Permanent Diaconate
Catholic Pastoral Centre
8421-101 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T6A 0L1
Phone: 780-469-1010 ext. 251 Fax: 780-465-3003
Director: Ron Woytiuk
Email: diaconate@caedm.ca
Administrative Assistant: Mona Dolan
Phone: 780-469-1010 ext. 244
Mission
A permanent deacon's ministry evolves in response to specific needs and his God-given talents. There are three dimensions of diaconal service: Ministry of Love and Justice, Ministry of the Word of God, and Ministry within the Liturgy. Permanent deacons prepare the faithful to receive the sacraments and to carry out their vocations as baptized Christians. They are commissioned to preach, to teach, to counsel and to give spiritual guidance. They baptize, witness marriages, and preside at wake services and funerals. In all that they do, permanent deacons act as servants of the Church.
Permanent Deacons Are:
Ministers of Service - Though all are servants by Baptism, the permanent deacon is ordained as a sacramental sign of Christ the Servant. Deacons offer direct service to those in need, especially to those who are marginalized and most vulnerable. Service is the calling of the deacon.
Ministers of the Church - Permanent deacons are ordained for the service of the Archdiocese as collaborative associates of the Archbishop and the priests, of lay ministers, and of all who care for God's people. The work of permanent deacons in parishes, and in special outreach ministries, calls for a team approach complimentary to the pastoral role of others.
Ordained Ministers - Permanent deacons share in the Sacrament of Orders with the Archbishop and the priests. By ordination the permanent deacon is brought into a new relationship to Christ the Servant, through the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the tradition of the seven men ordained by the apostles, the deacon is called by God to serve the community of believers, and to advance the evangelizing mission of the Church. (Acts of the Apostles 6-8)
Permanent Diaconate Admission Requirements
Age
Applicants must be at least 35 years of age at the time of ordination and are eligible for admission to the program until age 60.
Status
Married applicants must have been married at least seven years to qualify for admission to the program. Single men will be required to make a solemn public commitment to the celibate life.
Income
Applicants must be employed, or retired with an income, during the Permanent Diaconate Formation and Study Program, at the time of ordination, and during their Ministry. Permanent deacons do not get paid for their diaconal services.
Health
Applicants will require a certificate of satisfactory health from a doctor. All Applicants must complete a psychological assessment administered by a Chartered Psychologist.
Education
Applicants are required to demonstrate the equivalent of two years of university or college education. Consideration will be given to the demonstration of proficiency through equivalency tests. The Admissions Committee may also take work experience into consideration.
Documentation
Applicants must provide a Baptismal Certificate, a Confirmation Certificate, and a Marriage Certificate, if applicable.
Residency
An Applicant must be a resident within the Archdiocese of Edmonton and be a registered parishioner in one of the parishes of the Archdiocese.
References
An Applicant must be a person of faith, prudence, and good reputation. The reference documents will be gathered from the Applicant’s pastor, parish lay ministers and parishioners. An Applicant must also have the full support of his spouse and family. A criminal records check will also be required of each applicant for the program.
Services
An applicant should already be involved in service activities within the parish, or in the community. The permanent diaconate is a continuation of service rather than just a beginning.
How Do I Apply?
- Those interested in applying for acceptance into the Formation and Study Program must first register themselves as an Inquirer by contacting the Director of the Permanent Diaconate, Ron Woytiuk, at 780-469-1010, ext. 251 or email diaconate@edmontoncatholic-church.com
- An Inquirer must complete a preliminary phone interview.
- Registered Inquirers will be required to attend one of the scheduled Information Sessions for Inquirers before being permitted to request an application form from the Permanent Diaconate Program Director.
Permanent Diaconate Formation and Study Program
The Permanent Diaconate Formation and Study Program is a four-year program.
- The components of the formation program will be based on the document Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons - Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacon, and include human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation. Candidates will choose a spiritual director to assist them in their formation and spiritual development.
- One weekend a month from September to June, the candidates in each year of the program will gather at Providence Renewal Centre to take part in the study and formation program.
- Candidates will be expected to prepare, in advance, for the presentations on Formation weekends. This will include completion of readings and preparation questions assigned by the presenter. A comprehensive examination will be written at the end of each year.
- During the month of June of each of the first three years, the candidates will take part in a discernment process which will include a weekend retreat.
- In the fourth year the candidates will take part in a five-day silent retreat and discernment process before ordination.
- Ordained, permanent deacons are expected to serve as mentors and group leaders in the training of new candidates.
- The spouses of candidates are encouraged, in so far as this is possible, to participate in the Formation and Study Program.
The Curriculum
| YEAR ONE Week 1 Introduction, Orientation, Christian Prayer Week 2 Diaconate Spirituality Week 3 Introduction to the Bible Week 4 Genesis and Exodus Week 5 The God of Israel - Father of Jesus Week 6 Old Testament History Week 7 The Gospels of Mark and Matthew Week 8 Christology Week 9 Church History I Week 10 Retreat: Discipleship |
YEAR TWO Week 1 The Prophetic Tradition Week 2 The Holy Spirit Week 3 The Church Week 4 Sacraments I and Eucharist Week 5 The Pauline Literature - Romans I & II Cor. Week 6 Theological Anthropology Week 7 Fundamental Moral Week 8 Sacraments III: Matrimony Week 9 Church History II Week 10 Retreat: The Eucharist |
| YEAR THREE Week 1 Luke and Acts Week 2 Fundamental Moral III Week 3 Sacraments II: Holy Orders Week 4 Ethics at the Beginning and End of Life Week 5 Johannine Literature Week 6 Homiletics I Week 7 Homiletics II Week 8 Social Justice I Week 9 Church History III Week 10 Retreat: Evangelization |
YEAR FOUR Week 1 The Communion of Saints Week 2 Social Justice Week 3 Marriage I Week 4 Marriage II Week 5 Christian Death Week 6 Ministry of the Deacon Week 7 Pastoral Counseling Week 8 RCIA, Ministry to Youth, Addictions Week 9 TBA Week 10 Retreat: Eschatology |
Schedule for a Formation/Study Weekend
Each weekend will deal with a theme as per curriculum, presented by a Newman Theological College professor or Archdiocesan priest.
| SATURDAY |
|
8 a.m. Arrival; Check-in; Refreshments; etc. 9 p.m. Social |
| SUNDAY |
8 a.m. Breakfast 9 a.m. Morning Prayer - Chapel 9:20 a.m. Presentation on Theme 10:30 a.m. Refeshment Break 10:45 a.m. Presentation on Theme 11:30 a.m. Journal Writing 12 Noon Lunch 1:15 p.m. Closing Presentation on Theme 2 p.m. Feedback Survey/logistics, etc. 2:15 p.m. Celebration of the Eucharist - Chapel 3 p.m. Departure |
The next group of candidates will begin their Formation and Study program in September 2009.