FORMATION PROGRAM FOR DIACONAL MINISTRY

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An applicant accepted into the Formation Program and supported by a faith community begins a process of formation with the three goals: 1. To assist the applicant in growing spiritually; 2. To educate the applicant in appreciating Church traditions and history, faith expressions and symbols, Word and Sacrament; 3. To provide the applicant with a variety of pastoral experiences and opportunities for developing skills needed for effective diaconal service.

Acceptance in the Program is the initial step in a formation time that requires considerable dedication and energy. Anyone applying for entrance into the Program must consider carefully the question: Is this the right time to begin formation? Applicants with young children or erratic schedule demands because of job, or whose family, social, parochial or professional commitments are extensive, must be aware that involvement in the Program will require about five or more hours per week.

No one will be accepted into the Program unless it is clear that there is a community calling an individual to diaconal service and a need that can be addressed by the applicant. Furthermore, an applicant's wife is invited to be extensively involved in the formation of her husband. An applicant's children must also be prepared for the new role their father will be assuming.

The fundamental components of the Formation Program are Spiritual, Academic and Pastoral. According to the Code of Canon Law (Canon 236), the formation program for the diaconate must last at least three (3) years.

• The Spiritual Formation Program will include regular participation in spiritual direction, two (2) retreats per year and practical weekend courses including topics like the Liturgy of the Hours and spiritual direction.
• The Academic Formation Program will be the successful completion of the Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Ministry (or equivalent).
• The Pastoral Formation Program will include one year of supervised internship in pastoral ministry by the pastor of the applicant's faith community or other approved supervisor or setting. In addition, applicants will be given workshops covering topics such as homiletics, sacramental preparation programs, liturgical presence and planning. This will normally take place during the fourth year of formation.

Spiritual Formation

The primary purpose of the whole Formation Program is to assist the applicant's growth as a disciple of Jesus Christ. The Spiritual Formation component of the Program specifically aims to deepen the love of the applicant for the Master. A vibrant spirituality integrates academic knowledge with pastoral skills. The three elements of spiritual formation for the applicant include: spiritual direction, annual retreats and weekend courses.

Spiritual Direction: Each applicant will select a spiritual director immediately after he is accepted into the Program. The Diocese will provide a list of possible directors who will have special training for this task. The applicant may select another person as his spiritual director with the approval of the Director of the Diaconate Program.

Annual Retreats: There will be two (2) retreats each year. One for the applicants and ordained deacons (May or June) and one for deacon and applicant couples (November or February). The applicants also participate in a directed retreat immediately prior to their ordination.

Weekend Courses: The applicant may receive practical weekend courses during the time of formation. The context of these weekend courses includes spiritual direction, spiritual reading, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, etc.

Academic Formation

The purpose of Academic Formation is to help the applicant as a student explore the basic symbols of the faith community, its doctrines, rituals and traditions. As a student of theology, the applicant is expected to appreciate the essential doctrines of the Church well enough to explain them to others. Therefore, academic formation offers the applicant the knowledge and appreciation of faith he needs to carry out the ministry of Word, Sacrament and Service. Academic formation is especially important since the applicant will be preaching the Word of God after ordination.

The St. Cloud Diocesan Deacon Formation Program of Study will require the successful completion of the Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (or equivalent). The applicant is expected to fulfill all academic requirements and to complete these courses successfully. The courses will normally be offered through the School of Theology at St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota. The applicant's wife is encouraged to participate in the courses as an auditor.

Pastoral Formation

The purpose of Pastoral Formation is to help the applicant develop skills in the areas of pastoral care that he will be serving. The Pastoral Formation Program includes the elements of a Mentor Program and Summer courses.

Mentor Program: The applicant will be assigned to a pastoral mentor (not necessarily an ordained person) who would guide the applicant through a variety of pastoral experiences. The Director of the Diaconate Program will assist the applicant in selecting a mentor and a site for internship.

The list of pastoral activities in which the applicant might participate includes: baptismal, confirmation and marriage preparation, spiritual renewal programs, inquiry programs, adult education, C.C.D., grief support, hospital and nursing home visitation, lector, Eucharistic minister, counseling, R.C.I.A., etc.

The list is not exhaustive. The applicant and mentor along with the Director of the Diaconate Program will consider areas of practice in which the applicant will serve. The fourth year will comprise the signing of a Covenant of Service by the applicant and his pastor/supervisor/mentor.

Summer Pastoral Courses: The applicant shall participate in summer programs which will supplement the mentor program by offering the applicant training and practice in homiletics, sacramental preparation programs, Canon Law, liturgical presence and planning, etc.

SCREENING OF APPLICANTS

The Advisory Board for the Diaconate of St. Cloud has discussed the importance of vocation, or call, in regard to the Diaconate. The Lord calls people with particular gifts to service through a particular faith community. It is paramount to the welfare of the community and the diaconate that the community calls the applicant to service because certain needs of the community can be met by that applicant.

Applicants will not be accepted into the Program unless there is evidence that the community needs the service of the applicant and is willing to support the applicant through his formation period. The local pastor's recommendation is also necessary because he will be working closely with the applicant after ordination. Since pastors are often reassigned, it is crucial that the community, through the local Parish Pastoral Council, calls the applicant to service, understands the nature of his service and promises to support him.

The screening process in light of the above concerns includes the following elements:

1. The applicant must be between 35 and 55 years of age. An applicant may enter formation at a younger age, provided that he will be 35 at the time of ordination. The diocesan bishop may waive the upper age limit at his discretion.
2. A letter of recommendation from the local pastor stating impressions about the applicant's service in community and potential as a Deacon is required. If the applicant intends to serve in a ministry other than parish ministry, he needs a letter of recommendation from that agency or organization.
3. The SRI Deacon Perceiver Interview,™ an instrument containing fifty-four (54) questions across nine (9) areas such as Relationship, Spirituality, Family, Teaming, etc., is administered. This structured interview can identify basic life themes and success patterns of the applicant. It provides an understanding of each person's strengths, motivation and values.
4. Psychological testing will be conducted by a Licensed Psychologist to help determine emotional health and stability of both the applicant and his wife.
5. A letter of recommendation from the local Parish Pastoral Council is necessary . The letter should address the willingness of the parish to support the applicant throughout his formation period and reflect some understanding of the Permanent Diaconate. The letter should also suggest various areas of ministry and needs that the local Parish Pastoral Council hopes the applicant will fulfill upon completing his formation period.
6. Interview of the applicant and his wife will be conducted by the Director, Vicar of the Diaconate Program, and members of the Deacon Advisory Board. The purpose of the interview will be to determine attitudes of the applicant and his wife about the Church, pastoral care and program requirements.
7. After the interview has been completed, the Director or Vicar of the Diaconate Program will forward to the diocesan bishop a recommendation to accept or reject the application of the applicant for admission to study for the diaconate. The diocesan bishop has the final authority as to who will be accepted.

Revised 7/29/97