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)
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.
Most of the dates and topics for 2008-2010 are set, but exact dates for 2010-2011 as still TBD.
Unless otherwise noted, all monthly sessions are held at Bishop Gorman High School
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
| Date / Fecha | Topical Focus | Instructor |
| YEAR 1 | WORD / SCRIPTURE | |
| Aug. 29-31, 2008 | RETREAT | 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 | Team from Loyola Institute, Orange |
| Sept. 19-20, 2009 | Presiding, esp. Communion (SCAP) | Sr. Jeremy Gallet, S.P. |
| Oct. 17-18, 2009 | 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 | TBD |
| Mar. 13-14, 2010 | Pastoral Care of the Sick | Ms. Ann Karner |
| Apr. 17-18, 2010 | Funerals & Bereavement Ministry | TBD |
| May 15-16, 2010 | Pastoral Counseling | TBD |
| YEAR 3 | CHARITY / SERVICE | . |
| Aug. 27-29, 2010 | RETREAT | Team from Loyola Institute, Orange |
| Sept. 18-19, 2010 | Social Ministries | TBD |
| Oct. 16-17, 2010 | Ministerial Ethics | Fr. Richard Gula, S.S. |
| Nov. 6-7, 2010 | Pastoral Policies & Practices | TBD |
| Dec. 11-12, 2010 | Youth and Young Adult Ministries | TBD |
| Jan. 15-16, 2011 | Multicultural Church | Fr. Allan Deck, S.J. |
| Feb. 19-20, 2011 | Canon Law I | TBD |
| March 19-20, 2011 | Canon Law II | TBD |
| April 5-10, 2011 | Pre-Ordination RETREAT | Team from Loyola Institute, Orange |
| May 14-15, 2011 | Recap: Diaconal Ecclesial Ministry | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. & Fr. Bill Kenny |
| June ??, 2011 | ORDINATION | Most Rev. Joseph Pepe, D.D. |
Click here for a BIBLIOGRAPHY for this program.
Click here for the MONTHLY ASSIGNMENTS for this program.
Click here for the PRESIDING and PREACHING SCHEDULE for this program.
For more information, please contact
Fr. Bill Kenny Phone: 702-871-1904; Fax: 702-437-9548 |
Fr. Felix Just, S.J. Phone: 714-997-9587 x28; Fax: 714-997-9588 |