Volume 4 Number 5 www.ChicagoDeacons.org October-November 2008 By Richard F. Hudzik All deacons have promised to serve the bishop of the local church. For us in Chicago, of course, our promises run to our Archbishop, Francis Cardinal George. As we know well, our diocese is large and complex. Accordingly, it is necessary that some work of the archbishop be delegated to episcopal vicars — the “local” bishops who oversee the six vicariates (with the assistance of the retired bishops). They are “vicars” because they are representatives of the archbishop. Because we are in relationship to the archbishop, we are also in relationship to his episcopal vicars. It seems appropriate then that we come to know these vicars, seek their direction and ask how to serve in ways best suited to assist An interview with Bishop Paprocki THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHICAGO DEACONS In This Issue: From the Editor..................... 2 Views from the Vicar .............. 3 Widows, Widowers & Seniors .... 4 Vicariate/Deanery Coordinators. 4 Stritch update....................... 5 Red Ribbon Week................... 5 Assignment changes ............... 6 Zacchaeus benefit .................. 6 Spanish classes ...................... 7 Community news ................... 7 Mayslake, ecumenical updates .. 9 Peace & Justice update .......... 10 Ecumenical network .............. 10 Preaching workshop .............. 10 Mental illness Mass ................ 11 Stole fee schedule ................ 11 Council notes....................... 12 Life after a stroke ................. 13 Calendar............................. 16 them in their work. Here is an interview with Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki: The Flame: Tell us something about yourself that we should know. A. Well, you know that I am a bishop. I was appointed by Pope John Paul II in 2003. Aside from my work as a bishop, I have a lot of diverse interests: I play hockey. I am a goalie. They call me the “Holy Goalie.” I have run 14 marathons and am training to do my 15 th marathon in Dublin, Ireland, on Oct. 27. I listen to a wide spectrum of music, ranging from classical to rock. In fact, I usually sing a few lines from a contemporary song in my Confirmation homilies as a way to introduce a theme to the confirmandi. I love to read, especially biographical histories. My favorite American figure is Abraham Lincoln. My favorite ecclesiastical person is Pope John Paul II. I have two law degrees, a J.D. in civil law from DePaul and a J.C.D. in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. I co-founded the Chicago (Continued on page 14) Most Reverend Thomas J. Paprocki The Deacon Formation Program and the Lay Ministry Formation Program recently announced a revised path for wives of candidates accompanying their husbands through formation that affirms the wives’ own call to service of God and his people as lay ministers. Starting in the 2008-09 formation year, wives who wish to receive a certificate of studies in lay ministry enroll in the Called & Gifted program, while concurrently accompanying their husbands in deacon formation by attending selected DFP key events. “This new process allows wives who feel their own specific call to lay ministry to be formed by the archdiocese’s Lay Ministry Formation Program, which provides the education and training leading to the University of St. Mary of the Lake’s basic certificate of studies in lay ministry,” said Anne Chrzan, the DFP’s associate director of formation. “At the same time, it provides wives, through attendance at certain DFP key events, the opportunity to learn more about the ministry of deacons so that they can give their informed consent for their husbands to continue in formation and move toward possible ordination.” The revised certificate of studies path offers several benefits, Chrzan said. It acknowledges differences in formation of lay ministers and ordained ministers; affirms wives’ own call to service; recognizes the (Continued on page 15) Certificate path revised for candidates’ wives
Transcript
Volume 4 Number 5 www.ChicagoDeacons.org October-November 2008
By Richard F. Hudzik
All deacons have promised to serve the bishop of the local church. For us in Chicago, of course, our promises run to our Archbishop, Francis Cardinal George. As we know well, our diocese is large and complex. Accordingly, it is necessary that some work of the archbishop be delegated to episcopal vicars — the “local” bishops who oversee the six vicariates (with the assistance of the retired bishops). They are “vicars” because they are representatives of the archbishop.
Because we are in relationship to the archbishop, we are also in relationship to his episcopal vicars. It seems appropriate then that we come to know these vicars, seek their direction and ask how to serve in ways best suited to assist
An interview with Bishop Paprocki
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHICAGO DEACONS
In This Issue: From the Editor..................... 2 Views from the Vicar .............. 3 Widows, Widowers & Seniors .... 4 Vicariate/Deanery Coordinators. 4 Stritch update....................... 5 Red Ribbon Week................... 5 Assignment changes ............... 6 Zacchaeus benefit.................. 6 Spanish classes...................... 7 Community news ................... 7 Mayslake, ecumenical updates .. 9 Peace & Justice update ..........10 Ecumenical network ..............10 Preaching workshop ..............10 Mental illness Mass ................11 Stole fee schedule ................11 Council notes.......................12 Life after a stroke.................13 Calendar.............................16
them in their work. Here is an interview with Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki:
The Flame: Tell us something about yourself that we should know. A. Well, you know that I am a bishop. I was appointed by Pope John Paul II in 2003. Aside from my work as a bishop, I have a lot of diverse interests: I play hockey. I am a goalie. They call me the “Holy Goalie.” I have run 14 marathons and am training to do my 15th marathon in Dublin, Ireland, on Oct. 27. I listen to a wide spectrum of music, ranging from classical to rock. In fact, I usually sing a few lines from a contemporary song in my Confirmation homilies as a way to introduce a theme to the confirmandi. I love to read, especially biographical histories. My favorite American figure is Abraham Lincoln. My favorite ecclesiastical person is Pope John Paul II. I have two law degrees, a J.D. in civil law from DePaul and a J.C.D. in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. I co-founded the Chicago
(Continued on page 14)
Most Reverend Thomas J. Paprocki
The Deacon Formation Program and the Lay Ministry Formation Program recently announced a revised path for wives of candidates accompanying their husbands through formation that affirms the wives’ own call to service of God and his people as lay ministers.
Starting in the 2008-09 formation year, wives who wish to receive a certificate of studies in lay ministry enroll in the Called & Gifted program, while concurrently accompanying their husbands in deacon formation by attending selected DFP key events.
“This new process allows wives who feel their own specific call to lay ministry to be formed by the archdiocese’s Lay Ministry Formation Program, which provides the education and training leading to the University of St. Mary of the Lake’s basic certificate of studies in lay ministry,” said Anne Chrzan, the DFP’s associate director of formation.
“At the same time, it provides wives, through attendance at certain DFP key events, the opportunity to learn more about the ministry of deacons so that they can give their informed consent for their husbands to continue in formation and move toward possible ordination.”
The revised certificate of studies path offers several benefits, Chrzan said. It acknowledges differences in formation of lay ministers and ordained ministers; affirms wives’ own call to service; recognizes the
(Continued on page 15)
Certificate path revised for candidates’ wives
poder comunicarse por días y talvez por semanas. Sé que hay padres que hacen esto todo el tiempo y siento una nueva comprensión hacia las personas que tienen a sus seres queridos pasando peligros en Irak y en Afganistán. Realmente esto es algo que yo nunca imaginé.
