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Staff
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Life and Ministry of Deacons History of the Diaconate Program How long has the Diocese of Phoenix had deacons? Where was the training for deacons first held and where is it held now?
General Info: Formation How many men are in formation for the diaconate? May deacon candidates give homilies at a mass for practice?
General Info: Ordained Is a deacon ordained for the parish or the diocese? Are there more deacons than priests in the Diocese of Phoenix? What percentage of our deacons are Hispanic or Speak Spanish? What is the average age of a deacon in the Diocese of Phoenix? What is the marital status of deacons? What is the formal education of the deacons of Phoenix? Is there a job description for deacons? Who is the deacon? What does he do? Does the deacon have a liturgical role? How often do deacons preach at Sunday Masses? How many hours a week is a deacon expected to devote to his parish ministry? Do deacons assigned to parishes have diocesan duties and responsibilities? Do some deacons have a “Liturgical Assignment” rather than a parish assignment as such? What are BLACK OUT DAYS for Deacons and Deacon Candidates? What is the overall appointment process of a deacon to a parish? What time of the year are appointments made
effective? Are deacons assigned to parish committees?
Policies Regarding Deacons of the Diocese of Phoenix What is the length of a deacon’s appointment
to a parish? Who is the deacon’s parish supervisor? Who is the deacon’s diocesan supervisor? Who has the authority to appoint a deacon to a parish? Are deacons paid a salary to serve as deacons? Are deacons reimbursed for their out-of-pocket
expenses? May deacons accept gifts from parishioners? What is the parish assessment for deacons? Is there a process for conflict resolution and complaint management? A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. There
are three groups, or “orders” of ordained ministers
in the Church: bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Deacons are ordained
as a sacrament sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who
came “to serve and not to be served.” The entire Church
is called by Christ to serve, and the deacon, in virtue of his sacramental
ordination and through his various ministries, is to be a servant
in a servant-Church. (Secretariat for the Diaconate, USCCB, 2003)
Is a deacon ordained for the parish or the diocese? A deacon is ordained to serve the diocesan Church. Actually, whenever
a person is ordained, he is to serve the diocesan Church. Deacons
are no different in this regard: they are assigned by the bishop
to ministries for which the bishop perceives a great need, and for
which the deacon may have special gifts or talents. Most often,
this will be within a parish setting, just as most priests serve
in a parish. Once assigned to the parish, the deacon and any other
clergy assign to the parish minister under the immediate supervision
of the pastor. However, this assignment may be changed at the request
of the deacon or the initiative of the bishop, and the deacon retains
obligations to serve the bishop.
How long has the Diocese of Phoenix had deacons? Since 1972. The first deacons for the Diocese of Phoenix were
ordained by, our first, Bishop Edward A. McCarthy in 1972, making
us one of the original dioceses to join in the renewal of the order
of deacons.
Where was the training for deacons first held and where is it held now? Training was originally held at St. Agnes Parish and theology education for deacons is now incorporated into the Kino Institute. The first meetings with potential deacons were held at St. Joseph’s Hospital where Bishop McCarthy initially resided and the formal program of formation was held at St. Agnes Parish under the direction of the Carmelites and the diocesan office. Later the theology training for deacons became part of the Kino Institute while direct formation continued under the auspices of the Diocesan Office. Presently, the first two years of theology education of deacons
is offered by the Kino Institute while the Office of the Diaconate
offers concurrent spiritual formation. The Office of the Diaconate
also offers the last two years of study known as “direct formation”.
Are there more deacons than priests in the Diocese of Phoenix? No. There are about 300 priests in the Diocese of Phoenix including
diocesan priests (including retired, sick or absent, extern priests,
and religious priest) according to the 2004 Diocesan Directory.
There are about 225 deacons in the Diocese of Phoenix (including
retired, sick, or absent, extern deacons, and religious deacons).
However, there are more incardinated deacons than incardinated priests
in the Diocese of Phoenix. Presently there are about 160 active
deacons and about 30 of those are extern deacons. In other words,
there are about 130 active incardinated deacons in the Diocese of
Phoenix.
