Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington
Office of the Permanent Diaconate

Members of the Deacon Council:
Carol Dahl; Deacons John Sicilia (director of deacons; ex officio), John Rusheinsky (chairman), Eric Meisfjord (vice-chairman/secretary), David Dudinsky, Kenneth Dunlap, Donald Whitney.
Absent: Jeannie Toulou; Deacon Mike Breier; Msgr. Pedro Ramírez (ex officio)
Guests: Deacons Roy Dahl, Ed Schaefer, Gary Veale

The meeting began with prayer by Deacon John Ruscheinsky at approximately 10:05 a.m.

Deacon identification cards:

They are available. Either schedule an appointment with the Director of Communications for the diocese (358-7340; ask for Eric) or send a recent photo, plus a signature – black ink on plain white paper – to: Communications Office, P.O. Box 1453, Spokane, WA 99210. There is no charge. N.B. Identification cards expire after one year.

Christmas celebration:

The annual deacons’ Christmas gathering hosted by Bishop Skylstad will be Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 6 p.m. at the bishop’s residence. Receiving special recognition at that event will be the 25th anniversary ordination class: Deacons Don Bentley, Jim Blaine, Jack Crandall, Gary Franz, Bob Kalinowski, “Mac” Mackin, and Andy Phelps. Always a festive occasion, and a wonderful opportunity to connect informally with one another and our bishop. Please try to attend.

Watch for notice around Nov. 1: the Office of the Permanent Diaconate will begin soliciting contributions for a present for Bishop Skylstad. That effort will be coordinated by the multi-talented Mary Jane Sever, support staff for the Office as well as Bishop White Seminary and the Vocations Office.

National Directory for Deacon Life, Ministry and Formation:

It assembles the official guidelines for formation, life, and ministry of deacons into one handy volume. Deacon Sicilia has requested that Deacon Roy Dahl examine the new Directory, compare it to the Spokane Diocese’s present Policy Manual for Deacons, and present any amendments which need to be made to bring our policies into alignment with the national directives. Deacon Sicilia said that most of the changes evidenced by the new directives deal with deacon formation programs. Speaking of which:

Deacon Formation:

Given the diocese’s financial status, particularly in light of the Chapter 11 Reorganization (hadn’t you heard?), a new formation program is on hold for the time being.

The Deacon and the Liturgy:

Deacons Sicilia and Meisfjord will begin working on development of a publication addressing liturgical guidelines for deacons in the Spokane Diocese. An East Coast diocese has issued a like publication and given permission to steal – er, borrow – from it for ours.

Present formation program:

Eight men are completing deacon formation through the program offered in the Tri-Cities area, directed by Msgr. Pedro Ramírez, assisted by Deacon Chalo Martínez and others. The men will be ordained next summer, in the Tri-Cities. They are described as enthusiastic. We all are grateful for the gifts they bring to ministry in Eastern Washington.

Newly-ordained deacons:

Deacon John Sicilia will be coordinating follow-up sessions with the last ordination class. They will be meeting at least yearly for the next three years – this in addition to the annual retreat.

The mentoring program for new deacons seems to be working well. Mentors are sufficient in number.

Continuing Education for Deacons:

Deacon Sicilia pointed out that there may well come a day when deacons will be required to engage in a minimal number of hours of continuing education of some sort. That development is present already in some East Coast dioceses particularly. How many hours might be required? No one knows.

The deacons are invited to participate in a preaching workshop, with the priests of the diocese, on Jan. 19, on preaching Cycle B of the Sunday readings. Father Rory Pitstick of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Okanogan, will be conducting that workshop.

In the meantime, the Continuing Education/Formation series continues for deacons. The next presentations will be Jan. 25, March 29, and May 31, all Wednesdays, all beginning at 7 p.m. Locations have not yet been ascertained. Deacon Meisfjord reported on behalf of Deacon Kelly Stewart that the March presentation will be led by Rob McCann, new head of Catholic Charities in Spokane. He will discuss the church’s international mission; he brings a wealth of personal, global experience as a field representative for Catholic Relief Services. Father Steve Dublinski, vicar general and chairman of the diocesan liturgy committee, will make another presentation on deacons and liturgy. Father Joe Bell, pastor of St. Peter Parish, has agreed to re-schedule his presentation, which was cancelled last year, on healthy living for deacons.

Active, inactive, retired deacons: The State of the Question:

Deacon Sicilia reviewed definitions: an active deacon is self-evident: faculties, a ministry agreement. An inactive deacon is one who, for various reasons, is on leave or sabbatical, unassigned, with no ministry agreement. A retired deacon is a deacon in good standing, still in the system, still permitted to minister when he wishes to do so.

A discussion followed regarding Deacon Council action and involvement in terms of the status of deacons who don’t seem to fall into one of those three categories specifically, yet seem to be inactive – or just not doing anything. After lively give-and-take, it was decided that such action (or lack thereof) properly belonged to the Deacon Personnel Committee to examine, question, and, if necessary, while respecting the inherent confidentiality of such matters, bring to the attention of the Bishop.

Deacon Retreat, 2006:

Leading the 2006 retreat will be Deacon Owen Cummings, professor of systematic theology at Mount Angel Seminary, St. Benedict, Ore. The dates: May 19-21, Immaculate Heart Retreat Center (IHRC), Spokane. The status: mandatory. Deacons who cannot or will not attend are asked to contact Bishop Skylstad and explain a) why and b) what they intend to do as a substitution. IHRC will send out flyers and reservation cards in plenty of time prior to the retreat.

Suggestions for future retreat leaders are welcome. Please contact Deacon John Ruscheinsky at IHRC with ideas.

Deacons and the Diocesan Code of Conduct:

Deacons are solemnly requested to be up-to-date in compliance, training, and registration. The fact of the matter is simple: Those deacons who have not completed appropriate training cannot be allowed to minister.

Ministry reports, agreements, evaluations, and other paperwork:

A ministry agreement is required when a deacon is first assigned, or when a new pastor is assigned to the parish. Those do not have to be renewed until there is a change in pastor, or a change in responsibility, agreed upon by the pastor and the deacon.

Evaluations are not routinely scheduled (yet. Officially).

Annual reports are just that: requested from deacons annually. Deacon Sicilia said that last year’s response rate was excellent: approximately 90 percent. The reports are important.

Other business:

Council terms were up in September 2005 for three present Council members: Jeannie Toulou, and Deacons Dunlap and Whitney. Following the present Deacon Policy Manual, elections will be conducted in April 2006.

The meeting adjourned with prayer by Carol Dahl at approximately 11:08 a.m.

The next meeting of the Deacon Council is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006, same time, same seminary. Be there or be square.

Respectfully submitted,

Deacon Eric Meisfjord
Vice chairman/secretary