No es que yo pueda agarrar el teléfono y llamar a Champaign-Urbana donde él va a la universidad, o que lo espere para pasar un fin de semana o algunas vacaciones. Dan se perderá todas las fiestas, sus 21 años, me atrevo a decir dos de sus equipos de baseball en
los juegos finales y su amada universidad Illini.
Pero Dan está yendo a un lugar donde piensa que realmente es Dios quien lo está llevando. Viajar a Africa es todo lo que él hablaba desde hace meses. Así es que, ¿ como hubiera podido yo apagar ese fuego?
Definitivamente Dan tiene un llamado. ¿Cuál es? Solo Dios lo sabe.
Así es que estoy peleado con estos sentimientos de orgullo y de pérdida. Hay un vacío en mi corazón, pero sé que Dan está en el viaje de su vida. Está aprendiendo acerca del mundo y haciendo el trabajo del Señor que lo llevará a toda clase de posibilidades.
Aquí en casa lo único que puedo hacer es rezar y guardar a Dan y a la gente de Dios en mi corazón.
“Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.”
-- Here I am, Lord Dan Schutte
Listening to those words brought tears to my eyes as I processed in at the beginning of Mass several weeks ago. No truer words would ever be sung, and the message pierced my heart.
My son, Dan, who’s 20, would be leaving the next day for Kenya as part of a study abroad program in community health. He’ll be gone eight long months and won’t return until late April.
Later that night, my wife Jane and I stayed up late talking with Dan about his journey and his sense of being called. Dan has a real passion for helping others and a strong desire to live his faith through service.
The Flame A newsletter for the Chicago Diaconate Community published six times a year: February, April, June, August, October, December Publisher: Fr. Michael Ahlstrom Editor: Dave Brencic Staff: Dennis Colgan, Dan
Dietsch, Clare Faherty, Chick O’Leary
Submit Articles and photos to:
Office of the Diaconate Archdiocese of Chicago
816 Marengo Forest Park, IL 60130 Ph: (708) 366-8900 Fax: (708) 366-8968
Deadline for submissions for the next issue is November 15, 2008 Email: [email protected] The Flame is also viewable online at www.chicagodeacons.org Printed by the generosity of J. S. Paluch Company, Franklin Park, Illinois. Publisher of bulletins, vocation and stewardship calendars, and of World Library Publications' assortment of music and liturgy resources.
I couldn’t be prouder. You know he’s “a chip off the old block” and following the “footsteps of his old man” and all of that blather. But as a parent, this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced.
It’s one thing to raise our kids, shepherd them through adolescence, send them off to college and then into the working world. But no one ever told me about having to say goodbye to my only son who will be on the other side of the world and out of touch for perhaps days and weeks at a time. I know parents do this all the time and I have a new-found sympathy for those whose loved ones are in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan. This was something I never really expected or envisioned.
It’s not like we can pick up the phone and call down to Champaign-Urbana where he attends schools or expect him home on the occasional weekend or
holiday. Dan will be missing all the holidays, his 21st birthday, dare we say two baseball teams in the playoffs and his beloved Illini.
But Dan is going to a place where he truly feels the Lord is leading him. Going to Africa is all he has talked and thought about for months. So who am I to extinguish or dampen that fire?
Dan definitely has a calling of some sort. What it will be only God knows.
So I am left struggling with feelings of pride and loss. There is an emptiness in my heart, but I know Dan is on a journey of a lifetime. He’s learning about the world and doing the work of the Lord that will lead to all kinds of possibilities.
Back home, all I can do is pray and hold Dan and God’s people in my heart.
Keep the fire burning,
Deacon Dave Brencic, editor
“Aqui estoy, Señor. Soy yo, Señor. He escuchado tu llamado en la noche. Yo iré, Señor, si tu me guias. Llevaré a tu gente en mi corazón.” -Aquí estoy, Señor. Dan Schutte
Escuchando esas palabras se me llenaron los ojos de lágrimas mientras marchaba en la procesión de la Misa, hace algunas semanas. No podíamos cantar palabras más ciertas y su mensaje me atravesó el corazón.
Mi hijo Dan quien tiene 20 años partiría al día siguiente a Kenya como parte de un estudio de salud en la comunidad. El se iría por ocho largos meses y no regresaría hasta fines de abril.
Esa noche mi esposa y yo nos quedamos hasta tarde hablando con él acerca de su viaje y su sentir de haber sido llamado. Dan tiene una real pasión para ayudar a los demás y un fuerte deseo de vivir su fe a través de servicio.
No me pude haber sentido más orgulloso. Ustedes saben. “de tal palo, tal astilla” y “siguiendo los pasos de su padre” y todas esas cosas. Pero, como padre, esta es una de las cosas más difíciles que he confrontado.
Es una cosa criar a tus hijos, guiarlos en la adolescencia, mandarlos a la universidad y después dejarlos ir al mundo. Pero nadie me dijo como era el tener que decir adiós a mi único hijo, quien estará al otro del mundo y sin
PAGE 2 THE FLAME OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2008
What does it mean to be a Diaconate Community? We all know there is much more to being Catholic than to simply have been baptized. Participation in community life, particularly the Eucharist, is a non-negotiable essential. Similarly there is more to being a member of the Diaconate Community than just being ordained or married to a deacon.
Doing diaconal ministry is essential, but not all of what it means. We need the communal dimension. We offer four events on an archdiocesan scale for the Diaconate each year: the St. Stephen Symposium and the annual convocation are formational events; the St.
Lawrence Day Festival of Ordinations and St. Francis Dinner are more social. On a local level, each vicariate or deanery also has four events a year, from meeting with the episcopal vicar, to things like an annual Mass, a supper, or formational meeting.
While 100 percent participation is ideal, it is hardly possible. But when most of these events are ignored by most deacons and wives, the Diaconate Community erodes, just as parish life erodes when most people do not participate. Our Diaconate Council has many new members and has been revitalized in recent months. They are making it a priority to build up our spirit and vitality as a Diaconate Community. Are you doing your part?
