Podcasts about permanent diaconate

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the ordination of deacons and the diaconate. Fr. Mike unpacks each of the essential elements of the rite of the ordination of deacons as well as each of the tasks of the deacon. He emphasizes that only a validly ordained bishop can validly confer the sacrament of Holy Orders. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1569-1576. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Deacon Richard Hudzik, Director of Ongoing Formation for the Permanent Diaconate discusses the baptismal call and how to effectively live daily as Priest, Prophet and King.

Archbishop Naumann dialogues with Curtis Keddy, Deacon Candidate and Associate Director of Formation with the Office of Permanent Diaconate about how the Lord called him and the mystery of this Holy Order of service.

The final instalment in what has been an informative and nourishing series (once again) from Maryvale, ending with Dr Harry Schnitker speaking to us about the permanent diaconate, its history, significance in Scripture and the local church as well as sharing his own experience of ministering as a permanent deacon.

How do you keep your marriage from suffering when you work for the Church? Join Archbishop Smith and Deacon Lynn Pion for a conversation about the permanent diaconate, marriage, the experience of presiding over your own child's wedding, the experience of coming to a vocation later in life, and the need for unity in the Church.Links:The Form of a Servant - Permanent Diaconate DocumentaryPermanent Diaconate OfficeWatch us on YouTube Here!andSubscribe to our email list: Upfront Updates Upfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast where our goal is to strengthen the relationship between the hierarchy and the faithful through informal conversations about our Catholic faith. Featuring Archbishop Richard Smith (Archdiocese of Edmonton, AB) and our host Jenny Connelly. Produced by Matthew Bodnarek.

Published: October 19, 2021 The Permanent Diaconate is a vital support to parish ministry. The Church calls men to serve as Ordained Deacons to be a sacramental sign of Christ to the world. Today we meet representative members of the Formation class in the Diocese of Allentown. They talk about the Deacon's ministry, the process of Diaconate Formation, and how it has impacted their lives. Join Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend with guests Fr. Gene Ritz, Deacon Rick Lanciano, Von George, Bo Riley, and Pat Alba for this conversation. Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/kRo5IDgzQ5A Don't miss Changing Our World's FORGING FORWARDDon't miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country who are leading through the COVID-19 crisis. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin's Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin's Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today's Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin's Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Bishop Wack talks with Fr. Joseph Callipare about the history of the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program and his role as Vicar for Deacons and Director of Deacon Formation.

Saturday June 24th 2023, at Light of the World Parish in Littleton, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila welcomes the new deacons with words of advice about staying devoted to the Lord and balancing their new Church duties with their family duties. Join our diocese in praying for our new deacons!

Deacon Candidate Matt Snyder talks about chasing his faith life and how a stranger played a role in his call to the diaconate. He is one of six men who will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on June 29, 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

     Recorded Live from St. John's Cathedral in Boise, ID as Bishop Peter Christensen ordains four men to the role of permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Boise.

Brian Paulson, Sturgis, tells us about growing up Catholic, going through diaconate formation in another diocese, and how Christ has reaffirmed his decision to join the diaconate. He is one of six men who will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on June 29, 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Deacon Candidate GW Ekroth, Gregory, talks about tractor theology and why he feels called to the diaconate. He is one of six men who will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on June 29, 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. All are welcome to attend the Ordination Mass.

Son of the parish Rob Blackburn shares about his upcoming ordination to the Permanent Diaconate and chicken wing flavors you should not try at home.

On the 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time, newly-ordained Deacon Mitch Vicknair delivered his first homily at St. Anthony of Padua. After introducing himself, and poking some fun at his father (Deacon Tom Vicknair, who was serving alongside him at the Mass), Deacon Mitch dove into how the Gospel readings related to his call to the Permanent Diaconate, and how we're all called to serve the Lord! Listen now! Special Guest: Deacon Mitch Vicknair.

The Permanent Diaconate with Deacon Ron Pirau - Faith In Action co-hosts Brigid Ayer and Jim Ganley talk with their guest Deacon Ron Pirau, Director of the Permanent Diaconate at St. Meinrad Seminary. He discusses his journey to the diaconate and how men discern and prepare for this lifetime vocation. For more information the website is https://www.saintmeinrad.edu/permanent-deacons/

Deacon Philip Jackson, director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, shares a reflection for the Solemnity of All Saints which takes please on November 1.

Archbishop Vigneron discusses vocations to the permanent diaconate and religious life, emphasizing the many ways one can be called to ministry in the local Church. 0:25 – Archbishop Vigneron, Mary, and Mike greet each other and catch up on the past month. 1:49 – Mike asks Archbishop Vigneron to share and reflect on some of the themes in the Prayer for the Year of Priestly Vocations—a prayer that is being prayed during every Mass in every parish in the Archdiocese. 3:18 – Mary asks Archbishop to reflect on the Mass he celebrated to begin Respect Life Month and to share a little of what he talked about in his preaching that day. 4:49 – Archbishop, Mike, and Mary discuss Proposal 3 and share details about how listeners can find resources to help defeat this proposal. 6:30 – Mary introduces this month's topic: vocations to the permanent diaconate and religious life. She asks the Archbishop to speak a little bit about the role permanent deacons play in both the universal Church and here in the Archdiocese of Detroit. 8:52 – Mike asks Archbishop to speak about the service component of permanent diaconate ministry and what that looks like in the day-to-day ministry of deacons. 11:42 – Mary asks the Archbishop if he has any specific memories of when, during his 1987 pastoral visit to Detroit, St. John Paul II gave an address to the deacons of the Archdiocese and their wives. 12:10 – Archbishop reflects on how, because of the sacramental economy of marriage, deacons' wives—while not being ordained themselves—do serve an important and integral role in their husbands' ministry. 14:45 – Mary shares that her father is a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese and reflects on the ways in which his ministry blesses their family. 15:17 – Mike asks Archbishop to introduce the topic of religious vocations. 17:57 – Mike asks Archbishop those discerning a vocation, especially a vocation to the priesthood, can discern between a call to the diocesan priesthood versus the religious priesthood. He also asks whether Archbishop ever felt a call to the religious priesthood. 20:54 – Mary asks Archbishop to describe the difference between a religious brother and a religious priest as well as between religious sisters and nuns. 23:18 – Mary asks about the steps involved in a religious order coming into a diocese to engage in ministry. Mike follows up with a question about religious orders that have come to the Archdiocese of Detroit during Archbishop Vigneron's time as Archbishop of Detroit. 28:47 – Archbishop reflects on the ways in which the presence of religious orders bless a diocese. 30:31 – Mike asks Archbishop to share a little about the October 2 ordination of three new permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Detroit. 33:24 – Archbishop shares a little of the message he shares with the religious of the Archdiocese during their annual jubilee Mass and celebration. 35:33 – Archbishop offers some advice on how the faithful can support vocations—to the priesthood, permanent diaconate, and religious life. 38:45 – The episode concludes with a prayer and blessing.

Vocation Ministry Launches First “Deacon Sunday” to Raise Awareness and Affirmation to the Permanent Diaconate

In this episode, I discuss some of my thoughts on the liturgical reforms which were promulgated in the Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council. This includes what I think was wrong about said reforms, and also what was correct. Subjects such as Latin, Liturgical Readings, the Permanent Diaconate, lay involvement in the liturgy, etc. are all mentioned in this episode. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/parker-zurbuch6/support

On today's programme, we explore the role of the Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, in conversation with Graeme Easton, a parishioner of St Columba's church in Port Erin. On Saturday 23 July in St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Hill Street, Douglas, Graeme will be ordained as a Permanent Deacon, by Bishop Tom Williams, an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, of which the Catholic Churches on the Island form a part. Graeme talks about the selection process, his training, and his future role in Church life on the Island. Along the way, he dispels some of the misunderstandings about what a deacon is - and what he is not! There's a warm welcome for all to come to share in Graeme's ordination Mass on Saturday 23rd at 5pm - it's in St Mary's Catholic Church on Hill Street, Douglas and music will be provided by Rushen Silver Band. And if you're interested in learning more about becoming a Permanent Deacon, there's a MEN'S INFORMATION MORNING next Saturday, 23rd July, in St Anthony's Parochial Centre, Onchan from 11am to 1pm, when Director of the Permanent Diaconate, Canon Chris Fallon, and his team, will be making a presentation on the role of the deacon, and answering any questions. There's no need to reserve a place - just come along - and wives are most welcome too. We've another packed notice board, with details of services, concerts and summer fairs for you to enjoy - and our very own wellbeing warrior, Ruth Rice, founder of the charity Renew Wellbeing, pops in to share another letter from her A to Z of things she's found to be good for her emotional and physical health. Today Ruth says .... Just Do It!! And of course there's music, too .... News for the notice board is always welcome - email me - judithley@manxradio.com

The Permanent Diaconate is a vital support to parish ministry. The Church calls men to serve as Ordained Deacons to The post 105. The Ministry of the Permanent Diaconate appeared first on Advancing Our Church .

Bishop Parkes speaks on the permanent diaconate.

