Place of Birth ____________________________________ Birthdate _____________
3.
Primary Responsibilities
4.
B.
a.
Family Life and Care of Children _____________________________________
b.
Work Outside of the Home ____________ Occupation ___________________
Ethnic Group (circle one)
Asian _____ European _____ African _____
Native American ______ Hispanic _____ Other _____
FAMILY:
Married men serving in diaconate ministry invariably involve their spouses in their ministry.
“Deacon Couples" which experience the most unity in this ministry are those whose wives
have fully participated in the Deacon Formation Program. You are encouraged but not
obligated to attend all education and training days and read all related material (unless
otherwise stated.)
1.
Have you received all of the following sacraments (if not, circle the ones you have not
received)? Yes
No
Baptism
Penance
First Communion
_____ Yes
Confirmation
2.
Have you been divorced in the past?
3.
If so, are you canonically married in the Church today? ______ Yes
Marriage
_____ No
______ No
If so, please return with this form documentation of present marriage or annulment of
previous marriage.
4.
Describe a "good deacon." _______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
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5.
Would your husband make a good deacon? Why? What are the gifts that your husband
would bring to the ministry of a deacon?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
6.
Do you foresee any difficulties in your marriage or family life with you and your
husband preparing for the diaconate and later serving as a “deacon couple? Yes No
If Yes, please explain: ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
7.
Do you support your husband’s application to the Deacon Formation Program?
Why or why not?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
8.
The wives of the deacon candidates are expected to participate in the Deacon Formation
Program along with their spouses. What are your thoughts about this? Would it be a
burden for you?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
9.
What are some of the aspects of the Catholic Church that you enjoy and are proud of?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
10. What are some aspects of the Catholic Church with which you have difficulty?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Please complete the Letter of Reference sheet. If you are a married man, ask your spouse to write a
letter of support and mail them both together with this form to the Deacon Formation Program
Director.
_________________________________________
Signature
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
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_________________________
Date
cf
2-23-09
APPENDIX C
DEACO N PRE-CANDIDAT E FORMAT ION AGREEMENT
[Please do not remove this form from the document. Make a copy.]
I (We) have s tudi ed the a bove docum ent an d unders ta nd f ul l y i ts i mpl i cati ons . T he
Di aconate i s not a prerogati ve of any one indi vi dual or coupl e. I t is a vocati on
gi ven by God a nd di s cerned by t he C hur ch, a di s cern ment that acti vel y i nvol ves
the bi s hop and the Deacon Formati on Com mi ttee , the pas tor and the di s ce r ni ng
i ndi vi dual or coupl e .
I (We) commi t mys el f to parti ci pate i n th e program on a year -to -year bas i s ,
res ervi ng the ri ght to wi thdraw at the e nd of each year or at any ti me when, i n my
pers onal di s cernm ent, I determi n e t hat I a m not cal l ed to t he di aconat e. I t i s my
des i re to s eek God's wi ll for my l i fe i n regard to the ordai ned mi ni s try and to s eek
the good of t he Chu rch. I ful l y u nders tan d that my pa rti ci pati on i n thi s dea con
formati on program does not cons ti tute , ei ther on my part or on the part of th e
di oces e, a commi tment to my or di nati on to the di aconate.
I n ente ri ng thi s
program, I agree to joi n the di oces e i n pres si ng the ques ti on more di rectl y, "Lord,
are you cal l i ng me to s erve you as a Deacon? "
I (We) al s o unders tan d tha t th e di oces e wi l l di s c ern the ques ti on of my havi ng a
vocati on to the di a conate at the e nd of eac h program year. I may or may not b e
i nvi ted to conti n ue i n my formati on an d di s cernmen t depe ndi ng on t hes e yearl y
eval uati on and di s cer nmen t proce dures .
T he cri teri a for di s cerni n g a vocati on to the di aconate i s cl ear to me (us ). I t is
rooted i n a pers on's natural gi fts , thi s bei ng the di aconal chara cter as outl i ned on
pages 6 -10 of thi s doc ument. A ppl i cati on r equi rements , as outl i ned o n pages 11
and 12, i s es s enti al to the di s ce rnment of a di aconate vocati on. O f parti cul ar
i mportance are t he gene ral s ki l l s whi ch are neces s ary for a deaco n to fu ncti on:
pas toral care a nd l i s teni ng; p rocl ai mi ng t he Word of God; s ervi ng at th e al tar; a nd
expl ai ni ng the C hur ch's tea chi ngs i n homi l i e s and othe r cate cheti cal s etti n gs .
