Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington
Office of the Permanent Diaconate

The Deacon Council met Saturday, June 12, 2004, in the library of Bishop White Seminary in Spokane.

Present: Carol Dahl, and Deacons John Ruscheinsky (chairman), Eric Meisfjord (vice chairman/secretary), Ken Dunlap, Mike Breier, Don Whitney, and John Sicilia (Director of Deacons; ex officio). Absent: Jeannie Toulou, Deacon David Dudinsky

The meeting was called to order with prayer by Deacon John Ruscheinsky at approximately 10:04 a.m.

Reading of the minutes from the last meeting was dispensed.

Report from Deacon John Sicilia

Deacon Sicilia spoke of attending the recent national meeting of Deacon Directors held in New Jersey. A number of developments were mentioned at that meeting: some dioceses have shifted from a deacon council model similar to that employed by the Spokane Diocese to deacon gatherings by region, or deaneries (those old enough to remember what a deanery is, don’t try to stand up; just raise your hand, if possible). Regional representatives then gather together.

Some dioceses celebrate an annual Mass of Remembrance for deceased deacons and their wives.

In a related item, widows of Spokane Diocese deacons will be added to the mailing lists and e-mail lists for deacon information.

The Chicago Archdiocese has committed to rotating deacons in parishes. They have eliminated ministerial agreements. Deacons are assigned not only to a parish, but to a specific ministry.

In Region XIII (Denver, et al), the newly ordained deacons do not receive preaching faculties for a year after ordination.

Deacon Sicilia is now the representative for Region XII deacon directors. They will be gathering as a group in our diocese in the autumn. Deacon Sicilia hopes to host a social gathering of the deacon directors and the deacons of the Spokane Diocese.

Deacon John Gress, St. Patrick Parish in Spokane, has retired for reasons of health.

Present plans call for eight deacons to be ordained June 24, 2005.

Discussion continues in the Spokane Diocese in regard to a new position, the Vicar for Clergy.

Life and Ministries report

Deacon Eric Meisfjord reported on behalf of Life and Ministries chairman Deacon Kelly Stewart.

The past three Continuing Education/Formation evenings have achieved attendance between 12 and 25 individuals. Beginning with the second session, last March, the evenings were opened as well to the deacon candidates.

Father Joe Bell will present at St. Peter Parish on Wednesday, Sept. 29. A list of other speakers has been assembled; those individuals will be contacted and information disseminated as soon as speakers have been confirmed. In addition to September’s speaker, presentations are tentatively scheduled for the last Wednesday of January, March, and May 2005. Suggestions are always welcome for a) speakers and b) topics. The Council members all spoke highly of the quality of the past presentations and expressed gratitude for the organization and participation invested in making the evenings so successful.

Other Business

The subject of some sort of diocesan clergy/deacon identification card was broached and discussed. Council members agreed that there is some value in such an item. The Council resolved to continue investigation and discussion of the issue, to continue at the next Council meeting. Input from other Deacons on the subject is certainly encouraged and welcomed.

Deacon John Ruscheinsky reminded Council members (and, by extension, all our readers) that the Deacon Retreat for 2005 will feature Deacon Bill Ditewig, Executive Director of the USCCB’s Committee on the Diaconate. Deacon Owen Cummings, a theology professor at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon, has been confirmed for 2006.

Deacon Sicilia announced that all those presently serving on the council will continue to serve at least one more year.

The next two meetings of the Council are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, and Saturday, January 8, 2005. Deacons are reminded that Council meetings are open to all. Suggestions for agenda items can be submitted to any Council member for inclusion.

Closing prayer by Deacon Ken Dunlap brought the meeting to a close at approximately 11:08 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Deacon Eric Meisfjord
Vice Chairman/Secretary