On this weeks podcast, we dig into the archive to a broadcast from June 2012 with Br Martin Browne OSB. We dug it out from the archive following Bishop Brendan Leahy's announcement that the 2016 Synod proposal to institute the permanent diaconate in Limerick diocese will be implemented.  As well as this interview, we have our regular notices including Saints of the Week, papal prayer intentions for the month of October and of course our reflection on the weekly gospel (Mark 10:2-16)************ Br Martin Brown OSB joined us on the programme to discuss the restoration of the permanent diaconate to the Irish diocesan church fifty years after Pope Paul VI restored it to the universal church at the Second Vatican Council.The diaconate is seen as the public manifestation of the servant nature of the church. Deacons are ordained ministers of the church who also serve in a liturgical function."The restoration of the ministry of permanent deacons is somehow looked on in terms of what the deacon can or cannot do compared with the priest and ministry of the deacon is looked on as some sort of second-class ministry. People who speak or write in this framework fail to understand the deaconate and fail to understand ministry. The order of deacons is not just about doing things; it is a call to be configured in a special way to Jesus who serves and to represent in a special way in the life of the Church Jesus who serves." - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin The Acts of the Apostles describes how, in the first century, the Church was faced with the challenge of responding to the needs of those who were at risk of being marginalised, either through culture or through material poverty. Keeping in mind the example of Jesus, the Apostles selected and ordained a number of men specifically for this service. For a number of centuries, deacons ministered in close co-operation with the bishops of the Church, assisting at the Eucharist, preaching the Gospel, and exercising a ministry of charity. Gradually, in the Western Church, the functions of deacons were absorbed into the ministry of the priest, and the diaconate became a transitional order, for those on the way to priesthood. The Second Vatican Council envisaged a renewal of ministry, both lay and ordained, in the Church. The Council's Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, explains that the lay faithful, by virtue of their Baptism, are commissioned to an active apostolate and insists that “every opportunity be given them so that, according to their abilities and the needs of the times, they may zealously participate in the saving work of the Church. The Second Vatican Council also proposed the restoration of the diaconate as a “distinct ministry of service” to be exercised “in communion with the bishop and his group of priests”.Many of the functions which deacons perform can also be carried out by members of the lay faithful. The restoration of the diaconate is not intended in any sense to change that situation. The idea is that some of those who already exercise these functions would be “strengthened with the grace of diaconal ordination” and in that way would be designated to be a visible public sign of the Christ the Servant in the community of the Church. Deacons are ordained to service, to charity and to proclaim  the Word.Other links and information on the permanent diaconate:Permanent Diaconate page at the Irish Episcopal ConferenceCatholic Deacon The Permanent Diaconate - National Directory and Norms for Ireland

On this weeks podcast, we dig into the archive to a broadcast from June 2012 with Br Martin Browne OSB. We dug it out from the archive following Bishop Brendan Leahy's announcement that the 2016 Synod proposal to institute the permanent diaconate in Limerick diocese will be implemented. ************Br Martin Brown OSB joined us on the programme to discuss the restoration of the permanent diaconate to the Irish diocesan church fifty years after Pope Paul VI restored it to the universal church at the Second Vatican Council.The diaconate is seen as the public manifestation of the servant nature of the church. Deacons are ordained ministers of the church who also serve in a liturgical function."The restoration of the ministry of permanent deacons is somehow looked on in terms of what the deacon can or cannot do compared with the priest and ministry of the deacon is looked on as some sort of second-class ministry. People who speak or write in this framework fail to understand the deaconate and fail to understand ministry. The order of deacons is not just about doing things; it is a call to be configured in a special way to Jesus who serves and to represent in a special way in the life of the Church Jesus who serves." - Archbishop Diarmuid MartinThe Acts of the Apostles describes how, in the first century, the Church was faced with the challenge of responding to the needs of those who were at risk of being marginalised, either through culture or through material poverty. Keeping in mind the example of Jesus, the Apostles selected and ordained a number of men specifically for this service. For a number of centuries, deacons ministered in close co-operation with the bishops of the Church, assisting at the Eucharist, preaching the Gospel, and exercising a ministry of charity. Gradually, in the Western Church, the functions of deacons were absorbed into the ministry of the priest, and the diaconate became a transitional order, for those on the way to priesthood. The Second Vatican Council envisaged a renewal of ministry, both lay and ordained, in the Church. The Council's Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, explains that the lay faithful, by virtue of their Baptism, are commissioned to an active apostolate and insists that “every opportunity be given them so that, according to their abilities and the needs of the times, they may zealously participate in the saving work of the Church. The Second Vatican Council also proposed the restoration of the diaconate as a “distinct ministry of service” to be exercised “in communion with the bishop and his group of priests”.Many of the functions which deacons perform can also be carried out by members of the lay faithful. The restoration of the diaconate is not intended in any sense to change that situation. The idea is that some of those who already exercise these functions would be “strengthened with the grace of diaconal ordination” and in that way would be designated to be a visible public sign of the Christ the Servant in the community of the Church. Deacons are ordained to service, to charity and to proclaim  the Word.Other links and information on the permanent diaconate:Permanent Diaconate page at the Irish Episcopal ConferenceCatholic Deacon The Permanent Diaconate - National Directory and Norms for Ireland

Q&A with Fr. Mark discussing vocations and the Permanent Diaconate with Deacon Aspirants Michael Gallagher and Mario Butzner, and Deacon Candidate RIchard Denoix.

Archbishop Naumann dialogues with Leon Suprenant, co-director of the The Office of the Permanent Diaconate and Deacon Tom Mulvenon about a new cohort opening up for Catholic men to discern a vocation to be a deacon. The Office of the Permanent Diaconate is offering a series of Information Nights this fall at the following locations: Wednesday, September 1, Savior Pastoral Center in KCK (Spanish Interpreter) Monday, September 13, Christ the King in Topeka (ASL Interpreter) Thursday, September 23, Holy Cross in Overland Park (Spanish Interpreter) Tuesday, September 28, Immaculate Conception in Leavenworth Tuesday, October 12, Savior Pastoral Center in KCK All information nights begin at 7:00 p.m.  

In Episode 20 we talk with Deacon Edgar and Leticia Hilbert. Deacon Edgar primarily serves during the Spanish Mass at 12:00 pm on Sundays. He also administers our Cathedral Front Door Ministry. Nowadays at the Cathedral, being a deacon is a family affair. We chat about how they met, going back and forth from California and Mexico, and how they ended up in the Permanent Diaconate. Let's Talk Parish is co-produced by Rex Rallanka, Titi Kila, and Chris Jensen. The theme music is “Live and Be Happy” by Valentina Gribanova. Our host is Chris Jensen. If you would like to call us and leave a comment or a suggestion, the phone # to leave a message is 916.545.5376. Please subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. A special thanks goes to the Very Reverend, Father Michael O'Reilly, Rector of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. The Cathedral appreciates your financial support. Please consider giving online as we continue our ministry via the Internet. Click https://secure.etransfer.com/CathBles... to donate.

On this episode of Catholic Forum, after news from The Dialog, and a musical selection - appropriate for the Feast of the Assumption weekend - from the Catholic Treasures CD, we will share highlights, including Bishop William Koenig's homily, from the August 7, 2021 ordination of 15 men as permanent deacons. 

This is just our second episode of the year - yes you read that right - just our second show this year. I will explain that and then catch everyone up on my journey of formation and discernment for the Permanent Diaconate in the Catholic Church. Following that we will talk extensively about Windows 11 and the first Windows Insider Preview release and then cover some highlights on the new space race that has recently pulled in the headlines.

Send Show feedback, prayer intentions, suggestions and comments to strangecatholicspod@gmail.com Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Episodes are less edited and you can see us! YouTube Episodes drop on Thursdays We discuss some listener feedback from Episode 15 https://www.pewforum.org/fact-sheet/public-opinion-on-abortion/ Main Topic: The Permanent Diaconate What is a permanent Deacon in the Latin Church? From Pope saint John Paul II address on the Jubilee year - https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/2000/jan-mar/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20000219_jubilee-deacons.html Dear deacons, perhaps some of you are tired because of the burden of your duties, because of frustration due to unsuccessful apostolic projects, because many misunderstand you. Do not lose heart! Throw yourselves into Christ's arms: he will refresh you. May this be your Jubilee: a pilgrimage of conversion to Jesus. 4. Faithful to Christ in all things, dear deacons, you will also be faithful to the various ministries the Church entrusts to you. How valuable is your service to the Word and to catechesis! And what can we say of the diakonia of the Eucharist, which brings you into direct contact with the altar of sacrifice in your liturgical service? https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=789 https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1994/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_19940522_ordinatio-sacerdotalis.html Saint Spotlight: Saint Aloysius Gonzaga https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloysius_Gonzaga https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-aloysius-gonzaga https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-voices/16th-and-17th-century-ignatian-voices/st-aloysius-gonzaga-sj/ https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=15 https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01331c.htm https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-aloysius-gonzaga-512 https://catholicsaints.info/saint-aloysius-gonzaga/ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Aloysius-Gonzaga Send Show feedback, prayer intentions, suggestions and comments to strangecatholicspod@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/strangecatholics/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/strangecatholics/support

New Associate Director of the Permanent Diaconate Deacon Chris Beltowski talks about his discernment, his new role, and the ministry of the diaconate. Show notes: (0:30) Emily and Fr. Patrick catch up on what’s been going on in their lives, the lovely weather we’re having, and their experiences this Holy Week and Easter season. (4:47) Emily introduces this week’s guest, Deacon Chris Beltowski, who talks briefly about his family: his wife of 25 years, their four daughters, and his first grandson. (7:28) Dcn. Chris shares what his life was like before really encountering Christ. He talks about growing up at St. Mary’s in Royal Oak and just going to Mass out of obligation, and the conversion he felt toward Christ while teaching a fifth grade religious education class in his twenties. He mentions the role his wife played in his journey toward Jesus, as well. (10:47) Fr. Patrick asks Dcn. Chris about his diaconate discernment, and Dcn. Chris talks about the role his marriage played in this discernment and how he felt the urge to be more actively living out the faith after encountering Theology of the Body. He shares some of his experiences as he began discerning and his early studies at the seminary. (14:54) Dcn. Chris reflects more on the importance of family in his diaconate ministry — and in his life as a disciple in general. He shares particularly about his experiences with Natural Family Planning and the commitment and trust that displays to God. He shares, too, about the family’s commitment to praying together in a variety of ways. (18:42) Dcn. Chris talks more in-depth about some of his first active ministry opportunities like prison ministry and St. Vincent DePaul, as well as about his ministry as a deacon specifically. He share some stories from street ministry where he has seen the Gospel lived out before his eyes. (24:23) Emily asks how Dcn. Chris can share his own encounter with others through his work as a deacon, and he shares that he just tries to remain open to where the Lord is asking him to go. He gives a few examples of this practice and how it has yielded fruit in his life and ministry. (27:37) Dcn. Chris introduces his new position as the Associate Director for the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Fr. Patrick is reminded of the love and fear of the Lord Dcn. Chris saw in his parents and he reflects on this fear as wonder and awe, sharing that he observes this same wonder in Dcn. Chris as he describes his diaconal ministry. (30:26) Fr. Patrick and Dcn. Chris reflect on Dcn. Chris’s predecessor, Dcn. Kevin Breen, and what a foundation he laid for the ministry of deacons in our archdiocese during his tenure as Diaconate Director. Dcn. Chris also shares testimony about Dcn. Breen’s embodiment of the joyful mission we’re called to. He then discusses his vision for the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Detroit and what a band of joyful missionary disciples truly is. Fr. Patrick and Emily, too, reflect on the signs and wonders that come from God when we preach the kerygma. (39:08) Dcn. Chris shares what thoughts he would give men who are discerning the diaconate, urging families to ask their kids what God wants them to be, and imparting the importance that one’s vocation comes from God. (43:00) Dcn. Chris closes in prayer. Links from this episode: Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Detroit (https://www.aod.org/permanent-diaconate) Theology of the Body, Christopher West (http://www.theologyofthebody.net/) Natural Family Planning (www.aod.org/nfp)