Retirement is a major topic
¿Qué es lo que quiere decir ser una Comunidad Diaconal? Todos sabemos que hay mucho más en ser católico que simplemente ser bautizado. La participación en la vida comunitaria, particularmente en la Eucaristía, no es negociable, es esencial. De igual manera hay mucho más en ser miembro de la Comunidad Diaconal que simplemente ser ordenado como diácono o estar casado con uno. Hacer ministerio diaconal es esencial; pero hay mucho más que eso. Necesitamos la dimensión comunal. Nosotros ofrecemos a nivel de la arquidiócesis, para el diaconado, cuatro eventos anuales: El Simposio de San Esteban y la Convocación Anual que son eventos de formación. El Festival de Ordenación de San
Lorenzo y La Cena de San Francisco que son eventos sociales. A nivel local, cada vicariato o denario también ofrecen cuatro eventos al año, desde una reunión con el Vicario Episcopal, como también una misa anual, una cena o una reunión de formación. Mientras que lo ideal sería una participación del 100%, sabemos que esto es imposible. Pero cuando la mayoría de estos eventos son ignorados por la mayoría de nuestros diáconos y sus esposas, la Comunidad Diaconal se desgasta, al igual que la vida de la parroquia se desgasta cuando la mayoría de la gente no participa. Nuestro Concilio Diaconal tiene muchos miembros nuevos y en meses recientes se ha revitalizado. Están haciendo una prioridad la de revitalizar el espíritu de nuestra Comunidad Diaconal.
¿ Estás haciendo tu, tu parte?
Retiro es el mayor tópico que está
siendo examinado por nuestro Concilio Diaconal. 100 de nuestros 495 diáconos activos tienen más de 70 años y podrían retirarse. Tenemos además 100 “senior deacons” que están retirados pero siguen activos y 50 retirados que están inactivos. El resto de nuestros 884 diáconos están activos fuera de Chicago, de baja, o inactivos por varias razones. Más de 40 se han retirado este año. ¿ Qué quiere decir retiro? No debería seguir habiendo alguna responsabilidad y deseo de seguir creciendo?
¿ Necesitan nuestras pólizas ser revisadas? Habrá una reunión para todos los diáconos activos que tengan más de 68 años de edad para discutir esto. La reunión será el martes 21 de octubre a las 7:30pm en el Centro Diaconal en Forest Park. Por favor llamen si están interesados en asistir (necesitamos saber cuantos son,
(Continued on page 11)
Reflexiones del Vicario
Views from the Vicar
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHICAGO DEACONS PAGE 3 being examined by our Diaconate Council. One hundred of our 495 active deacons are over 70 and could retire. We have an additional 100 senior deacons who are actively retired and about 50 inactively retired deacons. The rest of our deacons are active outside Chicago, on leave or inactive for a variety of reasons. Over 40 have retired this past year. What does retirement mean? Should there not still be some accountability and expectation to continue growing? Do our current policies need to be refined? There will be a Town Hall Meeting for all active deacons over the age of 68 to discuss this. It will be at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Deacon Center in Forest Park. Please call if you are interested
(Continued on page 11)
PAGE 4 THE FLAME OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2008
By Father Ed Salmon
Our widows, widowers and senior deacons are a very important and ever-growing segment of our Diaconate Community. Too easily forgotten perhaps and separated from classmates, calls dwindle. Some tell me even the deacons and wives in their parish don’t bother with them much, or at all!
In Chicago, we have 106 wives of deacons who have gone to the Lord and at least 40 senior deacons (retired and no longer active in ministry). Your vicar, Father Mike Ahlstrom, asked me to look into this important group of our men and women, since, being retired I have absolutely nothing to do – I guess that’s what he thinks. He appointed me vicar emeritus (no such thing of course) responsible for widows, widowers and senior deacons. Since I know them all, it has been a source of joy and satisfaction.
I say “we” because I asked several others to join me – three deacons and two of our widows: Charlie O’Donnell, Joe Winblad, Lory Madonia, Judy Finnegan and Bernie Henning. They have done all the work and our efforts have been appreciated by the ladies and our senior men as well.
We began by making contact, letting them know we haven’t forgotten them, finding out how their health is, what they are doing, what they might need from the community – even those who have moved out of the archdiocese. It’s a fairly challenging venture since many have moved and phone numbers have changed.
Those we could not reach by
Reaching out to the widows, widowers and senior deacons
phone we contacted by mail. Not all responded; not all were even interested or impressed by our reaching out. But those who were, and they were the majority, were delighted. We asked them to continue praying for all our deacons and wives because they are still a vital part of the support system for the active ministry.
This summer we gathered together for two luncheons – one north and one south – to accommodate our men and women. We have found rides where needed. The Diaconate Council funded the effort.
It has proven to be a blessing and a joy for all concerned. Our hope is to contact our entire group of men and women twice each year, and offer a chance to come together again each summer. And always they are invited to every event and to our retreats.
Some of the ladies were unaware that funding is available to them for retreats and continuing education through the Council Education Fund. If they choose to pursue further study, they may also apply for a grant, also offered by the council. For the senior deacons, funding for retreats is asked of the parish, and if not forthcoming, covered by the council.
If you receive The Flame and have moved or changed your phone number in the last several years please notify the Diaconate Office. We would like to be in contact with you if possible. Only with your help can those records be kept up to date.
We ask that you pray for them as well. Let them not be forgotten since age and distance often prevent our meeting as often as we once did.
Here are the new Vicariate and Deanery Deacon Coordinators who were officially appointed June 24: Vicariate I John Lucas serving Bishop Rassas: Deanery A C. Joseph LaFleur Deanery B David Wagner Deanery C George Kashmar Deanery D Stephan Stecker Deanery E Lawrence Rybicki Deanery F John Lorbach Vicariate II Paul Spalla serving Bishop Kane: Deanery A John “Chick” O’Leary Deanery B Daniel Welter Deanery C Ubaldo Munoz Deanery D Paul Spalla Deanery E Frank Beil Deanery F Edward O’Leary Vicariate III Jose Vazquez serving Bishop Manz: Deanery A Juan Gonzalez Deanery B Adolpho Lopez Deanery C William Pouncy Deanery E Rodrigo Silva Vicariate IV Giulio Camerini serving Bishop Paprocki: Deanery A Christopher Virruso Deanery B John Gaughan Deanery C Javier Pineda Deanery D Christopher Virruso Deanery E Thomas Coffey Vicariate V Joseph Truesdale serving Bishop Garcia-Siller: Deanery A Salvatore Lema Deanery B (W) Salvatore Lema Deanery B (E) Ignacio Alvarez Deanery C James Deiters Deanery D James Deiters Deanery E Charles McFarland and Richard Werner Vicariate VI Dan Ragonese serving Bishop Perry: Deanery A John Cook Deanery B John Cook Deanery C Dan Ragonese Deanery D Thomas Knetl
Vicariate and Deanery Co-ordinators
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHICAGO DEACONS PAGE 5
April 17-19: Deacons and wives (Spanish language).
May 1-3: Deacons and wives (Fr. Kevin Huber, ordained in 1991 for the Gary Diocese, a holder of the D.Min. in preaching and a vocation director, will preach “Deacons and Wives: Companions on the Path to Holiness.”).
May 22-24: Deacons and wives (Spanish language).
