Vocations Office, Diocese of St. Cloud

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Cloud



	Deacon Are you being called to walk with Christ & serve His people as a deacon? What is a Permanent Deacon? Deacons are ordained ministers within the Roman Catholic Church who perform various ministries in support of the Church, usually at a parish-level. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served." The Deacon is one of three "orders" of ordained ministers: Bishops, Presbyters (priests), and Deacons. Following the Second Vatican Council, the Permanent Diaconate was restored as an ordained ministry in the Church. In the United States, the Diaconate was restored in 1968 and has grown to almost 15,000 deacons with 2,500 men in formation to become deacons. There are currently 45 permanent deacons serving in a large variety of ministries in the Diocese of St. Cloud. Deacons are best described in Paul's first letter to Timothy: "Deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons... Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and house holds well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. (1 Tim 3:8-13) What are the various ministries of the deacon? All ordained ministers in the Church are called to functions of Word, Sacrament and Charity, yet bishops, presbyters, and deacons exercise these functions in distinct ways. As ministers of the Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach and teach in the name of the Church. As ministers of the Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriagesandconduct wake and funeral services. As ministers of Charity, deacons are leaders in identifying the needs of others, then marshaling the Church's resources tomeet those needs. Deacons are also dedicated to eliminating the injustices or inequities that cause such needs. But no matter what functions a deacon perfors, they flow from his sacramental identity. In other words, it is not only WHAT the deacon does but WHO a deacon IS that is important. Who are the men answering the call to be a deacon? A 45-yr-old man from rural Minnesota, married and the father of four helps out at the parish by distributing Holy Communion at weekend liturgies. He feels moved to serve the Church in a more committed way and is especially interested in assisting the poor, the immigrants and those in need. A 52-yr-old attends a Cursillo, returns to his parish and volunteers to assist at mass as a lector. He helps the pastor in many useful ways and finds he enjoys talking about is faith with the Catechumens and fallen away Catholics. He feels a strong call to give more of his time to the building of God's kingdom. A 40-yr-old man and his spouse of 18 years give freely of their spare time to help the pastor reach out to the young people of their parish. He sees great need for committed people to get involved. He feels called to provide more parish leadership. Who are these men, and what are they experiencing? -- They may be men very much like you! Men who love God, love their faith and feel called to serve in a more committed way. Requirements for potential candidates The requirements for the Program of Formation for Permanent Deacons are: You are 32 years of age or older at this time. You were baptized Catholic or have been received into the Church more than five years ago, and you continue to participate in the sacramental life of the Church. If you are married, your marriage is recognized in the Catholic Church. If you are married, your wife supports your vocation as a deacon. You are involved in your parish: by participating actively at liturgy, in parish-related groups, and/or by serving the poor. You are in good health. You have the ability to study at the Master's degree level and are willing to participate in a program of formation. (An undergraduate degree is not necessarily required.) Are you ready to take the Next Step? If interested in the possibility of becoming a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate: Take the idea to prayer. Discuss *with your family* the implications of diaconal service. Do they agree you should pursue candidacy for the Permanent Diaconate? Discuss the diaconate with your Pastor. Does he agree with you? Then contact the Director of the Diaconate to begin the formal application process. To begin your journey .... contact: Deacon Vern Schmitz Office of Diaconate 305 North 7th Avenue, Suite 100 St. Cloud, MN 56303-3633 320-203-0554 For additional information visit: www.stclouddiocese.org/diaconate

Deacon

Are you being called to walk with Christ & serve His people as a deacon?

What is a Permanent Deacon?

Deacons are ordained ministers within the Roman Catholic Church who perform various ministries in support of the Church, usually at a parish-level. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served."

The Deacon is one of three "orders" of ordained ministers: Bishops, Presbyters (priests), and Deacons. Following the Second Vatican Council, the Permanent Diaconate was restored as an ordained ministry in the Church. In the United States, the Diaconate was restored in 1968 and has grown to almost 15,000 deacons with 2,500 men in formation to become deacons.

There are currently 45 permanent deacons serving in a large variety of ministries in the Diocese of St. Cloud.

Deacons are best described in Paul's first letter to Timothy:

"Deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons... Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and house holds well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. (1 Tim 3:8-13)

What are the various ministries of the deacon?

All ordained ministers in the Church are called to functions of Word, Sacrament and Charity, yet bishops, presbyters, and deacons exercise these functions in distinct ways.

As ministers of the Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach and teach in the name of the Church.

As ministers of the Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriagesandconduct wake and funeral services.

As ministers of Charity, deacons are leaders in identifying the needs of others, then marshaling the Church's resources tomeet those needs. Deacons are also dedicated to eliminating the injustices or inequities that cause such needs. But no matter what functions a deacon perfors, they flow from his sacramental identity. In other words, it is not only WHAT the deacon does but WHO a deacon IS that is important.

Who are the men answering the call to be a deacon?

A 45-yr-old man from rural Minnesota, married and the father of four helps out at the parish by distributing Holy Communion at weekend liturgies. He feels moved to serve the Church in a more committed way and is especially interested in assisting the poor, the immigrants and those in need.

A 52-yr-old attends a Cursillo, returns to his parish and volunteers to assist at mass as a lector. He helps the pastor in many useful ways and finds he enjoys talking about is faith with the Catechumens and fallen away Catholics. He feels a strong call to give more of his time to the building of God's kingdom.

A 40-yr-old man and his spouse of 18 years give freely of their spare time to help the pastor reach out to the young people of their parish. He sees great need for committed people to get involved. He feels called to provide more parish leadership.

Who are these men, and what are they experiencing? -- They may be men very much like you! Men who love God, love their faith and feel called to serve in a more committed way.

Requirements for potential candidates

The requirements for the Program of Formation for Permanent Deacons are:

You are 32 years of age or older at this time.

You were baptized Catholic or have been received into the Church more than five years ago, and you continue to participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

If you are married, your marriage is recognized in the Catholic Church.

If you are married, your wife supports your vocation as a deacon.

You are involved in your parish: by participating actively at liturgy, in parish-related groups, and/or by serving the poor.

You are in good health.

You have the ability to study at the Master's degree level and are willing to participate in a program of formation. (An undergraduate degree is not necessarily required.)

Are you ready to take the Next Step?

If interested in the possibility of becoming a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate:

Take the idea to prayer.

Discuss with your family the implications of diaconal service. Do they agree you should pursue candidacy for the Permanent Diaconate?

Discuss the diaconate with your Pastor. Does he agree with you?

Then contact the Director of the Diaconate to begin the formal application process.

To begin your journey .... contact:

Deacon Vern Schmitz
Office of Diaconate
305 North 7th Avenue, Suite 100
St. Cloud, MN 56303-3633
320-203-0554

For additional information visit:
www.stclouddiocese.org/diaconate