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Diocesan Theological Institute

Learn more about this opportunity for diaconate
continuing formation hours...

Theological Institute  <-- Click here to go to website


Ongoing Formation Hours

All active deacons are required to complete 25 hours of ongoing formation hours annually. If you are in need of a form, refer to page 110 of your Deacon Handbook and copy/enlarge the page. You may also download the form from the member section of this website.

Completed forms for the each year are due prior to March 1 of the following year.  Please submit completed forms to this office in a timely fashion.

A reminder to all active deacons who have not yet submitted their ongoing formation hours for the calendar year ending December 31, 2009.  We ask that you please submit your hours AS SOON AS POSSIBLE - the deadline was March 1, 2010.

Please also include those hours for the calendar year ending December 31, 2008 for those active deacons who did not submit them. Thanks.


Virtual Tours of the Vatican

Be sure to allow yourself enough time to take this virtual tour of The Vatican. It is awesome.

INSTRUCTIONS: After you link on the site below and select an image, double click with the left mouse button and it appears, then HOLD DOWN THE LEFT MOUSE BUTTON AND SLOWLY MOVE THE CURSOR AROUND THE ROOM and to the ceiling.

http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/vr_tour/index-en.html

The Vatican virtual tours - once you get the hang of it, you can easily spend hours on this site...


RCIA for the Hispanic

Deacon Armando Martinez is setting up R.C.I.A. beginning October for the Hispanic. He is trying to establish dates for this year and next year. If some deacons have information they can share with him, it will help him start the process. Deacon Martinez can be contacted at martinezluckey13@gmail.com.


Homiletic Resources Available

Dear Deacons,

I recently sent this information about Fr. Mike Librandi, one of our own diocesan priests, to a number of priests in the diocese. I thought you might also appreciate this information as you prepare your homilies.

Fr. Mike has developed a series of homilies for this liturgical year which began with the first Sunday of Advent. I personally have found these homilies to be some of the best I have used in my ministry. What I especially find helpful is the way he is able to pull all the readings, including the response psalm, into a simple and very understandable message. I am happy to recommend this homily service to you.

You can access the homily membership site by going to http://www.sundayshomily.com. Once there you will be able to listen to and read a few sample homilies. If you wish to subscribe to the homily service Fr. Mike has offered a special price to the priests and deacons of our diocese. Just send him an email to FrMichael@BuildMySpirit.com and you will receive a discount of $2.00 per month.

May God continue to bless you in your ministry.

Msgr. Thomas C. Brady, V.G.


Deacon to Deacon

Since Assembly Day, a number of deacons have enquired about the status of the St. Stephen - Deacon Relief Fund. As background, the Office has been given funds by parishes [tithes], deacons and individuals earmarked for assistance to deacons or their families in times of great need. The funds are kept in a separate account, isolated from the operating funds. With the advice of the Bishop’s Committee for the Permanent Diaconate and authorization of the Vicar for Clergy, the Office has made several gifts since the funds inception over a decade ago.

Today, the funds are nearly depleted. If you or your parish would like to make a gift at this time, please do so by sending a check accompanied by a letter stating the origin and intended use of the funds.

To replenish the funds, we will need the assistance of the community. Several deacons made suggestions about how we might raise funds. Please contact the office if you would like to serve on a committee focused on sourcing these funds. Today’s generosity will be the charity we have to share with deacons and their families in times of great need.



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Page Last Updated 08 Mar 2010