How many men are in formation for the diaconate? There are 19 candidates in the cohort of 2006, 10 candidates
in the cohort of 2008, and 13 in the cohort of 2010.
What is the age of a deacon in the Diocese of Phoenix? The median age of a deacon in the Diocese of Phoenix is 62.
What is the formal education of the deacons of Phoenix? Most deacons in the diocese are college educated. About 70% hold
an associate, B. S., or graduate degree or some college. The majority
of the recent admissions are college education and all demonstrate
the ability to complete college level studies.
What percentage of our deacons are Hispanic or Speak Spanish? There are 37 deacons who are Hispanic or who speak Spanish. The
most frequently unfilled request from pastors regarding deacons
is for those who are fluent in Spanish.
What is the marital status of deacons? More than nine out of ten are married. Less than 5% are separated
or divorced. There are about 40 deacon widows and only about 10
deacon widowers.
Is there a job description for deacons? Yes. The general conditions of the job description for the Diocese
of Phoenix are found in the bishop’s decree of appointment
and the bishop’s letter of appointment. The deacon’s
service is threefold: service of the Word, service of the Altar,
and service of Charity. Our Holy Father, John Paul II, may have
said it best in his 1987 Detroit address to deacons, “With
the deacon these three services are inseparably joined together
as one in the service of God’s redemptive plan. The word of
God inevitable leads to the Eucharistic worship of God at the Altar;
in turn, this worship leads to a new way of living which expresses
itself in acts of charity.” (Jim Alt, Deacon Digest)
Who is the deacon? What does he do? The Diaconate ministry is more clearly understood when one looks at who the deacon is, rather than what the deacon does. Christian service as a deacon is not just the performance of actions that satisfy the job description of a deacon. It is a way of living, of emptying the self for the sake of the growth and development of others. The deacon demonstrates an attitude and readiness to help others. The grace of the Sacrament of Holy Orders is found in the person rather than what he does. When Pope Paul VI restored the diaconate, he spoke of the need
of the deacon to be the “interpreter of the needs and desires
of the Christian communities, the animator and promoter of the Church’s
service, and a sign or sacrament of Jesus Christ himself who came
tot be served but to serve.” Diaconate is service.
Does the deacon have a liturgical role? Yes. Foremost among these duties are proclaiming the Gospel and
preaching at Sunday liturgy from time to time. Many of the liturgical
functions of the deacon were spelled out in Pope Paul VI’s
Apostolic Letter, which restored the diaconate. These include baptizing,
bringing viaticum to the dying, witnessing to marriages, officiating
at funeral and vigil services, proclaiming the Gospel at Mass. In
the Diocese of Phoenix, deacons typically read the Gospel at the
Sunday Masses on a weekly basis.
How often do deacons preach at Sunday Masses? About once a month. More than nine out of 10 active deacons indicate
that they preach at the Sunday celebration of Eucharist about once
a month.
May deacon candidates give homilies at a mass for practice? No. The non-ordained are not allowed to give a homily at a mass
because it would be a violation of canon 767 and, of course, the
wishes of the Bishop. However, deacon candidates may practice by
giving reflections in simulations, classes, bible study sessions,
and at prayer meetings.
How many hours a week is a deacon expected to devote to his parish ministry? Eight. The guideline is for deacons to spend about 8 hours a week
in parish ministry when this is their major ministry. In fact, deacons
as a group report spending between 6 to 12 hours a week serving
their parish.
What is the length of a deacon’s appointment to a parish? It is indeterminate. The deacon serves at the pleasure of the bishop. There are deacons in the Diocese of Phoenix who have been in the same parish for over 20 years, and others who have transferred after having been in a given parish for less than a year. However, diaconal assignments are intended to be stable and it is common for an assignment to last for five to ten years. Most deacon transfers are due to family circumstances, job changes,
health issues, retirement, and moving into a new home. Some few
transfers are due to unresolved parish and ministry issues, and
every year the bishop transfers some deacons in order to respond
to an unmet, critical need in the diocese.