Havi ng met t hes e c ri teri a i s not enou gh. I (we) un ders tand that the mos t cri ti cal
of the cri teri a l i s ted i s the one regar di ng cal l . I s God cal li ng me to be a deacon?
T o determi ne thi s , there mus t be a cons ens us among the di s cerni ng i ndi vi dual o r
coupl e and t he DF C whi c h i ncl udes t he bi s ho p. U l ti matel y, the vocati on or cal l of
a candi date by God to ordai ned mi ni s try bec omes cl ear when i t i s confi rmed by the
bi s hop of the di oces e .
T he Deacon Formati on Program wi l l deep en my unders tandi n g of the di aconate as
an embodi ment o f the Servant Chri s t th rou gh the Sacram ent of Hol y O rders . I t
wi l l rel ate thi s i denti ty to the functi ons o f a deacon wi t hi n the mi ni s tri es of
Chari ty, Word, and Al tar.
T he Deaco n Formati on Program wi l l s l owl y i ntroduce me to the di aconate
communi ty and the cl ergy comm uni ty at l arge, thereby gi vi ng me a chance to
ques ti on, “Am I cal l ed to joi n thes e peopl e i n a covenant of mi ni s try that i s
permane nt, publ i c, a nd ori ented to s ervi ce? ”
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
35
cf
2-23-09
T he Deacon Forma ti on Program al s o gi ves the cl ergy of the di oces e a chance to
meet me a nd a ddres s t he s ame ques ti on fro m thei r pers pecti ve: “I s thi s broth er a
good candi date to joi n us i n a voca ti on of mi ni s try to God ‟s peopl e? ”
Havi ng revi ewed t hi s program a nd ca reful l y cons i dered i ts i mpl i cati ons for my l i fe,
I (we) agree to parti ci pate whol eheartedl y and to the bes t of my (our) abi li ty, and
to trus t God th e Father, Son, an d Hol y Spi ri t i n i ts outcome.
Appl i cant ‟s Si gna ture
Date
Spous e‟s Si gnat ure
Date
Di rector of Deaco n Formati on
Date
Bi s hop‟s Si gnature
Date
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
36
cf
2-23-09
APPENDIX D
READ ING S
for the D EACON PRE-CANDID ATE/CANDIDATE FORMAT ION P ROGRAM
Phas e I : Mi ni s ter of t he Word

Dei Verbum, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation , Docume nt
of Vati can I I .

Ful fi l l ed i n Your Hea ri ng, The Homily in the S unday Assembly ,
B i s hops ‟ Commi ttee on Pri es tl y Li fe and Mi ni s try, 1982 U SCC , NCCB

Homi l i es Al i ve by Ms gr. Franci s P. Fri edl and E d Macaul ey, Creative
Homilies That Hit Home , 1994, XXI I I Publ i cati ons , Mys t i c, CT .
Phas e I I : Mi ni s ter of C hari ty

Gaudi um E t Sp es , Pastoral Constitution of t h e Chur ch in the Modern
World . Document of Vati ca n I I .

Servi ce Mi ni s try o f the Deacon, Bi s hop‟s Com mi ttee on the
Permanen t Di acon ate, 1988 U SCC

May I Wal k You Home by J oyce Ru pp an d J oyce Hut chi ns on, 1999 ,
Ave Mari a Pres s .
Phas e I I I : Mi ni s ter of the Al tar

I ntroducti on to t he Sacrame ntary a nd Gen era l I ntroducti on to t he
Roman Mi s s a l (GI RM), 2 0 0 3

I ntroducti on to t he RCI A, from Rite of Christian Initiation of Ad ults ,
Study Edition , 1988 , Li turgy T rai ni ng Pu bl i cat i ons , Chi cago

B ook o f Ri tes , The Rites of the Catholic C hur ch, Vol. I Study Edition ,
A Puebl o B ook, T he Li turgi cal Pres s , Col l egevi l l e, MN.

Li turgi cal Mi ni s try o f th e Dea con, by Mi c hael K watera , O . S. B. , 1985
T he Li turgi cal Pres s , Col l egevi l l e, MN.

