DIACONATE FORMATION ADMISSIONS PROCESS AND FORMATION OVERVIEW DIOCESE

DIACONATE FORMATION ADMISSIONS PROCESS AND FORMATION OVERVIEW DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

POPE FRANCIS, THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL “I repeat for the entire Church what I have often said to the priests and laity of Buenos Aires: I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security… DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

POPE FRANCIS, THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL “If something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ, without a community of faith to support them, without meaning and a goal in life. ” (Evangelii Gaudium, 49) DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

THE FORMATION PROCESS The deacon’s ministry of service is linked with the missionary dimension of the Church embracing through the ministry of the Word, the liturgy and charity Charit y Wor d Christ the Serva nt Liturg y DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

BACKGROUND AND PERSPECTIVE Formation is not… Just educational classes… Teaching how to do… Formation is a journey of faith It is holistic It is transformative Some will change paths Listening is key DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

STAGES IN THE FORMATION PROCESS First: Initial Inquiry (YOU ARE HERE!) Second: Submit Application for Diaconal Formation and acceptance into ASPIRANCY Third: Aspirancy followed by acceptance into CANDIDACY Fourth: Candidacy (4 years) Institution to Ministry of Lector Institution to Ministry of Acolyte Petition for Holy Orders Canonical retreat Fifth: Ordination to the Diaconate (HOLY ORDERS) Sixth: Post-Ordination formation and ongoing formation DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR ASPIRANCY The overall application process includes 1. Attendance to Information Session 2. Submission of Application 3. Marriage Assessment 4. Psychological Evaluation 5. Personality Inventory 6. Formal interview with Coordinator of Admissions 7. Letter of Admission to Formation DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

ASPIRANCY: THE GOAL The goal of aspirant formation “Enable the aspirant to demonstrate the possibility of a diaconal vocation and an appropriate level of readiness for eventual selection into candidate formation” (National Directory, 183) DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

ASPIRANCY: THE COMPONENTS Aspirancy is intended to provide a time for… Introduction to the study of theology Deeper knowledge of the spirituality and ministry of the deacon More attentive discernment of a diaconal vocation DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

ASPIRANCY: THE COMPONENTS Form a community Ensure regular participation in spiritual direction Introduction to pastoral ministries of the diocese Assist family in their support of your formation DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

FORMATI ON CALENDA R The Aspirant community Intellectual Formation ONLINE (aspirants) Monthly meetings (typically Saturday) for aspirants and spouses Meetings include: class, small group meetings, reflection, prayer DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

Human Formation ASPIRAN CY FORMATI ON • Reflection Groups • Meetings with Deacon Mentor Spiritual Formation • • Sacramental life Spiritual direction Liturgy of the Hours Retreats DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

Intellectual Formation (ONLINE) FORMATI ON OF ASPIRAN TS • History, Theology and Ministry of the Diaconate • Catholic Spiritual Tradition • Catechism of the Catholic Church • Philosophy Pastoral Formation • Practicum in the parish • Communication skills Diaconal Vocation and Ministry • Ongoing vocational discernment DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

Oversee the formation and evaluation process DIACONA TE FORMATI ON TEAM • • Deacon Mentor Evaluations Peer Evaluations Pastor Supervisor Evaluation Self-Evaluation Admission to Candidacy • Meeting with Admissions Committee • Acceptance at the discretion of the Bishop DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

OVERVIEW OF FORMATION National Directory Normative Guide Sets National Objectives DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

FOCUS OF DIACONAL FORMATION 4 Dimensions Ministries Human Spiritual Intellectual Pastoral Word Liturgy Charity Vocational Discernment and Ministry DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

Church’s commitment to the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable Catholic Social Teaching CHARITY DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

Teachers of the Word of God Evangelization Catechesis WORD DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

Herald of the Gospel Proclamation Homiletics Sacraments LITURGY DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

The responsibility of formation Bishop Director of Formation Pastor Supervisor Aspirant/Candidate Wife and Family FORMATION FOR THE DIACONATE DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

Begins with the Rite of Admission to Candidacy following Aspirancy formation CANDIDA CY FORMATI ON A retreat precedes the Rite of Admission to Candidacy Requires the active participation of the candidate Takes place in several environments Formation gatherings Parish and community ministry Retreats and days of recollection Meetings with pastor, mentor, spiritual director In the daily family and work life of candidate DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

CANDIDA CY PATH “The candidate path in diaconal formation is the occasion for continued discernment of a diaconal vocation and immediate preparation for ordination. Throughout this path in formation, the candidate himself assumes the primary responsibility for his discernment and development. ” (National Directory, 204) DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

CANDIDACY: INTELLECTUAL DIMENSION Sacred Scripture Systematic Theology Interpretation Old Testament New Testament Trinity Christ Church Sacraments Moral Theology Fundamental Moral Bioethics Social Doctrine Historical Theology History of the Church Patristics DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

FORMATI ON ATTENDA NCE Excuses from class attendance are required and will be granted by the Director of Formation for a variety of valid reasons Aspirant/Candidate is sick or seriously ill family members Attending sacramental events in the life of family members Other major family events DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

RETREAT S AND DAYS OF RECOLLE CTION Retreats for aspirants/candidates occur annually During Aspirancy/Candidacy (January) Prior to Admission to Candidacy (summer) During final year of formation Days of Recollection Prior to Institution to Ministry of Reader Prior to Institution to Ministry of Acolyte Pre-Ordination retreat For a full week Silent retreat DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

WHO PAYS FOR DIACONAL FORMATION? Diocese of Fort Worth pays for: Tuition formation Retreats and Days of Recollection Travel expenses (exceptional situations) Some liturgical books are provided Pays about $40, 000 per candidate (5 years of formation) Aspirant/Candidate Whatever is left! DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

EVALUATIONS Evaluations are intended to assess work of: Aspirant/Candidate formation Faculty effectiveness The overall program The evaluation process is intended to be open, pastoral and collaborative Based on the Basic Standards for Readiness (National Directory) DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION

EVALUATIONS Candidates are evaluated each year Who evaluates? Deacon Mentor Pastor Faculty Peers Other formation team members The overall evaluation of a candidate’s formation is drawn from the all evaluations (Director’s responsibility) DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH - DEACON FORMATION