New Associate Director of the Permanent Diaconate Deacon Chris Beltowski talks about his discernment, his new role, and the ministry of the diaconate. Show notes: (0:30) Emily and Fr. Patrick catch up on what’s been going on in their lives, the lovely weather we’re having, and their experiences this Holy Week and Easter season. (4:47) Emily introduces this week’s guest, Deacon Chris Beltowski, who talks briefly about his family: his wife of 25 years, their four daughters, and his first grandson. (7:28) Dcn. Chris shares what his life was like before really encountering Christ. He talks about growing up at St. Mary’s in Royal Oak and just going to Mass out of obligation, and the conversion he felt toward Christ while teaching a fifth grade religious education class in his twenties. He mentions the role his wife played in his journey toward Jesus, as well. (10:47) Fr. Patrick asks Dcn. Chris about his diaconate discernment, and Dcn. Chris talks about the role his marriage played in this discernment and how he felt the urge to be more actively living out the faith after encountering Theology of the Body. He shares some of his experiences as he began discerning and his early studies at the seminary. (14:54) Dcn. Chris reflects more on the importance of family in his diaconate ministry — and in his life as a disciple in general. He shares particularly about his experiences with Natural Family Planning and the commitment and trust that displays to God. He shares, too, about the family’s commitment to praying together in a variety of ways. (18:42) Dcn. Chris talks more in-depth about some of his first active ministry opportunities like prison ministry and St. Vincent DePaul, as well as about his ministry as a deacon specifically. He share some stories from street ministry where he has seen the Gospel lived out before his eyes. (24:23) Emily asks how Dcn. Chris can share his own encounter with others through his work as a deacon, and he shares that he just tries to remain open to where the Lord is asking him to go. He gives a few examples of this practice and how it has yielded fruit in his life and ministry. (27:37) Dcn. Chris introduces his new position as the Associate Director for the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Fr. Patrick is reminded of the love and fear of the Lord Dcn. Chris saw in his parents and he reflects on this fear as wonder and awe, sharing that he observes this same wonder in Dcn. Chris as he describes his diaconal ministry. (30:26) Fr. Patrick and Dcn. Chris reflect on Dcn. Chris’s predecessor, Dcn. Kevin Breen, and what a foundation he laid for the ministry of deacons in our archdiocese during his tenure as Diaconate Director. Dcn. Chris also shares testimony about Dcn. Breen’s embodiment of the joyful mission we’re called to. He then discusses his vision for the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Detroit and what a band of joyful missionary disciples truly is. Fr. Patrick and Emily, too, reflect on the signs and wonders that come from God when we preach the kerygma. (39:08) Dcn. Chris shares what thoughts he would give men who are discerning the diaconate, urging families to ask their kids what God wants them to be, and imparting the importance that one’s vocation comes from God. (43:00) Dcn. Chris closes in prayer. Links from this episode: Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Detroit (https://www.aod.org/permanent-diaconate) Theology of the Body, Christopher West (http://www.theologyofthebody.net/) Natural Family Planning (www.aod.org/nfp)

Deacon Phillip Jackson, Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, talks about the unique flavors of the African-American Catholic experience. If you are interested in learning more about our M.A. in Faith and Culture, which is now online as well as on campus, please email cfc@stthom.edu You can also check out these social media pages: Our website A video that was made about the CFC Our Twitterpage Our Facebookpage Our Instagram page

The post 11/07/2020-2020 Permanent Diaconate Ordination appeared first on St Gabriel Catholic Radio.

He recently directed a Catholic men's conference in Texas and is currently studying for candidacy for a Permanent Diaconate program in his Diocese. On the sports side, he spent many years in athletic training, both with college teams as well as the then NFL Houston Oilers.

In this show we open with a discussion about the return of the Gateway computer brand selling Windows and Android devices in Walmart. In the faith section, classes have begun for year two and I share some details about what the Rite of Candidacy Mass signifies in our formation process towards the Permanent Diaconate. In tech we begin with a full review of the last week for updates and new builds for Windows and Edge Insiders as we get closer to the release of Windows 10 Version 20H2 in the next month or so. The big news in tech is all about the release and reviews of Surface Duo which are high on the hardware but frustrated with the software. No surprises around a first-generation device. Then I talk about the unexpected announcements around Xbox Series S and some other related news after a video of the device including its pricing and release date was leaked. The response by the Xbox team was stellar though and grabbed a lot of solid attention. Under the space banner we have NASA moon dirt news, a ULA Delta IV Heavy launch date, and a failed launch for a small upcoming launch provider.

In this show we open with a discussion about the return of the Gateway computer brand selling Windows and Android devices in Walmart. In the faith section, classes have begun for year two and I share some details about what the Rite of Candidacy Mass signifies in our formation process towards the Permanent Diaconate. In tech we begin with a full review of the last week for updates and new builds for Windows and Edge Insiders as we get closer to the release of Windows 10 Version 20H2 in the next month or so. The big news in tech is all about the release and reviews of Surface Duo which are high on the hardware but frustrated with the software. No surprises around a first-generation device. Then I talk about the unexpected announcements around Xbox Series S and some other related news after a video of the device including its pricing and release date was leaked. The response by the Xbox team was stellar though and grabbed a lot of solid attention. Under the space banner we have NASA moon dirt news, a ULA Delta IV Heavy launch date, and a failed launch for a small upcoming launch provider.

Fr. Andrew and Curtis Keddy discuss Permanent Deacons (aka Mystadogs) with their guest Leon Suprenant, the Co-Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

Deacons have always been a mystery to me – they are married and sometimes have secular jobs outside of their work in the parish but they also help out with a lot of church duties, and even give homilies. Are they closer to lay people or consecrated religious? This episode is the second of my vocational series, where I ask my guests to pick a song relating to their vocational discernment and to answer these seven simple questions: 1. Please introduce yourself and how we got to know each other. 2. Explain your song of choice and how it relates to your discernment. 3. Please explain your vocation in general and what it means to you. 4. How did you discern your vocation in general? Were there any challenges? 5. Why did you pursue your vocation with this diocese/order/person in particular? 6. How has your faith changed since entering this vocation? 7. If you could advise your 18-year-old self about your vocation, what would you say? Listen to me chat with Deacon Mark Neugebauer, whose epic faith journey has included stops at Conservative Judaism, Messianic Judaism, and Evangelical Protestantism on his way home in the Catholic Church. He is currently the Deacon at Blessed Trinity Parish in the Archdiocese of Toronto and formerly worked as an elementary school teacher before being recommended by his parish to become a permanent deacon. The song you heard in the intro was “Wayfaring Stranger”, by The Quebe Sisters and the song Deacon Mark picked was the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” (I picked the version by Anthem Lights). If you have any friends and family that you think would like this podcast, please share wherever you listen to your podcasts! You can drop a comment or question for me to answer in a future episode at theholycatholicbrew@gmail.com. Deacons have always been a mystery to me – they are married and sometimes have secular jobs outside of their work in the parish but they also help out with a lot of church duties, and even give homilies. Are they closer to lay people or consecrated religious? This episode is the second of my vocational series, where I ask my guests to pick a song relating to their vocational discernment and to answer these seven simple questions: 1. Please introduce yourself and how we got to know each other. 2. Explain your song of choice and how it relates to your discernment. 3. Please explain your vocation in general and what it means to you. 4. How did you discern your vocation in general? Were there any challenges? 5. Why did you pursue your vocation with this diocese/order/person in particular? 6. How has your faith changed since entering this vocation? 7. If you could advise your 18-year-old self about your vocation, what would you say? Listen to me chat with Deacon Mark Neugebauer, whose epic faith journey has included stops at Conservative Judaism, Messianic Judaism, and Evangelical Protestantism on his way home in the Catholic Church. He is currently the Deacon at Blessed Trinity Parish in the Archdiocese of Toronto and formerly worked as an elementary school teacher before being recommended by his parish to become a permanent deacon. The song you heard in the intro was “Wayfaring Stranger”, by The Quebe Sisters and the song Deacon Mark picked was the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” (I picked the version by Anthem Lights). If you have any friends and family that you think would like this podcast, please share wherever you listen to your podcasts! You can drop a comment or question for me to answer in a future episode at theholycatholicbrew@gmail.com.

Deacons have always been a mystery to me – they are married and sometimes have secular jobs outside of their work in the parish but they also help out with a lot of church duties, and even give homilies. Are they closer to lay people or consecrated religious? This episode is the second of my vocational series, where I ask my guests to pick a song relating to their vocational discernment and to answer these seven simple questions: 1. Please introduce yourself and how we got to know each other. 2. Explain your song of choice and how it relates to your discernment. 3. Please explain your vocation in general and what it means to you. 4. How did you discern your vocation in general? Were there any challenges? 5. Why did you pursue your vocation with this diocese/order/person in particular? 6. How has your faith changed since entering this vocation? 7. If you could advise your 18-year-old self about your vocation, what would you say? Listen to me chat with Deacon Mark Neugebauer, whose epic faith journey has included stops at Conservative Judaism, Messianic Judaism, and Evangelical Protestantism on his way home in the Catholic Church. He is currently the Deacon at Blessed Trinity Parish in the Archdiocese of Toronto and formerly worked as an elementary school teacher before being recommended by his parish to become a permanent deacon. The song you heard in the intro was “Wayfaring Stranger”, by The Quebe Sisters and the song Deacon Mark picked was the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” (I picked the version by Anthem Lights). If you have any friends and family that you think would like this podcast, please share wherever you listen to your podcasts! You can drop a comment or question for me to answer in a future episode at theholycatholicbrew@gmail.com. Deacons have always been a mystery to me – they are married and sometimes have secular jobs outside of their work in the parish but they also help out with a lot of church duties, and even give homilies. Are they closer to lay people or consecrated religious? This episode is the second of my vocational series, where I ask my guests to pick a song relating to their vocational discernment and to answer these seven simple questions: 1. Please introduce yourself and how we got to know each other. 2. Explain your song of choice and how it relates to your discernment. 3. Please explain your vocation in general and what it means to you. 4. How did you discern your vocation in general? Were there any challenges? 5. Why did you pursue your vocation with this diocese/order/person in particular? 6. How has your faith changed since entering this vocation? 7. If you could advise your 18-year-old self about your vocation, what would you say? Listen to me chat with Deacon Mark Neugebauer, whose epic faith journey has included stops at Conservative Judaism, Messianic Judaism, and Evangelical Protestantism on his way home in the Catholic Church. He is currently the Deacon at Blessed Trinity Parish in the Archdiocese of Toronto and formerly worked as an elementary school teacher before being recommended by his parish to become a permanent deacon. The song you heard in the intro was “Wayfaring Stranger”, by The Quebe Sisters and the song Deacon Mark picked was the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” (I picked the version by Anthem Lights). If you have any friends and family that you think would like this podcast, please share wherever you listen to your podcasts! You can drop a comment or question for me to answer in a future episode at theholycatholicbrew@gmail.com.

