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A Permanent Is An Ordained Member Of The Configured To The Person Want to Learn More… Of Christ The Servant We invite Catholic men (and their wives if married) What distinguishes the permanent deacon from the lay person is with a deep spiritual life who are between the ages of 29 and 55, and would like to discern a call to serve that the permanent deacon, who may be married, is a member of Jesus Christ and His within the Archdiocese the clergy and shares in the hierarchy of the of Holy of Philadelphia as permanent to take the next Orders. He has been ordained to assist the in his doctrinal, step and contact us for more information and to sacramental and charitable ministry both publicly and permanently. register for the upcoming Permanent Diaconate Through the Sacrament of , the deacon is configured to Information Night. Christ the Servant. It is Christ the Servant who acts through the ministry of the deacon. Registration for this event is required. Please email the following information to Laura Nimmons at [email protected]

 Name  Address Deacon Pascarella, Jr.  Age Associate to the Vicar for Clergy for Permanent Deacons  Email 215-587-4532  [email protected] Archdiocese of Philadelphia  Office for Clergy  Office for Permanent Deacons  222 North Seventeenth Street  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-1299  Marital Status (if married, Wife’s name) WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK GOD CHARLES BORROMEO Archdiocese Of Philadelphia IS CALLING ME? SCHOOL OF DIACONAL FORMATION Office For Permanent Deacons

Spend time in prayer and reflection about your call to the ARE YOU CALLED TO BE A DEACON? Diaconate. Talk to your family and one or two close friends, and then to your . If your family and pastor agree (pastor’s formal endorsement required to apply) please consider A Catholic Permanent Deacon Is An Ordained attending the Permanent Diaconate Information Night, at Member Of The Clergy Configured To The Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary that is held annually after Person Of Christ The Servant Easter. Through the of and Confirmation, all ADD ME TO THE MAILING LIST FOR THE The School of Diaconal Formation of Saint Charles believers are called to share in the mission of Jesus Christ NEXT PERMANENT DIACONATE Borromeo Seminary, working under the of the according to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Those who are INFORMATION NIGHT Seminary and the Vicar for Clergy of the Archdiocese of ordained also offer service in the world, but in a way Philadelphia, has as its primary mission the formation of to the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Christian service for the candidates for the Permanent Diaconate. These candidates, ordained entails proclaiming, preaching and along with their spouses if married, participate in a program teaching God’s Word, leading the community in prayer and designed to prepare deacons who will serve our Archdiocese in sacramental and exercising administrative through the ministry of the word, ministry at the and leadership in the Church. It is a lifetime commitment. The Complete this form, detach it, place a first class stamped envelope ministry of charity. permanent deacon serves as a bond between the Church and place it in the mail to: and the world, and thus manifests the love of God for To carry out this mission, the School of Diaconal Formation both. Deacon Michael Pascarella, Jr. is committed to a program of formation which provides, six Associate to the Vicar for Clergy for Permanent Deacons years of training in the following areas: What distinguishes the permanent deacon from the lay Archdiocese of Philadelphia person is that the permanent deacon is a member of Office for Clergy - Office for Permanent Deacons  Spiritual Formation: by means of spiritual the clergy and shares in the hierarchy of the Sacrament 222 North Seventeenth Street direction, days of recollection, spiritual conferences of Holy Orders. He has been ordained to assist the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-1299 and an annual retreat. bishop in his doctrinal, sacramental and charitable ministry Phone: 215-5874532 both publicly and permanently. Through the Sacrament of E-mail: [email protected]  Intellectual Formation: through weekly Holy Orders, the deacon is configured to Christ the classroom instruction in and . Servant. It is Christ the Servant who acts through the Alternatively you can email your information below to Laura ministry of the deacon. Nimmons at [email protected]  Human and Pastoral Formation: through workshops and practicums.

Name All activities are undertaken with complete fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church and in complete Address with the of Philadelphia.

City, State, Zip  Those accepted into the formation program have the option of entering a pass/fail track or pursuing a Master of Arts in Email Address Theology.

