Appendix A

Glossary of Terms
 

Active Deacon               A deacon authorized for public ministry, who has been granted faculties and a definite assignment
                                   by the Bishop.

Inactive Deacon             A deacon whose assignment for public ministry has been suspended or withdrawn. 

Leave of Absence          A deacon incardinated in the diocese who has been granted permission to withdraw from active ministry.

Faculties                       The authorization granted to an ordained minister by canon law or a competent authority to carry out specified ministerial functions. (See specific faculties in appendix B) 

Incardination                  The canonical bond between the deacon and the diocese, effected at the time of ordination.

Non-Incardinated            A deacon residing in one diocese while remaining canonically bound (incardinated) to another.
Deacon                        

Laicized Deacon            A deacon who has been removed from the clerical state by a rescript of the Holy See or by a penalty.  The deacon is no longer bound by the obligations or enjoys the rights of the deaconate.

Ministerial Agreement     An agreement among the deacon, his wife, his pastoral authority and the bishop defining
responsibilities of the deacon and expectations of his assignment.

Pastoral Authority          A deacon’s immediate supervisor in the exercise of his public ministry as identified in his ministerial agreement.
 

Appendix B

Diaconal Faculties

In virtue of ordination to the Diaconate you are commissioned in the service of the Church:

- to discharge the office of deacon with humility and love in order to assist the Bishop and the priests and to serve the people of Christ.

- to hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, and to proclaim this faith in word and action as it is taught in the Gospel and in the Church's tradition as taught by the Magisterium.

- to be the minister of charity, that by your work and word the saving presence of Christ might be discovered in the midst of those you serve.

- to minister the mysteries of Christ faithfully and religiously in the Church and for all God's people, and to build up the Body of Christ.

In order to promote the pastoral care of the People of God and as an expression of your participation in the active ministry of the Diaconate of the Diocese of Spokane, I am pleased to issue you the attached "Faculties."

In the exercise of these faculties, you are to work in close collaboration with the priests who share the prime responsibility for the ministry to these same people. 

These faculties are valid for the duration of your diaconal ministry in the Diocese of Spokane, or until revoked.

 

Given at Spokane, Washington, this _____ day of __________, 20____

 

                     __________________________

                             Bishop of Spokane   

                      __________________________

                                 Chancellor

FACULTIES FOR PERMANENT DEACONS

These faculties concern permanent deacons incardinated in the Diocese of Spokane who have been assigned to a parish or to some pastoral ministry by the Diocesan Bishop. 

Canon Law and liturgical norms govern the sacred rites.  The deacon is bound by these norms when he assists or presides at the liturgy.  He is, furthermore, to exercise the ministry of the liturgy according to any Diocesan guidelines for the administration of the sacraments.  The deacon's liturgical functions and leadership in prayer are always to be carried out in harmony with the pastor of the parish. 

Although the ministry of the liturgy is a proper diaconal function, the extent of the deacon's liturgical ministry will vary according to his particular assignment and circumstances.  The deacon's ministry of love and justice enjoys a certain primacy.  By ordination the deacon is particularly and officially committed to service (see Permanent Deacons, Guidelines on their Formation and Ministry, Bishops' Committee on the Permanent Diaconate, 1984, nn. 35-38). 

Those deacons who are married are reminded that their service as ministers of Christ is first of all to one's wife as faithful and loving spouse and to one's children as a thoughtful and provident father, and then to others in the parish family to whom the deacon is assigned by the Bishop.

1.  The deacon is an ordinary minister of the sacrament of baptism (Canon 861.1).  With the permission of the pastor, a deacon may baptize infants according to the Rite of Infant Baptism, having instructed the parents.  He prepares adults for initiation into the Church in accord with the norms of the Rite for Christian Initiation of Adults. 

2.  The deacon assists the priest in the celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist in accord with liturgical norms. 

When the ministry of a priest is lacking, the deacon may preside at the Rite of Distributing Holy Communion Outside Mass.  

