For each deacon, his model par excellence is Jesus Christ, the Servant, who lived totally at the service of his Father, for the good of every person. To live their ministry to the fullest, “deacons must know Christ intimately and so share the burdens of their ministry.”
The Office of the Permanent Diaconate is a diocesan office of the Bishop committed to serving the diverse needs of the diocese, local parishes and their surrounding communities. The primary purpose of this office is to provide support to the deacon’s ministerial life and the proper formation of permanent deacons.
- Support. The office offers guidance to permanent deacons in their ministry of word, liturgy & charity, facilitates parish assignments and appointments, provides assistance and guidance for continuing formation and spiritual growth, supports individual deacons and their families, and encourages and promotes unity with the diaconate community and the priests. The office further provides an approval process for deacons moving into the diocese who apply for faculties and parish assignment.
- Formation. The office plans and supervises the diaconate formation program by assisting parish communities recruit potential candidates, screen & process applications, make recommendations to the Bishop for candidate acceptance, monitors candidates formation, and presents candidates to the Bishop for ordination.
Resources
Norms for Deacons Serving at Mass