Deacons are not volunteers. They serve in the parish by virtue of their ordination and their promise to show respect and obedience to their ordinary. Deacons are permanent, official, and visible representatives of the Roman Catholic Church of Phoenix and the parish to which they have been appointed by the bishop. Deacons are classified as unsalaried clergy, and in that sense,
are members of the staff. Deacons, therefore, are included in communications
to the professional staff and are ordinarily participants at staff
meetings; serve on committees, and otherwise participant in the
organizational aspects of the parish. Most deacons hold secular
jobs and may not be available for staff meetings and committee meetings
during the workday.
Who is the deacon’s parish supervisor? The Pastor. For parish matters, the pastor is the supervisor of
the deacons appointed to his parish. This means that the pastor
stays in close communications with the deacon, works with the deacon
on his schedule, assigns and supervises his duties, evaluates his
performance, assists of conflict resolution, provides for on-the-job
formation and staff development.
Do deacons assigned to parishes have diocesan duties and responsibilities? Yes. Even deacons assigned to a parish as their primary assignment have diocesan duties and responsibilities. These include, but are not limited to, support and participation at such diocesan liturgies as the Rite of Election, Chrism Mass, Ordination of Priests, Ordination of Deacons, Bishop’s Convocation of Deacons, Deacon Congress, Deacon Community Retreat, and such other events designated by the bishop. In addition, each active deacon is expected to attend at least one meeting of the diaconal vicariate annually beyond those associated with diocesan gatherings of all deacons. Deacons are obliged to complete 36 hours of continuing education
each year, and finally, deacons are expected to accept appointments
to diocesan and diaconal committees and task forces from time-to-time.
Do some deacons have a “Liturgical Assignment” rather than a parish assignment as such? Yes. Over 85% of the deacons in the Diocese of Phoenix serve in
parishes as their primary assignment. However, Bishop Olmsted has
appointed some deacons to extra-parochial assignments such as hospital
Chaplaincy service, prison ministry, care for the poor, and airport
ministry as their primary duty. Deacons with such assignments are
also assigned to a parish where their ministry is typically limited
to such liturgical duties as assisting at mass, presiding at infant
baptisms, and participating n the spiritual life of the parish.
Their time commitment is about 2 to 6 hours a week depending on
the nature of the primary assignment.
What are BLACK OUT DAYS for Deacons and Deacon Candidates for 2004 – 2005? These are dates when deacons are to be freed of any parish duty. There are a few dates each year for which deacons should not be given a parish or agency assignment in order to allow them to attend retreats, convocations, congresses, and other important activities specifically designed for deacons and deacon candidates. Please do not assign or allow an active deacon to engage in any parish assignment on these dates that would interfere with his attendance and service at a black out day. These are:
Who is the deacon’s diocesan supervisor? Bishop Olmsted as the diocesan supervisor of deacons has designated
The Director of Deacon Personnel. This means that the director is
responsible for the supervision of the deacon’s diocesan responsibilities
such as service at diocesan liturgies, direct service to the bishop,
membership on diocesan committees, participation in an annual retreat,
the deacon congress, Bishop’s Convocation of Deacons, mentor
program, and continuing education compliance.
Who has the authority to appoint a deacon to a parish? Bishop Olmsted makes all parish appointments of clergy as clergy
including the assignment of deacons. This is a very different process
from that followed in the appointment of lay staff.
What is the overall appointment process of a deacon to a parish? There are four steps in the ordinary process: (1) pastor request, (2) deacon letter of intent, (3) deacon placement board recommendation, (4) bishop’s decree of appointment. Each of these is discussed below.
What time of the year are appointments made effective? July first. Deacons are ordinarily transferred on July 1st of any
given year. However, deacons at times face situations (e.g. job
change) that make a transfer at other times of the year appropriate.
Also, each year, a number of deacons move into the Diocese of Phoenix
who are available for faculties and parish assignments. Such appointments
are made throughout the year.
