Advanced Ministry Formation
for Deacon Candidates and Lay Ecclesial Ministers

Diocese of Las Vegas


The Deacon Formation Program is a three-year program that focuses on the human, spiritual, doctrinal, and pastoral formation of candidates preparing for ordination as Permanent Deacons in the Diocese of Las Vegas. It will run from August 2008 to June 2011, and includes weekend sessions once a month, annual weekend retreats, bi-weekly faith sharing evenings, individual spiritual direction, and a five-day pre-ordination retreat. The wife of each deacon candidate is expected to participate in the annual retreats and in the spiritual/pastoral portions of the monthly sessions, and also strongly encouraged to attend the academic/doctrinal portions of the formation program, if possible.

The monthly instructional sessions of this program are also intended for Lay Ecclesial Ministers (men and women, religious sisters and brothers) not preparing for ordination as deacons. All participants must already have successfully completed the L.E.M.P., or have similar prior formation. Current priests and deacons may also attend the sessions for continuing education purposes.

While integrating all aspects of diaconal formation at all times, each year will concentrate on one of the three main functions of diaconal ministry:

Year 1 (Aug. 2008 - May 2009):
Diaconia of the Word
(Scripture and Preaching)
Assignments for Fall 2008 | | Assignments for Spring 2009

Year 2 (Aug. 2009 - May 2010):
Diaconia of the Liturgy
(Sacraments and Prayer)
Assignments for Fall 2009 | | Assignments for Spring 2010

Year 3 (Aug. 2010 - May 2011):
Diaconia of Charity
(Service in the Diocese and the World)


Detailed Schedule for 2008-2011

Monthly sessions will meet on the third weekend of most months, but sometimes earlier (esp. Nov. & Dec.) to avoid various conflicts.
Unless otherwise noted, all monthly sessions are held at Bishop Gorman High School (5959 S. Hualapai Way, Las Vegas, NV 89148; Mapquest)
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Note the extended Sundays, beginning Sept. '09)

Date / Fecha Topical Focus Instructor
YEAR 1 WORD / SCRIPTURE .
Aug. 29-31, 2008 RETREAT - Falcon Ridge Hotel, Mesquite Team from Loyola Institute, Orange
Sept. 20-21, 2008 Ministry / Community / Diakonia Ms. Gail Gresser
Oct. 18-19, 2008 Liturgy of the Hours Sr. Jeremy Gallet, S.P.
Nov. 8-9, 2008 Preaching / Homiletics Fr. Thomas Scirghi, S.J.
Dec. 6-7, 2008 Lectionary for Mass Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Jan 17-18, 2009 Synoptic Gospels Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Feb. 21-22, 2009 Gospel of John Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Mar. 21-22, 2009 Old Testament Rev. Robert Kugler, Ph.D.
Apr. 18-19, 2009 Pauline & DeuteroPauline Letters Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
May 16-17, 2009 Acts, Catholic Epistles, Revelation Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
YEAR 2 LITURGY / SACRAMENTS .
Aug. 28-30, 2009 RETREAT - Alexis Park Resort, Las Vegas Team from Loyola Institute, Orange
Sept. 19-20, 2009 Presiding, esp. Communion (SCAP) Sr. Jeremy Gallet, S.P.
Oct. 17-18, 2009
Lector Installation
Eucharist, esp. Deacon's Role Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Nov. 7-8, 2009 R.C.I.A. - Christian Initiation Ms. Gail Gresser
Dec. 5-6, 2009 Infant Baptism & Family Preparation Fr. Bill Kenny
Jan. 16-17, 2010 Confirmation & Catechesis Fr. Bill Kenny
Feb. 20-21, 2010 Marriage & Family Counseling Deacon Tom & Joann Halt
Mar. 13-14, 2010 Pastoral Care of the Sick Ms. Ann Karner
Apr. 17-18, 2010 Funerals & Bereavement Ministry Team from Christ the King, LV
May 15-16, 2010 Pastoral Counseling Fr. Joe Annese
YEAR 3 CHARITY / SERVICE .
Aug. 27-29, 2010 RETREAT - Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale Team from Loyola Institute, Orange
Sept. 18-19, 2010
Acolyte Installation
Social Ministries Msgr. Pat Leary
Oct. 16-17, 2010 Ministerial Ethics Fr. Richard Gula, S.S.
Nov. 6-7, 2010 Pastoral Policies & Practices Fr. Bob Stoeckig
Dec. 11-12, 2010 Youth and Young Adult Ministries Fr. Bill Kenny
Jan. 15-16, 2011 Multicultural Church Fr. Allan Deck, S.J.
Feb. 19-20, 2011 Canon Law I Bishop Joseph Pepe
March 19-20, 2011 Canon Law II Fr. Francis Vivona
April 5-10, 2011 Pre-Ordination RETREAT
Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale
Team from L.I.S.
May 14-15, 2011 Recap: Diaconal Ecclesial Ministry Frs. Felix Just & Bill Kenny

June 3, 2011
7:00 p.m. Cathedral

ORDINATION to the Permanent Diaconate Most Rev. Joseph Pepe, D.D.

 


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For more information, please contact

Fr. Bill Kenny
Christ the King Parish
4925 S. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89118

Phone: 702-871-1904;  Fax: 702-437-9548
Email: wjmkenny--at--embarqmail.com
Website: http://www.ctklv.org

Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Loyola Institute for Spirituality
480 S. Batavia St., Orange, CA 92868-3907

Phone: 714-997-9587 x28;  Fax: 714-997-9588
Email: fjust2000--at--yahoo.com
Website: http://www.catholic-resources.org