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Deacon Formation Program
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Archdiocese of Chicago |
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University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary |
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March 2010
Pastors are partners with the Deacon Formation Program
Mundelein, Il—The Deacon Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago believes in partnering with sponsoring pastors. Pastors make significant contributions to the success of their candidate. “Having been a pastor and having sent one candidate through the program, I realize the importance of positive affirmation of a candidate from the pastor,” said Reverend Dennis Stafford, Director of Spiritual Formation. Pastors have influence on the motivation and discernment of candidates for Holy Orders (permanent deacon). Some of the primary expectations of pastors include sponsoring, supervising in-parish assignments, annually evaluating the candidate’s progress and endorsing the candidate to move toward the ordination path. While noting the demands of ministry require that candidates be competent to stand with and assist the pastor in his role as the parish theologian, Stafford said, “Throughout the process, which entails a minimum of four years of theological study and formation, the pastor’s main objective is to instill a positive and welcoming attitude. This affirmation extends not only to the candidate but to the parish staff and community as well. Without a doubt, when affirmation and a welcoming atmosphere are present so is a spirit of successful discernment. Candidate’s come alive and succeed in the freedom that exists in a positive environment.”
February 2010
Field education is a key component for learning new skill sets
Mundelein, Il—Candidates are moving into their field education experiences which are designed to aid know-how in the three ministries of the deacon: Service to the Word, Liturgy, and Charity and Justice. Year-Two candidates are engaging in a six-month Service to the Liturgy Internship in their sponsoring parish. “The men are asked to observe a deacon presiding at baptisms, weddings and a wake and interment service. They are also asked to prepare and deliver three scripture reflections at a parish meeting or event,” said Anne Chrzan, Associate Director. “The aspirants will be participating in a Service to Charity and Justice field experience over the summer that incorporates 24 hours of hands-on service to an archdiocesan social service agency,” said Fr. Dennis Stafford, Director of Spiritual Formation.
January 2010
Off and running in the new year
Mundelein, Il—The candidates and aspirants in the Deacon Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago are back in high gear after a restful and joyous Christmas season. The new year began with formational presentations on Franciscan spirituality to aspirants and the beginning of Catechism classes for Year 1 and Sacraments for Year 2. The Year 3 candidates are preparing for their interviews before the Admission and Scrutinies Board on January 30th which will propel them into the ordination path. Year 3 candidates are also beginning a fourteen-week lab course in homiletics. “The DFP is always evolving and improving,” said Fr. Dennis J. Stafford, Director of Spiritual Formation. “As 2010 begins, we are planning and preparing a new series of electronic communications that will be sent to the newly ordained deacons in their first year of ministry. These materials will provide helpful insights toward daily prayer, family relationships, the deacon as evangelizer, story teller and leader of prayer.” Stafford also said that starting this spring (2010) the newly ordained will be asked via surveys and focus groups to provide input regarding potential on-going formation to the ordained community from the Deacon Formation Program. “Our hope is to provide helpful resources and processes - as the system allows and is possible - that piggy-back previous, and recent, formation. The first year of ordained ministry is a crucial period and we hope to aid the newly ordained in this critical transition,” said Stafford.
December 2009
Year in Aspirancy is key to spiritual transformation
Mundelein, Il—The first year in the Deacon Formation Program is known as aspirancy. It is a formal year of discernment regarding a vocation. “Emphasis on the transformation of the aspirant’s inner and outer life and not just transformation of the intellect is a goal of the first year of formal discernment,” said Fr. Dennis Stafford, Director of Spiritual Formation. One approach is to create formation network opportunities such as class gatherings and small faith communities – known as Mentor Groups during the first year. Structured settings allow for aspirants to build relationships. These networks enable believers to be intimately involved in one another’s lives by focusing on corporate prayer for one another, growth of interpersonal intimacy, shared experiences in the context of theological reflection and support for each other in times of need. Another approach in spiritual transformation of aspirants emphasizes disciplines such as frequent participation in the sacramental life – especially Eucharist and Penance - meditation, prayer, fasting, and solitude. This approach takes seriously the inner life and intimacy with God. During aspirancy - and the candidacy years - the integration of all spiritual elements, private and corporate, are encouraged. Another approach is supported by personal introspection, e.g., spiritual direction. This approach emphasizes areas of both prayer life and personal character issues that may contribute to, or inhibit, spiritual growth and personal understanding of that growth. The one-on-one relationship of having a director or companion helps an aspirant to understand the roots of an existing spiritual life by looking at one’s heritage, prayer life, sacramental participation and temperament. Fr. Stafford emphasized the need for ‘process.’ “Aspirants are encouraged to have an ideal of aiming for competency in a set of skills or spiritual techniques, but, most importantly, to seek – and understand – the transformative process regarding a mature spiritual lifestyle.”