Role of Law Award Citation The Reverend Monsignor John J. M. Foster  At every annual convention since 1973, the Canon Law Society of America has recognized one of its members with the Role of Law Award, the Society's highest honor. The Board of Governors selects the recipient based on his or her (1) embodiment of pastoral attitude, (2) commitment to research and study, (3) participation in the development of law, (4) a response to needs or practical assistance, and (5) facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and with other groups.  This year's recipient was born and raised in the upper Midwest, attending public schools until the third grade and then switching to Catholic schools through the completion of college. Our honoree was both a high school valedictorian and college valedictorian. Discerning that he was not called to the priesthood, our colleague became a National Defense Education Fellow in the counseling psychology program at Colorado State University. As a fellow, he interned at the VA hospital in Palo Alto, California before earning both masters and doctoral degrees in psychology.  Following the completion of his training in psychology, tonight's honoree served as an assistant professor of psychology and director of the Counseling Center at Clarke College before moving to Loras College, where he rose to be an associate professor of psychology and education and Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students. His résumé in the field of psychology highlights his chairmanship of the Iowa Board of Psychology from 1984 through 1990 and again in 2008 and his service as vice president and president of the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards and the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. In 1995, our honoree served as the general secretary of the First International Conference on Licensure, Certification, and Credentialing of Psychologists in New Orleans. Named a fellow of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards in 1993, he received the Association's Morton Berger Award in 1996.  Taking the Divine Master at his word to place his talents at the service of the Church, the recipient of this year's Role of Law Award started his studies for the JCL at the Catholic University of America in 1994. He sat directly behind me in class during the two summers we studied together. In fact, our honoree was the first person I ever heard use the term 1095—as if he knew what he was talking about. Come to find out, he did!  Graduating from CUA in 1998 with a licentiate in canon law, our colleague has served this Society as the chair of the Marriage Research Committee, on the Board of Governors as secretary and consultor, and on tribunal review teams. He has used his education, training, and experience in psychology in numerous presentations at national and regional canon law meetings; as an advocate, promoter of justice, and judge in penal cases; and as a peritus, assessor, and judge in marriage cases. His publications in both psychology and canon law are numerous.  In 1979, tonight's honoree was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Since then, he has served as the assistant director and director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate in Dubuque. At the national level, he has served as the treasurer and secretary of the National Association of Diaconate Directors.  For the first time, the Role of Law Award is presented to a permanent deacon—and a most worthy one at that. Please join me in congratulating Deacon Gerald Jorgensen.

ROLE OF LAW AWARD CITATION The Reverend Monsignor John J. M. Foster At every annual convention since 1973, the Canon Law Society of America has recognized one of its members with the Role of Law Award, the Society's highest honor. The Board of Governors selects the recipient based on his or her (1) embodiment of pastoral attitude, (2) commitment to research and study, (3) participation in the development of law, (4) a response to needs or practical assistance, and (5) facilitation of dialogue and the interchange of ideas within the Society and with other groups. This year's recipient was born and raised in the upper Midwest, attending public schools until the third grade and then switching to Catholic schools through the completion of college. Our honoree was both a high school valedictorian and college valedictorian. Discerning that he was not called to the priesthood, our colleague became a National Defense Education Fellow in the counseling psychology program at Colorado State University. As a fellow, he interned at the VA hospital in Palo Alto, California before earning both masters and doctoral degrees in psychology. Following the completion of his training in psychology, tonight's honoree served as an assistant professor of psychology and director of the Counseling Center at Clarke College before moving to Loras College, where he rose to be an associate professor of psychology and education and Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students. His résumé in the field of psychology highlights his chairmanship of the Iowa Board of Psychology from 1984 through 1990 and again in 2008 and his service as vice president and president of the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards and the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. In 1995, our honoree served as the general secretary of the First International Conference on Licensure, Certification, and Credentialing of Psychologists in New Orleans. Named a fellow of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards in 1993, he received the Association's Morton Berger Award in 1996. Taking the Divine Master at his word to place his talents at the service of the Church, the recipient of this year's Role of Law Award started his studies for the JCL at the Catholic University of America in 1994. He sat directly behind me in class during the two summers we studied together. In fact, our honoree was the first person I ever heard use the term 1095—as if he knew what he was talking about. Come to find out, he did! Graduating from CUA in 1998 with a licentiate in canon law, our colleague has served this Society as the chair of the Marriage Research Committee, on the Board of Governors as secretary and consultor, and on tribunal review teams. He has used his education, training, and experience in psychology in numerous presentations at national and regional canon law meetings; as an advocate, promoter of justice, and judge in penal cases; and as a peritus, assessor, and judge in marriage cases. His publications in both psychology and canon law are numerous. In 1979, tonight's honoree was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Since then, he has served as the assistant director and director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate in Dubuque. At the national level, he has served as the treasurer and secretary of the National Association of Diaconate Directors. For the first time, the Role of Law Award is presented to a permanent deacon—and a most worthy one at that. Please join me in congratulating Deacon Gerald Jorgensen.

In this episode of our new podcast, we talk about my current class list in my formation for the Permanent Diaconate, the latest news for #WindowsInsiders and #EdgeInsiders, tech headlines from software, services, and social media. We wrap up the show with some news for SpaceX and Boeing as they continue their march towards launching astronauts from the Space Coast of Florida. Lots of flight test happening in the next few months. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of our new podcast, we talk about my current class list in my formation for the Permanent Diaconate, the latest news for #WindowsInsiders and #EdgeInsiders, tech headlines from software, services, and social media. We wrap up the show with some news for SpaceX and Boeing as they continue their march towards launching astronauts from the Space Coast of Florida. Lots of flight test happening in the next few months. Thanks for listening!

Archdiocese of Portland The post Episode 140: The Permanent Diaconate appeared first on Mater Dei Radio.

Archdiocese of Portland The post Episode 140: The Permanent Diaconate appeared first on Mater Dei Radio.

Join Deacon Dave Camous and Deacon Joe Gassman, as they chat on the history and importance of the Permanent Diaconate. Come on in, we’re open!

At All Souls we cherish and seek to build informed Christians.  This is evidenced by the many lay people in our congregation more than able to bring a message on Sunday morning.  This message is offered by a member of the Permanent Diaconate of the church.  Mr. Louis O. House, IV.  Louis O. “Skip” House, IV  initially set out to become a minister, studying for a year and a half at Yale Divinity School in New Haven CT and working for a year as Associate in Youth Ministry at the Cleveland Park Congregational Church in Washington, D.C. before changing his career direction.

Homily given at the 9:00 am Mass on Sunday, May 26, 2019, the 6th Sunday of Easter, by Dcn. Pete Hansen, Christ the King Catholic Church. Dcn. Pete, newly ordained to the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Lansing on May 18, recounts the story of his vocation to the diaconate. Keywords: vocation, formation, discipleship, availability

Rachel and Jason continue to build on the vocations that they have been called to by following up the marriage and parenting with their pursuit of a vocation within their vocation – the permanent diaconate.

Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they welcome John Sablan, founder of World Ablaze, Inc. and popular Catholic speaker and evangelist, to the program to discuss his personal conversion story.

On August 8, 2017, host Gene Wilhelm interviewed Dcn. Marty Flynn of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Palestine, Texas. Dcn. Flynn spoke with Gene about his vocation to the permanent diaconate and how that flowed out of his many years of work in youth ministry with his wife. Their story of faithful trust in God's plan for their lives is salutary for all of us and reminds us to put ourselves under the care of God no matter what. Enjoy the show, like RED-C Catholic Radio on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter at @REDCRadio. And remember, when choosing between the values of heaven and the values of earth, always round up!

Brett coordinates the Permanent Diaconate Program for the Archdiocese of Regina and Eric is currently in formation for the Permanent Diaconate. This topic was a 'no brainer' for both of us! We'll look at the history of the Permanent Diaconate and the role of Permanent Deacons in the Church and in the world. We'll also hear about Eric's experiences in discerning his own call to the Permanent Diaconate and what the formation process has been like so far. Next time your friend asks what a Deacon is, you'll know just what to say!

Father Lawrence Frizzell interviews Msgr. John A. Radano, Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology at Seton Hall University, about the important role of the Permanent Diaconate in the Catholic Church.

Today's topics: Preparing for the Permanent Diaconate Summary of today's show: The preparation for the permanent diaconate is long process involving discernment of a vocation, years of education and formation in the Catholic faith, and a culmination in ordination to Holy Orders. Mike Curren, Fran Burke and Franklin Mejia are three of the men preparing to become deacons in September and they join Scot Landry to discuss their individual calls to ordination, their discernment along with their families, and the commitment they make to the Church on top of their commitments to family and careers. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry Today's guest(s): Mike Curren, Fran Burke, and Franklin Mejia Links from today's show:

