Saint Francis Seminary is admitting a new class into the Deacon Formation Program. The process begins with an Information Session. Two have been scheduled:

How can we help you identify prospective applicants?
• Review the information available online regarding new class recruitment, the role of the deacon, admission criteria, the wives program, and recommending reading on the diaconate by visiting our web site at www.sfs.edu
• Communicate that diaconate admissions has begun using pulpit announcements, the homily, and the parish bulletin as vehicles to increase awareness
• Engage your deacon or the pastor and members of the pastoral staff, parish council and parish community to surface potential applicants who you feel would best meet the Church’s criteria for admissions
• Personally invite the individuals you would consider approaching to be applicants for the diaconate admissions process after you know first hand whether they meet the basic criteria for consideration for application to the program (see attached check list)

How does the process begin?
All those who plan to attend (if married) must be accompanied by their wife, and must make a reservation to attend one of our two scheduled Information Sessions (by October 10, 2005 or October 20, 2005). You are encouraged to accompany your inquirer. Contact us at 414-747-6444 or by e-mail at cd@sfs.edu

Diaconate is a unique ministry of service to the Church. If you have questions or concerns about the admissions criteria, the process or suitability of prospective inquirers please contact in confidence Tim Charek at 414-747-6446 or tcharek@sfs.edu or Deacon John Ebel at 414-747-6445 or jebel@sfs.edu.

Keys areas every Pastor, Priest, Deacon or Parish Director should have first-hand knowledge of before recommending someone to the admissions process:

• Deep love for the Church, an understanding and adherence to her teaching, and an appreciation of her role in the world. How solid has been this potential applicant’s relationship been with the church over the years? Has this potential applicant ever left the Church? Are you aware of any canonical irregularities or impediments (C.1040-1049)?
• Mature vocational call and spiritual development. How much consideration has this potential applicant given to a vocational calling to diaconate? Has this consideration been primarily between God and him, or has it been in conversation with the Christian community, the parish? Would he and/or his wife benefit with more time to prayerfully consider your invitation/his decision before applying? What is motivating his decision to apply?
• Recommendation, approval and support of one’s parish leadership community. Is this potential applicant in a mature relationship with the parish community? Are he and his wife well-known in the parish? What kinds of ministry are they involved in and at what level? Is it diaconal? What is the parish staff and parish council’s assessment about his current parish involvement, and potential pastoral leadership as a deacon?
• Understanding and approval from applicant’s spouse (if married). Have husband and wife demonstrated an ability to effectively communicate? Do both of them have balance in their parish involvement? Is she able to say “no”? (A separate, private conversation with the potential applicant’s wife is strongly advised).
• Record of service, with some demonstrated leadership roles, within the Church and community. Successful applicants have had broad parish kinds of experience. What kind of liturgical, catechetical, and social justice/community experience/leadership would this potential candidate bring? Would you characterize him as an excellent example of a Catholic adult who has maturely and enthusiastically embraced his faith?
• Public speaking ability; potential/aptitude for preaching, catechizing, evangelization. How has this potential applicant demonstrated his strengths in this area? Are you aware of his ability to speak, make a presentation, lead prayer, or proclaim the Word through direct observation within a parish setting?
• Age: at least 32years and will not be older than 60 years at time of ordination.
• Active and full participation in the Catholic Faith, sacraments, and in Sunday Eucharist. How long have they been members of this parish? Has their participation in the parish continued to grow through the years? As a family, have they been an example to the other members of the community – about what it means to be Catholic?
• Sufficient economic security, job stability. The Church expects the deacon to be self-sufficient. Is the potential applicant (as well as his spouse) able to provide an adequate home life for themselves and their children? How well do you believe that this burden can be managed, in light of the demands of the formation program and subsequent ministry? Are they regular contributors to the parish? Are you aware of any job losses, serious health issues that would affect their economic circumstances? How familiar are you with other aspects of this potential applicant’s life? Have they ever declared bankruptcy? Have they accumulated significant credit-card debt? Are they in default of any of their loans?
• Baptism, Confirmation and Marriage (if married) all within the Catholic Church. For those who have entered into full communion or have been baptized into the Church as adults, a period of living as an active, practicing Catholic for a period of at least five years is expected prior to consideration for admissions. Are they in good graces in their official relationship with the Church?
• Mature, growing marriage or commitment to celibate single life-style (for at least five years). Have they been in a Catholic marriage for at least 5 years? How aware are you of this potential applicant’s family life- children, marital relationship? Is he/they caring for elderly/ill parents? Have there been any recent deaths or major illnesses in the family? Have there been periods of significant marital tension? Have they ever sought marital counseling? Has there ever been a period of separation in their marriage? Has the applicant or his wife (if married) ever sought a decree of invalidity? Has there been any previous marriage/divorce?
• Personal maturity/psychological stability. What is your experience of this potential applicant “in action” in a variety of settings within the parish, and community? Do you know of any alcoholism, depression or other “hidden” maladies? Have you asked? What gifts do they bring that help them be successful in ministry? What liabilities do they bring to diaconal ministry? Are they able to deal with ambiguity? Do they seek power? Are they “other” directed? How “open” are they?
• General Health: Do they have any history of chemical dependency, criminal behavior, cancer or other illnesses which might prevent someone from engaging in life-long service to the community? Do they have energy for ministry?
• Ability to handle college-level work, and to conduct oneself in a professional manner. How much updating and continuing education has this potential applicant had within the last five years? How have they demonstrated a thirst and a love for the Church by seeking knowledge through adult formation activities, workshops, parish talks? Have they demonstrated a capacity for being a public person? Do you know if they can read and write at a college-level?

Please click on the "Download PDF" icon below for materials about the admission process for the new deacon class of 2011.