If the schedule above does not match your schedule, remember you are always welcome here for a private retreat. Also, remember that, if we have the space, we are quite happy to provide, without additional cost, separate rooms for husbands and wives, if that would aid your retreat — you simply need to inquire of us ahead of time for this or for any other special requirement (e.g., dietary, mobility). You are the people to whom Stritch ministers; let us fulfill our responsibility of hospitality to you.
Deacon Richard F. Hudzik is director of Cardinal Stritch Retreat House.
By Richard Hudzik By now, you should have
received a mailing from Cardinal Stritch Retreat House detailing the upcoming retreats. Listed below is a summary of the retreats remaining through spring 2009. We believe we have assembled a very powerful lineup of presenters who will facilitate your prayerful time away.
Please take advantage of these offerings. Call, write or email now to reserve your place. Further details are on the Web site at www.stritchretreat.org.
Oct. 24-26: Deacons and wives (Fr. Michael Ahlstrom, retreat leader).
Nov. 21-23: Deacons and wives (Spanish language).
Dec. 5-7: Deacons and wives (Fr. Albert Haase, OFM, a new leader for us but known to many as a regular commentator on Relevant Radio. This will be a partially silent retreat, entitled “Living the Lord’s Prayer.”)
Jan. 26-28: Deacons and wives (Deacon Bob Puhala, director of the Diaconate Formation Program, will preach this midweek retreat entitled “Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary People: Examining the Call of the Disciples” — to discover what we all can learn about our own call to God’s service through the disciples’ lives.)
March 20-22: Deacon wives and widows.
March 27-29: Deacons (Friar Bernard Kennedy, OFM, will preach this retreat entitled “Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly.”
Stritch House update
Deacon Richard F. Hudzik is director of Cardinal Stritch Retreat House.
Promoting drug-free awareness Red Ribbon Week, which promotes a commitment toward the creation of a drug-free America, will be held Oct. 18-26. “Red Ribbon Week reflects the concern of Catholic educators for the minds, hearts, and bodies of our students every day of the year. God calls all our young people to health and freedom, which substance abuse steals from them,” said Sister M. Paul McCaughney, O.P., superintendent of the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools.
Events will include:
Oct 18-19: sports weekend
Oct 20: Decoration and Information Day
Oct 21: United We Stand Pledge Day
Oct 22: Wear Red Day
Oct 23: Reach Out Day
Oct 24: Rally and Recognition Day
Oct 24-26: Pray for the Children Weekend
For further information or for a Red Ribbon packet contact the Office of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Chicago, Ada Harris, 155 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611, call (312) 751-3857 or [email protected].
PAGE 6 THE FLAME OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2008 Kevin to Immaculate Conception
Peter Manning from St Joseph, Summit to St George
Luis Treviño from O’Hare Airport to Church of the Holy Spirit
Senior deacons as of 2008 Marvin Kocar, St Pius X, Jan. 1 Robert Matthews, St Joseph,
Libertyville, Jan. 1 James Sanford, St. Emily,
Jan.1 James Platt, St. Cyprian, Jan.
1 Edward Ryan, O.L. of Knock,
Jan. 1 Robert Devereux, O.L. of the
Mount, July 1 Herbert Drazba, St. Jude the
Apostle, July 1 Arthur Nylan, St. Jude the
Apostle, Aug. 1 Peter Morrisey, St. Leonard,
Aug. 1 Joel Chrastka, St. Leonard,
Aug. 1 Robert Brauch, St. Anne
Barrington, July 1 James Crane, St. Anne
Barrington, July 1 James Condill, St Anne
Barrington, Aug. 1 Leonard Richardson, St.
Sabina, July 1 Thomas Ryan, St. Christina,
Aug. 1 Antonio Villalobos, St. Mark,
Aug. 1 Giulio Camerini, St. Eulalia,
Aug. 1 Brendan Foley, O.L. of the
Wayside, Aug. 1 Gary Munda, Holy Family,
Aug. 1
Assignment changes
The following deacons have been relocated during the past year:
David Baez to Archdiocese of Denver
William Clark to Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Lawrence Palmer to Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Jaime Rios to Diocese of Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Richard Kullek to Diocese of Boise
Jeffrey Newman to Archdiocese of Santa Fe
George Coltman to Diocese of Rockford
Deacons changing parishes during the past year:
Ronald Pilarski from St. Celestine to Mater Christi
Juan Gomez from St Basil/Visitation to St Mary Magdalene
Dennis Brown from St Frances de Sales to St. Patrick, Wadsworth
Matthew Hahn from St Mary Buffalo Grove to St James, Arlington Heights
Alfonso Salgado from St. Anthony Cicero to Mary Queen of Heaven
Victor Ruiz from inactive to St Dismas
Dan Simmet from St Mary of Annunciation to St. Joseph, Libertyville
Abraham Chavez from St.
Benefit for Zacchaeus House The Zacchaeus House Benefit Luncheon will be held at noon Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Oaks Hotel, 300 S. Frontage Road at County Line Road and I-55 in Burr Ridge.
The benefit will include a silent auction and raffle. Bishop Raymond E. Goedert will be the special guest at the luncheon. Deacon John Wilkerson and William Schultz will be receiving the Friends of Zacchaeus House Award. The ZZAJE’ Jazz Ensemble also will be performing.
Tickets are $55.
For more information, call (773) 568-7822, email at [email protected] or visit www.zacchaeushouse.org.
PreCana training
Frank Hannigan of the Family Ministries Office will be training new presenting couples for the Archdiocesan PreCana program from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Satur-day, Oct.11, at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, 155 E. Superior in Chicago.
There is a need for more pre-senting couples to do this minis-try with engaged couples. Please contact Hannigan at [email protected] or by call-ing (312) 751-8341.This is a won-derful ministry that deacons and their wives can participate in together.
COMMUNITY NEWS: Your prayers are asked for those who have recently gone to the Lord: Deacon Harold Hempen, ’94; Deacon Pedro Herran, ’75; Deacon Raymond Doyle, ’75; Isabel Flewellen, wife of Deacon James Flewellen, ’72; Florence Dmochowski, sister of Mary Ann Debnar, ’87; Berenice Kancler, mother of Deacon Lawrence Kancler, ’83; and Devilia Buissereth, mother of Rameau, ’01; Veronica Duderstadt, mother of Peery, ‘82.
Among the sick, we commend to your prayers: Oscar Gonzalez, Roberto Figueroa, John Pistone, Roger Mullaney, Edwin Martinez, Dennis Dunn, Phil White, David Brezinski, Tim Kryszak, Agnes Barrett, John Burt, José Uroza, Wilmer Rodriguez, Arturo Velasco, Bienvenido Nieves, Jose Gonzalez, Vicente Estrada, Juanita Soto, Joaquin Varela, Luis Perez, Mel Both, Claude Henseler, Ronald Wiener, Robert Smith, William Malloy, Mary Gronkiewicz, John Richardson and Ed Condon.
