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 includes monthly weekend sessions, 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:

Group A:

Years 1-2: Lay Ecclesial Ministry Program, 2006 – 2008

Year 3 (Aug. 2008 – May 2009):
Diaconia of the Word
(Scripture and Preaching)
Assignments for Fall 2008 | Assignments for Spring 2009

Year 4 (Aug. 2009 – May 2010):
Diaconia of the Liturgy
(Sacraments and Presiding)
Assignments for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010

Year 5 (Aug. 2010 – May 2011):
Diaconia of Charity
(Service in the Diocese and the World)
Assignments for Fall 2010 | Assignments for Spring 2011

Program Materials:

Bibliography

Participants' Photos

Preaching and Presiding Schedule

Group B:

Years 1-2: Lay Ecclesial Ministry Program, 2008 – 2010

Year 3 (Aug. 2010 – May 2011):
Diaconia of the Word
(Scripture and Preaching)
Assignments for Fall 2010 | Assignments for Spring 2011

Year 4 (Aug. 2011 – May 2012):
Diaconia of the Liturgy
(Sacraments and Presiding)
Assignments for Fall 2011 | Assignments for Spring 2012

Year 5 (Aug. 2012 – May 2013):
Diaconia of Charity
(Service in the Diocese and the World)
Assignments for Fall 2012 | Assignments for Spring 2013

Program Materials:

Bibliography

Participants' Photos

Preaching and Presiding Schedule


Detailed Schedule for Group A: 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)
Year 3: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. (Mass usually at 8:00 a.m.)
Year 4: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
, and Sundays 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Mass either at 8:00 or 10:00 a.m.)
Year 5: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Mass usually at 11:00 a.m.)

Date / Fecha Topical Focus Instructor
YEAR 3 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 & Deutero-Pauline Letters Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
May 16-17, 2009 Acts, Catholic Epistles, Revelation Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
YEAR 4 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 & Pre-Marital Preparation Deacon Tom & Joann Halt
Mar. 13-14, 2010 Anointing & Pastoral Care of the Sick Ms. Ann Karner
Apr. 17-18, 2010 Funerals & Bereavement Ministry Team from Christ the King
May 15-16, 2010
Sun 8:00-12:00 only
Reconciliation & Pastoral Counseling Fr. Joe Annese
YEAR 5 CHARITY / SERVICE .
Aug. 27-29, 2010 RETREAT - Center for Spiritual Development, Orange 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 12-13, 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 Fr. Felix Just & Fr. Bill Kenny
Thurs., June 2, 2011
Ordination Rehearsal (6:00 p.m. - Cathedral) Michael LaRocca
Fri., June 3, 2011 ORDINATION to the Permanent Diaconate
(7:00 p.m. - Guardian Angel Cathedral)
Most Rev. Joseph Pepe, D.D.

Detailed Schedule for Group B: 2010–2013

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)
Year 3: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Mass usually at 11:00 a.m.)
Year 4: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
, and Sundays 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Mass either at 8:00 or 10:00 a.m.)
Year 5: TBD

Date / Fecha Topical Focus Instructor
YEAR 3 WORD / SCRIPTURE .
Aug. 20-22, 2010 RETREAT - Marywood Pastoral Center, Orange, CA Team from Loyola Institute, Orange
Sept. 18-19, 2010 Lectionary for Mass Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Oct. 16-17, 2010 Ministerial Ethics Fr. Richard Gula, S.S.
Nov. 6-7, 2010 Liturgy of the Hours Sr. Jeremy Gallet, S.P.
Dec. 11-12, 2010 Preaching / Homiletics Fr. Thomas Scirghi, S.J.
Date TBD Rite of Candidacy (Cathedral) Bishop Joseph Pepe
Jan. 15-16, 2011 Synoptic Gospels Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Feb. 19-20, 2011 Gospel of John Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
March 12-13, 2011 Pauline & Deutero-Pauline Letters Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
April 2-3, 2011 Acts, Catholic Epistles, Revelation Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
May 14-15, 2011 Old Testament Corrine Carvalho, Ph.D.
YEAR 4 LITURGY / SACRAMENTS .
Aug. 26-28, 2011 RETREAT - Center for Spiritual Development, Orange Team from Loyola Institute, Orange
Sept. 17-18, 2011 Presiding, esp. Communion (SCAP) Sr. Jeremy Gallet, S.P.
Oct. 15-16, 2011
Reader Installation?
Eucharist, esp. Deacon's Role Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Nov. 5-6, 2011 R.C.I.A. - Christian Initiation Gail Gresser
Dec. 3-4, 2011 Infant Baptism & Family Preparation Fr. Bill Kenny
Jan. 21-22, 2012 Confirmation & Catechesis Fr. Bill Kenny
Feb. 18-19, 2012 Marriage & Pre-Marital Preparation TBA
Mar. 17-18, 2012 Anointing & Pastoral Care of the Sick TBA
Apr. 21-22, 2012 Funerals & Bereavement Ministry TBA
May 19-20, 2012 Reconciliation & Pastoral Counseling TBA
YEAR 5 CHARITY / SERVICE .
Aug. 24-26, 2012 RETREAT - Center for Spiritual Development, Orange Team from Loyola Institute, Orange
Sept. 15-16, 2012 Ministry / Community / Diakonia TBA
Oct. 13-14, 2012
Acolyte Installation?
Social Ministries TBA
Nov. 10-11, 2012 Pastoral Policies & Practices TBA
Dec. 8-9, 2012 Youth and Young Adult Ministries TBA
Jan. 19-20, 2013 Multicultural Church TBA
Feb. 16-17, 2013 Canon Law I TBA
March 16-17, 2013 Canon Law II TBA
April 16-21, 2013 Pre-Ordination RETREAT (CSD, Orange) Team from L.I.S.
May 11-12, 2013 Recap: Diaconal Ecclesial Ministry Fr. Felix Just & Fr. Bill Kenny
Fri., May 31, 2013 ORDINATION to the Permanent Diaconate (Cathedral) Most Rev. Joseph Pepe, D.D.

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