Summary of today's show: Scot Landry, Susan Abbott, Fr. Roger Landry, and Gregory Tracy discussed the news headlines of the week, including the installation of the new rector for St. John Seminary; the ordination of 10 men as permanent deacons, including the first from the Brazilian community; insight from Mother Teresa's close friend; Cardinal Seán's op-ed on assisted suicide; and humor and joy in the New Evangelization. Listen to the show: Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Susan Abbott Today's guest(s): Gregory Tracy, managing editor of the Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Roger Landry, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Fall River Links from today's show: Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot's and The Anchor's websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. Today's topics: New seminary rector; New permanent deacons; Mother Teresa; Suicide is Always a Tragedy 1st segment: Scot Landry welcomed everyone to the show. He told Susan Abbott that today is the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul, who is one of his favorite saints. Scot welcomed Fr. Roger Landry and Gregory Tracy back to the show. Scot asked Fr. Roger about his pilgrimages to Spain and Lourdes, France. He said he started ith a visit to friends, then went to Fatima, Portugal, then to Spain for a priests' retreat, then to Lourdes. He also visited several shrines of martyrs and saints and dedicated to Mary. His retreat helped him to prepare for the Year of Faith. He was with 28 Spanish priests on the retreat. Scot asked what is was like to now visit Lourdes as pastor of St. Bernadette Parish. He said that he prayed for a blessing on his new mission and his parishioners. Fr. Roger said he contemplated anew St. Bernadette's example of praying the Sign of the Cross, not simply making the Sign of the Cross before beginning prayer. Turning to local news, Msgr. James Moroney was installed as the 20th rector of St. James Seminary. Scot noted that he was the first rector who is a diocesan priest not of the Archdiocese of Boston. He also has a worldwide reputation as an expert in the Liturgy. Greg noted that Msgr. Moroney was instrumental in the new translation of the Roman Missal. He noted that the monsignor began his work in July and only now have they had the installation after the academic year has begun and on the family day in which many of the seminarians' families were present. Scot said Msgr. Moroney is a wonderful homilist. Susan noted that the Cardinal said he was impressed by the monsignor's joy and love of the priesthood. Some of you began God's holy work of forming priests … in other holy houses … where mothers and fathers taught sons how to make the sign of the cross … how to love as Jesus first loved them,“ he said. ”Some of you are their pastors and priests. You so moved them by the dedication of your lives that these men wanted to be just like you. You inspired them to become other Christs… Some of you are their bishops who have confided them to the care of this venerable seminary,“ he said. ”Here, men learn … to live as holy priests. They learn to preach, to administer the sacraments, and to set the world on fire with divine faith … to draw all people to Christ." Fr. Roger noted that the rector is a model and the master. It's a significant appointment. He said when a rector isn't very good, there are many men who leave the seminary and even those who are ordained will sometimes leave after a few years because they were badly formed. On the other hand, he noted Cardinal Hickey who formed many men who are bishops and cardinals today. Also in the Pilot are two stories on the ordination of 10 men to the Permanent Diaconate. The newly ordained deacons are Deacons Robert C. Balzarini, Vincent Gatto, James T. Hinkle, Michael C. Joens, Jonathan Jones, Brian K. Kean, Thomas O'Shea, Louis J. Piazza, William K. Reidy, and Paulo Torrens. Scot said Torrens is notable because he is the first permanent deacon ordained in the Archdiocese who is from the Brazilian community. Greg said he knows Cardinal Seán is very excited by this development. The Brazilian community is a very large group within the Archdiocese. Scot said the deacons will have a dual ministry in parishes and in offices of the Central Ministries. Scot asked Fr. Roger about the trend of immigrants becoming permanent deacons. Fr. Roger said in the Southwest US you see a lot of immigrant permanent deacons. In the Northeast it's still relatively rare. Practically speaking, most deacon programs require an academic component and in many cases these men are hardworking blue-collar workers without a college degree. Deacon Torrens already has a Master's degree in psychology, which helped a lot. He said having immigrant deacons is helpful because it makes it easier for someone from the culture to pass on the faith. Scot said last week a close collaborator with Mother Teresa spoke at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Msgr. Leo Maaburg wrote a book on her life from his perspective as a friend. Susan said he said that he had admired her wit and fiery nature. Greg also said Msgr. Maasburg talked about how Mother Teresa saw abortion as a threat to world peace. Fr. Roger said Mother Teresa also put love for others at the forefront of everything she does. Scot asked Greg about the appointment of his pastor at Our Lady of the Assumption in East Boston also as pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Somerville. He remains pastor of both parishes. Greg said he's been pastor in East Boston for the past five years and has put a lot of time in on the physical restoration of the church. He's also brought back a lot of life to the parish in terms of sacraments and programs. Also in the Pilot this week is a complete list of all religious sisters celebrating jubilees this year, from a recent Mass in their honor. Scot said 16 are celebrating 75 years, 16 celebrating 70 years, 12 celebrating 65 years, 65 celebrating 60 years, 35 celebrating 50 years, and 6 celebrating 25 years. Susan noted the sisters that she knew herself. She said she wish they had listed their religious names they had before the changes of Vatican II because she only knows many of them by those names. Fr. Roger said the numbers show us that most of the older sisters were born in the Great Depression and were teens in World War II, who saw the commitment of the Greatest Generation and saw how they could sacrifice for a greater cause. This was a generation not afraid to make commitments. It was also a time that the Church was very vigorous and there was a lot of work for religious sisters. He said it also shows that the lifestyle of religious sisters is a very healthy one, which helps them to be long-lived. He noted that even the Golden Jubilarians were also not Baby Boomers, being born in the 1940s. He said culture and the time we live has a huge influence on vocations. Greg nboted that this is an annual Mass that was always at the Cathedral until it was closed for renovations in 1997 and has since then been at St. Theresa's in West Roxbury. 2nd segment: Scot said in this week's Pilot, Cardinal Seán has another op-ed on assisted suicide. This one focuses on the idea that we would never endorse suicide in other aspects of life. Greg said the cardinal writes that when someone says they are depressed we don't approve of them killing themselves. How can we say suicide is fine in some circumstances, but for a depressed teen, for example, it's not. Susan notes that name of the op-ed is also the name of the website with many good resources. She said our society has so many resources to prevent suicide, but yet we're saying it's okay. Scot said Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick said this week that he leans toward approving of assisted suicide. He wouldn't want it for himself but wouldn't want to impose it on others. Fr. Roger said he would ask the governor if he's in favor of providing nooses in public high schools to give the option to depressed students. Would he be in favor of the option for them? Of course, the governor would say no. The real question is whether suicide is a tragedy or not. Proponents try to claim that it is not a tragedy. It's just someone accepting they're already dying and trying to die less painfully. But we're all dying from the moment we're born. Fr. Roger added that the US government issued a report that the suicides have passed car accidents as the leading cause of death by injury. From 2002 to 2009, suicides grew by 15%. So what will the government's response? Is it going to say that it's a good and moral thing to do? He would ask Gov. Patrick if he's ever been to the funeral of someone who committed suicide and recognized that it's never a celebration. Scot said that even for those support the idea of physician-assisted suicide, this particular law is a bad law because it has too few safeguards like notifying spouses or having doctors involved. Scot responds to proponents that suicide has collateral damage; this type of suicide requires accomplices, including pharmacists who don't have conscience exemptions as well as the person who has to help the patient take the 90 pills; and it is hypocritical about suicides for other people. Quoting Cardinal Seán's op-ed: We have come to appreciate how dangerous depression can be. It is like quicksand that devours a person in the unstoppable urge to self-destruction. Sometimes we experience a rash of suicides in a community, as one depressed person — upon hearing of a friend, acquaintance or even a stranger, who takes his own life — repeats that action. The copycat syndrome is a very real danger. The suffering of a suicide reverberates in the psyche of friends, relatives and co-workers and also in people who have attempted or considered suicide in the past. Suicide always affects other people; it is never an act that only affects the individual involved. Family members, friends and neighbors often are filled with lingering sadness, guilt and confusion. Sometimes those who are closest to the deceased never completely recover, never forgive themselves and are haunted for the rest of their lives by the loss. There are dedicated suicide prevention organizations like the Samaritans that stand ready to help people in the throes of depression and suicidal thoughts. Many volunteers stand ready on their hotlines, always prepared to try to bring solace and help to those suffering from suicidal impulses. There are also heroic first responders who often risk their lives to help stop someone from taking one's own life. All of us are called upon to be Good Samaritans and to work to prevent suicides in our community. Scot said this is a good response to the objection why it's anyone else's business. He then referred to another column in the Pilot written by Dwight Duncan. He wrote that we should avoid euphemisms: this isn't medication. If it kills someone it's poison. Susan said Duncan gets to the core of the issue: I'm against the death penalty in general, even for those found guilty of serious crimes beyond a reasonable doubt, so why should I be in favor of it being facilitated by private doctors on innocent, if suffering, individuals, even if they request it in a distraught state? Greg liked how Duncan approaches the topic in plain language. Scot notes that Fr. Roger's column is entitled “Humor and joy in the New Evangelization.” Fr. Roger said Fr. James Martin had asked comedian Stephen Colbert to participate with Cardinal Timothy Dolan in a forum on the topic of humor and joy in the New Evangelization. More than 3,000 Fordham students waited overnight to get tickets. Fr. Roger said that the result is the idea that at end of our story we are living a comedy, not a tragdy. He encouraged listeners to seek out the remarks from the forum to read what was said there. Susan also encouraged listeners to go read Fr. Roger's column from last week on the Sign of the Cross and Scot encouraged everyone to read Fr. Martin's book on humor in the Christian life.

Br Martin Brown OSB joins us on this weeks programme to discuss the restoration of the permanent diaconate to the Irish diocesan church fifty years after Pope Paul VI restored it to the universal church at the Second Vatican Council.Br Martin is a monk of Glenstal Abbey and is also a permanent deacon who works as the headmaster to the Glenstal Abbey School. He joins John and Shane on this mornings programme to discuss what exactly the diaconate is and its role in the ministry of the church.The diaconate is seen as the public manifestation of the servant nature of the church. Deacons are ordained ministers of the church who also serve in a liturgical function."The restoration of the ministry of permanent deacons is somehow looked on in terms of what the deacon can or cannot do compared with the priest and ministry of the deacon is looked on as some sort of second-class ministry. People who speak or write in this framework fail to understand the deaconate and fail to understand ministry. The order of deacons is not just about doing things; it is a call to be configured in a special way to Jesus who serves and to represent in a special way in the life of the Church Jesus who serves." - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin The Acts of the Apostles describes how, in the first century, the Church was faced with the challenge of responding to the needs of those who were at risk of being marginalised, either through culture or through material poverty. Keeping in mind the example of Jesus, the Apostles selected and ordained a number of men specifically for this service.For a number of centuries, deacons ministered in close co-operation with the bishops of the Church, assisting at the Eucharist, preaching the Gospel, and exercising a ministry of charity. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Orders, is probably one of the best known deacons, though many tend to assume that he was a priest. Gradually, in the Western Church, the functions of deacons were absorbed into the ministry of the priest, and the diaconate became a transitional order, for those on the way to priesthood. The diaconate continued to exist as a permanent ministry in the Eastern Churches, including those in full communion with Rome.The Second Vatican Council envisaged a renewal of ministry, both lay and ordained, in the Church. The Council’s Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, explains that the lay faithful, by virtue of their Baptism, are commissioned to an active apostolate and insists that “every opportunity be given them so that, according to their abilities and the needs of the times, they may zealously participate in the saving work of the Church. The Second Vatican Council also proposed the restoration of the diaconate as a “distinct ministry of service” to be exercised “in communion with the bishop and his group of priests”.Many of the functions which deacons perform can also be carried out by members of the lay faithful. The restoration of the diaconate is not intended in any sense to change that situation. The idea is that some of those who already exercise these functions would be “strengthened with the grace of diaconal ordination” and in that way would be designated to be a visible public sign of the Christ the Servant in the community of the Church.Deacons are ordained to service, to charity and to proclaim the Word.