Vari ous readi ngs from the Ca techi s m o f the C hurc h, An I ma ge B ook,
1994, Doubl eday, New York

Lumen Ge nti um, Dogma tic Constitution o f the Chur ch , Docume nt of
Vati can I I

Humane Vi tae, E ncycl i cal by Pope Paul VI , 1 9 6 8
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
37
cf
2-23-09
APPENDIX E
Dioc es e of Y aki ma
Permanent Diaconate Guidelines and Norms
(Feb rua ry , 20 01 )
(Revi sed Feb ru ary, 2 00 9)
Table of Contents
Page
I.
I denti ty of the Perma nent Deacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 37
II.
Mi ni s try of the P ermane nt Deacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 37
III.
Gui del i nes for Rel ati ons hi ps i n the Deaco n ‟s Mi ni s try . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
I V.
Li fe of the Di aconate Commu ni ty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Notes : Si nce t he pre parati on of t hi s doc ume nt, the “di aco nate com muni ty
counci l ” re ferred to i n Se cti on I V A & B has b ecome part o f the Dea con
Formati on Commi ttee.
T he Deacon Form ati on Commi ttee curre nt l y c ons i s ts of three dea con
coupl es and t he pri es t s pi ri tual di re ctor of t h e di aconate communi ty.
T here i s no di oces an “O ffi c e of t he Perma nen t Di aconate” a nd t hus , no
di rector. Fun cti ons of t he “Di re ctor of t he O f fi ce of t he Per manen t
Di aconate” are ca rri ed o ut by t he “Bi s hop‟s D eacon Li ai s on”.
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
38
cf
2-23-09
DIOCESE OF YAKIMA
PERMANENT DIACONATE GUIDELINES AND NORMS
F e b r ua r y, 20 0 1 - R e v i s ed 2 00 9
I.
I denti ty of the Perma nent Deacon
T he i denti ty and mi ni s try of t he perma nent deacon i s rooted i n rel ati ons hi ps .
Fi rs t i s hi s rel ati ons hi p wi th Ch ri s t, Son of G od and s erva nt of hi s peopl e, out
of whi ch al l other r el ati ons hi ps grow. I t i s t o Chri s t that the deacon i s mos t
deepl y confi gure d, al ong wi th al l the fai thful , throug h the Sa crament of
Bapti s m, and th en he i s fu rt her and uni q uel y confi g ured to C hri s t thro ugh th e
Sacrame nt of Hol y O rders .
Second, i f marri ed, a perma nent deacon‟s f ami l y l i fe as he and hi s wi fe l i ve
out the Sac rament of Matri mony i s a fundame ntal expres s i on of the i r
rel ati ons hi p wi th C hri s t. When th e deacon a nd hi s wi fe excha nged cons e nt i n
the Sa crament of Mat ri mony, the i r l i f e together, wi th i ts m utual
res pons i bi l i ti es , ass umed pre ceden ce ove r al l s ubs eque nt commi tments ,
i ncl udi ng di aconal s ervi ce. T he pres ervati on and enha ncem ent of th e marri age
and fami l y l i fe of the marri ed d eacon a nd hi s wi fe i s of utmos t i mporta nce to
al l concerne d wi th t he per manen t di aconate.
T hi rd, and cl os el y rel ated to the s econd, ar e the rel ati ons hi ps tha t fl ow from
the perma nent dea con‟s acti vi ty i n hi s workpl ace and hi s res pons i bi l i ti es as a
ci ti z en. T i me and commi tment to di aconal servi ce need to be bal anced wi th
thes e real i ti es . Care to provi de for s el f and fami l y as wel l as concern for t he
wel l -bei ng of th e whol e h uman fami l y are ba s i c duti es for al l .
II.
Mi ni s try of the P ermane nt Deacon
Di aconal s ervi ce comes about wi t hi n the con text of the above. At t he heart of
a permane nt de acon‟s vocati on i s hi s rel ati ons hi p to the Bi s hop an d th e
Chur ch as s ervant by reas on of t he Sacra me nt of O rders . He i s es peci al l y the
s ervant of thos e whom the Ch urc h mi gh t oth erwi s e negl ect, e. g. the poor an d
the margi nal i z ed.
A. T he deacon‟s mi ni s try i s cal l ed forth when he i s ordai ned and gi ven a
mi s s i on by hi s B i s hop.
