Deacon candidates should show background of service

By Dcn. Paul Grimm
Director of the Permanent Diaconate

	Dcn. Paul Grimm

Living the love of God in our lives is not reserved to those who are ordained. All Christians, by virtue of their baptism, are called to live the love of God. We reveal that love in how we interact with others through the many relationships we have in our families, workplace, community, and church.

Deacon eligibility Who is eligible to apply to become a deacon? In the Diocese of Green Bay: • A man must be at least 30 years old and normally not older than 55; • He must be recommended by his pastor or parish director and have the support of his parish community; • He must have a history of active parish involvement, service to others, and leadership capabilities; • He must be in good standing in the Church and accept Catholic teachings; • A married applicant must have a stable and happy marriage, and his wife and children must support his interest in the diaconate; • Single applicants must be willing to commit to celibacy as a lifestyle; • Applicants must be in good physical and emotional health and have a stable work history; • Applicants must have at least a high school diploma and be capable of taking college level courses.

In assessing those who express interest in the permanent diaconate, it is necessary that those inquiring have a substantial history of this expressed love for others:

• serving others on the margins through charity and justice activities;

• serving their parish in liturgical roles;

• teaching God's word through religious education;

• taking leadership roles and facilitating the involvement of others in service, and;

• maintaining strong marriage and family relationships.

All these are all examples of putting God's love into action in daily life. This love in action must be present before a man is considered for diaconate. Deacons are first identified as actively living out their baptismal call; then they are formed for ministry. Deacons are not simply created by virtue of ordination.

Parishes and their members play an important role in identifying potential deacons. Look about you to see who already expresses God's love in their lives. Take a look at your parish's needs; then see who demonstrates gifts that might meet those needs.

	S p e c i a l   S e c t i o n : Vocations Awareness Week 2004
	• Bridging the Gap by Bishop David A. Zubik --     'Many are called:' Let's all be vocations directors  • Profiles of the men who became priests last year     Just what kind of men become priests today?  • Angels in the 'Hood'     Chicago outreach changes lives for inner city     people  • How one person made a difference for a seminarian     Support can make all the difference for those     discerning a vocation  • Joining a religious community is a process     Years of discernment follow a gentle invitation     • Sidebar: Signs of a call  • Norbertine finds that God is always there     God comes to us in many ways, including     in the flesh  • Things have changed since the days of veils     Formation for community life has adapted more     for individuality  • Editorial -- Our vocations     One of our callings as Catholics is to look for     and encourage call to the priesthood

Encourage those who meet the following criteria to consider whether God is calling them to live out their love of others through a life of service as a deacon. In addition to the diocese's formal application requirements, a candidate should have certain personal qualities to be effective as a deacon. We look for:

• people of compassion who have a love of serving others;

• those who are able to relate well with a wide variety of people;

• strongly spiritual and prayerful men;

• those who can express themselves well and lead others;

• people who can manage time well to incorporate discernment, theological study, spiritual formation and ministry in balance with family and work;

• those who love the Church and experience a strong call to follow God's will.

Do you or others you know have these qualities? If so, it may be an indication that living the love of God through diaconal ministry is a calling to consider.

For further information, contact me at 920-437-7531, or toll-free 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8290 or via e-mail at pgrimm@gbdioc.org.