I have been asked to provide a status report on my formation process to become a Deacon within our Diocese. Many of you have expressed great support for my candidacy including the offering up of your prayers and intentions, and that is greatly appreciated and needed. Thank you!

This journey began in earnest in January of 2017 when my wife Jane and I met with Deacon Frank Iannarino, Diocesan Director of the Diaconate. Though I had been discerning this vocation for several years, the time had come to “fish or cut bait” as they say. Strong encouragement had been given to me by Deacon Iannarino and at that time, our pastor, Fr. Klinger, but the path laid out was long and narrow.

After completing six mandatory pre-requisite courses in subjects such as Old and New Testament, Theology of the Diaconate, Philosophy and Church History, I was able to submit a “pre-application” to be considered for formation. This phase, the first of three, was called “Inquiry”. Following Inquiry, I entered the next phase of formation called “Aspirancy” where Aspirants and the Church step into a deep period of discernment over the Aspirant’s vocation. While relatively short, it is quite intense and includes a battery of many psychological examinations and screenings. By the way, wives of Aspirants play a critical role throughout the process and must actually petition the Bishop, along with her husband, for the final phase: Candidacy.

At the end of Aspirancy, a dossier of sorts is developed containing the final application to the Candidacy, the psychological examination results, sacramental and academic records, and much more. That file is submitted to a Diocesan candidate screening board including both lay and ordained, and they make a recommendation to the Bishop as to whether or not the Aspirant moves on to the final phase – Candidacy.

Candidacy runs for approximately three years and includes a continuation of academic studies, several “practicums” (learning the sacramental and liturgical roles and rites assigned to Deacons), spiritual direction, as well as an internship in a neighboring parish. My internship began in January in New Albany at the Church of the Resurrection and will continue there until ordination. While this internship thus far commits me to one weekend a month at Resurrection, starting in in the new year, it will increase to three weekends a month, so you won’t see much of me for a while!

I am now in my final year of Candidacy and on December 18, my nine fellow Deacon-Candidates and I will be installed by Bishop Fernandes as “Acolytes”, the final major step to ordination to the Diaconate that will be held on August 10. Many people ask me if I will be assigned to St. Paul’s upon my ordination and the answer is, I don’t know and won’t know until right before ordination. That is the domain of Bishop Fernandes and while it is typical for Deacons to be assigned to their home parish, there is no guarantee. The Bishop must determine where the needs are greatest in the Diocese and decide accordingly.

Again, thank you all for your prayers and gestures of support throughout this process. The role of the Deacon is an important one and the need to support our Priests in the mission of charity and the sacramental life of the Church is only growing. I urge you all to continue to pray for all vocations. Please don’t hesitate to stop me and ask any questions I might be able to answer concerning the Diaconate and the formation process.