B . T he perman ent deacon who has be en or d ai ned or i n cardi nate d i n the
Di oces e of Yaki ma and has been as s i gned to a pari s h by the Bi s hop of
Yaki ma, i s a mi ni s ter of the Ch urc h; hi s off i ce and mi ni s try are governe d
by cano n l aw, l i turgi cal norms , an d c urre nt gui del i nes of t he Di oces e. T he
power to procl ai m the Gos pel , to preach at Mas s and other l i turgi cal ri tes ,
to bapti z e, and to admi ni s ter s acrame ntal s deri ve from or di nati on. T he
facul ti es to wi tnes s marri ages and conduct f uneral s are normal l y del egated
i n wri ti ng by the B i s hop. T he deacon‟s exerci s e of thes e facul ti es i s
governed by hi s pas toral as s i gnment.
C. T he deacon us ual l y mi ni s ters i n a pari s h wi t h the di recti on and s upport o f
the pas tor.
D. Shared mi ni s try requi res havi ng a col l abor ati ve rel ati ons hi p between a
deacon and the pas tor of the pari s h i n whi c h he s erves . I n t he words of
the Congrega ti on for the Cl ergy “ . . . i t i s a duty of deacons to res pect t he
offi ce of pari s h pri es t and to work i n com mu ni on wi th al l who s hare i n hi s
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
39
cf
2-23-09
pas toral care, they al s o have the ri g ht to be accepted and ful l y recogni z ed
by al l . ” ( Di recto ry for t he Mi ni s try a nd Li fe of Permane nt Dea cons no. 41)
E . T he s trength of a deacon‟s s ervi ce i n a pari sh i s rooted i n hi s knowl edge of
the peopl e o f th e pari s h and the broader co mmuni ty to whi ch i t i s rel ated.
I ntegral to the deacon‟s mi ni s try i s his br i ngi ng the needs of the peopl e to
the pari s h communi ty for praye r and as s i s tance an d al s o bri ngi ng t he
concer n of t he pari s h to thos e i n t he broade r communi ty.
F. T he deacon‟s l i turgi cal mi ni s try i s an i mportant compone nt of hi s cal l to
s erve. T hrough i t, by t he gr ace proper to hi s vocati on, he makes vi s i bl e
Chri s t‟s pas chal mys tery.
G. T he deacon s houl d be s een as a mini s ter who
compas s i onate, accou ntabl e, approac habl e, a nd fl exi bl e.
is
col l aborati ve,
I I I . Gui del i nes for Rel ati ons hi ps i n the Deaco n‟s Mi ni s try
A deacon‟s as s i gnment or change of s tatus s hal l be done by l etter from the
bi s hop. Hi s i ni ti al as si gnment after ordi nati on wi l l normal l y be to the pari s h
(agency) whi c h s pons ored hi s candi dacy an d formati on. T hi s as s i gnment wi l l
remai n i n e ffec t u nti l formal l y s upers eded by reas s i gnment or a cha nge i n the
s tatus of the deacon, s uch as reti rement or l eave of abs ence. A copy of the
l etter of as s i gnme nt wi l l be s en t to t he p as tor of the pari s h to whi ch the
deacon i s as s i gned. E ncl os ed wi th the l etter of a s s i gnment wi l l be a bl ank
copy of the Deaco n Mi ni s try Agreeme nt document (s ee atta ched). T he
documen t s houl d be compl eted and ret urne d to t he Bi s hop for hi s a pproval
wi thi n two mo nths o f t he da te of the l et ter of as s i gnment. T he Mi ni s try
Agreement wi l l des cri be the detai l s of the s ervi ce to be performed by the
deacon as m utual l y agreed upon by the pas tor, deacon, an d hi s s pous e.
A. T he Mi ni s try Agreement wi l l des cri be what the pari s h or agency expects of
the pe rmane nt d eacon and the s upport i t wi l l provi de to enabl e the deacon
to func ti on effe cti vel y i n hi s mi ni s try. T he agreement wi l l be s i gned by the
pas tor, the deacon and hi s s pous e, and the bi s hop. Copi es of the
agreement wi l l be provi ded to thos e pa rti es and to t he bi s hop‟s deacon
l i ai s on. T he i ni ti ati v e for devel opi ng the M i ni s try Agreement i s wi th t he
deacon a nd hi s pas tor (or a gen cy head).
B . When a new pas tor i s as s i gned to a pari s h in whi ch a perma nent dea con i s
pres ent, the exi s ti ng Mi ni s try Agreement s houl d be di s cus s ed by the
pas tor, deacon and h i s s pous e. I f ne ces s a ry, the a greeme nt s ho ul d be
modi fi ed i n cons ul tati on wi th the bi s hop. Copi es of any new Mi ni s try
Agreement s ho ul d be made avai l abl e accordi ng to the expl anati on al ready
gi ven.
