Am I Qualified
Applicant Requirements
Age: At time of ordination: candidates must be a minimum of 35 years, maximum of 62 years. In effect, formation must begin by age 58.
Church Life: A practicing Roman Catholic of at least five years. Candidates must have a minimum of five years recent solid involvement in serving in the civic community, the marketplace or the Church in ministries of charity, justice and peace.
Marital Status: If married, minimum of seven years of marriage. Stable family life. Spouse must support the applicant's interest in diaconate. She must be willing to be involved in stated aspects of the screening process and of the formation process.
If single, candidate must be committed to the single life and willing to maintain celibacy after ordination.
Community: Participation and involvement in the general community -- outside of Church.
Education: Completion of high school or GED; also the ability to do the studies required in the diaconate program.
Health: Candidates for ministry must be in good health physically and psychologically.
Physical: Sufficiently good health for the demands of ministry. Doctor's statement required.
Psychological: Well-balanced mental health. Willingness to undergo required psychological evaluation during Discernment Year.
Spirituality: Deacons must develop a consistent prayer life that includes private and public prayer. Candidates should nurture their prayer life with spiritual reading.
Employment: A stable employment record is expected of candidates to the diaconate.
Residency: A Candidate must be a resident of the diocese or be determined to devote himself to the Diocese of Kansas City - St Joseph. Candidates must have at least a 3 year history as a registered member of a parish or be affiliated with a Catholic institution within the diocese. If new to the diocese, letters of reference from his previous diocese are required.
What About the Application Process? Prospective candidates -and, spouse, if married - should expect the application process to include the following steps:
Step One -- formal written application
Step Two -- participation in information and discernment sessions
Step Three -- home visit and individual interviews
Step Four -- submission of required documents
Step Five-- background check
The Diaconate Selection Committee reviews all applications and documents.
Additionally, candidates must secure five letters of recommendation and furnish their pastor with a questionnaire.
Other sources of letters of recommendation: pastor; ministry supervisor, or a peer in ministry; ministry training leader; parish council member or other lay parish leader; or a neighbor, co-worker or other person from civic life.
Commitment: Willing to make a lifetime commitment to ministry in the Catholic Church. Able and willing to commit the required time to all aspects of the formation program. Willing to commit to regular involvement in the diaconate community, to participation in support and reflection groups and to continuing formation after ordination.