2024-01-24-eEdition

PAGE 18 THE CATHOLIC WEEK JANUARY 24, 2025 ARCHDIOCESE OF MOBILE PERMANENT DIACONATE Inquiry/discernment sessions set to begin in February By DEACONRONNIE HATHORNE ForThe Catholic Week The Archdiocese of Mobile will conduct inquiry/discern- ment sessions for men interested in entering into the permanent diaconate formation program. The sessions will be conducted in both the English and Spanish language.The inquiry/discern- ment sessions will consist of six inquiry-discernment sessions and one application workshop. These sessions shall be about two hours each over a six-month period, with the first session beginning Saturday, Feb. 22 at four locations. Men who have an interest and/or vocation to the per- manent diaconate should first dialogue with their pastors to express their interest to enter into the upcoming inquiry/dis- cernment sessions for diaconal formation.The inquirer must ensure that they meet the “gen- eral criteria for deacon applicant” posted at mobarch.org/diaconate. Communication will be pro- vided to each archdiocesan pastor explaining the above process. If the pastor has a man within his parish who is interested in entering into the upcoming sessions, the interested party/ inquirer should ask the pastor to submit his name to the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. The inquirer and his wife (if mar- ried) will be invited to attend the required sessions.The inquirer and wife’s attendance of all six sessions will ultimately lead to the inquirer being offered a for- mal application to complete. All applications shall be completed and returned to the Office of the Permanent Diaconate by Oct. 31. It is anticipated that the formal applicants interview and selection process will require between six to eight months, depending upon the number of applicants.The first formation class for those applicants enter- ing into first year of Aspirancy is scheduled to begin in August 2026.May God bless all men, who have an interest or voca- tion to enter into the upcoming formation program. Permanent Diaconate inquiry/discernment sessions Locations St. Patrick Parish, Robertsdale Hispanic sessions (only) St. Columba Parish, Dothan English/Hispanic sessions Holy Spirit Parish, Montgomery English/Hispanic sessions St. Joseph (Maysville), Mobile English sessions (only)  Session dates Saturday, Feb. 22 Saturday, March 22 Saturday, April 26 Saturday, May 24 Saturday, June 28 Saturday, July 26 Saturday, Aug. 23 (application workshop) File photo by Rob Herbst/The Catholic Week Archdiocese of Mobile permanent deacons renew their commitment to ministry last year. Inquiry/discernment sessions for men interested in entering into the permanent diaconate begin next month.