Deacon’s
Community Board Minutes-April 2 th,
2008
Present: Cardinal Sean; Rev. Bill Kelly; Deacons, Crimmins, Donoghue,
Shanahan, Rooney, Turner, Spiri, Whipple, Hardcastle, Guerrini, Pepi,
and Koffel.
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Opening
Prayer: The meeting was convened at 7:10PM with opening prayer
led by Cardinal Sean
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Minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and accepted.
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Father
Bill Remarks: The diaconate convocation was a success;
evaluations received suggested some changes in format and date which
will be reviewed; overall positive comments. Plans were being
completed for the 25 year anniversary celebration for deacons (class
of 80, 82, 83) to be held on April 24.
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Cardinal
Sean Remarks: The ARISE program continues to gather support and
deacons are asked to assist in this matter.
The Cardinal noted that the ongoing diaconate community formation
programs are going well.
Committees are being formed and catechetical materials being prepared
for lay ministry training programs in conjunction with the pastoral
planning process. Deacon Pepi inquired as to the status of the
planning stage based on the pastoral planning document that is
available on the web site. Cardinal Sean noted that all priests have
been asked to share this material with the staff and begin
discussions. The “Co-Workers in the Vineyard” program has
received much support; over 200 acceptances were received for the
April 4 event, more than anticipated, and response so good that space
is now limited. This program combines laity and clergy in the
pastoral planning process.
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Diaconate
Community Board Makeup: Sister Mary Reardon, Associate Director
of the Diaconate, and liaison to the wives, will be a member
ex-officio on the board, elections for which will take place in May.
The West region has proposed the inclusion of wives on the board as
well, with the number of two being suggested. Deacon Koffel felt
this will give a good perspective from another vantage point, and
Deacon Spiri felt this as an opportunity to reach out to other
wives. Deacon Hardcastle noted that outreach to widows as well
would be important. Deacon Guerrini agreed, and the charter does
include the authorization of wives on the board. A general
discussion ensued as to how wives might be chosen, and a general
consensus reached that when nominations are sought wives will be
included in the process, and not limited to wives of board members,
although that was a likely scenario. Nominations are to be sent in
early April and will be due mid April; ballots will be mailed in
early May and due in mid May, with results announced in late May.
Two deacons from each region will be elected for a two-year term.
The new committee will begin its duties in September.
The board meeting frequency was then discussed; an increase from the
current three meeting per year date to six per year was suggested,
planned around the Cardinal’s schedule, if he was available;
also, an additional number of meetings in the regions were suggested,
with the auxiliary bishops, up to six meetings, including socials.
After some discussion the number of meetings was deemed excessive and
difficult due to everyone’s schedule, let alone the Bishop’s,
and it was suggested that annually 4 community meetings, 2 regional
meetings, and one regional social be implemented.
The board
responsibilities would include outreach to deacons, and regular input
on formation, retreats, workshops, lectures, and communication.
Deacon Shanahan suggested the inclusion of wording change to add
notes on responsibilities of the board deacons, such as making
recommendations, follow up with ad hoc committees, voting on
deliberations to add authority to the board members, action items,
and the like. Deacon Pepi inquired of the Cardinal as to the proper
place to bring up parish issues, such as deacons being unhappy with
their situation, due to lack of support from, or unhappiness with,
pastors who fail to acknowledge or utilize diaconate roles properly,
or pastors not allowing programs to flourish that deacons might
assist at or recommend. The Cardinal felt this was best done at a
regional level, being too comprehensive for a general board where 300
parishes are represented. Deacon Guerrini noted that he should be
the first contact, in his role as assistant director in the office of
clergy support, before approaching the regional bishops. Cardinal
Sean also noted that the diaconal role goes much beyond the
sacramental role at the altar, and deacons should take initiative to
lead ongoing programs, as he has many times suggested.
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Election
Committee: Deacons Crimmins and Spiri, who will not be on the
board come September, volunteered to be on the election committee
for the ensuing community.
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Deacons
for Life: Fr. Bill was happy to report on a proposal from the
Pro-Life Office that requested diaconal involvement as prayer
leaders or parish leaders in all life issues, including not only
abortion and euthanasia but all respect life issues as patterned by
“Evangelium Vitae”. More will be shared on this at a
later date.
Respectfully submitted,
Deacon John Pepi
Deacon Community Board Secretary
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