May a deacon be hired for a staff position? Yes. Many deacons are employed in the Diocese of Phoenix in a wide variety of staff positions. For example, deacons hold such positions as business manager, facilities supervisor, religious education director, adult education coordinator, liturgist, music director, marriage coordinator, head of the ministry of care, and coordinator of Hispanic ministry. This may involve full-time or part-time employment. The process of hiring deacons for staff positions is the same as
for hiring a lay person except that the pastor should consult with
the director of deacon personnel to determine that the deacon is
in good standing and that the ordinary does not have any reservations
about the appointment.
Are deacons assigned to parish committees? Yes. Deacons should ordinarily serve on the Parish Council according
to the Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons.
Deacons often serve on the liturgy committee, ministry of care committee,
social justice committee and others suiting their talents and schedules.
Are deacons paid a salary to serve as deacons? No, not in most cases. Deacons who are professionally employed
or who are on a retirement income are required to provide for their
own upkeep. In the Diocese of Phoenix, this applies to over 80%
of our active deacons. The typical deacon reports serving about
8 to 10 hours each week, and for this he receives no wage or salary.
Are deacons reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses? Yes. Deacons are reimbursed by the parish for the out-of-pocket expenses required for carrying out their assigned parish duties such as office supplies, copying, travel (other than between parish and home), books, fees, workshop, registrations, and so forth. The deacon shall follow the parish procedures for making purchases and seeking reimbursement. Some pastors prefer to provide the deacon with an honorarium to
cover his expenses rather than process a series of small individual
expenses. The amount, frequency, and other conditions of such an
honorarium are arranged by the mutual agreement of the deacon and
the pastor.
Yes. Ordinarily stipends received by deacons for such sacraments
and sacramentals as infant baptisms, blessings of homes, weddings,
are submitted to the parish for use in the general or other fund.
The pastor and the deacon may mutually agree to another process.
May deacons accept gifts from parishioners? Yes. Deacons may accept monetary and other gifts from parishioners,
but he should be certain that the gift is not intended as a stipend
or as a gift to the church. The deacon should consult with the pastor
in cases that are not clear. Of course, deacons may not solicit
gifts.
What is the parish assessment for deacons? Parishes with deacons are assessed a fee per deacon to help defer
the costs associated with the life and ministry of deacons n the
Diocese of Phoenix. The assessment for 2004 – 2005 is $600
per active deacon, which amounts to $50 a month, $300 per liturgical
deacon, and $250 per retired deacon. Assessments are not pro-rated
when a deacon transfers during the year or when an extern deacon
serves less than a full year in a parish. Assessments cannot be
refunded. There is no assessment for retired deacons who are homebound
or hospitalized. The status of a deacon is determined by the decree
of appointment issued by the ordinary. Please note that there is
a proposal pending for revision of the assessment process.
Is there a process for conflict resolution and complaint management? Yes. Although deacons are highly valued by their pastors and given high marks for their service, a supervisor should expect complaints and conflicts within and surrounding diaconal ministry. Conflicts and complaints are best resolved at the source which most of the time means at the parish level. Clear, mutual, and frequent communication between the pastor and the deacon is the best preventive measure, but even in the most ideal situations, problems surface. The pastor and/or deacon are invited to review any concern with the Director of Deacon Personnel. The annual review and pastor/deacon conference is one example of this consultation, but one need not postpone such communications to year’s end. Complaints that come to the Office of the Diaconate from a parishioner or other individual usually involve a call or other communication with the deacon and/or pastor with an offer of support in responding to the complaint. In the great majority of times, a referral of the complaint to the parish leads to a satisfactory resolution at the parish level. There are other times when mediation or other assistance from the Office of the Diaconate is indicated. There are rare times when a conflict exists between a deacon and
a staff member or a deacon and the pastor. The Office of the Diaconate
may be called upon to assist with a process that could lead to a
satisfactory resolution.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the life and ministry of deacons in the Diocese of Phoenix? CALL the Diaconate Office
Revised August 2004
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