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Staff
Directory
Formation:
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Levels of Admission It is important to understand that admission to diaconal formation involves two hierarchical levels. Inquirer: An individual who has met with, written to, telephoned or otherwise communicated with an official of the Office of the Diaconate indicating a serious interest in exploring admission to the diaconate; or an individual nominated by his pastor. Individuals are verbally quick screened for such eligibility factors as age, marital status, residence, and ministry experience. If appropriate, the individual is provided with an information packet and put on the mailing list. The Office of the Diaconate maintains a record of the inquiry or nomination for 180 days at which time the individual is placed in the inactive file if he has not responded to office contacts. The general criteria for admission are described below. Inquirer-Applicant: An individual who has completed and filed the forms for admission to the diaconate and has been notified in writing that the admission packet has been received. Applications are generally accepted only during the months of July through November, every other year, unless a special arrangement has been made with the Formation Office. If an application is received after the November 30 deadline it will not be considered. Applications are screened and the admission’s packet audited by the staff in the order in which they are received. The notification of acceptance as an official applicant comes from the Formation Office. Inquirer-Applicants must also be accepted and enrolled in an acceptable school of theology, attend mandatory formation events, join a "Discernment Circle" and complete a battery of assessments. Inquiry status is normally a one year period. Aspirant: Admission as an aspirant means that the petitioner has been admitted to the propaedeutic period (preparation for study or instruction) which ordinarily covers one academic year. Candidate: Admission as a candidate means that the petitioner has been invited by the Bishop to enter formal preparation for ordination that ordinarily covers 3 years.
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Steps in the Discernment Process Levels of Admission
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