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:

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.)

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

For more information, please contact