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The Deacon's
Emerging Pastoral Role
by Deacon J. S. Anzalone, Ph.D.
August 22, 2007
The diaconate community was blessed on the recent
feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, by the encouraging message of Claudio
Cardinal Hummes, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, who reminded us
that we "are at the service of the people of God." We meet the people of God in
the world, of course, actually seeking them "where they live and work, through a
permanent missionary activity, with special attention toward the poor" as did
St. Lawrence in Rome, the deacon we strive especially to emulate.
We also have the responsibility of assisting our bishop and the priests "in the
local Christian community" as "a sign and sacrament of Christ the Lord Himself."
It is especially within that local Christian community, the parish, that most
deacons encounter large numbers of people who are in need of help along the way
"to a real and concrete encounter with the Lord. In this encounter faith is
renewed" the Cardinal reminds us, "and personal acceptance of Jesus Christ and
His message is strengthened."
Our bishops speak often of the continuing need to revitalize Christian
communities by way of new evangelization efforts, rebuilding of the apostolate,
encouraging small and often struggling parishes to collaborate, and cooperating
with priests and laity in improving the life of the faithful. We need look no
further than the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of
Permanent Deacons in the United States to realize that deacons have a
special obligation to prepare themselves for such a significant responsibility.
"The deacon, consecrated and conformed to the mission of Christ, Lord and
Servant, has a particular concern for the vitality and genuineness of the
exercise of diaconia in the life of the believing community"
(#38). Some deacons, properly prepared, "may be called to guide Christian
communities that do not have the immediate benefit of a resident priest . . . .
by ecclesial mandate" (#51). Indeed, recent information gathered within the
context of the Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership project reveals that
bishops are increasingly assigning deacons as Parish Life Coordinators (c.
517.2).
The Emerging Models project, of which NADD remains a sustaining partner, will
announce the outcomes of its comprehensive study of pastoral leadership
arrangements in Catholic parishes at the National Ministry Summit scheduled in
Orlando FL on April 20-23, 2008. We who are presently serving as directors of
formation, ministry, and life have a unique opportunity to participate in this
conference. By doing so, and thus gaining an improved understanding of the
Emerging Models cumulative experience, we will be better equipped to prepare
diaconal candidates and knowledgeable deacons who may be chosen for a particular
type of parish leadership.
Members of the National Association of Diaconate Directors are being especially
encouraged to be receptive to the forthcoming conference registration materials
and respond very quickly in order to assure ourselves of a place at the
participants' tables of the National Ministry Summit. It will be a distinctive
opportunity for our members to personally contribute to the national
articulation of the many practical implications of future parish leadership in
the Catholic Church.
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