Thank you for your interest
in Diocesan Diaconate Formation/ diocésain pour le Diaconat
From our Director:
After Vatican 11, Pope Paul V1, re-instated the Permanent Diaconate open to married men. There is a distinction between “transitional” diaconate for those preparing for Priesthood and Permanent Diaconate. The Permanent Diaconate is a distinct call to serve the Church in a three-fold ministry of Altar, Word and Charity with the emphasis upon service ministry to the marginalized.
We have ordained 17 Permanent Deacons and incardinated one for a total of 18 deacons plus one candidate in formation. In the year of 2021 we celebrate 10 years of diaconate in our diocese with a whole year of recognizing this gift to our Church.
This page offers you a lot of information about the Diaconate and our formation process. If you are interested in learning more about us, please contact us at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, by email or by phone 902-539-6188 (toll free 10-800-656-5311) ext. 235 or cell 902-578-4375.
I ask your prayerful support for our deacons, candidate, spouses and families. God bless you.
Fraternally,
Rev. Bedford Doucette
Director, Permanent Diaconate
Deacons from our diocese share their stories:
See this video from the Archdiocese of Edmonton:
Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick
Rev. Bedford Doucette, Chair
Rev. Duaine Devereaux
Rev. Mr. Berkley Guthro
Mrs. Jessie Guthro
Ms. Gladys MacDougall
Rev. Colin MacKinnon
Rev. Paul MacGillvray
Rev. Mr. Leo Penny
Mrs. Viola Penny
Mr. Wayne Yorke
DIACONATE FORMATION PROGRAM
- A four-year program of 10 weekends a year including a retreat
- Years’ Accents: i.Foundations, ii.Christology, iii.Ecclesiology, iv.Pastoral
Each weekend to include: human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral elements - Another Saturday in the month is set aside for such courses as Ministry in the Christian Tradition, Sacraments, Adult Education, Biblical Foundations, etc. for those who did not take the St. F X Diploma in Ministry
- Spouses expected to be in attendance each weekend with their husbands
- Teachers are expected to submit an outline of their courses. They can also ask for reflection papers from candidates to indicate their involvement in their courses
- Teachers to include deacons, laymen/women, religious and priests
Spiritual direction and, if needed, counseling for candidates - A Time of internship: shadowing a deacon/pastor/parish/ministry with mentor
Courses include:
| Theological Foundations | Scripture | Diocesan Policies |
| Personal Development | Prayer | Pastoral Care |
| History Church Issues | Eschatology | Contemporary |
| Diaconate Liturgy of Hours | Liturgy | Praying Psalms |
| Christology | Ecumenism | Canon Law |
| Spirituality | Morals | Homiletics |
| Ecclesiology | Vatican II/CCC | Mariology |
| Presiding | Social Teachings | Sacraments |
Year One - Foundations
Theological Foundations
History and Theology of the Diaconate
Introduction to the Hours:
Prayer of the Church
Personal Growth and Human Development
Integration
Principles of Pastoral Care
Introduction to Sacred Scripture
Lord Teach Us To Pray
ISSUES
Self-Awareness, Myers Briggs
Enneagram
Philosophy and Life
Death and Dying
Retreat
Year Two - Christology
Vatican II
Scripture: New Testament/Synoptics
Spirituality
Moral Theology
History of the Church
Christology
Scripture: Gospel of St. John
Liturgy
God: Trinity
Retreat
ISSUES
Ecumenism
Judaism
Islam
Eastern Churches
Year Three - Ecclesiology
Canon Law
Ecclesiology
Ecumenism
Scripture: St. Paul
Presiding
Integration
Social Teaching of the Church
Homiletics
Diaconal Spirituality
Hot Button Issues
Year Four - Pastoral
Social Justice
Pastoral Care
Integration/Discernment/Identity
What Deacons Need to Know about Sacraments
Integration
Diaconal Issues: Guidelines of Diocese, National Directory, Ordination, Deacons Manual
Saturday Sessions on Presiding at all sacraments at which Deacons preside
Five-Day Retreat
ISSUES
Ministry Protocols re Abuse
Marriage Tribunal
Diocesan Finances and Structures
Visit to Pastoral Centre offices
Faith Formation
Hospital Pastoral Visit
Liturgy of the Word in Anticipation of Eucharist
Feelings Around Abuse Scandals
Dreams
Social Skills
Saturday Practicums: Baptism, marriage, Funerals, Liturgy of the Word in Anticipation of Eucharist, Morning and Evening Prayer (cathedral)
Contact:
Rev. Bedford Doucette
Director, Permanent Diaconate
ph (902) 539-6188 or toll-free 1-800-656-5311 extension 235
fax (902) 539-7195
Email
Location:
Diocesan Pastoral Centre
200 Churchill Drive, Suite 103
Membertou, NS
Mail:
PO Box 100
Sydney, NS B1P 6G9
September 16, 2011 Ordination
September 14, 2012 Ordination