October 2009
Field Education Experiences are redesigned
Mundelein, Il—The Deacon Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago is currently revising and updating the summer field education experiences each aspirant and candidate receives. The new and revised summer expectations follow the triple munera of diaconal ministry—Word, Liturgy, and Charity and Justice. Each summer’s experience is designed to help aspirants and candidates gain exposure with a wide variety of ministerial activities. They also learn, or enhance, existing skill sets including sensitivity to the dynamics of pastoral relationships, awareness of the social context of ministry, and theological perspectives upon the various aspects of the practice of ministry.
September 2009
New Aspirants come aboard
Mundelein, IL—On Sunday, August 30, 2009, the Deacon Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago welcomed back all candidates, as well as wives, family members and friends, at a Mass of the Holy Spirit. Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois with Reverend Dennis J. Stafford, the Director of Spiritual Formation, presiding. Beyond the returning candidates and their wives, twenty-three aspirants and their families were welcomed into the formation program. The aspirants are from all over the Archdiocese of Chicago and entail men from various backgrounds and cultures ranging in age from the 30’s into their 60’s. Orientation classes were held immediately after the celebration of the Eucharist in the Aula classrooms on campus. Aspirants and candidates were introduced to their new year of academics and formation.
April 2009
Deacon John Pistone, former Director of the Deacon Formation Program, dies
Mundelein, Il—The Deacon Formation Program wishes to inform the archdiocese that Deacon John Pistone, former Director of the Deacon Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago, died Sunday, March 22, 2009.Deacon Pistone was ordained a deacon of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1972, the first class of men ordained after the restoration of the diaconate as a permanent order after Vatican Council II. He served faithfully for many years in parochial ministry at Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish in Palatine, taught in the Deacon Formation Program and eventually assumed national leadership as Executive Director of the Secretariat for the Diaconate of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.Cardinal George called Deacon Pistone back to the archdiocese to become the head of the Deacon Formation Program in 2000 as it was transferred from the Pastoral Center to the University of Saint Mary of the Lake. He and his wife, Rae also headed the National Continuing Education Program for Deacons at the University of Notre Dame.The Wake and Mass will take place on April 2nd, 2009 at St. Thomas of Villanova. The Wake will be from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM and the Mass will be immediately following at 7:00 PM. Hospitality will follow the Mass also at the church.Please do not send flowers or plants. The following is the address to send contributions: The Pepper Family Hospice Home & Center for Care, 410 Hager, Barrington, IL 60010. Indicate that the gift is a Memorial for John Pistone.
January 2009
Deacon Formation Program recruits mentors
Mundelein, Il—The Deacon Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago is actively recruiting ordained deacons as mentors for candidates currently in the program and new aspirants entering in September of 2009. Small faith communities of three to four couples meet in the home of an ordained deacon on a regular basis throughout the formation year. Mentors are trained in the art of theological reflection and make a commitment of one to three years. “We believe it takes gifted and qualified animators/leaders to guide candidates in their formative years: And meeting in a mentor’s home allows a safe sharing environment,” said Reverend Dennis Stafford, Director of Spiritual Formation. “When you speak to the recently ordained one thing stands out: Deacons and their wives remember with fondness, and gratitude, the wonderful moments of gathering in small faith communities. Theological reflection and sincere sharing were highlights of their academic and formation years,” said Stafford. It was pointed out that mentor selection has a guiding principle based on the annual demographic (location) of applicants and mentors not selected in a given year are placed in a ‘pool’ of available mentors for potential future selection. Ordained deacons interested in exploring the role of mentor should contact Fr. Stafford at 847-837-4562 or email to dstafford@usml.edu.