The deacon may preside at the liturgy of benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (Canon 943).

The deacon is an ordinary minister of Holy Communion for the sick.  The deacon may bring Holy Communion to the dying in the form of Viaticum with at least the presumed permission of the pastor (Canon 911.2).

3.  Deacons who are assigned as administrators of parishes enjoy the faculty to assist at marriages within the boundaries of the parish to which they are assigned.  Other deacons may assist at marriages by delegation from the priest authorized to assist at the marriage.  The Rite of Matrimony is to be used and the Diocesan Guidelines for preparation of marriage are to be observed. 

Deacons who are assigned as administrators of parishes possess the faculty to:

a.)  Dispense from the impediment of disparity of cult.

b.)  Permit the marriage of a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic provided that the requirements of Canon 1125 concerning such marriages are fulfilled. 

c.)  Permit marriages in which one or the other party is bound by natural obligations arising from a prior union (c. 1071.1n.3)

4.  Deacons may preside at funeral rites except for the celebration of the Eucharist itself.  These Rites include the vigil, the non-Eucharist rites in the Church, the final commendation and the rites at the cemetery. 

5.  Deacons may preside at the communal celebration of the liturgy of the Hours.  Deacons are urged to pray morning and evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. 

6.  Deacons enjoy the faculty to preach (Canon 764).  Deacons may always preach on those occasions when they preside at a Liturgical Rite.  With the consent of the presiding minister, deacons may also preach at any celebration of the Eucharist and at any celebration of the sacraments in which the deacon is not the presiding minister.

7.  A deacon can impart only those blessings which are expressly permitted to him by law (C. 1169.3).  A deacon can give blessings which are part of the liturgical celebration at which he presides: marriage, baptism, Holy Communion and Viaticum outside of Mass, Morning and Evening Prayer, non-sacramental penance services and the blessing with the Holy Eucharist at benediction.

Approved by Bishop William S. Skylstad

April 16, 1992

 

Appendix C

 Permanent Diaconate Ministry Agreement

 

Ministry agreement for ______________________________________________

                                                       (Name of permanent Deacon)
 

The undersigned acknowledge that the permanent deacon is an ordained minister who has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders.  He is thus empowered to carry on diaconal ministry in all it’s aspects.

 

Parish:___________________________________________________________

(Name of Parish) (Location)

A.Deacon Commitment

I.                     Ministry of Love and Justice (Specific Ministry)

 

II.                   Ministry of the Word of God

 

III.                  The Ministry of the Liturgy

1.

2.

 

B.               Parish Commitment

                  The parish agrees to the following compensation and assistance,  as needed, toward the continuing
                  formation of the Deacon:

                  1.  Continuing Education   $_______________

                  2.  Annual Retreat             $_______________

 

This agreement is for the agreed upon time and may be terminated at any time at the request of either party with the approval of the Bishop.  The terms of this agreement can be reviewed and renewed at the request of either party at any time.  It must be reviewed when the term of the pastor expires.
 

_____________________________               __________________________

      (Signature of Pastoral Authority)                 (Signature of Deacon)

 

___________________________________     _______________________________

      (Signature of Deacon’s Wife)                       (Reviewed, Director of Deacons)

 

_____________________________               __________________________

           (Approval by Bishop)                              (Date)

 

 

Original to: Office of Permanent Diaconate
429 E Sharp Avenue, Spokane WA 99202

Copy to Deacon
Copy to Pastoral Authority

 

Some suggestions for completing a Ministerial Agreement:

  

  1. Generally the deacon can only bring part-time service to his ministry.  His priorities must be accorded to the order of spouse, family, occupation and diaconal ministry.
     
  1. The implications for ministry set forth in the Theological Framework for Deacon Formation and Ministry must be adhered to in drawing up any agreement.  (Framework, pp. 4-5)
     
  1. Each parish, agency and institution has its own unique needs.  It is the responsibility of the pastoral authority and the deacon to match the deacon’s ministerial gifts and available time to those needs.
     
