Office of The Diaconate

The Office of The Diaconate directs the Diocese of Winona's Diaconate Formation Program.  This is a three-year formation program (preceded by a year of discernment, or "aspirancy" year) which prepares men -- with the presence and support of their wives, if married -- for ordination to the Order of Deacons and diaconal ministry.  The office also provides education and support to current deacons, and their families, living in the diocese.

Staff

Deacon Justin Green is the director of the Diaconate program for the Diocese of Winona. His contact information is: Telephone: (507) 454-4643, ext. 249; Fax: (507) 454-8106; E-mail: jgreen@dow.org]

Diaconate Advisory CommitteeThe Diaconate Advisory Committee advises and assists the Director of The Diaconate in planning and organizing the Diaconate Formation Program for the diocese.  Current committee members are: Rev. Timothy T. Reker (ex officio); Deacon Justin Green (ex officio); Rev. William Becker (Austin, MN); Deacon Leonard Fuller (St. Charles, MN); Ms. Bobbie Fuller (St. Charles, MN); Ms. Ann Gibson (Winona, MN); Mr. Todd Graff (Director of Ministry Formation - Diocese of Winona); Sr. Ann Marie Merth, SSND (Waseca, MN); and Rev. James Steffes (Winona, MN).

The Permanent Diaconate

Deacons share in Christ's mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint ("character") which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the "deacon" or servant of all.... This permanent diaconate, which can be conferred on married men, constitutes an important enrichment for the Church's mission. Indeed it is appropriate and useful that men who carry out a truly diaconal ministry in the Church, whether in its liturgical and pastoral life or whether in its social and charitable works, should "be strengthened by the imposition of hands which has come down from the apostles. They would be more closely bound to the altar and their ministry would be made more fruitful through the sacramental grace of the diaconate" [Ad Gentes Divinitus #16]. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1570, #1571)

The order of deacons' roots are traced to the earliest days of the Church (cf. Acts 6:1-6, 1 Timothy 3:8-13). The care of the poor, especially widows and orphans, was a special and major concern of the early Christian community and deacons were directly responsible for this ministry. During the apostolic age and for several centuries following, the diaconate had a significant position among the ministries of the Church. During the Second Vatican Council, steps were taken to restore the diaconate as a distinctive order and permanent ministry within the Church. In 1998, there were 25,345 deacons serving in 129 countries, with about 13,000 of these coming from the United States.

Three general areas of diaconal ministry are distinguished: The Word, Liturgy, and Charity.

• The Ministry of the Word. The diaconal Ministry of the Word includes the proclaiming and preaching of the Gospel, catechetical instruction, and evangelization. Deacons also have the opportunity and responsibility of witnessing to Jesus and his Gospel in their work and family lives.
  
• The Ministry of Liturgy. The Second Vatican Council teaches that the liturgy is the summit and source of the Church's life and activity. In the deacon's liturgical ministry of preaching, baptizing, witnessing marriages and other activities, the Church sees a reflection of its own diaconal character and is reminded of its mission to serve as Jesus did.
  
• The Ministry of Charity. The deacon is called upon to witness, through a ministry of service and justice, the virtues of love and compassion. This ministry involves reaching out to and caring for the needs of our poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sisters and brothers in homeless shelters, hospitals and nursing homes, prisons, and the other settings where they are found. It also involves speaking out and working for social justice and respect for the inherent dignity of each human person.

This is at the very heart of the diaconate... to be a servant of the mysteries of Christ and, at one and the same time, to be a servant of your brothers and sisters.  (Pope John Paul II)

Application Information

Present plans are to begin the next aspirancy class of diaconate formation in the fall of 2005.  Application for entrance into the aspirancy year of formation would take place in the spring of 2005.  A prerequisite for entrance into the Diaconate Formation Program is completion of the first two years of the diocesan Institute of Lay Ministry.

Entrance RequirementsThe applicant must . . .

• be a baptized and confirmed male, Roman Catholic for five years, and active in the practice of his faith.
• be actively involved in the church and highly recommended by his pastor and parishioners.
• possess natural gifts for ministry, demonstrate maturity and balance, enjoy good physical and mental health with no condition which would impede ministry.
• be free of all irregularities and impediments to Orders.
• be at least 35 years of age, and no older than 65 years of age, at the time of ordination.  [A candidate older than 65 years may be approved for ordination upon the recommendation of the Diaconate Formation Team and with the approval of the bishop.]
• be a United States citizen or a legal, permanent resident.
• have successfully completed two years of college or its equivalent (evaluated on an individual basis by the Diaconate Formation Team).
• have successfully completed the first two years of the Institute of Lay Ministry.  [An applicant may complete the second year of the Institute of Lay Ministry concurrent with the aspirancy year of diaconate formation. Completion of the Institute of Lay Ministry may be waived for an applicant who has received significant theological/ministerial formation, with the approval of the Diaconate Formation Team.]
• be able to give the time required for study and service without detriment to his family.
• [if married...] have been married at least five years and live in a stable and valid marriage, enjoying the full support of his spouse who will participate actively in the formation program, and be willing to remain celibate if his wife precedes him in death.
• [if single...] enjoy a stable, settled life, a history of healthy relationships, and be able and willing to accept celibacy, understanding the implications of this charism.
• [if widowed...] have had at least two years to heal from the loss of his spouse.
• [if a history of substance abuse exists...] have achieved sobriety for at least five years and continue to participate in a "recovery" program.