January 2009
The importance of Spiritual Direction is emphasized in the Deacon Formation Program
MUNDELEIN, IL—The Deacon Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago places particular emphasis on developing the spiritual lives of candidates preparing for ordination to the permanent diaconate. A developed and mature personal prayer life is imperative to the continued spiritual growth of a candidate and provides a firm foundation for future ministry. Also of prime importance “...is the necessity of having someone to share the joys and trials of the spiritual life—someone in a professional capacity to aid discernment and allow individuals an intrinsic freedom to journey on the correct path spiritually,” said Reverend Dennis Stafford, Director of Spiritual Formation. In explaining the role of spiritual direction as a necessary and vital component in the spiritual journey, Stafford pointed out that Spiritual Direction is truly an art and science. “Spiritual Direction is an openness to God in a spirit of self-surrender and has four major components: Utilizing the art of conversation and listening; possessing a humble heart—the grande humilitate from Franciscan spirituality; the search for self-understanding and the use of imagination,” said Stafford. In pointing out that spiritual direction is a relationship between two believers it is important to remember key elements that relate directly to the professional spiritual director. “Directors help individuals glimpse God as incomprehensible mystery, yet, also provide a level of spiritual freedom that allows opportunities for barriers to crumble. St. Paul asks us to discern various spirits—and a malevolent spirit is certainly a barrier. It is important for individuals seeking a spiritual director to realize that directors move you beyond the moment while understanding the emotional environment. They listen and respond to you the person—they do not respond to problems,” said Stafford.
January 2009
Recent program developments in the Deacon Formation Program illustrated
MUNDELEIN, IL—The Deacon Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago invites pastors, parish leaders and men interested in pursuing the discernment of a vocation to the permanent diaconate to visit the program’s website (www.usml.edu Ministry Formation/Deacon Formation Program) to view the basics of the application process and academic/formation requirements. Potential applicants, and their pastors, are invited to check the Recent Program Developments button to view the exciting and positive recent improvements to the program that enable aspirants, candidates and their wives to more clearly discern their vocations.
December 2008
The Deacon Formation Program at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary announces its new web site
Mundelein, Il – New recruitment and marketing efforts aimed at each of the parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago helping pastors and potential deacon candidates discern a vocation to the permanent diaconate has taken a leap forward with the initiation of a new website (www.usml.edu Ministry Formation/Deacon Formation Program). Currently, over 65 men are within formation and academic environments in the aspirancy or candidacy path toward potential ordination. The new web page offers interesting insight to the process of preparing to become ordained clergy. It also offers helpful ideas to pastors who may be considering inviting dedicated men in the parish to discern the vocation of permanent deacon. Future pages to the web will outline what is on the horizon regarding the evolving deacon program of higher learning. “The deacon is called to participate in the Church's ministry of the word as an evangelizer and teacher. He takes the spirit and message of Jesus to the marketplace and is generous of his time, energy and talents, especially to the poor. In the deacon's liturgical ministry, the Church sees a reflection of its own diaconal character and is reminded of its mission to serve as Jesus did. Ministry of Charity and Justice is integral to the deacon’s service in the Church’s ministry of Word and Liturgy,” said Deacon Bob Puhala, Director of Formation for the Deacon Formation Program located at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. Currently, the Deacon Formation Program calls on all pastors in the archdiocese to discern and invite men with the potential to serve the faithful in the capacity of deacon. The program provides visitations to parishes and deaneries as well as a speakers bureau to address interested men. “The Deacon Formation Program is looking for men who are already living a lifestyle of service to their Church and their community, men whose lifestyles of service would be further strengthened and sacramentalized by the reception of Holy Orders,” said Deacon Jim Cozzo, Administrative Assistant. New marketing efforts include the current ordained deacons of the Archdiocese of Chicago – and especially those who serve in the capacity of Vicariate/Deanery Coordinator - as vital resources in the recruitment of potential deacon candidates. “Along with pastors, the deacon is in a privileged position to identify and invite men of good character and who exhibit the model standards necessary to become a part of formation. The priest Deans of the archdiocese are also a tremendous resource and ally in recruitment efforts,” said Reverend Dennis Stafford, Director of Spiritual Formation. Over ninety-five percent of candidates currently involved in the program are married men. The wives of the aspirants and candidates play a prominent and supportive role to their husbands during formation. “Wives of Aspirants and Candidates invariably grow and benefit enormously as they accompany their husbands in the formation program. Not only are they nurtured and nourished, as are their husbands, by the intellectual and spiritual development of their faith through various classes and presentations, they also are introduced to the variety and scope of ministries through a number of assignments and at least one field education experience. These dedicated women also truly establish their own personal identity as a potential lay minister,” said Anne Chrzan, Associate Director. The first step for potential inquirers is to have a heart-to-heart conversation with their pastor to gain support and assistance. An information session for men interested in pursuing studies and formation for the permanent diaconate will be held at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake on Sunday, December 14 at 2:30 pm. Further information sessions will be held at the DePaul-O’Hare campus on January 14, 2009 and February 4, 2009 at 7:30 pm. “Please refer parish leaders and inquiring minds searching for direction regarding a potential vocation to the permanent diaconate to this useful and informative web site,” said Puhala.
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