WEBSITE: WWW.SCS.EDU/DIACONAL-STUDIES Age

Parish

Marital Status: Single Married  Divorced ( be annulled for at least 5 years)

Brothers, select from among you seven reputable If married, what is your wife's name, and number of years married? men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom… (:3) HREE OLD INISTRY F HE T -F M O T CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PERMANENT DEACON

CATHOLIC MAN WITH DEEP SACRAMENTAL LIFE: The Q: How long does it take to become a Permanent The leadership-service of the permanent deacon is applicant is a male who has received all the Sacraments of Deacon in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia? performed not in isolation, but in union with that of other Initiation. He is a man of faith who believes and professes R: The formation program is six years in duration, which ordained and non-ordained ministers in the Church. His what the Church teaches. If the applicant is a convert to the consists of classroom instruction, retreat days of specific charism is manifested in lifetime service and may be Catholic faith, he has been a fully initiated Catholic for at recollection, pastoral workshops and practicum divided into three categories: least five years at the time of admission to the formation sessions. program. MINISTERS OF THE WORD Q: When and where are the classes held? “Receive the of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what AGE: The applicant must be at least 35 years of age at the R: Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary on Wednesday you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.” time of his . Ordinarily, the applicant is not older evenings from September to May. than 55 years of age to begin the program.  Proclaim the Gospel and preach Q: What courses does the candidate take?  Teach the Catholic Faith EDUCATION: A high school diploma is required. Most R: During the six years of formal classroom instruction, applicants possess a undergraduate degree or higher. the candidate studies may include such subjects as:  Evangelize both believers and unbelievers  Christology RESIDENT OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA:  Church History / Fathers of the Church MINISTERS OF THE ALTAR The applicant is a U.S. Citizen or a legal resident, and resides “According to the tradition of the Church and the provisions of law, within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is willing to  Sacred Scriptures deacons assist the bishop and in the celebration of the divine make a life-long commitment to serve the Church of  Catechism of the mysteries.” Philadelphia.  Sacramental Theology  Moral Theology  Assist and priests at the HEALTH: The applicant enjoys good physical and mental  Law  minister of the health with no debilitating conditions, and willing to submit  Liturgy / Liturgical Practicum to a psychological exam.  for Theology  Administer the Sacrament of Baptism  Christian Spirituality and Prayer  Witness FINANCIAL SECURITY: The applicant possesses financial  Preside over devotional services security with a history of steady employment. His  Systematic Theology  Preside at wake services and the rites of burial employment does not require frequent or extended travel.  Theology of the Church / Theology of Grace

MINISTERS OF CHARITY : If married, the applicant has been in a valid In addition, there are five years of Homiletics, which occur “In the ministry of charity, deacons should conform themselves in the sacramental, and stable marriage for at least five years at the twice each month. The Pastoral Workshops are held on time of admission to the formation program. He enjoys the Saturday, as are the Days of Recollection. Candidates have likeness of Christ the Servant, whom they represent, and above all, they the option of earning a Master of Arts in Theology. should be ‘dedicated to works of charity, and to administration.’” full support of his spouse. If single, the applicant enjoys a stable, settled life with a history of healthy relationships and understands and is willing to order his life towards a Q: Is my wife’s consent necessary?  Perform charitable, and social welfare duties commitment to celibacy. R: Yes! Because diaconate impacts and makes demands  Visit the sick and feed the hungry upon marriage and family, the support and consent of  Minister to the dying and the bereaved TIME & TALENT: The applicant is willing and able to give the wife is absolutely necessary. the time required for study and service during his formation without detriment to his family and employment, and, if Q: Does my wife need to accompany me to class, ordained, is willing and able to serve the Archbishop of workshops, etc.? Philadelphia in any pastoral assignment that may be given to R: It is ordinary expectation that your wife express her him, which includes 10 to 12 hours weekly in the service of support by attendance at as many formational activities such assignment. as possible.

CLEARANCES: Pass the required PA State Police Criminal Q: Is there tuition? Record Check, PA Department Human Services Child R: At present, candidates pay one-third of the full tuition Abuse History Clearance, and Federal Criminal Background cost. Check , and renewed as per state law. Q: If ordained, where will I be assigned? RECOMMENDATION: The applicant has his pastor’s R: Deacons are clerics of the Archdiocese, they may recommendation, is presently active within his parish receive an assignment anywhere within the Archdiocese. community, is able to work in a cooperative spirit with his Personal and family considerations are with the pastoral pastor and other parish staff, and is recognized and accepted needs of the Archdiocese for whom the deacon is as a leader within the parish community. ordained.