Announcements

Congratulations! Our formal weekend formation sessions are now completed!

Our next gathering will be the canonical retreat.

Class VI Candidates

The following men are Candidates in the Deacon Formation Program:

2008-9: Aspirancy

The Aspirancy Handbook is available here in PDF format.

2009-13: Candidacy

The classes meet monthly from August through May; a retreat is scheduled in June. The monthly classes meet from Saturday morning through mid-afternoon on Sunday. The weekends are planned for the second Saturday of the month.

These sessions will take place at the Chancery (St. Vincent Center). Doors open at 8:00 am on both Saturday and Sunday and the day's program begins promptly at 8:15 am.

The following dates are tentative and subject to change:

2009-10: Year 1

The Candidacy Year I Handbook is available here in PDF format.

2010-11: Year 2

The Candidacy Year II Handbook is available here in PDF format.       

2011-12: Year 3

The Candidacy Year III Handbook is available here in PDF format.

2012-13: Year 4

The canonical retreat takes place in June, scheduled for the 7th-12th. Click here for Liturgical Ministry Schedule for the retreat.

Ordination is scheduled for July 13.

Click here for syllabi and other class resources:

Formation Resources

Pastoral Resources (including Liturgy of the Hours)

Academic Resources (including links to information on proper citation of sources)

        St. Ambrose University

                University homepage

                Department of Theology homepage

                Blackboard 

Instructions for Integration Paper

Application for Graduation

Sacramental Theology II (MPTh 529)

Syllabus, Part 1 (August: Marriage and Holy Orders)

Syllabus, Part 2 (September: Reconciliation & Anointing of the Sick)

Moral Theology II (MPTh 533)

Syllabus

First Reading Assignment

Veritatis splendor (John Paul II)

Evangelium vitae (John Paul II)

Economic Justice for All (USCCB)

Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (USCCB)

Liturgy Practicum II (MPTh 563b)

Syllabus

Diocesan Funeral Policy

Diocesan Policy on Music at Weddings

Canon Law (MPTh 560)

Syllabus

Sacrae disciplinae leges

Canon Law resources on diocesan website

Systematic Theology III (MPTh 547)

Syllabus

Some Current Questions in Eschatology (ITC, 1992)

The Hope of Eternal Life (Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue XI)

Marialis Cultus (Pope Paul VI, 1974)

Redemptoris Mater (Pope John Paul II, 1987)

Behold Your Mother (USCCB, 1973)

American Church History (MPTh 544)

Syllabus

Worksheet (MS Word)

The following forms from the Candidacy Year IV Handbook are available:

Information on Background Checks can be found here.

2013-16: Post-Ordination Formation

According to the Directory, "[t]he goal for this path in formation is to responsibly address the various aspects of a deacon's ministry, the development of his personality and, above all, his commitment to spiritual growth" (#239). This phase of formation is divided into two parts: the initial three years after ordination and life-long formation.

During the first three years after ordination, those newly-ordained (and their wives) continue to take part in regular gatherings for formation as a community. In addition, those newly ordained begin to develop a specific formation plan that addresses their specific needs. Such additional formation could include an in-depth study of another language needed to care for a particular community, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), or any other type of preparation for a particular or specialized ministry.

Beyond the initial three years after ordination, deacons (and their wives) continue to take part in formation events and retreats for the entire diaconal community, as well as continue to take responsibility for their continued ministerial formation through reading, course-work, theological reflection groups, and the like.

Post-Ordination Formation is the responsibility of the Deacon Personnel Director.