Inquiry
Today
Reach Out
Contact us to begin an informal conversation about the Permanent Diaconate.
email: ckeddy@archkck.org
phone: (913) 647-0326
Ongoing
Conversations
Speak to God about the diaconate. Begin discussions with your spouse, pastor, deacons, and a spiritual director.
Recommended Texts:
- The Heart of the Diaconate, by Dcn. James Keating
- Our Life of Service, by Dcn. Harold Burke-Sivers
- Encountering Christ the Servant: A Spirituality of the Diaconate, by Dcn. Dominic Cerrato
Fall 2024
Information Night
Attend a local information night to learn more about the formation program, and meet members of the deacon community.
Spring 2025
Application
Submit application and participate in an interview process with your spouse.
Summer 2025
Cohort 6 Forms
Archbishop calls those men he accepts to begin formation as deacon aspirants.
ASPIRANCY
Fall 2025 - Spring 2026
Year One
Courses on Spiritual Formation, an Overview of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the Theology of the Diaconate. Aspirants will begin shadowing a Deacon mentor.
Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
YEAR TWO
Courses on Spiritual Formation, along with Foundational Courses in Philosophy, Scripture, Theology, and Church History. Aspirants will be given a pastoral assignment at their home parish.
Summer 2027
Rite of Candidacy
Aspirants may petition for candidacy and, following another series of interviews, the admissions committee will make recommendations to the Archbishop, who will then select those who will be admitted to the next stage of formation.
CANDIDACY
Fall 2027 - Spring 2028
Year One
Courses on Scripture, Spiritual Theology, Christian Morality, and Theological Anthropology. Candidates will be assigned to Catholic Charities.
Fall 2028 - Spring 2029
Year Two
Courses on Scripture, Christology, Sacraments, and Catholic Social Teaching. Candidates will be assigned to Prison Ministry.
Summer 2029
Rite of Lector
The Archbishop will call candidates to the ministry of Lector.
Fall 2029 - Spring 2030
Year Three
Courses on Scripture, Canon Law, Ecclesiology, Mariology, the Theology of Marriage, and Homiletics. Candidates will be assigned to Catholic Community Health.
Summer 2030
Rite of Acolyte
The Archbishop will call candidates to the ministry of Acolyte.
Fall 2030 - Spring 2031
Year Four
Courses on Scripture, Bioethics, Pastoral Theology, Homiletics, and various Liturgical Practica. Candidates will be assigned to minister at their home parish.
Following a series of interviews with the Admissions Committee, final recommendations will be made to the Archbishop, who will call those worthy candidates to Holy Orders.
ORDINATION
Summer 2031
Mass of Ordination
Candidates called by the Archbishop will be ordained Deacons, and receive their parish and archdiocesan assignments.
Ongoing
Continuing Formation
Deacons are required to engage in at least 24 hours of ongoing formation per year, in addition to an annual three-day retreat.