Br Martin Brown OSB joins us on SS102fm to discuss the restoration of the permanent diaconate to the Irish diocesan church fifty years after Pope Paul VI restored it to the universal church at the Second Vatican Council. Br Martin is a monk of Glenstal Abbey and is also a permanent deacon who works as the headmaster to the Glenstal Abbey School. He joins John and Shane on this mornings programme to discuss what exactly the diaconate is and its role in the ministry of the church. The diaconate is seen as the public manifestation of the servant nature of the church. Deacons are ordained ministers of the church who also serve in a liturgical function. "The restoration of the ministry of permanent deacons is somehow looked on in terms of what the deacon can or cannot do compared with the priest and ministry of the deacon is looked on as some sort of second-class ministry. People who speak or write in this framework fail to understand the deaconate and fail to understand ministry. The order of deacons is not just about doing things; it is a call to be configured in a special way to Jesus who serves and to represent in a special way in the life of the Church Jesus who serves." - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin The Second Vatican Council envisaged a renewal of ministry, both lay and ordained, in the Church. The Council’s Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, explains that the lay faithful, by virtue of their Baptism, are commissioned to an active apostolate and insists that “every opportunity be given them so that, according to their abilities and the needs of the times, they may zealously participate in the saving work of the Church. The Second Vatican Council also proposed the restoration of the diaconate as a “distinct ministry of service” to be exercised “in communion with the bishop and his group of priests”. Deacons are ordained to service, to charity and to proclaim the Word.

Today's host(s): Scot Landry Today's guest(s): Kathleen Driscoll, Mary Doorley, and John Riley Links from today's show: Today's topics: Boston Catholic Appeal Summary of today's show: Scot Landry welcomes members of the Catholic Appeal team for the Archdiocese of Boston, Kathleen Driscoll, Mary Doorley, and John Riley, and they discuss the critical support provided by donors to the Appeal to the 50 ministries that support parishes, schools, and other Catholic organizations in the areas of strengthening families, enriching parish life, inspiring future generations, and supporting Catholic leadership by the Cardinal and vicar general. 1st segment: Scot said the Catholic Appeal is the annual effort by the Archdiocese of Boston to raise the funds necessary to run the important central ministries that support our parishes and schools and other ministries. This past weekend was the kickoff of the Catholic Appeal and included either an audio or video presentation by Cardinal Sean. Scot welcomed Kathleen Driscoll, secretary for institutional advancement; Mary Doorley, and John Riley, chair of the Catholic Appeal Committee. Kathleen said the appeal launch went very well. They got positive feedback and they are thankful to the pastors and the more than 100 parish appeal volunteers who helped out. Scot asked about the appeal coordinators. Mary said the coordinators help the parish fully implement the appeal and then also give the people at the Pastoral Center insight into what's working and what can be improved. The coordinators also address the appeal for parishioners in the parish, giving a witness talk after Masses, for example. Scot said it's one thing to hear the appeal homily from Cardinal Sean or one of the priests, but it makes a difference to hear a lay person in the parish. John said having the witness from someone informed about the appeal and is in the parish week after week with local credibility links the parish with the archdiocese. Mary added that anyone interested in being an appeal coordinator to contact them through . Scot said Msgr. Deeley said on Friday that the Appeal provides the foundation for every ministry in the Archdiocese, whether it's directly funded by the Appeal or not. Scot said the Appeal materials have a new look and feel. Kathleen said the goal was to put a face on the appeal and make it less institutional. It helps people meet those who benefit from the ministries funded by the appeal. The theme is the Good Samaritan, which is someone who helps someone he never knew before and will probably never see again. The materials have just four examples of the 50 ministries doing this work day in and day out. She said it was challenging to identify the 50 ministries funded by the Appeal within the four profiles of real people in the brochure. These are real people who are helped. Scot said the story of Georgia on the website with a video about her and a video with her pastor about the collaboration needed to make their parish accessible for people with disabilities. The video shows what a difference it's made in the life of Georgia and her family to be able to attend Mass. Mary said there are so many aspects of parish life that can confound the pastor and the parish council. That's where the central ministries can provide expert help. Scot said some people say they five to their parish so why do they need to give to the Appeal. John said many don't realize the extent of the Archdiocese's activities. The Archdiocese also links our local parish to the universal Church in addition to linking the local parishes together. We are all called to be missionaries and one of the ways we do that is through our support of the Appeal. Scot said Cardinal Sean has said that as he travels he hears about the reputation of the Archdiocese for generosity beyond our diocesan borders. Kathleen said she and Mary and John were able to go out last fall to thank lay volunteers in parishes. She said she has learned Marriage Ministries has offered pre-wedding counseling to hundreds of couple. Every year there are more than 4,000 weddings in parishes. The pro-life office has helped more than 400 women choose life for their babies. The religious education office oversees the formation of over 130,000 children. People in the parishes tell her they had no idea how big the ministries are. The appeal's goals break down into four categories: strengthening families, inspiring future generations, enriching parish life, and supporting pastoral leadership. John said there is so much happening at the parish level and there are so many resources in the office of the Archdiocese that support that. Small schools have those resources, parishes have those resources, religious educators have them. It's encouraging him as a parent to see the wonderful work happening in the parish and the dedication of the volunteers in those ministries and to know that there's a large number of resources to support those works. It's not just front-line ministries like religious ed, but also the real estate office and risk management and more. John said there are extraordinary people in the archdiocese who dedicate their careers to advancing the mission of the Church. They bring skills and their faith together to advance the work of the Church and his way to support them is by supporting the Catholic Appeal. Scot said about 250 people work in the Pastoral and about 2000 people work in the parishes, not including the schools, and about 30000 who volunteer. Scot spoke about the Marriage Ministry program, “Transformed in Love”. This is available to everyone in the Archdiocese because we have this central marriage ministry to coordinate. Kathleen said it's almost a new day now where we're looking ahead to ask how we can make our ministries the best. Scot said the Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults is another office supported by the Appeal. Mary said there is also college campus ministry, which is on about 20 college campuses throughout the Archdiocese. The vocations office has also done so much to bring about many more vocations, which is due to prayer and the generosity of parishioners that make it possible. Scot recalled how Fr. Mark O'Connell reflected how he has benefited over that past 20 years from the generous donors to the Appeal. Kathleen also pointed to the many men who point to World Youth Day with the Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults as the linchpin for their vocations. KAthleen said they're thankful for anyone who's made a gift and listeners are interested go to the website http://www.bostoncatholicappeal.org. 2nd segment: Scot asked Mary about the ministries within the area of enriching parish life. She said the Office for Spiritual Life offers archdiocesan-wide program like Arise and Why Catholic? Also, offices like Clergy Personnel and the Permanent Diaconate. There are also offices that help with the practical matters in parishes: finances, real estate, human resources, insurance, and more. Scot said these behind the scenes ministries enable parishes to invest those resources into other ministries on the parish side. John said it's important to build up the business partnerships that will help you. It's impossible for a parish to have all the resources they need, but they still need them. The archdiocese brings those resources together through the skills of the wonderful people who have those talents. Pastors and business managers can pick up the phone and have someone to call. Mary said the more efficient we can make parishes by helping them with risk management and avoiding other problems, then the more time the pastor has for ministry and the better use we'll be making of the dollars people donate. Scot said one of this favorite ministries supported by the Appeal is the Office for Cultural Diversity and Outreach. Many reasons for the growth of Catholicism in the US is due to Catholic immigrants and this office provides the basic needs for them to practice their faith and integrate themselves into the local Church. John said new immigrants to Boston find a home here in the Catholic Church and the archdiocese is very welcoming with an outreach to all these different ethnic groups. Scot said Mass is celebrated in 22 different languages each Sunday in the Archdiocese: Scot said one of the major changes in the last six months in the Archdiocese has been learning the new prayers for the Mass and the Office for Divine Worship has been the major reason it's been implemented well because of the training sessions for priests and liturgical ministers and music ministers as well as providing so many resources in use in parishes. One of the top priorities for Cardinal Sean in the next couple years is pastoral planning to prepare parishes for the future. John said we are a constantly changing society and we are the same in the archdiocese. There are resources dedicated to trying to identify the needs over the next fifty and 100 years and how do we plan for that as an archdiocese. We can't do that as effectively on the parish level as we can on the archdiocesan level. For the last three months the archdiocesan Pastoral Planning commission has been out hearing from people in the parishes their opinions and feedback. Scot said the next broad area is advancing Church leadership, including the ministry of Cardinal Seán. The cardinal is the leader of the archdiocese, but he relies on the day to day basis on the assistance of the vicar general and moderator of the curia, Msgr. Robert Deeley. John added that the regional bishops also work with Cardinal Sean in carrying his vision out to the different regions of the Archdiocese. Mary pointed out that we are the fourth largest archdiocese in the country. Mary said the Catholic Appeal team is grateful for all the input of lay leaders, including those on the Catholic Appeal committee. There is also a pastors advisory committee, who give advice on everything from design of the materials to the resources that they will need. Anyone who wants to make a gift today can do so at .