C. Reas s i gnment of a perma nent deacon may b e i ni ti ated by t h e bi s hop, the
deacon, or t he pas tor or age ncy head i n vol ved. Reas s i gnment wi l l be
deci ded u pon th rough cons ul tati on wi th al l the i nvol ved parti es i ncl udi ng
the deaco n‟s wi fe. I t wi l l be formal i z ed i n wri ti ng by the bi s hop wi th d ue
attenti on gi ven to the i s s ue of a new Mi ni s try Agreement and wi th d ue
regard to Ca nons 1748 -1752 whi c h des cri be t he trans fer of pas tors .
D. A permane nt deaco n i ncardi n ated el s ew here who moves i nto and
es tabl i s hes res i dence wi thi n the Di oces e of Yaki ma s houl d contact th e
bi s hop i f he wan ts to be acti ve i n mi ni s try. Referen ces f rom th e bi s hop o f
the di oces e of l as t as s i gnment and other ba ckground che cks , accordi ng to
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
40
cf
2-23-09
di oces an pol i cy, wi l l be req ui red. T he bi s hop, the de acon and s pous e, an d
pas tor or agency head wi l l di s cus s the deta i l s of hi s pos s i bl e mi ni s try.
E . T he removal of a permane nt deacon from a c ti ve mi ni s try, i f s uch acti on i s
judged neces s ary by t he bi s hop after approp ri ate cons ul tati on wi th ot hers ,
wi l l be done wi th due regard to Canons 1740 -1747, whi ch des cri be the
procedur e for t he removal and t rans fer o f p as tors . I f l ai ci z ation i s s ought,
i t wi l l be approache d i n a ccorda nce wi th t he i ns tru cti ons of t he Sacred
Congregati on for Sacra ments a nd wi th d u e regard to C anons 290 -293,
whi ch des cri be th e l os s of the cl eri cal s tate .
F. At l eas t once every 12 months (perhaps mos t hel pful l y duri ng O ctober or
November) a revi ew of the mi ni s try of th e permane nt dea con wi l l be
condu cted th rough a mee ti ng of the pas tor (or agency hea d), the dea con,
and the deacon‟s s pous e (i f marri ed). T h e purpos e of the revi ew i s to
di s cus s joi ntl y al l the provi si ons of the Deacon Mi ni s try Agreement
together wi th ot her qu es ti ons , s i tuati ons , or i s s ues that are of con cern to
any of the parti es . I f there i s a need for s peci al as s is tance wi th thi s revi ew
the parti es can i n form the bi s hop s eparatel y and reques t hi s hel p. Rel ated
to the revi ew, s peci fi c acti ons to be taken by the deacon and s pous e and
by the p as tor or age ncy head wi l l be i n corpor ated i nto a r evi s ed Agreeme nt
and wi l l form a part of t he bas i s fo r the next revi ew. T he fact t hat a
revi ew has occurred wi l l be reported i n a l ett er by the deacon to the O f fi ce
of the B i s hop.
G. Wal l et -s i z e photo i denti fi cati on cards wi l l be i s s ued upon reques t to
permane nt deacons who have bee n granted facul ti es i n the di oces e. T hes e
wi l l i ncl ude the a ddres s and phon e n umber of the di oces e and s houl d be
s tamped wi th t he di oces an s eal .
H. No di s ti ncti ve non -l i turgi cal form of dres s (fo r exampl e, a cl eri cal s hi rt a nd
col l ar) s i gni fyi ng that the deacon i s a cl eri c i n the R oman Cathol i c Churc h
i s encouraged or aut hori z ed except i n extra ordi nary ci rc ums tan ces where
di s ti nctl y cl eri cal garb e nhan ces the mi ni s try of the d eacon or i s othe rwi s e
i mportant. Su ch cas es s houl d have the a ppro val of the bi s hop.
I.
Reas onabl e expens es a s s oci ated wi th the mini s try of a permanent deacon
wi l l be borne by th e pari s h or a gency:
1. ves tments for the us e of the deacons , (mi ni mal l y a l b and s tol e(s )
rel ated to the vari ous l i turgi cal s eas ons ; thes e remai n the property of
the pari s h.
2. annual re tr eat for deaco ns and wi ves :
3. mi l eage at the s tandar d di oces an rate for the us e of hi s pers onal
automobi l e that i s above normal and i n di rect s upport of the mi ni s try of
the deaco n, i ncl udi n g req ui red travel to di oc es an events .
