Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany

Pre-Discernment Session/Retreat Essays

Rev. 9/24/2015

Name (Last, First, MI):

Date Completed:

Before you go any further with this exercise, please pray now! Then pray often.

O Lord, help me to know your will for me. Let your light shine in the depths of my heart that I may know what you want me to do with my life. Help me believe that you have a special plan for me. Lord, I know I pass through this life only once; help me decide how you want me to make a difference. Like our Blessed Mother, give me the wisdom to hear your voice and the courage to answer your call. Above all give me peace of mind and heart. I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.(Used with permission: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops USCCB)

Instructions

1.Print a copy of this writing exercise to assist you in completing the questions. It is also available on-line at

2. Use MS Word to complete this exercise.

3.Enter your name and date above.

4.Save this document to your computer using the following file name format:

(YYYY) – Pre-discernment – (Last, First) e.g.

2015 - Pre-discernment - Jones, Michael

5.On the third page, complete your essay within two pages (Font Times New Roman 12 Pitch double spaced).

6.By November 1st, e-mail the completed document and essay to:

7.Bring a printed copy to the Discernment Session and Retreat.

Attached and condensed are the two pages (154 & 155) from The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States (DMPLD) that describe the model standard for readiness for admission into the Aspirancy path of diaconate formation. Essentially they provide an outline for the knowledge and skills, in five specific areas, that the formators will be assessing when reviewing your application.

Write a two-page essay addressing the four dimensions, Human, Spiritual, Intellectual, Pastoral, and the fifth issue to discern, Diaconal Vocation and Ministry, as they apply to you and your perceived readiness for admission. Be candid and honest if any area is in need of improvement. Please describe:

1.Your level of knowledge or appreciation of the key elements identified for each dimension - what do you understand them to mean. (i.e. for the Human Dimension this would include emotional, intellectual, physical, and personal limitations AND a family perspective in your life.)

2.Express how you demonstrate this skill or ability in daily life. (i.e. again for the Human Dimension this would include ability to speak appropriately of your personal limitations and known boundaries with a sense of how these affect your life, family, employment, and present service ministry AND to balance and prioritize your commitments to family, work, leisure, and ministry; to be self-disciplined).

Within two pages, you should provide a separate response for each of the four dimensions and Diaconal Vocation and Ministry. The essay you write is kept confidential in the Office of Initial Diaconate Formation and the Formation Staff. If you have any questions, please call the Office of Initial Diaconate Formation at 518 543-6670 or e-mail .

I.ModelStandardsforReadinessforAdmissioninto theAspirant Path

For the original document, refer to pages 154 & 155 of the National Directory for the Formation, Life and Ministry of Permanent Deacons (DMLPD) available at:

APPRECIATION/KNOWLEDGE OF / DEMONSTRATEDABILITY/SKILL
Human Dimension
•Hisemotional,intellectual,physical,andpersonallimitations
•Afamilyperspective inhislife
/ •Tospeakappropriatelyofhispersonallimitationsandknownboundarieswithasenseofhowtheseaffect hislife,family,employment, andpresentserviceministry
•Tobalanceandprioritizehiscommitmentstofamily,work,leisure,andministry;tobeself- disciplined

Spiritual Dimension

•God'sredeemingactivityinhisstateoflife, experience,andministry
•Theimportanceofabothpersonalandcommunalprayerlife / •To reflect/meditate in faith onhislifewithasenseofdiscoveringGod'swill
•Toconvey examples ofGod'spresenceinhislife
•TocommitasareaderorextraordinaryministeroftheEucharist;toservehisparishcommunity,especiallyincharityandoutreachtotheneedy;to beresponsibleandconfident
•Tobebothaleaderandfollower
•Tofulfillacommitmenttoa patternofprayer;toparticipatefrequentlyintheEucharistandtheSacramentofReconciliation;toparticipateinretreatexperiencesorarenewalgroup
•Tosupportothers'growthinprayer;toshowinterestinsharingandservingwithothers
Intellectual Dimension
•Thebasicteachingsofthe Church / •To demonstrate familiaritywiththe Catechismof theCatholic Church
Pastoral Dimension
•LivingtheGospelinhislife,home,placeofemployment, and neighborhood / •Toconnect the teachings oftheChurchto dailylivingandhispersonal/communal (family, church, civic) responsibilities
•Tobeflexibleinattitudeandbehavior;tobeopentochange;toanalyzesituationsinlight oftheGospelandtheChurch'steaching
DiaconalVocationandMinistry
•ApersonalcalltodiaconalministrywiththeChurchandasenseofhiscapacitytocommit himselftoitinfidelitytohisstateinlifeandemployment, withsufficienttimeforformation / •Towitness toGospelvaluesinwaysthatarclife-giving;toarticulatehissenseofacalltothediaconateprimarilybecause oftheneedsoftheChurch,as well as for personalgrowth; and toarticulatereasons thatsupporthisdesiretobeadeacon
•Tobeinterestedinandattractedtothediaconalmuneraofword,liturgy,andcharity
•Tobeofservice,beyondliturgicalministries, through church orcivic involvement
•Tosupport and encourage hispastor,asarepresentativefortheparishcommunityandstaff
•TobedociletothepresenceoftheHolySpiritthroughouttheapplicationandscreeningprocesses,acknowledgingthatultimatelyitistheChurchthatverifiesthecall

Go to page three and begin your essay.

Begin your two-page essay here (Font Times New Roman 12 Pitch Double Spaced):

1