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A man does not decide to become a deacon. That is God's decision but, after much prayer, he can decide to answer God's call and apply. The call to diaconal service is identified and affirmed over a period of years. The Church seeks mature Catholic men who have demonstrated faith, service, and leadership in their local Church communities. They must share the contemporary Church’s view of its mission and seek to grow in understanding as well as holiness.
The following are specific requirements for admission to candidacy in the Diocese of Rockville Centre:
Personal Requirements
You must:
· Be a Baptized Man who is Confirmed;
· Be a Roman Catholic for a minimum of six years;
· Be a U.S. citizen or a legal, permanent resident at the time of admission;
· Have a working knowledge of English;
· Be at least 35 years of age at the time of admission to the program;
· Be less than 65 years of age at the time of ordination;
· Enjoy good physical and mental health with no condition which would impede diaconal ministry;
· Have successfully completed high school and be able to handle the college level course work;
· Possess financial security with a history of steady employment in a position that does not require frequent travel or reassignment;
· Be an active, registered parishioner within the Diocese of Rockville Centre;
· Be VIRTUS certified.
Family Requirements
· If married, be married at least six years and live in a stable and valid Roman Catholic marriage, enjoying the full support of your spouse, and remain celibate if your wife precedes you in death.
· If single, enjoy a stable, settled life with a history of healthy relationships, and understand the implications of the charism of celibacy.
· Enjoy with your family a good reputation within the community.
· Be able to give the time required for study and service without detriment to your family.
Ministry Requirements
· Be willing and able to make a life-long commitment to serve the church as determined by the Ordinary of the diocese.
· Be willing to promise obedience to the Bishop of Rockville Centre and be willing to accept any pastoral assignment that may be given to you by the Bishop.
· Be presently active in the Church and be recognized and accepted as a leader within the community.
· Be highly recommended by those who have worked with you in ministry and can attest to your potential to be an ordained minister in the Church.
The Formation Program
Year of Aspirancy:
It is in this year your discernment takes on a greater intensity. This is the first year of formation and includes the following:
· Three courses: a Scripture course in both the Fall and Spring semesters and a two-semester course in the Theology of Ministry which will devote ample time to issues concerning the discernment process
· A spiritual director will be assigned to the aspirant, and they will meet monthly.
· The couple will make a retreat as offered by the program.
· The aspirant will participate in a class retreat in the spring.
· Faculty assigned to the courses and the pastor will be asked to evaluate the aspirant in light of possible candidacy. In addition, the spiritual director will be contacted to assure the aspirant has been faithful to spiritual direction.
· The aspirant will write a formal request for admission to candidacy.
· The Diaconal Formation Advisory Board will receive all evaluations and the results of the aspirant’s own discernment and make a recommendation to the Bishop regarding admission to candidacy.
Upon the positive recommendation of the Advisory Board, the aspirant will meet with the Bishop and with his approval the aspirant will be received as a candidate by the Bishop at the Day for Deacons Mass in September.
Candidates’ Formation (Years 1, 2, and 3):
Academic:
All classes are at the diocesan seminary in Huntington. During the Fall and Spring Semesters, students are required to fulfill 30 hours of class time per course. These classes are the equivalent of Masters level courses; therefore, men who qualify for the Masters degree are now encouraged to do the necessary extra work to pursue the degree in conjunction with the academic courses provided for all candidates. Candidates for the Masters degree must maintain a B average. All candidates are expected to maintain at least a C in each course.
Attendance at all classes and other required functions is taken very seriously. Absences should be avoided. Candidates will be provided the policy regarding excused absences.
Formation:
Each candidate has both a spiritual director and a deacon mentor. Both of these individuals are assigned by the office. The spiritual director is asked to verify in mid-year that the individual is faithful to spiritual direction. The mentor attends mentor meetings and gives periodic reports concerning the development of the individual. Both spiritual director and mentor use the “Growth Plan” which is given to the candidate as a guide.
A couples’ and candidate’s retreat is held annually. In each semester, an afternoon or morning of reflection is provided to afford the candidate couples an opportunity to spend some quality time with each other and God.
CURRICULUM
Since 2003, the men in the formation program for the Permanent Diaconate have earned graduate credit for the courses they are required to take. In addition, in 2005, a four-year formation program replaced the former three-year program. During this new four-year program of study, the men complete forty-two credits and earn a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies. In this program integrating spiritual, intellectual and pastoral training, men of the Diocese of Rockville are prepared for ministry in the parishes of the diocese. However, it is possible for a candidate to complete the program without receiving the Masters.
ASPIRANTS
FALL SEMESTER Introduction to Old Testament
Deacon as Pastoral Minister/Skills for Spiritual and Pastoral Development
SPRING SEMESTER Synoptic Gospels: Introduction to the New Testament
Pastoral Counseling for Parish Ministers
FIRST YEAR
FALL SEMESTER Foundations of Theology
Introduction to Moral Theology
SPRING SEMESTER Introduction to the History of the Church 
The Church
SECOND YEAR
FALL SEMESTER Christology/Trinity
Introduction to the Sacramental Life of the Church/Sacraments of Initiation for Deacons
SPRING SEMESTER Gospel of John;
Sacraments of the Sick and Dying and the Funeral Rites for Deacons
THIRD YEAR
FALL SEMESTER Pastoral Issues in Canon Law;
The Sacrament of Marriag for Deacons
SPRING SEMESTER Leadership Skills in Ministry;
The Eucharist and the Liturgical Year for Deacons
A Ministerial Internship and Seminar is completed through sacramental courses and experiences, preparation of homilies, videotaping of the celebration of a wedding and a baptism, and the writing of a Theological Pastoral Reflection Paper.
Making Application
An individual wishing to enter diaconal formation contacts the Office of Deacons and is interviewed by the Director of Formation. The purpose of this interview is to determine if the individual fulfills the necessary requirements for admission into the program. The applicant will be advised if he needs further initial formation prior to entrance into the program. When all requirements are present, the individual may make formal application to the Diaconate Formation Program.
Application Process
1) The applicant completes a formal application including: · Admission form
· Autobiography (Three parts: personal, spiritual, vocational) and photographs
· School Transcripts
· Required medical documents
· Recent Baptismal Certificate which indicates notation of Confirmation and Marriage as appropriate
· Criminal background check
· List of References
2) If married, the candidate’s wife also completes a statement.
3) Recommendations are sought from various persons who know the candidate to be returned to the Diaconate Office: · His Pastor
· Pastoral Team members
· References provided by candidates and any others deemed helpful by the Diaconate Office. In addition to written recommendations, the Diaconate Office may contact references by phone.
4) The Director of Deacon Formation reviews: · The applicant’s educational background
· The applicant’s ability to undertake studies
5) Psychologists employed by the Office of Deacons conduct the following psychological profiles: · Applicant
· Applicant’s Family Social History
6) Admission Board forms subcommittees to: · Discuss the individual applications
· By subcommittee, meets with the applicant and spouse
· Meets with the applicant and spouse in order to render a recommendation as to the applicant's suitability
7) The Board may recommend to the Bishop: · That the applicant is ready for aspirancy
· That the applicant must remedy certain concerns and/or deficiencies and reapply
· That the applicant should not be accepted
8) The Bishop makes the final decision as to acceptance to the Formation Program.
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