Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington
Office of the Permanent Diaconate


Deacon Council Minutes
January 10, 2004

Present: Deacons John Ruscheinsky (president), Ken Dunlap, Don Whitney, David Dudinsky, Eric Meisfjord (Vice Chairman/Secretary), and John Sicilia (Director of Deacons; ex officio). Not present: Jeannie Toulou, Dora Beraza, Deacon Mike Breier, and Carol Dahl. (In the interest of full disclosure it should be noted that the Council’s Secretary neglected to add Carol, recently appointed to the Council by Bishop Skylstad, to the e-mail distribution list for the meeting agendae. The Secretary apologizes.)

The meeting was held at Bishop White Seminary. The meeting was called to order with prayer by Deacon John Ruscheinsky, Council Chairman, at approximately 10:06 a.m. Deacon Ruscheinsky noted that it was his first meeting as the new president of the council and expressed hope that the council would “make a difference” in the deacon community. He also expressed his commitment to strong communication within the community.

I. The deacon retreat

The 2004 retreat is scheduled for April 23-25 at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center. Scheduled speaker: Father Steve Rowan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Seattle who has been involved in formation programs – priestly and diaconal – and other education ministries for many years. This year’s retreat is mandatory.

The 2005 retreat is scheduled for April 15-17. It will feature Deacon Bill Ditewig of the U.S. bishops’ Office for the Diaconate.

Discussion surfaced four suggestions for future retreats: Fathers John Corapi SOLT, Ron Rolheiser OMI, and Richard Rohr OFM, and Bishop Frederick F. Campbell, Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis, the Chairman-Elect of the USCCB’s Committee on the Diaconate. The 2006 retreat also will be mandatory; a particularly powerful draw would provide incentive for the community to gather. Other suggestions – “heavy hitters,” theologically or pastorally – are certainly welcome; powerful speakers often are booked years in advance. (I, on the other hand, am available as of next Tuesday.) Deacon Ruscheinsky asked that suggestions for speakers be given to him by June 1, 2004.

II. Continuing Formation

The Council reviewed the slate of upcoming continuing formation opportunities:

First, on January 15: Father Pat Hartin’s day-long preaching workshop, with the priests as well as deacons, at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center.

The schedule of continuing formation for deacons includes an evening of socializing as well as information. All evenings will begin at 7 p.m.; all are scheduled for Wednesdays. Deacons are asked to bring a dessert to share at the break; cutlery and plates will be provided. The three speakers scheduled so far for that series:

  • January 28: Msgr. William Van Omerren, at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, talking about the early deacon saints.
  • March 24: Father Tom Caswell, at St. Charles Parish, addressing spirituality in popular culture.
  • May 26: Father Mike Savelesky, at Assumption Parish, Spokane, on the art of preaching.

    The suggestion was made that deacon information, particularly calendar information, be added to the diocese’s deacon web page. Deacon Eric Meisfjord agreed to investigate that option.

    III. Deacon Assignments: When, Where, and Why

    Deacon Sicilia reported that he has received a number of requests for deacon ministerial presence in parishes in (3) and out of (1) Spokane. There is some movement toward treating deacon assignments similarly to priest assignments, perhaps heading toward a deacon personnel committee. Key to making that work will be a sense of accountability on the part of the deacons as well as the diocese.

    There followed a lively and lengthy discussion regarding the identity and definition of diaconal ministry. At least one viewpoint suggests that parish ministry is intrinsic, a sine qua non, of diaconate. A common understanding of diaconate is the three-legged view: the altar, preaching, and social service. Though perhaps expected, are deacons actually required to be fully engaged in all three aspects? If not all three, does the lack of engagement in one (or two or even all three of those aspects of that definition) compromise the deacon? Ministerial needs remain; ministerial resources shift. What new paradigm winks from over the horizon? There will, no doubt, be more to come on this subject in the days ahead.

    IV. Annual Reports

    Annual reports can be returned by postal mail or by e-mail. Deacon Sicilia said that the return rate for annual reports is very good – around 90 percent. With the report forms and these minutes, Deacon Sicilia will distribute a copy of a talk given by Archbishop Rigali to the meeting of the diocesan deacon directors last year. He found the talk particularly powerful and worthy of sharing with the larger diaconal community.

    V. New Business

    Discussion was raised regarding stipends. Which stipends might a deacon keep himself (if any), or be given over to the parish (if any), and under what circumstances? Deacon Sicilia promised to seek clarification of the issue from Bishop Skylstad.

    There being no further business, the meeting closed with prayer by Deacon Don Whitney at approximately 11:22 a.m.

    The Council’s next meeting is scheduled for June 12, 2004, at Bishop White Seminary. The deacon community is reminded that the meetings are open to anyone. Anyone can request issues to be addressed by the Council as well.

    Respectfully submitted,

    Deacon Eric Meisfjord
    Vice Chairman, Secretary, and other stuff

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