Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington
Office of the Permanent Diaconate

Members present: Deacons John Ruscheinsky (chairman), Eric Meisfjord (vice chairman/secretary), David Dudinsky, John Sicilia (ex officio).
Members absent: Carol Dahl, Jeannie Toulou, Deacons Ken Dunlap, Mike Breier, and Don Whitney, Father Mike Kwiatkowski (ex officio), Msgr. Pedro Ramírez (ex officio).
Guest: Deacon Gary Franz

Deacon Ruscheinsky called the meeting to order with prayer at approximately 10:10 a.m.

The minutes of the last meeting were not read, but were given approval in absentia. The agenda for the Oct. 16 meeting was reviewed.

1. Deacons and the mandatory Code of Conduct training.

The Code of Conduct training: It is mandatory for deacons to complete Code of Conduct training. Once the initial round of training sessions has been completed, there will be assessment in terms of how many deacons might still require opportunities to participate in the training. Deacon Ruscheinsky offered Immaculate Heart Retreat Center as a site option for future training sessions.

2. Attendance at Continuing Education/Continuing Formation events.

The last event was attended by four deacons. The speaker left without making his presentation, graciously agreeing that perhaps his presentation might be rescheduled for another day. Since the event was publicized in the deacon newsletter (mailed to all deacons) and publicized via the diocesan e-mail system, it is perhaps not an issue of publicity. Another possibility: It was just one of those evenings when coincidentally, everybody had a prior commitment. The next event (Wednesday, January 26, 2005) will perhaps indicate whether radical restructuring is required.

On a related issue: A preaching workshop by Father Pat Hartin has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 18, 2005. The workshop, hosted by Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, will be open to priests and deacons (sans wives) – an opportunity for both groups to get to know one another better, as well as learn from an eminent Scripture scholar. A letter from Deacon John Sicilia has already been mailed to begin the publicity for the event. Attendance is not mandatory.

3. The Deacon Personnel Board.

The Board has been on the books for some time. It is newly reconstituted and met for the first time Oct. 5. The membership: Deacons Roy Dahl, Eric Meisfjord, Chalo Martínez, and John Sicilia, and Father Darrin Connall. All personnel issues will go through the personnel board, including assignments and ministry opportunities. The Board’s deliberations are confidential. More information on the Board and its responsibilities was included in the letter from Deacon Sicilia cited in section 2. above.

4. Formation Class update.

The new class is scheduled for ordination Friday, June 24, 2005. Jim Barrow will be ordained separately, in Walla Walla, on some other date. Deacons are encouraged, of course, to attend both ordination ceremonies if at all possible. A total of 8 men are completing formation in 2005.

Concern was expressed regarding deacon/formation class mentor relationships, particularly in light of the perception that too often, that relationship simply falls to the wayside, with neither encouragement nor force to keep it vital. Responsibility has been leveled at both sides: those being mentored, those mentoring, for letting the relationships falter.

Projections suggest that the ground will lie fallow for at least one academic year between this class and beginning another round of formation classes. As with previous formation programs, the completed program will be assessed and, if necessary, revised and/or reinforced before re-implementation.

5. New business.

The publication Deacon Digest is calling for manuscript submissions. Are they buying, or merely requesting? Good question. They are asking that submissions be in the 700-800 word range – anything sourced from or about deacons.

Deacon Digest
502 George St., De Pere, WI 54115

In related news, the publisher Paulist Press is reported to be strengthening its line of deacon-related books and is soliciting book manuscripts to that effect, from/about deacons.

Paulist Press
997 Macarthur Blvd.
Mahwah, NJ 07430

Deacon Sicilia reported statistics indicating that deacons have a very strong presence nationally in parish leadership. In positions perhaps equivalent to what we refer to here as Pastoral Administrators (those who are not priests, who are leading a parish), about 25 percent are deacons.

The National Association of Deacon Directors features a web site: http://www.nadd.cc -- through which deacons can purchase books, at a discount.

Deacon Sicilia’s request for background check information from all deacons has had excellent results. As of Oct. 16, only two remained outstanding.

Prayers are requested for Deacons Jim Ball and Alvin Toulou, both of whom are facing serious health issues in the days ahead. Cards, especially, would be appreciated.

There being no further business, the meeting was called to a conclusion with prayer by Deacon Ruscheinsky at approximately 11:02 a.m.

The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 8, 2005. Remember that any deacon may attend a meeting of the Council (thanks again for coming, Gary) and may submit agenda items for discussion as well.

Respectfully submitted,

Deacon Eric Meisfjord
Vice chairman/secretary