Please call the Diaconate office at (708) 366-8900 and inform us when someone in our community has died or should be added to the sick list.
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHICAGO DEACONS PAGE 7
Spanish classes available One of the obvious needs in our archdiocese is a familiarity with Spanish in our ministries. Thirty-five percent of our parishes have a Spanish Mass and even more are ministering to Hispanics. To meet this critical need, we will be offering Spanish classes.
Julia Aguirre, who serves as the bilingual secretary of the
Diaconate Office, has offered to teach the classes. The classes are designed for English-speaking deacons and will teach the basics when doing Spanish ministry.
Classes will be held Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and/or on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. depending on how many people register. Both sessions will be offered at the Diaconate office, 816 S. Marengo in Forest
Park. Classes count as part of your ongoing formation hours.
The cost is $100 for the entire course, which comes out to only $10 per class.
Deacons are entitled to $150 per year for ongoing formation. Or you could pay for this yourself, or perhaps your parish could pick up the tab since it will benefit them. If you have any questions or want to sign up, call Julia at (708) 366-8900.
PAGE 8 THE FLAME OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2008
Deacons Sal Lema, Ignacio Alvarez and aspirant Greg Pardini
Fr. Mike Ahlstrom, vicar of the Diaconate Community, presided at the Mass assisted by Deacons Andy Beierwaltes and Charlie O'Donnell.
Members of the 30-year class were recognized for their years of service at the end of the Mass.
More than 150 people attended the St. Lawrence Day Festival of Ordination and Barbecue in August at St. Barbara Parish in Brookfield.
Brats, hamburgers, hot dogs and steak tacos were on the menu at the barbecue for the Diaconate Community.
St. Lawrence Day Festival
and Barbecue at
St. Barbara Parish in
Brookfield
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHICAGO DEACONS PAGE 9 to 2:30 p.m., $50.
Nov. 22: Islam by Fr. Albert Haase 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., $75.
Dec. 3, 10, 17: Historical Jesus by Fr. Albert Haase 9:30 a.m. to noon, $75 series.
Jan. 9-11, 2009: “Meet Your Ancestors: Biblical Men and Women of Faith” men’s silent retreat by Fr. Jonathan Foster at Cardinal Stritch.
Feb. 6-8: “Finding Our Voice in the Lost Women of the Bible” women’s retreat at Oscar Swan Country Inn by Dr. Mary Amore.
Feb. 20-22: “Embracing the Sacred Mystery of Manhood” men’s retreat by Fr. Tom Borkowski at Cardinal Stritch.
April 3-5: “Meet Your Ancestors: Biblical Men and Women of Faith” men’s silent retreat by Fr. Jonathan Foster at Cardinal Stritch.
April 24-26: “A Closer Look” women’s retreat at Oscar Swan Country Inn by Dr. Diane Stephens.
July 24-26: “Embracing Your Mystical Heart” women’s retreat at Oscar Swan Country Inn by Dr. Mary Amore.
Sept.18-20: “Finding Our Voice in the Lost Women of the Bible” women’s retreat at Oscar Swan Country Inn by Dr. Mary Amore.
Reservations at: www.mayslakeministries.org or (630) 323-1620.
Mayslake Ministries will present the following programs:
Oct. 11: Write Your Life with Scriptures by Sr. Marianne Saieg, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $50.
Oct. 15, 22, 29: Nutrition and Spirituality by Karen Boton, 9:30 a.m. to noon. $20 per session.
Oct. 17-19: “Opening To God’s Abiding Presence” Men’s Quiet Retreat at Cardinal Stritch by Fr. Tom Borkowski. Reservations due by Oct. 3, $200.
Oct. 18: The History of the Church by Robert Inglis, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. $75.
Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24: “In The Palm of God’s Hand” by Sr. Valerie Kulbacki, 9:30a.m. to 11 a.m. or 7 to 8:30 p.m. “Grief Group” $100 for a six-week session.
Oct. 24-26: Graced Moments Women’s Ministry “Friendship of Women Retreat” by Dr. Jill Bates at Oscar Swan Country Inn, Geneva. Reservations by Oct. 10.
Nov. 7-9 : “Meet Your Biblical Ancestors,” men’s silent retreat by Fr. Jonathan Foster at Cardinal Stritch Reservations due by Oct. 21, $200.
Nov.8: Gratefulness: The Key to Joy by Sr. Marianne Saieg 9:30 a.m.
Upcoming ecumenical events Wednesday, Nov. 19, noon to 1
p.m.: 22nd Annual Chicago Center for Cultural Connections Interfaith Thanksgiving Observance First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington St., Chicago.
Sunday, Jan. 18: 4 to 5 p.m.: 9th Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Chicagoland Ecumenical Prayer Service Location TBA
Thursday, March 26, 7 to 9 p.m.: 14th Annual Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture Title: TBA Lecturer: Dr. Jon Levenson, DePaul University – Lincoln Park Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave. (Room 120 A & B), Chicago
Tuesday, May 5, 6 to 8:30 p.m.: 3rd Annual Abrahamic Faiths Intersections on Interfaith Dialogue Speakers and Moderator TBA, DePaul University – Lincoln Park Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago.
Wednesday, May 20, noon to 1:00 p.m.: 24th Annual Memorial Observance for Indigent Persons, First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington St., Chicago.
For more information, visit http://www.archchicago.org/departments/ecumenical/eia.shtm events throughout the year.
Special meeting reminder There will be a special town hall meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Deacon Center in Forest Park for all deacons over the age of 68 to discuss what the expectations should be for retired deacons. Deacons check your e-mail for more information. Call the office at (708) 366-8900 for more information.
PAGE 10 THE FLAME OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2008 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Conference of Illinois are approved for distribution in parishes and schools. This includes: The USCCB document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” www.faithfulcitizenship.org, and the letter on voting from the Illinois bishops, which is forthcoming.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invites U.S. Catholics to pray before the November election a novena for life, justice, and peace called Novena for Faithful Citizenship. It is a podcast and available for download. The novena will be available for download until the election at http://fc.mach1media.com/resources/podcasts.
For other Faithful Citizenship resources and materials, visit www.faithfulcitizenship.org.
The Office for Peace and Justice is planning the following activities:
The Office for Peace and Justice and Catholic Relief Services will present an Advent Africa Summit from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at St. Dorothy School, 7740 S. Eberhart Ave., Chicago.
The cost for the day is $20 and includes lunch. Please RSVP by Nov. 21 by calling (312) 751-8367 or email [email protected].
There are a wide variety of voter education materials targeting Catholics this year, including many that are not aligned with the faith. The Archdiocese of Chicago’s policy is that only materials from the
Peace and Justice update
Ecumenical network discusses Diaconate The Ecumenical Network for the Diaconate (TEND) will have a special presentation from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 9711 W. Devon in Rosemont.
