Are you called to be a deacon?

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
The Archdiocese of Mobile Office of Permanent Diaconate is holding inquiry sessions beginning in April for men possibly interested in becoming permanent.
For those who may be interested, but are hesitant to follow God’s call, you're likely not alone,.
"I was afraid to enter into the formation program,” Hathorne said. “And I felt unworthy to serve God's people. But, after entering into the program, I learned that all my fellow candidates were also afraid.  So, I was not alone.  And hence, the inquirer or applicants seeking to enter into the diaconate program are indeed not alone.”
Deacon Joe Mueller of St. Columba Parish in Dothan added: “The calling to the Diaconate for me was through much discernment with questions of 'am I worthy?' or 'am I ready to serve in this capacity?' As I reflect back on my formation and now serving as a Deacon, I know this is how God has called me to serve.”
The inquiry period will run from April-June, include three sessions and separate sessions will be in both English and Spanish. English sessions will be on the second Saturday of the month and Hispanic sessions will be on the second Sunday of each month. Sessions will take place throughout the archdiocese.
Those interested in signing up for the inquiry period are asked to speak to their parish pastor or contact the Office of Permanent Diaconate at [email protected]. Possible inquirers should meet the “General Criteria for Deacon Applicant” found at mobarch.org/diaconate.
“My pastor asked me to attend the inquiry sessions because I would make a good deacon. The Church called me to serve, and I trusted that God would confirm the vocation in the formation process. I was not disappointed,” said Deacon Charles Eick of St. Patrick Parish in Robertsdale.
Those still interested after the inquiry period would continue with the application and interview process. An advisory board, composed of clergy and Catholic men and women of the archdiocese, will review each application package in order to make a recommendation to Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, who makes the final decision whether to admit an inquirer/applicant into the Aspirant path. It is anticipated that the formal application, interview process and selection process will require six to eight months. Those accepted would begin the formation process in August 2022, with an anticipated ordination in 2026.
The archdiocese currently has 49 active deacons. The archdiocese also has 18 candidates currently in formation who are scheduled to be ordained in 2022.
— For more information, visit mobarch.org/diaconate or email Deacon Ronnie Hathorne at [email protected]