4. cos t of s peci al trai ni ng a s wel l as fees rel at ed to the dea con‟s mi ni s try
(hel p may be s ought from the bi s hop i f t h ere i s a need for fi nan ci al
as s i s tance).
5. an ann ual book al l owance of up to $100.
J . A permanent dea con who pl ans to trans fer out of the di oces e s houl d noti fy
the bi s hop, who c an es tabl i s h a contact for the deaco n i n hi s ne w di oces e
s o that thei r re qui reme nts for ge tti ng es tabl i s hed i n mi ni s try can be
determi ned.
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
41
cf
2-23-09
K . A l eave of abs ence (i . e. permi s s i on to be rel i eved of mi nis teri al
res pons i bi l i ti es for a determi n ed pe r i od) ma y be gr anted by t he bi s hop. A
wri tten reques t mus t be s ubmi tted by the pe rmanent dea con to the bi s hop
after cons ul tati on wi th hi s pas tor. A copy of the reques t i s to be provi ded
to hi s pas tor. Leaves of abs ence may be g ranted for r eas ons of heal th,
pers onal probl ems , fami l y needs , temporary changes i n occupati on or
trans fer f rom the di oces e. A l eave of abs enc e does not neces s ari l y entai l a
s us pens i on of facul ti es nor does the act of reques ti ng a l eave of abs ence
have a negati ve i mpac t on f uture as s i g nme nt s . However, the s i tuati on that
l ed to the req ues t may i nfl u ence s ubs eq uent de ci s i ons regardi ng t he
mi ni s try of the deacon. E ach s i tuati on wi l l be judged on i ts own meri ts ,
cons i deri ng both the good of the C hur ch an d the good of the deacon an d
hi s fami l y. A l eave of abs enc e wi l l normal l y be for a s pe ci fi c pe ri od of
ti me. Leaves of abs e nce exceedi n g one year wi l l be revi ewed ann ual l y by
the deaco n wi th t he bi s hop.
L. A deacon wi s hi ng to s tep down or re ti re fr om acti ve mi ni s try m us t mee t
wi th the bi s hop a nd hi s pas tor to make arrangem ents for doi ng s o.
Facul ti es wi l l normal l y conti nue i n a re ti rement mi ni s try a greeme nt
approved by t he bi s hop s o l ong as t he d eacon res i des i n the Yaki ma
Di oces e. Facul ti es expi re i f the deacon leaves the di oces e wi th the
i ntenti on of not retu rni ng wi thi n one y ear.
M. An i nacti ve deacon i s defi ned as one wh o has not functi oned i n hi s
di aconal mi ni s try for at l eas t s i x months an d has not r eques ted a l eave of
abs ence or come to an ag reemen t wi th hi s pas tor regardi ng hi s i nacti vi t y.
T hi s i s a canoni cal l y i rregul ar s i tuati on, and when i t becomes know n the
bi s hop and t he bi s hop‟s deacon l i ai s on wi l l be noti fi ed. T he bi s hop wi l l
determi ne th e acti on to be take n afte r i nves ti gati on and cons ul tati on wi th
two acti ve deacons . T hi s acti on may i n cl ude, but not be l i mi ted to,
granti ng o f l eave of a bs ence, t rans fe r to another as s i gnment, or
s us pens i on of fac ul ti es (Canon 1333 §1, n. 1, 2, 3 and §4. ). E ach s i tuati on
wi l l be judged on i ts own meri ts and t he a cti ons taken wi l l be bas ed on
what i s good for t he C hurc h an d the deaco n and hi s fami l y.
N. From ti me -to-ti me permane nt deacons or thei r wi ves may encounter
di ffi cul ti es i n mi ni s try, pers onal or fami l y l i fe and wi s h to re cei ve
couns el i ng to hel p res ol ve thes e probl ems . The pers onnel res ourc es o f the
di oces e are avai l abl e to deacons a nd th ei r wi ves to as s i s t i n s uch
s i tuati ons . Shoul d as s i s tance be s ought , the deacon or wi fe may contact
the bi s hop who wi l l di rect hi m or her to a qual i fi ed advocate wi thi n the
di oces e who i s capabl e of as s i s ti ng wi th t he parti cul ar probl em. E ac h cas e
wi l l be judged by th e advocate a ccordi n g t o the needs of the i n di vi dual ,
the potenti al durati on o f the probl em, an d t he l i kel i hood of i ts s ucces s ful
res ol uti on. T he advocate wi l l be named by th e bi s hop.