The primary role of TEND is to establish connections among faith traditions for the sharing of information and resources for diakonia groups in the United States.
TEND will also: -- Develop and maintain a list of available resources for study and research. -- Provide a place for leaders to meet for conversation on the diaconate present and future. -- Develop a virtual connection. -- Explore and encourage publication of papers and scholarship relating to the diaconate.
The November gathering will include a presentation on “Sustaining Spirituality for the Diaconate.” The speaker will be the Rev. Brian Hastings, priest and spiritual director for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.
The cost is $30 and covers the cost of the speaker and a light lunch. Checks should be made out to TEND or pay at the door. Registration deadline is Nov. 1.
Deacons check your email for registration information. For more information, call the Diaconate Office at (708) 366-8900.
Alps tour planned Deacons Rich Voytas and Den-nis Robak will be leading a tour of the Alps including Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany Sept. 15-27, 2010. There will be two meetings for the trip: Nov.17 at St. Daniel the Prophet , 53rd and Natoma in Brennan Hall (school hall) in Chicago, and Nov. 19 at St. Mary’s, 1012 Lake St. in the Par-ish Chapel in Evanston. Both meetings are at 7 p.m. For more information, contact your tour hosts: Rich Voytas at (773) 586-3734 or Dennis Robak at (847) 491-9260.
Preaching workshop for Advent
The Diaconate Office will be presenting an all-day workshop on preaching presented by Fr. Richard Fragomeni. "Preaching for Advent 2008" will be presented from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, 1224 W. Lexington St., Chicago.
The workshop will be held in the shrine. The cost is $10 to cover the expense of the lunch. If you are interested in attending, call the Diaconate Office and make your reservation. There are a limited number of openings.
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHICAGO DEACONS PAGE 11
(we need to know how many to plan for) and we will send you some material to think about ahead of time. If you cannot come or are interested in reading the material, let us know and it will be sent to you.
E-mail for all active and senior deacons is finally a reality. This will now be the primary way all communication within the Diaconate Community will take place. This address will stay the same until death, no matter where the deacon is assigned. By now all deacons should have received a letter with their personal e-mail address along with some basic instructions. If you did not receive a letter with your user name, e-mail address and temporary password by the time you read this, call today so we can rectify the situation. I ask that you check your e-mail at least twice a week. You can set up your e-mail to automatically forward to another e-mail address if you prefer.
This will vastly improve communication. There are many times when I want to send something out to the entire Diaconate Community, but there is not enough time and money to mail it, but it now can be forwarded instantly and without any cost. The savings of paper, envelopes, postage and labor is quite substantial. I know some will have trouble adjusting to this change, but please be open. We will offer free classes for those who need it. Please call our office if you are interested.
Michael Ahlstrom
(Continued from page 3) para poder planear la reunión) y les mandaremos material para que lo lean antes de venir. Si alguien no puede asistir; pero está interesado en leer este material, avísenos y se lo mandaremos por correo.
E-mail para los diáconos y retirados activos finalmente es ya una realidad. Esta será desde ahora la manera principal de comunicación con la Comunidad Diaconal. Esta dirección no cambiará sin importar si los diáconos cambien de asignación. Ya todos los diáconos han debido recibir la carta donde se les avisa su dirección de correo junto con algunas instrucciones básicas. Si no has recibido la carta con tu nombre de usario y tu palabra de pase provisional, llámanos hoy mismo para corregir esta situación. Les pido que abran su correo por lo menos dos veces a la semana. Ustedes pueden arreglar su e-mail para que les mande su correo a su otra dirección personal, si así lo prefiere.
Esto mejorará la comunicación inmensamente. Hay veces que quiero mandarles algo a toda la Comunidad Diaconal, pero no hay suficiente tiempo ni dinero para mandalo por correo, ahora lo podré hacer al instante y sin costo alguno. El ahorro en papel, sobres, estampillas y trabajo será substancial. Sé que algunos tendrán dificultades ajustándose a este cambio, pero por favor considérenlo. Les ofreceremos clases gratis para aquellos que lo necesiten. Por favor llamen a la oficina si están interesados.
Padre Miguel Ahlstrom
Views from the Vicar Reflexiones del Vicario
Special Mass for persons with mental illness Mass in Celebration of the Lives of Persons with Mental Illness, Their Families, Friends, and Care Providers will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at St. Josaphat Catholic Church, 2311 N. South-port, Chicago.
There will be refreshments after the Mass.
Faith & Fellowship, the Chicago Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness, is sponsoring the Mass. For more information, call Connie Raki-tan at (708) 383-9276 or Deacon Tom Lambert, (773) 525-0453, ext. 21.
Stole Fees
The Archdiocese of Chicago has approved new stole fees for deacons effective July 1, 2008:
-- Baptism: $35.
-- Wedding outside of Mass: $60.
-- Funeral outside of Mass: $60.
-- Cemetery internment: $40.
-- Quinceañera outside of Mass: $60.
Deacons are not compensated for assisting or preaching at a Mass, doing a communion service whether in church or for the sick, doing a wake service, or giving a blessing. The compensation for baptism is for each liturgy, not each child.
PAGE 12 THE FLAME OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2008 Diaconate Council Notes September 13, 2008
-- Fr. Mike Ahlstrom presented his report on the issue of Active/Senior/Retired Deacon status. An open discussion followed and the matter was referred to Dan Welter for a report at the next meeting. -- Dave Egan introduced a discussion on the VDC/DDC role job description issue. -- Fr. Ahlstrom addressed the issue of community on various levels within the Diaconate and also went through the VDC/DDC job descriptions. A discussion followed and some suggestions were made. -- Bill Stearns gave a report on St. Francis Day scheduled for Nov. 16. The ad book is being supplemented by a raffle. To date there has been a low response from businesses on the donation of raffle prizes. This needs attention and support from the community. Dinner reservations on which no profit is made are $35.
-- Dave Egan presented the Chairman’s Report: No treasurer’s report available. Under the new council conformation each Deanery has only one vote and no council member, no matter how many positions held concurrently, has more than one vote. The e-mail list is being completed for the future distribution of reports and communications. Cardinal George is the designated recipient of the St. Francis Award.
Mike Riley will have a presentation on the archdiocesan web site at the St. Stephen Symposium. As to the web site, individual initial passwords and user names to be distributed.
-- The Vicar’s report was presented by Fr. Ahlstrom. Written copies were provided. Integration of the e-mail system for the Diaconate will be linked with the general archdiocesan e-mail system for electronic communication. A number of deacons are overdue in presenting their ministry evaluations. Follow-up is being initiated. A short set of comments was made as to the possible streamlining of the forms and process as they appear cumbersome witnessed by the number of non-responses. St. Stephen’s Symposium needs more attendees. This year the Hispanic Charismatic Convocation takes place the same day. Such scheduling and conflict problems exist as long as we use Trinity High School and are dependent on that school’s schedule. Nothing substantial was discussed on the possible improvement of presentations and qualified speakers.
