1. OFFICE OF DEACON FORMATION
DIOCESE OF SYRACUSE
PERMANENT DIACONATE

3. Support to the Evangelization effort of the Diocese
Deacon Formation Ministry evangelization efforts include/not limited to:
The formation of deacon inquirers, deacon aspirants, and candidates which directly supports and assists parishes in their evangelization efforts. Through their vocational growth and ministerial preparation for ordination, this ministry forms those who will provide direct service to parishes throughout the diocese.
They are prepared to function as ministers of the word in preaching and in such ministries as catechetical instruction, counseling or retreat ministry, and ministers at the altar to officiate Baptisms, Weddings, Wake and Funeral services, etc.
The ministry and service of those in formation will no likely reach out to as many as 30 parishes 10 Chaplaincies [Hospitals, Nursing Homes College Campuses] and the tens of thousands of parishioners of all ages that are served and evangelized through their participation of church.

4. Charism of CHARITY
The Deacon’s charism of CHARITY is not first parochial or about parish work.
The very nature of the deacons charism is to evangelize “ in the market place” [wherever they may find themselves]
Particularly by initiating, organizing and supporting the church’s responsibility and mission to care for the vulnerable and marginalized as the Lord mandated “whatsoever you do for the least, you do for me”.

6. Deacon Formation Program Mission
The mission of the Deacon Formation Program is
to inform and form inquirers, deacon aspirants, and candidates
to discern their vocation and prepare them for ordination through their education, formation and spiritual growth
to function as ministers of the word in preaching and in such ministries as catechetical instruction, counseling or retreat ministry, and ministers at the altar to officiate Baptisms, Weddings, Wake and Funeral services, etc.
To exercise their diaconal charism of charity and to evangelize “in the market place” [wherever they may find themselves]. Particularly by initiating, organizing and supporting the church’s responsibility and mission to care for the vulnerable and marginalized
as prescribed by the Holy See and the USCCB for ordination to the Permanent Diaconate

7. Key Services Provided a discernment-application-acceptance process,
academic instruction, spiritual direction, ministerial supervision, faith development and professional formation.
a faith formation program and family seminars for wives of aspirants and candidates to strengthen the spousal support for the deacons’ mission.
provided by highly credentialed and experienced academic instructors, spiritual directors and ministerial supervisors.
Leading to the ordination of 13 laymen in 2018, and 15 laymen in 2020 to the Permanent Diaconate.

8. Staff and Facilities Situation
Full Time Director
Deacon Administrative Assistant (part time)
20 Professors / Instructors
[11] Ph.D. and higher competency
[9] M.A. / Licentiate level and higher [but not Ph.D.] competency
Diocesan Secretarial Support
Licensed Clinical Psychologist [for psychological testing and evaluation of applicants]
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists [for marital evaluations & counseling instruction for candidates]
Volunteers
Wives Program Coordinator
Jesuit Program Spiritual Director
Coordinator of Chaplaincy Ministry
10 – ‘Acceptance and Scrutiny Committee’ members
8 – ‘Program and Policy Committee’ members
30 – Ordained Deacon Mentors
Facilities used for program instruction and administration
Holy Cross Church
LeMoyne College
Christ The King Retreat and Conference Center
Chancery

9. Ministry Sites & Individuals Served By This Ministry
Diocesan Ministry Sites & Organizations Currently Served By This Ministry:
21 parishes
15 PCAs
5 Nursing Home and Hospital Chaplaincies
Individuals Currently Served By This Ministry:
60 deacon aspirants, candidates and wives
10 applicants and 10 wives
50 inquirers actively engaged in discernment

10. EVANGELIZATION & SERVICE

11. Evangelical Virtues Prayer and deep spiritual life
a humble and strong sense of Church
love for the Church and her mission
spirit of poverty
capacity for obedience and fraternal communion
apostolic zeal for the mission
call to radical service
Charity/love towards all brothers and sisters

12. VOCATION PROMOTION

14. INQUIRY &
DISCERNMENT PROCESS

15. Who discerns? Church Aspirant / Candidate Bishop Director
Formation Committee
Pastor
Instructors/Supervisors
Advisors
Aspirant / Candidate
Wife
Family
Discernment Team
Pastor
Faith Community
Spiritual Director

