Diaconia
Online

Volume XXI
Number 2
June 2001

25 Years - The Formation Experience

Anniversaries and memories present a contrast between the reality of what was and the image we believe of what was. The reality is this. On May 22, 1976, Humberto Cardinal Medeiros ordained 36 men as deacons at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. This event was historic, full of ramifications for generations to come. Ordaining married men to the order of the permanent diaconate was new to the Church of Boston. This event was a culmination of several years of preparation and training and formation. What transpired that Saturday morning at the Cathedral was well documented. The details are easily accessible for historians.

On a personal level, I have images and feelings and memories of that occasion that are not documented in any way that would be accessible to historians. I have browsed over old letters, pictures, and papers and tried to recreate that short history leading up to ordinations. What was formation like for us in 1973, 1974, 1975, and 1976?

It began in the summer of 1973 with the invitation from the church for men to consider the Permanent Diaconate program. What was this newly restored ministry all about? How would married clergy function? What was the need for permanent deacons, anyway?

My wife and I began the journey together. We attended information meetings, met with the director of the program (Fr. Bill Burckhart), filled out application forms, were interviewed by two pastors, and entered into a short period of waiting and praying. I had taken a battery of tests and was interviewed individually by a priest/psychologist. We deliberated ourselves during the waiting period over some practical issues. As an example, how would our children (ages 4 to 9) be affected by this commitment?

Our lives would be changed forever in ways that we would really never imagine. Were we ready for the future and the risks inherent? On October 6, 1973, we received a letter from Fr. Burckhart informing us that I had been accepted into the program. The easy part was completed. Now even more daunting questions rose? What would the formal program of formation and training be like? Since this was the first time men were invited to be part of this program, there were no others to look to for advice on how it was for them.

We drove to the seminary grounds on November 6 and met the other men and their wives and began a journey that continues to this day. Faith formation and readiness to serve God and the holy people of God is a continuous and ever evolving process.

But, indeed, there were and are practical aspects of the formation program and process that brought us to the Cathedral for ordination.

Fr. Haddad introduced us to the rigors of the academic program with a warm and energizing approach. He taught us the power of the Word, using G. Ernest Wright's "The Book of the Acts of God", and the importance of being at home with scripture.

Other teachers in the program brought us information about church history, the Liturgy, the documents of Vatican II, Moral Theology, Christology, Theological Anthropology, Catechetics, Canon law, the Sacraments, Ecumenism, and Scriptural exegesis - among the specific courses we studied. And, the teachers brought to us their insight concerning church ministry in the post-Vatican II church. We learned from books and from the charism of individuals.

The academics did not constitute the whole of the formation process. We were organized into small fraternities, with six or seven deacon candidates and their wives meeting monthly for prayer and hospitality. We needed to build new relationships and connections for the future. Our little group has been monthly ever since.

We participated in various retreats that provided other opportunities for the formative process to work. We opened up our lives to the Spirit. And, we looked ahead, year by year, to the possibility of ordination and the open-ended challenge that would emerge.

Each of us contributed to the experience we all shared. And, in the dynamic of life, and the experience of being a deacon for twenty-five years, it is abundantly clear that the Spirit is our guide. We indeed, "…believe what we read; teach what we believe; and live what we teach…"

Mike Iwanowicz '76

From the Director

Winter lingered a little longer this year, and it seemed more severe to all of us because of the death of our Associate Director and dear friend, Deacon Richard W. Gindel '92 on March 9, 2001. Even though Deacon Richard served the Office of the Permanent Diaconate for a short time, he made a significant contribution as an advocate for deacons. He will be missed.

During this 25th anniversary year, we are presenting comparisons of the Diaconate "then and now." In this issue, Deacon Mike Iwanowicz '76 shares his memories of formation that describe a program similar in content to what is done today. The subject areas are virtually the same, but it now takes four years instead of three to complete them.

It is quite striking how the Archdiocese of Boston set a standard for formation then that has become normative for all programs now. The recent document, Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons (Congregation for Catholic Education/ Congregation for the Clergy, 1998) has mandated a program of formation of deacons that bears this out. The Archdiocese of Boston required very slight adjustments to meet these requirements. Certainly this is a tribute to the first director, Reverend William Burckhart, his staff, and all of the other directors who have molded this program.

We give grateful thanks to all those who have been associated with the Permanent Diaconate since it's inception in the Archdiocese of Boston. Happy 25th Anniversary!

Deacon Leo Donoghue, '92

Roman Catholic - Evangelical Dialogue

"Evangelical" is a term that Protestants of various denominations use to describe themselves. They are Christians who believe in the Holy Scripture as the sole rule of faith and practice. They insist on the unicity (to borrow a word from Dominus Jesus) of Jesus as savior, and on the necessity and sufficiency of faith in him for salvation. They emphasize the responsibility of each person to follow the teachings of Scripture by the light given him or her by the Holy Spirit.

In 1996, the Archdiocese hosted a session for clergy interested in dialogue between Catholics and Evangelicals, leaders from both sides of the dialogue spoke of progress made, and prospects for further growth in fellowship. Two interventions from members of the audience, both Evangelicals, were particularly memorable.