**Listen to the show:** [Subscribe for free in iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-catholic-life/id425362545) **Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O'Connor **Today's guest(s):** Kevin Winn and Jim Leo * [Permanent Diaconate Office](http://bostondiaconate.org/) * [What is a deacon?](http://bostondiaconate.org/Resources/what_is_a_deacon.html) **Today's topics:** Candidates for ordination to the permanent diaconate **Summary of today's show:** Kevin Winn and Jim, two of the 13 candidates for the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of Boston due to be ordained next month discuss with Scot and Fr. Chris their vocational journeys, how they discerned the call, how important their wives were to their decisions and their formation, and what they expect from their future ministries. **1st segment:** Scot welcomed Fr. Chris O'Connor back to the show. He recalled that in May they had seminarians on the show just before their priestly ordinaiton and today are two men just a few weeks before their ordination to the permanent diaconate. Fr. Chris said it will let them draw distinctions between the transitional diaconate for the road to priesthood and the permanent diaconate. Scot and Fr. Chris commented on the earthquake that was felt along the East Coast. Some people outside the building felt it. They saw that news says that there have been no casualties. Scot also noted that there have been problems with the WQOM signal over the past day or so, but those problems have been repaired. Scot outlined the five ways to listen to the show live or recorded: streaming live at WQOM.org, on the radio at 1060AM, through the iPhone or Android app iCatholicRadio, through The Good Catholic Life podcast at the iTunes Store, or on our website at TheGoodCatholicLife.com Scot was also guest blogger on Cardinal Sean's Blog last Friday describing the work of the Archdiocese of Boston's Catholic Media Secretariate, including The Good Catholic Life. * [Evangelization through the media, Cardinal Sean's Blog](http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/2011/08/19/evangelization-through-the-media/) Fr. Chris is preparing for the academic year at St. John's Seminary. On Sunday night, 26 new men will arrive at the seminary, one of the largest classes he's seen in the 8 years he's been at the seminary. Bishop Kennedy will celebrate Mass for them and friends and family, then orientation will begin. They will look at the four pillars of the seminary life: the academic, pastoral, human, and spiritual. A new diocese is joining the seminary: Hartford, Connecticut. There Redemptorist religious order is also sending its seminarians to St. John's. Two men from another Vietnamese diocese will also train at St. John's. After these messages, we will meet two of the 13 men to be ordained in September for the Permanent Diaconate. **2nd segment:** Scot and Fr. Chris welcome Kevin Winn and Jim Leo. They are within 3 weeks of ordination. Kevin said it's an exciting time for him. He's going through the gamut of emotions. He's preparing to serve God in a different way, in a vocation he's felt called to. Jim said he's nervously excited. With Christ at the center of his life, he's grounded in prayer and knows that this is the right thing. He can't wait for September 17. Fr. Chris asked Kevin about the signs that God was calling him to the diaconate, especially for those who might be wondering if they are called. Kevin said he doesn't think there's a single moment. As he grew as a Catholic, he was welcomed to St. Joseph Parish in Kingston and they became involved in parish life. One day at Mass, he asked the pastor why there were no altar servers. He said there was no one to train them and "thank you very much." That was the beginning of his involvement in parish life, religious education which turned into youth ministry and retreat work. All the while God was converting and transforming Kevin, unbeknownst to him.God has healed Kevin in so many ways as a person and shown him who's he's been created to be. Kevin said he also grew in his prayer life. Eucharistic adoration as well as Our Lady and the Rosary were important for him, helping to realize what God has done for us. A deacon and other priests he'd worked with had asked him if he was interested in the diaconate. He felt a gnawing that turned out to be a calling and throught prayer it became a sense to look into it. Fr. Chris said wives are an important part of the formation, including the classes. How did they break the news? Kevin said his wife is his best friend and she's the one who has taught him about God's love in her patience and kindness and willingness to do for others. She's been the quiet steady rock and confidant. When the idea of diaconate came, they talked about and she thought it would be a great idea for him because of his love for the Lord and his heart and passion.  The wives are irreplaceable part of the formation. They are present in all the classes, some more than others, depending on what's going on in the family life. When the candidates talk about formation, it's not just the candidates, but it's also as much about the wives. When they begin formation, they are told their first vocation is to their marriage.  Jim said he's been married 36 years and his wife Vivian is his best friend. He grew up in East Boston, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, he felt Christ calling him then. He went to Catholic school and met Vivian and she wanted him to go on a Cursillo retreat. ALthough he balked at first, it was a great experience and he wanted more. He then went deeper in his faith and the low fire grew higher and higher in him. A deacon of his acquaintance encouraged him to explore becoming a deacon and his spiritual director reinforced the idea. The minute Jim mentioned it to Vivian, she said go for it.  Scot said the diaconate program is a rigorous 4-year program that studies the faith both broadly and richly. Jim said his wife went to every single class. For the first year, the wives need to go to every single class, but after that they don't need to go to every class, as Kevin said. Jim said he would ask his wife how they could get through this, but Vivian encouraged him and was his strength every step of the way. Jim said Fr. Bill Palardy taught a class on Patristics, the study of the Church Fathers, and it was truly eye-opening with a tremendous amount of learning. Kevin concurred and said it was one of the hardest classes he took. He loved it very much. He agrees with Jim that he used to think he had a fair handle on his faith, but learned how much more he had to learn and has to learn. This relationship with Christ is ongoing and ever-deepening. Fr. Chris asked what sort of skills from being an air traffic controller he brings to the diaconate. He said communication will be a gift. He loves people and to communicate with them. The reality of the job is that they communicate with people and provide a service to the pilots and passengers. He noted St. Josemaria Escriva's philosophy of finding holiness in what we do. Jim is a civil engineer by trade. He worked for the City of Boston for 41 years and dealt with the public every day. How he dealt with the public, he will deal with the people of his parish: a sincere heart, listening to people. Listening is the number one skill to help people and settle problems. In his job, he had to settle people down when they had problems and reassure them. That skill will help in his ministry. **3rd segment:** Scot said there are 213 permanent deacons in Boston and 13 more will be added in September. Kevin said the difference between transitional and permanent is t hat the transitional diaconate is a step on the way for men called to the priesthood, and the permanent deacon is a man called to service in the Church as a secondary vocation. Sometimes the primary vocation is a vocation to the single life and sometimes to marriage. They are called to the threefold ministry of sacrament, Word, and charity. They have a unique place in the Church in that they have a secular job as well as an office within the Church and it's a blessing to the Church to be able to be that bridge. Fr. Chris asked what ministries the deacon does. Jim said he and his wife are on the baptismal coordinating team at his parish and in one month he will be baptizing children with his wife as part of that ministry. Deacons also proclaim and preach the Gospel at Mass. Scot said earlier this week at the Pastoral Center where all the deacon candidates professed the faith and took the oath of fidelity in a ceremony with Fr. Tom Foley. Kevin said every step closer to ordination brings with it more joy and emotion and excitement. They represented their letters of request to Cardinal Sean through his representatives that were present. The letters were handwritten and their wives wrote letters as well. While their formation was four years, their discernment was even five more years than that. Then they took an Oath of Fidelity on the Book of Gospels which was was held by their wives. Jim said that having his wife alongside him at the moment made him feel so lucky to have her by his side in this very emotional and spectacular moment. The Oath of Fidelity: > I, N., on assuming the office __________ promise that I shall always preserve communion with the Catholic Church whether in the words I speak or in the way I act. > With great care and fidelity I shall carry out the responsibilities by which I am bound in relation both to the universal church and to the particular church in which I am called to exercise my service according to the requirements of the law. > In carrying out my charge, which is committed to me in the name of the church, I shall preserve the deposit of faith in its entirety, hand it on faithfully and make it shine forth. As a result, whatsoever teachings are contrary I shall shun. > I shall follow and foster the common discipline of the whole church and shall look after the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those which are contained in the Code of Canon Law. > With Christian obedience I shall associate myself with what is expressed by the holy shepherds as authentic doctors and teachers of the faith or established by them as the church's rulers. And I shall faithfully assist diocesan bishops so that apostolic activity, to be exercised by the mandate and in the name of the church, is carried out in the communion of the same church. > May God help me in this way and the holy Gospels of God which I touch with my hands. > I shall foster the common discipline of the whole church and urge the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those which are contained in the Code of Canon Law. > With Christian obedience I shall associate myself with what is expressed by the holy shepherds as authentic doctors and teachers of the faith or established by them as rulers of the church. And with diocesan bishops I shall gladly devote my energy so that apostolic activity, to be exercised by the mandate and in the name of the church, is -- with provision made for the character and goal of my institute -- carried out in the communion of the church. Kevin said being a deacon is not something you do, not something you put on on Sunday. It's who they are, who God calls them to be as his servant. God reveals to them in their lives the people he's forming them into. You are a deacon 24/7. Fr. Chris said it's the life of every Christian. It's not just something you do on Sunday. The Christian receives the Word of God and the Eucharist and then is sent back into the world to live the Eucharist that was celebrated. Jim said on the day of ordination, they will make a Profession of Obedience. They also make a promise of prayer. They pledge to pray the Divine Office every day  at morning and evening. Kevin said it's been awesome for him. While it's required, he loves it. Like we are required to attend Eucharist on Sunday, but it's something we should love and desire. The Liturgy of the Hours has been feeding him every day already. The Word of God is alive in the Divine Office. Scot said you don't have to be ordained or a religious to pray the Divine Office. Some people also pray a form of the Office in the [Magnificat](http://www.magnificat.net). Kevin said the Liturgy of the Hours is the prayer of the Church. It is a reminder that God is the center of our lives and everything we extends from that center. Fr. Chris said it's a reminder to us never to wander too far from the Lord, called back every few hours to contemplate the Lord. **4th segment:** Scot said Deacons are ordained to a ministry of Word, sacrament, and charity. They serve at the altar, baptize, witness marriages. They serve the poor and marginalized, sick and dying, the imprisoned. Jim has been helping at Mass. General Hospital as part of his service. He started five years ago as a Eucharistic minister. They saw the hospital chaplain was looking for Eucharistic ministers for the patients. Then he served his internship as a deacon at the hospital as a pastoral visitor to the sick. He was bale to talk about Christ to people in their lowest moments. He saw how deep the faith of people were. Kevin said his primary assignment will be at his parish, St. Joseph's, and his secondary assignment will be in the office of marriage ministry at the Pastoral Center. Jim said his first homily at his first Mass will be on the Gospel of the laborers in the vineyard, which is wonderful. Christ is there even at the 11th hour. Kevin said he is intrigued by God's persistence in that Gospel, how he doesn't give up on his, to continue to heal us and restore us, continuing the work he began in us at baptism. To a man who might be thinking about the permanent diaconate, Jim said he should ask for the application and pray on it. If it's the right thing, you will feel the burning in your heart. Kevin said his other 11 classmates including all sizes, shapes, and colors, a great snapshot of the diversity of God's people. You could clearly see the growth of their faith over the past year, especially in the homilies they gave in their homiletics class. Jim said the other men include doctors, a professor, an academic doctor, teachers, retired men, and more. It's a cross-section. 

In this week’s episode, Bishop Patrick Dunn and Gavin talk about the permanent diaconate, a ministry in the Church and part of the sacrament of Holy Orders. The diaconate has its roots in Scripture, but has not been in constant ...