-- Associate Director’s Report made by Dennis Colgan. Covered the success of the widows (and retired deacons) North and South Side dinners, which was “supplemented” by a $1,000 support donation. Emmaus – eight men in new class.
Among programs is a preaching workshop (Advent 2008) to be made by Father Fragomeni at OLPC. Cost is $10. St. Stephen’s Symposium – motion made and passed for council to pick up “breakfast” tab, but still seeking competitive catering bids for 300 people. Diaconate logo patch modified. John Rex taking over sales and promotions.
-- No Formation report. -- Other reports were distributed, but not discussed in detail.
-- Dan Welter reported on the unionization issue at Resurrection Hospitals and solicited the Diaconate’s support for bargaining. A.P.C. supports AFSCME, the Presby-teral Council did not make an endorsement. Seeking signatures of individual deacons, no motion to have the Diaconate as a body supporting the movement. -- Tom Coffey suggested the purchase of a paper-folding machine. Discussions as to costs and quality followed. A motion made and passed to purchase one at around $500.
-- In response to a statement made, Father Ahlstrom addressed the current archdiocesan policy of prohibiting clergy endorsement of political candidates.
-- An e-mail test notice is to be made.
-- Next meeting is Nov. 11.
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHICAGO DEACONS PAGE 13
Life after a stroke
By Robert De Fiore
The most reassuring thing about a stroke is that there is life afterward. The quality depends on one’s attitude and fortitude and where you are with God and his people. They all seem to be tied together. If we are a person who knows God, we can be assured that the outcome will be good. Maybe not in the way that we think that life should continue, but still the outcome will be good.
When I first realized that God was in control and not me nor the doctors, or anyone else, I began to realize that I had three choices. First, God could heal me and then I would have new life. Second, I could receive a new heart through a transplant and that too would certainly be new life! Third, I could die and go to be with the Lord and that would be the highest form of new life that I could want or receive.
The moment that I realized that these three options were all I had and all of them meant some new life and that new life was good. I was blessed with the gift of peace -- and what a wonderful gift that is. It doesn’t take away the pain, doubt or frustration, but it makes all things possible and adds to the virtue of hope. It gives me the willingness to try different
things like golfing with one hand, instead of two, or bowling with one hand instead of two.
One of the most difficult and yet most rewarding things was to be able to ask people for help. My spiritual director said that asking others for help is truly a blessing because it allows people to do their ministry and that is why they were put on this earth. That is why we are all put on earth -- to love and serve our Lord! When we do these things to the least of our brothers and sisters, we do it to for God. But it can’t happen until we ask.
The other factor that is involved is the power of prayer. Wow, what a force that is! When my family put out the call for prayers, they told other friends and relatives and the list was endless. I thank all of you for your prayers, love and support. When you know God and his people, great things happen, great and wonderful things. Thanks be to God and his people!
A real inspiration When I met Deacon Bob, he had just received a heart transplant. He told me of the long discernment that he went through about accepting a heart transplant at age 65. He thought that it may be better for a younger person to get it. But God had a plan for him. It was his son-in-law who told him that, after years of trying, they were expecting twins. The babies needed their grandfather. Bob got a heart transplant at Loyola Hospital on Oct. 9, 2001. Soon after he was up and around, being an avid golf player, he noticed that he did not know how to play golf anymore. He thought that maybe his donor didn’t know how to do it. So he learned to play golf again! In between his duties as a deacon at St John the Evangelist Parish and his golf outings, he came to the Diaconate to learn Spanish to be able to talk with his grandchildren.
About two years ago, he had a stroke and a longer rehabilitation and speech therapy to go through. I remember how happy he was when finally his pastor told him to give homilies again.
He also found a place called Revelation Golf and here he learned to play golf with one hand, which he does almost every sunny day. He also learned to bowl with one hand. In fact, he challenges all deacons with health issues to call him and he will share with them how to keep their life active. Deacon Bob is for me an inspiration of courage and complete trust in God. Regardless of the health problems he went through, he never loses his smile and his gratefulness for what he has.
-- Julia Aguirre, Diaconate secretary
PAGE 14 THE FLAME OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2008
Legal Clinic in 1981 to help provide legal services for the poor. I still serve in a volunteer capacity as president of the board. I served for eight years as chancellor of the archdiocese (1992-2000) and two and a half years as pastor of St. Constance Parish (2001-2003). Besides English, I speak Polish, Spanish and Italian, and I read Latin. I am the cardinal’s liaison for the Polish community in Chicago and also his liaison for hospitals and health care. As episcopal vicar for Vicariate IV, I oversee 60 parishes, missions and shrines. So you can see that I keep quite busy.
The Flame: Do you have any words to the deacons to call them to a higher or new or better service? What would you like to see the deacons do that they are not now doing?
A. Deacons are configured by ordination to Christ in service of God’s people. There are as many different ways to do this as there are distinct personalities, but the basic concept is always the same: serving others according to one’s unique talents and abilities. Of course, all the baptized in some sense are called to serve others, but a deacon’s service is done in connection with the bishop and this, in turn, means that the service is done on behalf of Christ’s spouse, the Church. So it is not so much doing things differently that would make them “new or better,” but in how we understand what we are doing and why we are doing it that connects it to a higher meaning, and makes them more than just routine or menial tasks.
In the future, I see more deacons engaged in full-time ministry. The needs are great and the Church can greatly benefit from the full-
(Continued from page 1)
time service of deacons in light of the training and formation that they receive. I realize this is not for everyone, especially given the demands of other full-time professions to which deacons are committed and the financial obligations of raising a family, but I think more deacons will enter full-time diaconal ministry at least after retirement.
The Flame: If the Diaconate is primarily envisioned in terms of its charity, its liturgical service and its teaching function, do you personally argue for any priorities here? Any “first among equals” or ought we hold the three gifts in harmony and balance?
A. I would resist the temptation to prioritize gifts and charisms. A bishop, for example, cannot say that he’d rather teach than govern or sanctify. All three are expected and must work in harmony. Given that fact, however, we must still recognize that different people have unique skills, abilities and interests. So naturally some people will tend to put their focus and energies in one area more than another. That is fine as long as we recognize our limitations and seek the help of others for those areas that are not our strong points and for which we could benefit from some assistance.
The Flame: How can deacons better serve the Archdiocese of Chicago? Related to that, how can deacons better understand that they are ordained for the archbishop and not for the parish? How can the deacons better serve the bishops?
