The annual Faith & Works appeal supports our diaconate formation program

Your generosity to the annual Faith & Works appeal makes it possible for good men from the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma to participate in the diaconate formation program and supports the men ordained into the permanent diaconate as well as their families.

As reported in the December 2017 Eastern Oklahoma Catholic http://faithdigital.org/Tulsa/DT1217/, Bishop David Konderla reestablished the Diaconate Council so that he could be advised on the issues affecting the life and ministry of deacons in our diocese. The Diaconate Council has now been elected by each respective member group of permanent deacons and has held several meetings since their formation in November.

The Council is now working on updating their by-laws and the policies and procedures for the diaconate. They are making good progress and should have this first major project completed by March of 2018. The Council is also working on a survey that will be sent to the diaconate community in order to better determine the needs, desires, and issues affecting deacons and their families. The next big event scheduled for the permanent deacons is the annual retreat that takes place in late February. The retreat is held in Subiaco, Arkansas and this year both the deacons and their wives are invited to attend. Bishop Konderla will be the retreat master.

The newly formed Diaconate Formation Team is entrusted with implementing the academic and spiritual formation of the candidates. This team is led by Deacon Lamar Yarbrough. The remaining members of the team include Deacons Greg Stice, John Hale, Jon Conro, James Scarpitti, Neal Harton and Ernesto Fernandez.

One major change in the Diaconate Formation Program is the addition of an aspirant class for Spanish speakers. Aspirancy is the first year of the program. There are currently 10 native Spanish-speaking men who have joined the other 20 aspirants. They will be offered a translator during lectures and be able to do their coursework in their native language. This new process has provided some initial challenges, has been well-received by the men in the program and they are eager to continue their formation.

The current aspirant class joins the 12 men who are now third-year candidates. This class of twelve men is scheduled to be installed in September as Lectors. The Deacon Formation Program typically requires a six-year commitment of formation that leads to ordination into the permanent diaconate.

The recently announced and soon to be named diocesan theological institute (which includes Dr. Richard Meloche, PhD, and Dr. Marcel Brown, PhD.) will be involved with the instruction of our diaconate candidates. It is a great benefit for our program to have such well qualified local instructors.

Thank you for your support of our Deacon Formation program!