16. APPLICATION PROCESS

17. Application Materials
Application Process
Application Materials
Application Form
Recommendations
Criminal background check
Physical exam
Sacramental Verification
Baptismal certificate
Confirmation certificate
Marriage certificate (if married)
Statement of Need
from Pastor or Agency Director
Recent photograph
Academic Transcripts
Discernment Essay
Autobiographies
Ministry Resume
Consent of wife
Application Process
The Deacon Formation Committee reviews all information to determine applicants readiness and suitability to continue the process.
(Applicant’s progress in the Formation for Ministry Program is provided to the Committee.)
Those not meeting application requirements will be notified in writing.
Those selected to continue the application process will be interviewed by the Deacon Formation Committee. Wives & pastors must participate.
A Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist employed by the Diocese meet with applicants to administer tests and for personal interviews. The committee may provide questions or areas of concern which they would like the psychologist and therapist to examine.
Two committee members visit the applicant in his home. The in-home interview is intended to help the Committee become better acquainted with the applicant and his family.
The committee evaluates each applicant based on all the data acquired for recommendation to the Bishop. Notification of the decision will be placed in writing.

18. FORMATION PROGRAM

19. 3 DIMENSIONS – ACADEMIC / MINISTERIAL / SPIRITUAL
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
3 DIMENSIONS – ACADEMIC / MINISTERIAL / SPIRITUAL
Though separated for explanation - objective is integration - merge the experiences
Interaction as a process of formation, redirection, re-creation.
The growth in these areas interrelate
Growth assessed by Academic Staff, Pastor, Ministerial Supervisors.

20. SPIRITUAL FORMATION
"Integration" of Spirituality into Ministry and one’s Whole Life
is the essence of Formation and Change
Daily Prayer life
Liturgy of the Hours
Eucharist [visit] as possible
Centering Prayer
Monthly meeting with Spiritual Director
Yearly Retreat
1st Yr class retreat
2nd Yr directed (June) weekend + wives
3rd Yr arrange own
4h Yr Year 4 Canonical retreat -5 days + wives
Yearly meeting with Program Spiritual Director

21. ACADEMIC
College level course – Not degree bearing - Teacher evaluations
1 Weekend per month
Friday Evening 5:30pm to 8:30pm [Homiletics & Pastoral Field Education]
Saturday - 8:30am to 5:00pm [Theology & Scripture]
Saturday - 5:00pm to 8:00pm [Spiritual Direction]
No absences, no cuts - except as approved by the director
CURRICULUM
Homiletics Social Justice
Pastoral Field Education Pastoral theology & psychology
Scripture Apocalyptic and Wisdom Scriptures
Spirituality Moral Theology
Church History Christology
Sacraments Rubrics
Canon Law Parish Administration & Chaplaincy
Heavy reading + assignments Ability to satisfactorily complete work.

22. MINISTERIAL PRACTICUM
Ministerial Practicum hours per week year round -Throughout each of 4 years
Monthly meeting with supervisor(s)
Learn about ministries - no "specialty”
Apply ministerial principles
Engage in ministering to others
Sacrament
Minimum programs Years I - IV
Sacrament of Baptism Sacrament of Marriage
Funeral Rites Prayer Services
Ministering to the sick & elderly Ministering to bereaved
Exposition of Blessed Sacrament Benediction
Social Justice Ministering to the poor: soup kitchen, etc.
5 reflections at mass Explore general parish ministries
Obligation To Hierarchy & Diocesan Church E

23. WIVES PROGRAM

24. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION WIVES PROGRAM
Wives are encouraged to fully participate [attend classes]
5 Saturday sessions with other wives apart from spouse
Meetings with Coordinator of Wives Program
Permission of Wives - To Apply / Call to Orders
Reminder: Priority - Family -Marriage Sacrament
- Work
- Ministry

27. OFFICE OF DEACON FORMATION
DIOCESE OF SYRACUSE
PERMANENT DIACONATE