Bishop Malooly is looking for men who are interested in becoming permanent deacons to serve the Diocese of Wilmington.
Deacon Harold Jopp, director of the Office of Deacons, announced Nov. 4 that the bishop welcomes candidates for a diaconate formation program that will begin in June 2016.
The five-year preparation program will include human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation, Deacon Jopp said.
Spiritual formation programs will be held one Saturday a month during the first year of discernment for candidates. Academic formation will begin in September 2017 with classes held one weekend a month from September to June.
Applicants must be between the ages of 30 and 60 when the program begins. Minimum age for ordination to the permanent diaconate is 35. The applicants must demonstrate a zeal for service to God’s people and experience in some parish or diocesan ministry is required, said Deacon Jopp.
Information nights on the permanent diaconate in the diocese are scheduled for January 2016. Wives of married men interested in the diaconate are also invited and strongly encouraged to attend the information sessions on the role of permanent deacons, qualifications and the formation process.
The information programs are scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Jan. 12, Church of the Holy Child, 2500 Naamans Road, Parish Activities Center.
Jan. 14, Holy Cross Church, 631 State St., Dover, in the Early Learning Center, 2nd floor.
Jan. 21, St. Francis de Sales Church, 535 Riverside Drive, Salisbury, Md., in Mercy Hall
For more information and registration, call the Office for Deacons at (302) 573-2390.