I V. Li fe of the Di aconate Commu ni ty
Deacons a nd t hei r wi ves for m a di aconate commu ni ty whi c h e nhan ces t he
di aconal pres enc e and mi ni s try i n the di oces e .
A. T he di oces e encourag es the forma ti on
I ts members are t he bi s hop‟s dea con
other members from the di aconate
repres ent the vari ous regi ons of the
Bro thers in t he Ser vic e of t he Lor d
42
of a di aconate comm uni ty cou nci l .
l i ai s on , a pri es t, and at l eas t fi ve
com muni ty who are s el ected to
di oc es e. T he members hi p of the
cf
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counci l i s to be bal anced s o that the i nteres ts of both deacons and wi ves
are fai rl y s erved. T e rms wi l l be s taggered for conti nui ty.
B . T he rol e of the di aconate communi ty cou nci l i s to s upport and fos ter the
s pi ri tual , mi ni s teri al and s oci al l i fe of the deacons and thei r s pous es .
T hrough the bi s hop‟s deacon l i ai s on the counci l wi l l work wi th the bis hop,
the pas toral center s taf f, and the p res byter ate to es tabl i s h gui del i nes and
norms for the permane nt di aconate i n the D i oces e of Yaki ma. T he counci l
wi l l pl an the bi s hop/di aconat e comm uni ty d ay and t he an nual ret reat. I t
wi l l al so encourage and s u ppor t thos e pr epari ng for ordi nati on i n t he
deacon formati on progra m.
C. T he s pi ri tual di rector of t he di aco nate com muni ty, chos en i n cons ul tati on
wi th the bi s hop, s upports i ts efforts towa rd s pi ri tual renewal both by
advi s i ng the communi ty wi th regard to the preparati on of i ts annual retreat
and al s o i n regard to i denti f yi ng potenti al i nd i vi dual s pi ri tual di rectors .
D. Deacons and t hei r wi ves are enco uraged t o parti ci pate i n regul ar s oci al
gatheri ngs to s tren gthe n and a ffi rm one a n other i n the i r l ove and s ervi ce
to the Ch urc h.
E . T he di aconate comm uni ty wi l l parti ci pate i n the formati on of deacons
through mentori n g coupl es w ho wi l l be compani ons and fri en ds i n
di s cernment for the as pi rant coupl es . Dea con ca ndi dates w ho are i n thei r
fi nal peri od of formati on wi l l be i nvi ted together wi t h th e i r wi ves to
di aconate comm uni ty f un cti ons .
F. Deacons , al ong wi t h thei r wi ves , are enc ouraged to pa rti ci pate as a
communi ty i n major l i turgi cal cel ebrati ons as wel l as i n other major
di oces an events . At l i turgi cal cel ebrati ons onl y the deacons , pri es ts , and
bi s hop wi l l joi n i n the entran ce proces s i on, except i n the cas e of a
permane nt di aconate ordi nati on when wi ves are i nvi ted to proces s i n al ong
wi th thei r hus ba nds . Res erved s eati ng wi l l be provi ded for the wi ves an d
fami l i es of the deaco ns both at thos e c el ebrati ons and other major
di oces an events .
G. T he permanent dea con i s a li fel ong l earner. As s uch he has the ri ght and
obl i gati on to devote ti me to conti n ui ng e du cati on: s pi ri tual , pas toral , and
academi c. T he di oces e wi l l provi de opportuni ti es for deacons to grow i n
general t heol ogi cal as wel l as i n s peci fi c mi ni s teri al competen ce. When a
gues t s peaker i s i n the area for a gatheri ng s uc h as the annual
pres byterate convoc ati on or conti nui n g edu c ati on for pri es ts , arrangement s
wi l l be made for the s ame s peaker to al s o addres s the di aconate
communi ty, i f ap propri ate.
H. Permanen t deaco ns are expec ted to parti ci pate i n conti n ui ng formati on.
T he mi ni mum expe ctati on i s tha t dea cons wi l l parti ci pate i n the bi s hopdi aconate commu ni t y meeti ng eac h fal l , the meeti ng of the pres byterat e,
di aconate comm uni ty an d bi s hop on t he Mon day of the P res i dents ‟ Hol i day
weekend i n Fe bruary, a nd t he an nual week end retr eat. I f t he dea con i s
habi tual l y abs ent from mos t of t hes e eve nts he s houl d expl ai n to the
bi s hop why he has bee n u nabl e to atte nd.
I.
