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 encouraged to attend the academic/doctrinal portions of the formation program, if possible.

The monthly instructional sessions of this program are also open to other Ecclesial Ministers (lay 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)

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
YEAR 1 WORD / SCRIPTURE
Aug. 29-31, 2008 RETREAT
Sept. 20-21, 2008 Ministry / Community / Diakonia
Oct. 18-19, 2008 Liturgy of the Hours
Nov. 8-9, 2008 Preaching / Homiletics
Dec. 6-7, 2008 Lectionary for Mass
Jan 17-18, 2009 Synoptic Gospels
Feb. 21-22, 2009 Gospel of John
Mar. 21-22, 2009 Old Testament
Apr. 18-19, 2009 Paul & Epistles
May 16-17, 2009 Acts & Revelation
YEAR 2 LITURGY / SACRAMENTS
Aug. 28-30, 2009 RETREAT
Sept. 19-20, 2009 Presiding, esp. Communion (SCAP)
Oct. 17-18, 2009 Eucharist, esp. Deacon's Role
Nov. 7-8, 2009 RCIA
Dec. 5-6, 2009 Infant Baptism & Family Preparation
Jan. 16-17, 2010 Confirmation & Catechesis
Feb. 20-21, 2010 Marriage & Family Counseling
Mar. 13-14, 2010 Pastoral Care of the Sick
Apr. 17-18, 2010 Funerals & Bereavement Ministry
May 15-16, 2010 Pastoral Counseling
YEAR 3 CHARITY / SERVICE
? Aug. 27-29, 2010 RETREAT
? Sept. 18-19, 2010 Social Ministries
? Oct. 16-17, 2010 Ministerial Ethics
? Nov. 6-7, 2010 Pastoral Policies & Practices
? Dec. 11-12, 2010 Youth and Young Adult Ministries
? Jan. 15-16, 2011 Multicultural Church
? Feb. 19-20, 2011 Canon Law I
? March 19-20, 2011 Canon Law II
? April 9-10, 2011 Recap: Diaconal Ecclesial Ministry
? May 10-15, 2011 Pre-Ordination RETREAT
June ??, 2011 ORDINATION

 


Click here for a preliminary BIBLIOGRAPHY for this program.


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-
Email: wjmkenny--at--aol.com

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: fjust--at--calprov.org
Website: http://www.catholic-resources.org