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry **Today's guest(s):** Deacon Dan Burns, director of Permanent Diaconate Formation for the Archdiocese of Boston * [Archdiocese of Boston's Permanent Diaconate office](http://www.bostoncatholic.org/deacon) * [BostonDiaconate.org](http://www.bostondiaconate.org) * [Holy Family Parish, Duxbury](http://holyfamilyduxbury.org/) * [Lumen Gentium, Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church #29](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html) * [What is a deacon?](http://bostondiaconate.org/Resources/what_is_a_deacon.html) * [Pope Paul VI's motu proprio Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem](http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19670618_sacrum-diaconatus_en.html) * ["Diocese suspends diaconate for new candidates," Worcester Catholic Free Press, 3/26/11](http://www.catholicfreepress.org/_Pages/_This%20Week/0318Diocese.html) **Today's topics:** The permanent diaconate **A summary of today's show:** Scot talks with Deacon Dan Burns about the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of Boston, his own calling to holy orders, the process of discernment and formation involving the men *and* their wives, and the future of the diaconate in the Church. **1st segment:** Scot welcomes all to the show. Yesterday was the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, and while we should pray for vocations to the priesthood we should also pray for all forms of service to the Church, including the permanent diaconate. The ministry of the permanent deacon was restored at Vatican II. There are about 36,000 deacons in the world, with about half in the US. Boston has 247 permanent deacons, which ranks the archdiocese 12th in the US. How are deacons formed for ministry? How does their family take part in the discernment process? **2nd segment:** Scot welcomes Deacon Dan Burns to the show. He was ordained to the diaconate in September 1998. He was 42 when he was ordained and started formation when he was 38. He was active in his parish with marriage prep, choir, confirmation retreats. The vocation sprung from that service and a mid-life crisis, in a sense. There was another man int he parish in formation for the diaconate who suggested to Deacon Dan he might have a vocation. His wife initially thought he was crazy, which is a fairly common reaction. She said he was already very busy and how would it fit into the family. Healthy skepticism is good for discernment. But she saw he had a call and one of the parish priests reinforced the call. It's very important to realize that this is a vocational call, not just a promotion for someone who helps out in the parish. There are already many ways to serve the Church. The discernment must come fro ma very deep prayer life, to feel the Spirit drawing you in this direction. There were a number of hurdles and he didn't get over all of them until his ordination. But the basic hurdles are considering how it would fit into family life, how he would fit it into his working life. He asked why would God be calling me? You tend to look at your own flaws and weaknesses and try to put it off because God "couldn't be calling me into this." The Church speaks of the deacon's ministry in three areas: Deacon of the Word, Deacon of the liturgy, and Deacon of charity. Deacon Dan felt his call was broad-based, but many feel called to a particular more than the others. All three of those are important parts of being a deacon. What is an average week in the life of a permanent deacon like? He's involved in Sunday Mass, to proclaim the Gospel in any Mass he's at, maybe one or more times in the week. He might have to do baptisms on Saturday or Sunday. Might be connected to religious education program in some way. For service, he's found himself ministering in hospice settings for the terminally ill.  One part of formation was a summer internship in a hospital and he had been deathly afraid of hospitals, but his work has shown that it is a gift of grace to be invited to minister to the ill and their families. Scot asked how he balanced his various responsibilities? It was very difficult. He was wife was a great help to him to tell him he needed to say no to certain requests. Men called to the diaconate have a servant's heart and have a tendency to say yes to all requests. While the Spirit gives us gifts to do many things well, it doesn't mean we can do them all. What are the things priests do that deacons can do and not do? In formation, they focus on who the deacon is, not on what he does. The Church did fine without deacons for 1,500 years. The diaconate was restored to be a symbol to the Church and the world that we are all called to serve one another in Christ's name. That said, Deacons can perform baptisms, marriages, graveside services. They cannot celebrate Mass or hear confessions or the sacrament of the sick. Which one does he find himself enjoying more than others? Without question, it's baptisms, welcoming babies into the family of Christ. As a parent, he flashes back to when his own kids were baptized and the recognition of the beauty of life in these children. You find ways to bring all of the family into a celebration of that sacrament. **3rd segment:** There are 247 deacons in Boston, but that includes senior deacons who are over 75 and taking care of some ministry. In Boston, about 94% of deacons are married and there are some who have annulments. * [A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate 2010, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate](http://www.usccb.org/cclv/diaconate-post-ordination-report2009-2010.pdf) Discernment takes place in the whole family. The wife is involved in the first year which is called aspirancy. The wives are closely involved and hear and see everything so they can both determine if it fits within the family structure. The average of those entering formation are in late 40s or early 50s so in many families the kids are older, maybe in college, and the couples are empty-nesters. Deacon Dan is hopeful that they can invite men with younger families as well. They see in the Latino communities men who are younger and they need to find ways to involve the children in the process as well. If the wife doesn't consent, then the husband will not be allowed to enter the program. After aspirancy there is a formal process called candidacy during which the husband and wife have to sign a handwritten letter. They both have to sign before ordination as well. Married men have a primary vocation to their marriage and families. Deacons are called to bring the presence of Christ to the world and the wives are involved in that. There are sacrifices involved. That includes the husband serving in the Church for a number of hours. There is grace involved as well. There is a sacrifice of realizing that the husband is now in the public sphere, you are now very public people in a public role. 81% of permanent deacons in the US are white, 14% Hispanic, 2% African American, and 2% Asian. Deacon Dan said it's almost the same in Boston. The current aspirancy class is multicultural: 16 Latino, 7 white, 1 Brazilian, and 1 Vietnamese. The multicultural experience is very enriching. The Church in the US in the future will have a much larger Latino presence and this is true for the Archdiocese as well. **4th segment:** What are the attributes the Church looks for in a candidate for the diaconate? Deacon Dan said we're looking for is men who already deacons, in a sense. Looking to hone the men who are living a diaconal life, men who are supported by the parish through the priests and parishioners; who are serving their parishes. In Scripture, the deacons are chosen from among the community. Deacon Dan looks for the depth of their spiritual life. If they are deeply rooted in prayer with Christ as their foundation, then everything will go smoothly in formation. Of course, they will grow during formation. How do you assess how they can live the public aspects of the diaconate? Deacon Dan said it can be hard to project those things. There are men who don't show the attribute right away and can grow into them. A deacon is called to these three works of Word, sacrament, and charity, but you don't have to be experts in all of those. For those who are not outstanding in one area, they can take part, but concentrate in a different area. The minimum age for ordination is 35, so they would start the program in their early 30s. The maximum at ordination would be 65 because they enter senior status at 75. They also determine whether he can handle graduate level studies. It doesn't mean you have to have a college degree, but you have to have the ability to handle it.  There is no limit on the number of aspirants per formation class size. In the last three years: 18 in 2009, 34 in 2010, 19 in 2011. Class sizes tend to be between 12 and 16. In general, there a few men each year who withdraw, whether they discern for themselves or the Church decides. If you know someone who might have these gifts, invite them to consider it. The Holy Spirit often speaks through other people to plant the seed. For men considering it, do some reading on the [USCCB web site](http://www.usccb.org/deacon/) or the book The Emerging Diaconate: Servant Leaders in a Servant Church. Talk to deacons you know. The office has a program each fall for men and women to hear about what's involved and then there a discernment retreat to help them take the next step. **5th segment:** The first year of the program is aspirancy. In years 2 through 4, they get into a lot of the work of study and formation. There are pillars of formation: pastoral, intellectual, human, and vocational. In the first year, they take 2 courses in Scripture and a series of seminars on the issue of discernment. The first semester is discerning from a spiritual perspective, how to pray to learn God's will. The second is focused on discernment of the diaconate life in particular. In the three years of candidacy, they take four courses each year. It parallels the Master of Arts in Ministry program and this fall men could use their courses toward an academic degree. There are also pastoral experiences, including in the second year working with the poor in an immersion program at Stonehill College, living there for 3 days serving people in the Brockton area. There's a summer internship between years 3 and 4 in a hospital chaplaincy, about 100 hours. They meet two evenings per week, 7-9pm, and one Saturday per month, 6-7 hours, mostly spiritual formation. Fall retreat for the men only and a spring retreat for couples. They recently added a second location in addition to the Pastoral Center in Braintree, at Merrimac College in North Andover. This September, the incoming college will be at the Pastoral Center for 4 years and in 2012, that class will meet at Merrimac. After ordination, they receive a pastoral assignment. Historically, men would be assigned to their home parish or a local parish, near their homes. In the future, with the demographics in the priesthood, we have to break through the idea of parochial view and have a more diocesan and global view of the Church. Future deacons could find a diocesan-based assignment, such as hospital chaplaincy. As deacons, they serve the needs of the bishop and so they work where the Cardinal sees the need. As a deacon, they are part of the clergy in the Archdiocese of Boston. Does it limit their ability to move out of the diocese as needs arise? There is an expectation that they are ordained for the Archdiocese, but the reality is that they have to make a living. Or someone retires and wants to spend part of their year in another place. In a new diocese, they could ask the local bishop to serve there. At age 75 they become senior deacons. They can continue to serve as their health allows, but they are not officially assigned to a particular parish. Deacons don't retire, they are ordained for life, just like priests. The neighboring diocese of Worcester has put their diaconate program on hiatus to update their program and to pray about whether the pastoral planning underway in Worcester will affect the number of deacons they'll need down the road. We've already gone through a similar process in Boston. The program went on hiatus for a year after a new set of guidelines came out from the US Bishops' Conference, to ensure that they're still working according to the highest standards. Deacon Dan says there would ideally be one deacon per parish to effectively show the servant nature of the Church. To those who are thinking about, listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in your heart. Do not be afraid, as Bl. John Paul told us. We all will think we're not worthy, but God uses us anyway. That will conclude today's presentation of The Good Catholic Life. For recordings and photos of today's show and all previous shows, please visit our website: TheGoodCatholicLife.com. You can also download the app for your iPhone or Android device at WQOM.org to listen to the show wherever you may be. We thank our guest, Deacon Dan Burns. For our Production team of Rick Heil, Anna Johnson, Justin Bell, Dom Bettinelli, and George Martell, this is Scot Landry saying thank YOU for listening, God bless you and have a wonderful evening!

This week, we take a focused look at the Permanent Diaconate in an extended conversation with and .  Both men share their vocation stories, their Deacon formation experiences and resources they recommend to men exploring the Permanent Diaconate.  I'm happy to share selections from Deacon Chuck's newest CD Harvest of Love during this episode. joins us for another wonderful Mary Moment.  Be sure to visit the being hosted at Sarah's great blog this week. Don’t forget to register for SQPN’s upcoming .  Deacon Tom and I will be there and would love to meet you!  Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email . Links for this Episode: Books on the Permanent Diaconate: by Dottie Mraz , , Subscribe to the | Subscribe with