Wi dows of deacons re mai n an i ntegral part o f the di aconate comm uni ty an d
are i nvi ted to parti ci pat e i n al l deacon gathe r i ngs .
# ## #
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APPENDIX F
(Page 1 of 3)
PERMANENT DEACON MINISTRY AGREEMENT
( C o py p p . 4 2 -4 4 fo r i nd ep e nd e nt us e)
[Please do not remove this form from the document. Make a copy.]
Deacon
Date
(Please P rint)
Pari s h/Agency
(Please P rint)
Deacon Com mi tment:
- Mi ni s try of S ervi ce
Describe the specific ministries , including the level of responsibility for
each, the expec ted hours per we ek or month, the conne ction with othe r
ministries in the parish, as well as, to whom and how ofte n reports
regarding mi nistry will be made.
- Mi ni s try of t he Word
Describe the freq uen cy and co nditions of proclaiming the go spel an d
preachin g at Su nday Liturgy, role in cat echesis, other occasions of
proclaiming the wor d as at par aliturgies, retr eats, etc.
- Mi ni s try of t he Li turgy
Describe expe ctations regar ding ministry a t Mass, including freq uen cy and
role; baptisms , marriages, funerals, comm uni on services and d evotions.
Pari s h or Agen cy Commi tme nt
General support that the dea con may e xpect incl uding
opportunities to exercise his ministry of s ervice, word and
continue to grow as a minister; an nual f inancial support
education, a nn ual retrea t, book allowance ; and conditions
expense reimbursem ent, e.g. travel .
t he following:
liturgy an d to
for conti nuing
a nd basis for
Commi tment to an An nual Revi ew
At least once every 12 mo nths, most help fu lly in Oct. -Nov. a review of the
ministry of the deaco n will be conduc ted in a meeting of th e deacon a nd his
spouse with the pastor (or age ncy head)
T erm of the A greeme nt - Norm ally 3 years (r eviewed ann ually)
Si gnatures - Pastor/age ncy head, dea con, sp ouse, bishop
Di s tri buti on - Sig natories plus bishop‟s deaco n liaison
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2-23-09
(Page 2 of 3)
PERM ANENT DE ACON MI NIS TRY AG RE EMENT
DE ACO N
(Please Print)
PARI SH or E NT I T Y
(Please Print)
DE ACO N CO MMI T ME NT :
D e s c ri b e f ut ure co m mi t m e nt t o a ct i v it i e s , p r og r am s a nd ot he r
r e a l i ti e s (i n ho urs p e r we ek or mo nt h) t o t he f o l lo wi ng :
Mi ni s try of Servi ce, C hari ty, and J us ti ce –
(list p rimar y a cti vit y first , the n ot he r ac tiviti es)
Mi ni s try of the Word –
(include w ee kda y/w ee kend pr e ac hi ng sc hed ul e e xp ec ta tion)
Mi ni s try of Li tu rgy –
(includ e assisting at Mas s, b aptism s, wed dings, f uner als, and public
pra yer expect atio ns )
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(Page 3 of 3)
PARI SH or E NT I T Y CO MMI T ME NT : Des cri be res ources made avai l abl e to deacon
i ncl udi ng ac ces s to bui l di ngs , pers onnel , s uppl i es , and
program budge ts .
Li s t avai l abil i ty, i f any, of money for
trai ni ng, compens ati on, mi l eage or other cos t rei mburs ement
of the deacon. I f appl i cabl e, pl eas e s peci fy procedures for
documen ti ng i n formati on from s acra ment al l i turgi es as
requi red
by
t he
di oces e.
Des cri be
h ow
regul ar
pas tor/s upervi s or cons ul tati on wi th deacon w i l l take pl ace.
I T I S I MPO RT ANT T HAT T HI S MI NI ST E RI AL AGRE E ME NT ADDRE SS E XPE CT AT I O NS
O F BOT H T HE PARI SH/E NT IT Y AND T HE DEACO N . T he Pas tor/Supervi s or and t he
Deacon (and s pous e, i f m a rri ed) wi l l meet i n November of eac h year to revi ew t hi s
Deacon Mi ni s try Agreeme nt. Any changes wi l l be made i n wri ti ng and si gned by al l
parti es as an Adde ndu m to thi s agre ement.
T he term of t hi s Agreeme nt i s from
Deacon
(Signature)
Pas tor
(Signature)
, 20 ____ through
Spous e
, 20____.
(Signature)
Mos t Rev. J os eph J . T yson
Bi s hop of Yaki ma
Date
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