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29 begin discernment as permanent deacons
archived from: 2008-06-02
by: John Franko

Gathered around the table of the Lord, the 29 men of the permanent diaconate class of 2013 began their formal discernment with a May 20 Mass at St. Paul Seminary in Crafton.

Father James Wehner, director of the Office for the Diaconate and rector of St. Paul Seminary, was the main celebrant and homilist.

He was joined by more than 25 of his brother priests from the diocese.

“It has been a long journey,” Father Wehner said of the application process that began almost a year ago.

The class of 2013 comes from a variety of backgrounds. It includes an assistant professor of medicine, a psychologist, two bus drivers, a postal worker, pastoral associate, tax manager, borough manager, funeral director and deputy prothonotary.

The aspirants range in age from 36 to 60.

Franciscan Sister Patricia Rogan, assistant director of the Office for the Diaconate, said the diverse backgrounds of the class are the design of the Holy Spirit.

“The diversity of experiences brings a richness of an understanding of the church,” she said. “Since the aspirants come from different occupations and different parishes, they have a positive effect on the people in many areas.”

The 29 men will join the 47 who are in their second year of formation as part of the class of 2011.

Some 20 candidates of the class of 2011 were on hand for the liturgy.

Sister Pat said the program will set aside time for the aspirants and candidates to come together to share their experiences. Some wives of candidates will also be present to address concerns they may have.

Each aspirant will receive a list of current deacons who are willing to serve as mentors.

“During these meetings the deacon shares his experiences with the aspirant and answers any questions the aspirant may have as he journeys through the formation,” Sister Pat said.

With the opening liturgy, the aspirants entered into the propaedeutic period, a 30-week program consisting of weekly classes, workshops, spiritual direction, formation advising and days of recollection.

A decision regarding which aspirants will continue into the deacon formation program will be made in December.

Father Wehner reminded the aspirants that the discernment process involves a special dialogue between them and the church, and will include much study and prayer.

It was only fitting, he noted, that the process began around the Eucharist.

“What takes place here is what really defines ministry,” he said of the Mass. “How appropriate we begin this discernment at God’s altar.”

Father Wehner pointed out that without the church Christ would simply be a historical figure of the past.

We all must take ownership as disciples, he noted, and strive that ministry leads others to salvation.

“Becoming a slave of Christ is the greatest expression of love,” he said.

Father Wehner told the aspirants that their discernment will take place in the context of what it means to teach, sanctify and lead.

Pointing to the broken human nature of violence and prejudice, he noted that the Holy Spirit gives us hope of better things to come.

“We need you men,” he said. “We need your example. We need your dedication. We need your undying love.”

In closing, he said God was inviting them to be stewards of the sacred mysteries.

“May God bring to fulfillment what has been initiated in your life this evening,” he said.

Father Wehner talked about the importance of the diaconate by noting that it is of service to both the faithful and the ordained.

The deacons will bring liturgical and sacramental assistance to the priests, he said, and the ministry of service and charity to the faithful.

“The unique gift of diaconal ministry provides witness to the ordained, reminding us of the real pastoral situations that exist while also challenging the lay faithful in their apostolate of living faith in the temporal and social orders of society,” he said.

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