Application Process

• Submission of application (including: necessary sacramental records; letters of recommendation from pastor, pastoral council and a parishioner; wife's form, if married; transcripts of academic records; employment reference; and resume or curriculum vitae
• Interview with the Formation Director.
• In-home interview of the applicant (and his wife, if married, and his children, if applicable) conducted by a deacon and his wife.
• Screening (including: medical exam, psychological interview and testing, and state and federal background checks).
• Formal Interview.

Formation Process

Aspirancy YearThose who are accepted as aspirants will begin a year-long program, consisting of six course weekends (three in the fall and three in the spring), two days of reflection, and a retreat.  The six course weekends will cover the areas of "Introduction to Spiritual Formation" and "Diaconal Identity and Ministry."  The focus of the aspirancy year will be on vocation discernment prior to candidacy and formal formation, especially spiritual readiness and pastoral abilities.  If married, the candidate's wife is expected to participate. The current diaconal community (including their wives) will be involved throughout the year. If not previously completed, married aspirants will also participate in a Marriage Encounter weekend with their spouses.  [The year of aspirancy may be completed concurrent with the second year of the Institute of Lay Ministry.]

Formation PeriodThe formal formation period will take place over three years after completion of the year of aspirancy. The format will include:

• Course weekends once a month (Friday evening - Saturday evening) from September through May.
• Two days of reflection with current deacons and wives.

• Annual weekend retreat.
• Practicum assignments in parish and community settings.

The Rites of Candidacy will be conferred at the beginning of 1st year, Lectorate at the beginning of 2nd year and Acolyte at the beginning of 3rd year.

Dimensions of FormationHuman Formation assists the candidate's ongoing growth in the capacity to relate well with others, reflected in a healthy sense of self and demonstrated in affective maturity as a married or celibate person. This will include classes and workshops on human relations, differences in communication between men and women, and maintaining a healthy work environment (including information on sexual harassment and abuse policies).

Spiritual Formation draws the candidate into a deeper relationship with God and others, focused on discovering and sharing in the love of Christ the servant. Regular spiritual direction will be central, aided by spiritual formation, experiences of prayer, faith sharing and reflection, days of reflection, an annual retreat, daily prayer (including the Liturgy of the Hours), spiritual reading, and conferences on marital spirituality and celibacy.

Doctrinal Formation deepens the candidate's understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Faith. Areas studied, as mandated by the Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons, include scripture, Church history, fundamental theology, dogmatic theology, sacraments, Christian morality (including the social doctrine of the Church), spirituality, liturgy, and Canon Law.

Pastoral Formation provides the candidate with the information, experience, and skills needed for his ministries of charity, word, and sacrament through both instruction and practical experience.  Practicums will concentrate on supervised learning in the service of charity and in the areas of catechetical, liturgical, and pastoral care ministries. There will be an annual summer session on critical areas relating to pastoral formation.

Role and Participation of Spouses and Families
Spouse.  If a man seeking diaconate formation is married, the written consent of his wife is essential. She will need to carefully consider the impact of diaconal ministry on herself, and on her marriage and family. Candidates' wives are invited and strongly encouraged to participate as fully as possible in the formation program to grow in their understanding of diaconal ministry. While they may attend the classes simply for personal enrichment, there is also an option to earn a diocesan certificate for their participation. Candidates' wives are invited to reflect more deeply on, and to grow in, their own call to discipleship, and resources and programming specific to their needs will be provided.

Family.  Since the age at which a man may enter formation for the diaconate can, and does, vary so widely it is virtually impossible to construct a program in advance for assisting children to accommodate to their father's new role. Recognizing that parents are the principal teachers of their children, assistance will be given to candidates and their spouses as they work to prepare their children.

Evaluations, Costs, and CompensationEvaluations.  A candidate's progress is measured by tests and evaluations. At the end of each year, the Director of Formation will meet with each candidate to review his progress in formation. A positive recommendation from the director is needed to continue in formation the following year.

Cost and Expense of Formation.  The Diocese of Winona will assume the basic program costs, namely, course fees, registration, room and board (for overnight sessions at designated locations), and other administrative fees. Candidates will be responsible for the costs of textbooks, travel and miscellaneous personal expenses.  [No candidate will be excluded from diaconate formation due to a lack of personal resources.]

Compensation.  In general, permanent deacons are non-salaried, working in their ministries part-time, as their commitments to families and careers permit. Beginning with ordination, all mandated expenses and out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed by the parish or institution of assignment.

Ongoing FormationThe permanent deacon has a right and responsibility for the ongoing development of his spirituality and personal and ministerial skills.  He is expected to take advantage of the resources and programs offered by the Diocese and will receive the same allowance for continuing education as diocesan priests per diocesan policy.  All permanent deacons are expected to make an annual retreat, and regular spiritual direction is highly recommended.

For more information...
Contact the Diocese of Winona -- Office of The Diaconate -- Post Office Box 588 (55 West Sanborn Street) -- Winona, Minnesota 55987 / Phone: (507) 454-4643 / Fax: (507) 454-8106 / E-mail: jgreen@dow.org