New Formation Program - Details Will Be Forthcoming
The deacon is called personally and ecclesially to serve after the manner of Jesus. He
is first and foremost a Christian man in his usual employment and lifestyle, trained and
formed by additional study and prayer for a special ministry to the community as an
ordained minister of the Church. To be accepted into the aspirancy and diaconate
formation program in the Diocese of Cleveland it is required that a man:
1.
Be a Roman Catholic of sound moral character, mature faith, regular practice in
the sacramental life of the Church and have a sense of vocation to service.
2.
Reside within the territory of the Diocese of Cleveland and belong to a parish in
the Diocese.
3.
Have the support and recommendation of the pastor of the parish to which he
belongs.
4.
Be at least 30 years old at time of application for the Diaconate. [minimum age
for ordination is 35]
5.
Be able to make a live a life-long commitment to ordained ministry as a deacon.
It is expected that, ordinarily, ordained deacons will be able to give at least ten
years of active ministry to the Diocese of Cleveland.
6.
Demonstrate prayerfulness and be open to further spiritual formation.
7.
Have attainted at least a high school diploma and demonstrate the ability to
complete undergraduate college level studies.
8.
Be of sound physical and mental health.
9.
Be attuned to the needs and life of the Church today.
10.
Have demonstrated active service, apostolic involvement and leadership
among the People of God. He must be an active member of his parish for at
least three years.
11.
Have proven stability in his secular employment and family life.
12.
If married, be in a good, strong, stable marriage relationship and have the
enthusiastic support of his wife and family. He must be in a valid Catholic
marriage for at least five years.
13.
If unmarried, be prepared and able to make and live a commitment to celibacy
as a deacon. [Note: a deacon whose wife dies is also bound by celibacy and
can only remarry with a dispensation from the Holy See.]
14.
Demonstrate the basic potential to develop the ministerial skills of relating to
people, speaking well, and being a spiritual leader.
15.
Be able to represent the Church with intelligence, Christian dignity and
prayerful service.
16.
Have the availability and readiness to meet the demands of the aspirancy and
deacon formation at the present time, especially in light of the ongoing family
and work commitments and demands.
The best credentials a candidate can bring to the Diaconate are his past performance:
personal, familial, professional, ecclesial, and social.
A deacon is ordained in service to the Diocese and serves at the discretion of his
Bishop.
PARISH SERVICE
Liturgical celebrations (baptisms, marriages, preaching, presiding at prayer,
communion, and funeral services)
Religious Education
Ministry to the sick, aged, and dying
Pastoral Counseling
Widowed and divorced
Youth
Prayer groups
Evangelization and RCIA
SPECIALIZED MINISTRIES
Service to various minority communities
Prisons
Hospitals and Nursing Homes
Chemically dependent
Physically, mentally, and emotionally handicapped
And many other important ministries already existing or yet to be discovered
Examples of Diaconal Ministy