A pastor from Vermont spoke forcefully of his conviction that Catholics are not Christian and therefore it is not possible for true Christians to have fellowship with them as brothers and sisters in the Lord, as the participants in this dialogue were attempting to do. He distributed fliers giving many specific items of Catholic belief and practice, as he understood them, which in his opinion were condemned by Scripture.

A pastor from Lexington told of growing up in Latin America as the child of Protestant missionaries. From time to time, the children at the Catholic school stoned him and his siblings. His experience of Catholicism, then, was of a persecutor. Having moved here to found a church, he felt that he should try to know the religion of so many of the people. We must regret that such things were done to others (even as Catholics also suffer and die for our faith).

During the session, we were given the opportunity to sign up to participate in the ongoing ecumenical dialogue, and I did so. The participants in this dialogue recognize that we all have received the grace of a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, as we continue to grow in our knowledge of one another, we also realize that our evangelizing efforts should be directed primarily at the unchurched as well as the inactive and lukewarm of our respective communities, rather than at one another.

At these sessions we begin with prayer. Then we all tell of what has been important in our lives since our last meeting.

After an hour or so of sharing of experiences, we move on to theological discussion, usually based on some document. The question of what constitutes revelation held our interest over several sessions. Recently, we discussed "Dei Verbum", and at our two most recent sessions we have begun to explore Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences by Norman L. Geisler and Ralph E. MacKenzie (Baker Books, 538 pp, $24.99). The meetings conclude with prayer.

It is my hope that as this dialogue proceeds, it will have an effect reaching far beyond its individual participants as Evangelicals tell others that Catholics are genuine Christians, and Catholics tell others that Evangelicals are thoughtful people of deep faith, not unsophisticated "fundamentalists". Then as we grow in respect and love, we can leave denunciations and stone throwing behind and begin to cooperate in seeking to advance the Kingdom of God.

John E. Whipple '96

On Sunday, March 11, 2001 four Hispanic candidates were admitted to Acolyte at St. James Church in Haverhill. Bishop Emilio S. Allue celebrated the Liturgy and installed the men as acolytes. This is last step before ordination, which is scheduled for September 8, 2001 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The men admitted to acolyte are: Jose Nelson Agudelo, St. James Parish, Haverhill; Nelson Jose Hidalgo, St. Joseph's Parish, Lynn; Silvio Menendez, St. James Parish, Haverhill; Eduardo Mora, St. Mary's Cambridge

What's Happening

Life in the Diaconate Office is never dull and the days are never long enough! We live in changing times and more changes are in sight for the program. As of December 15, 2001 the Pastoral Institute (St. William's Hall) will no longer be available for any Archdiocesan activities as the building is to undergo major repairs. We are now in the process of finding suitable accommodations to hold our classes. We will keep you informed as we progress. The work at the Pastoral Institute is scheduled to be completed by July 1, 2003. We are not the only people being affected by the renovation. Spiritual Development Office, Cursillo, retreats and many other of the Archdiocesan agencies who use the space will have to find new places for their ministry.

Congratulations to the Class of 1976 who are celebrating their 25th anniversary of ordination. On May 22, 1976, Humberto Cardinal Medeiros ordained 36 men to the Permanent Diaconate and on July 10, 1976 Most Rev. Paul Anderson ordained his brother Philip L. Anderson, a member of this class to the Permanent Diaconate. A total of 37 men were ordained for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1976. Twenty-five years later the statistics look like this: 7 deacons now reside in other dioceses, 9 deacons have gone home to God, 2 were laicized, 5 have senior deacon status (though some are still active) 12 are actively involved in ministry, 2 are unassigned. It is a remarkable group of men and their wives who pioneered the restoration of the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Boston. Cardinal Law invited this illustrious group to dinner at his residence. In addition many of the deacons are having celebrations in the parishes where they minister. We are grateful to these men and their wives for paving the way so graciously and generously.

Deacon Leo, Father Alvaro Silva and Sister Clare participated in NADD Conference (National Association of Deacon Directors), which was held in Tempe, Arizona. It was the 25th Anniversary of the Association. The history of the organization parallels well the history of the Diaconate in the United States. When the organization came into being the numbers were very small, the first officers were all priest directors. Twenty-five years later there were 328 persons in attendance and all the officers of the organization are permanent deacons. Boston has hosted the gathering in 1981 and again in 1999. It is a life-giving agency for the Diaconate. We have ordered the videotapes of all the workshops. If you are interested in viewing them, please give us a call.

Classes for those in formation finished in early May. Seventeen men completed the aspirancy year and are requesting candidacy. Twelve men completed the second year of studies and began a five-month internship in local hospitals. We are blessed with excellent teachers and fine candidates.

The Hispanic Class of 2001 is preparing for ordination on September 8, 2001 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. There are four men in this class. They have been under the very able leadership of Father Alvaro Silva of St. Ann's Parish, Wollaston. Please keep these men and their families in your prayers

Hopefully, the summer season will provide all of us with time to relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. The office is open during the summer months and we are available, if you have any needs. Enjoy a happy, restful summer.

Sr. Clare O'Keefe

Diaconia Editorial Staff

Coordinator of Publication: Sister Clare O’Keefe

Editors: Charles A. Cornell, Leo Martin, Carolyn S. O’Neil, Richard F. Radford,

Members of the Diaconate Community are encouraged to submit ideas, articles, photography that might be of interest to the Community. Submit by mail to the office or by email to cac@stisidorestow.org.