Deacon Advisory Board

The Deacon Advisory Board interviews all candidates and wives annually during period of aspirancy. The purpose of the interview is to discuss the candidate’s desire to become a candidate for the permanent diaconate, to assess his level of awareness of his vocation, to discuss his family status, employment stability, ministerial experience and general aptitude for diaconal ministry.  The Board reviews materials obtained throughout the process and nominates to the bishop aspirants they deem possess the qualities for entrance into the formation process.  
 
From this Board, candidates are assigned a Formation Advisor who assists the candidate with discernment by challenging him with issues of the external forum.  This person also serves as his liaison between the candidate and his formators.  Candidates are required to meet with their Formation Advisor monthly.  

In the Spring, interviews are arranged for each candidate.  Thus a candidate will be evaluated five (5) times. The purpose of the interview is to assess the candidate’s level of awareness of his diaconal vocation, the status of his family life, and his general aptitude for diaconal ministry.   The wife of the candidate is expected to be present.  After the evaluation, the Deacon Advisory Board will meet and vote on the candidate’s continuance in formation.  A majority of votes are needed in favor of continuance in order for a candidate to return for another year of study and formation.  
 
After the annual evaluation, candidates will meet with their formation advisor to discuss the annual interview.  During this meeting, the Formation Advisor first reads to the candidate and his spouse a written assessment for the candidate’s progress for the year compiled by the members of the Deacon Advisory Board based upon their own observations with regard to his progress in formation and also based upon the candidate’s own self-assessment.