The process of discernment for the Diaconate begins long before any formal contact with the program in the Office for Diaconate Formation. Those considering the Diaconate first should reflect on their qualities and qualifications, and decide whether they are suited to serve.
Make discernment of diaconate part of your daily prayer.
Discuss this with your spouse and/or significant people in your life.
Discuss this with your pastor and parish staff.
Make contact with a deacon or deacon couple to hear their story and share yours.
Read about the theology of diaconate, ministry and life of deacons.
Use the admissions criteria as a guideline for your discernment, then contact the Director of Formation to discuss your interest and determine your readiness to apply.
Para leer los criterios de admisión en español presione aquí...
Contact: Deacon John A. Ebel, Director – Office for Diaconate Formation (414) 758-2212 ebelj@archmil.org or
Contact: Mr. Manuel Maldonado-Villalobos, Associate Director Para información en Español and English (414) 758-2207 maldonadom@archmil.org
And/or visit us at Archdiocese of Milwaukee Offices at St. Joseph Center 1501 S. Layton Blvd. Milwaukee, WI 53215 (directions)
Attend a regional Inquiry for Discernment program that will be held on Fall 2010, Winter 2011 and Spring 2011.
Obtain the required endorsement from your parish Pastor.
Following the endorsement of your parish pastor, application materials will be forwarded to those applicants whose preliminary information is consistent with the admission criteria and a vocational calling to the diaconate.
The Admission and Selection process seeks to determine both the suitability and the readiness of applicants to enter the initial path of diaconal ministry formation – ASPIRANCY
Para el documento de Aspirantado en español presione aquí...
Applicants will be required to submit: materials on personal data (family information including an endorsement from the spouse if applicable, military service, photograph, autobiography, employment; educational, sacramental history, parish and community ministerial involvement, prior formational experience, and personal references); to testing (medical, psychological, theological knowledge); to interviews (Director of Formation, a Deacon-couple, and the Committee of Admission & Scrutiny); to inventories (faith and marital); a personal handwritten statement requesting admission into aspirant formation, indicating your motivation for seeking ordination to the diaconate, your willingness to pledge your service to the diocesan Church and to criminal and credit background checks, all of which collectively, must give evidence that the criteria for admissions are present and an authentic vocational calling to the diaconate appears to be present.
Deacon John A. Ebel Director 414-758-2212 ebelj@archmil.org
Manuel Maldonado-Villalobos Associate Director 414-758-2207 maldonadom@archmil.org
Charmaine Pfeifer Administrative Assistant 414-758-2202 pfeiferc@archmil.org