A. Again, I would not make it either/or. The archbishop is responsible for the pastoral care of the archdiocese, and that includes the parishes. So what deacons do in their parishes is helping the archbishop with his pastoral responsibilities. The pitfall is when a deacon sees his parish ministry as his exclusive concern or when he thinks that there is no other parish in which he can serve. I realize
that this poses a different challenge for married deacons than it is for bishops and priests who are asked to move. Married deacons obviously have to think about the impact on their wives and families, but this impact should not be used as an automatic impediment for a deacon to consider ministry in a place other than his current parish.
The Flame: How do you view the deacons’ wives’ role in the ministry of their husbands?
A. This, too, will depend to a great extent on the wives themselves. Some will see themselves in a more involved way with their husband’s ministry, even though he is the one ordained, especially if the wife has gone through the classes on ministry and formation. Some will work with their husbands in partnership as a team. Others will prefer a more “behind the scenes,” supportive role of their husband’s ministry. Still others have their own interests which may be totally distinct from their husband’s. This may be increasingly true if a deacon is transferred to another parish and the wife prefers to remain involved in their “home” parish.
The Flame: What challenges or opportunities do you see for the Diaconate in the next several years (i.e., where is the Diaconate headed)?
A. With the decrease in priestly vocations, I think there will be more opportunities for deacons to step into full-time parish functions, such as pastoral associate, business manager, director of religious education, etc.
The Flame: Are there any particular areas that you see the need for greater involvement of deacons on the level of parish, vicariate or society in general (i.e., where should deacons be more involved)?
A. I think this is already (Continued on page 15)
An interview with Bishop Paprocki
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHICAGO DEACONS PAGE 15
happening in many places, but at the parish level can be a big help conducting wake services and even committal services at the cemetery, the latter at least for those who are free in the daytime during the week. At the vicariate level, this could be helpful if a deacon would volunteer occasionally to assist a neighboring parish that doesn’t have an associate pastor or a deacon. For society in general, I see prison ministry as a great need. It is complicated, the prison bureaucracy puts up a lot of red tape, and we just don’t have enough ecclesial ministers to tend to this need. At least in hospitals and nursing homes, lay people can more easily become ministers of care and bring Holy Communion to the sick. This is more difficult in prison settings.
The Flame: How should deacons pray?
A. The short answer is: constantly. But I would add that it is good to pray at least some parts of the Liturgy of the Hours with others. This is the prayer of the Church and for the Church. I pray morning prayer at 7:15 a.m. and night prayer at 10:30 p.m. daily with Father Mark Bartosic, pastor of St. Frances of Rome Parish in Cicero, where I reside. I also belong to a prayer group of priests with whom I meet monthly and a prayer group of bishops who get together about four times a year. Analogously, married deacons can pray with their wives and children at home. Both married deacons and unmarried deacons can form prayer groups and meet along the lines of the Jesus Caritas model of personal sharing and prayer that was inspired by Father Charles de Foucauld and is used by many priests.
(Continued from page 14) unique contributions of wives as lay ministers in the church by facilitating their formation leading to the certificate of studies; and supports a wife’s individual identity as lay minister in her own right rather than through her husband’s’ diaconal identity and ministry.
This revised path also acknowledges a reality expressed in “Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord” (USCCB, 2005), Chrzan said. “Co-Workers” notes that, “lay persons who permanently or temporarily devote themselves to special service of the church are obliged to acquire the appropriate formation required to fulfill their function properly.” (CIC, canon 231)
To do just this, Chrzan said that the DFP has been in dialogue for several years with the Lay Ministry Formation Program, and other archdiocesan programs like Ongoing Formation, Catechetical Leadership Formation, Instituto de Liderazgo Pastoral, as well as USML/Mundelein Seminary. All discussions have been guided by several foundational principles: compliance with the Vatican and (USCCB) National Directories for deacon formation; development of academic and formation paths that lead to greater flexibility and personalized recognition of, wives of candidates; development of paths that address specific formation needs of wives of candidates; and standardization of academic/formation credits of archdiocesan certificates of study.
Chrzan emphasized that the DFP policy regarding wives of aspirants and candidates remains unchanged. Wives of aspirants are required to participate fully in the Aspirancy Path (a year of discernment), and are required to attend selected key events in the Candidacy Path (three years of multi-dimensional formation). Only the wives’ process
(Continued from page 1)
in the certificate of studies path has been revised, Chrzan said.
What does this look like in a practical way? Chrzan explained the options.
“Wives of candidates can choose one of three formation paths: attend key events; attend key events and audit courses, at no extra cost; or attend key events and concurrently enroll in the Called & Gifted program leading to the certificate of studies in lay ministry from USML,” she said.
Those enrolling in Called & Gifted pay half the tuition cost for that program, while the parish pays the other half, Chrzan said. Currently Called & Gifted tuition is $1,200 yearly; scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the cost.
The revised certificate path also does not separate candidates and wives, except during formation Saturdays when both programs offer sessions specific to their own ministries.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure that these Saturday formation sessions for both programs are held on the same day, at the same time and location,” Chrzan said. “We’re even coordinating the lunch breaks.”
Chrzan noted that wives who complete the Called & Gifted program also can, through collaboration by the DFP and C&G, accompany their husband fully through Year 3 of his candidacy. These wives would earn a second certificate of studies in lay pastoral ministry.
“These certificates of studies can be very valuable to wives wishing to enter an academic degree program,” Chrzan said. “We’ve had area universities offering women up to 30 hours of undergraduate credit and 12 to 15 hours of graduate level credit for the courses taken through the DFP and Called & Gifted.”
Certificate path revised for candidates’ wives
An interview with Bishop Paprocki
Archdiocese of Chicago Office of the Diaconate 816 Marengo Forest Park, IL 60130
Numbers to know:
Office of the Diaconate 816 Marengo Ave.
Forest Park, Ill. 60130 (708) 366-8900; fax (708) 366-
8968
Father Michael Ahlstrom, Vicar for the Diaconate Community
The Chicago Deacons Web site: www.chicagodeacons.org
PAGE 16
October
11 Pre-Cana training 18-26 Red Ribbon Week 21 Town Hall meeting to
discuss deacon retirement issues
24-26 Deacons and wives retreat
25 Zacchaeus House Benefit Luncheon
26 Mass for persons with mental illness
November
11 Diaconate Council meeting
14 TEND presentation 16 St. Francis Day Dinner 22 Preaching workshop 27 Thanksgiving
Request for help The Women's Center, 5116 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago, is in need of deacons for our Adoration Program. Mass is said daily at noon and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Is God calling you to the pro-life movement? This is one way you can become involved in saving the lives of the unborn. Please pray about this request and if you feel called to volunteer a few minutes every week or every other week for either exposition or reposition call Betsy Christensen at (847) 437-4127. Know that you and your family will be in many prayers and Masses often and a Mass will be said yearly for your intentions.