  1. At least one area of ministry, specifically one of charity, should be assigned to the deacon on an on-going basis as his responsibility.
     
  1. The expectations of the pastoral authority of the deacon and of the deacon of the pastoral authority must be identified in specific terms.  Vague generalities serve no useful purpose for accountability and appraisal.

 

  

Permanent Diaconate Ministry Agreement

 

Ministry agreement for      Deacon Joe Servant

The undersigned acknowledge that the permanent deacon is an ordained minister who has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders.  He is thus empowered to carry on diaconal ministry in all its aspects.

 

Parish:______________________________________________________

                (Name of Parish)                                                               (Location)

 

  1. Deacon Commitment

I.              Ministry of Love and Justice (Specific Ministry)

Deacon Servant will develop and coordinate a parish outreach program which will include such activities as ministering to the sick, the homeless, the needy and the homebound.  In doing so he will enlist the assistance of other members of the parish.  He agrees to spend three (3) hours a week on this ministry.                        

II.            Ministry of the Word of God

Deacon Servant will preach at all Sunday Masses on the third Sunday of each month.

                   III.       The Ministry of the Liturgy 

1.    Deacon Servant will assist at one Mass each weekend, normally the  8:00 Sunday Mass.

                               2.  He will participate in the Baptism program of the parish on a regular schedule of rotation                                     with the other clergy assigned to the parish.

   B.       Parish Commitment 

The Parish agrees to the following compensation and assistance, as needed, toward the continuing formation of the Deacon:

1.  Continuing Education            $______________

2.  Annual Retreat                       $______________

 

This agreement is for the agreed upon time.  It may be terminated at any time at the request of either party with the approval of the Bishop.  The terms of this agreement can be reviewed and renewed at the request of either party at any time.  It must be reviewed and renewed when the term of the pastor expires.

 

_____________________________________________________                     

(Signature of Pastoral Authority)

 

_____________________________________________________                              

(Signature of Deacon)

 

 

(Signature of Deacon’s Wife)

 

 _____________________________________________________

(Reviewed by Director of Deacons)

 

 

(Approval by Bishop)

 

Date___________________

 

Original to Office of Permanent Diaconate

Copy to Deacon
Copy to Pastoral Authority

 

Appendix D

 Annual Report/Self – Evaluation

 Pastoral Evaluation

[PDF] Printable Evaluation Form  

Annual Report for Deacons

20__

 

Name___________________________________________________________

Parish Assignment_________________________________________________

Ministry Agreement_________________________________________________

1.   Please list retreats, missions, etc. that you attended during the past year. (Include location and duration)

 

 

2.  Continuing Education courses / workshops, etc. completed during the past year. (Dates and titles)

 

 

3.  Give a brief summary of your ministry activities during the past year. (Use back of report if necessary)

 
 

4.    Are you satisfied with your ministry?  Yes_______ No_______     If no, please explain.

 

 

5.    What are your goals for 2003 as related to your VOCATIONS?

 

 

6.      Are you interested in broadening your VOCATIONS?  If so, if what area?

 

 

Signature __________________________________________

 

Date_______________________________________________

 

Return by February 1.

  

Deacon Ministry Evaluation

This evaluation is to be completed by the appropriate pastoral authority.  The evaluation should be discussed with the deacon and a copy sent to the Director of Deacons.
 

Deacon’s Name_____________________________________

Pastor/Supervisor____________________________________

Parish/Agency_______________________________________

Date_________________________

 

1.       Has the Deacon ministered in accordance with mutually agreed upon expectations?

 
 

2.       How would you describe his relationship with the people he serves and their perception of him?

 

 

3.       Is he willing to take the initiative?  What degree of supervision is necessary?

 

  

4.       How does he communicate and foster a sense of service, especially to the neglected?

 

 

5.       Does he keep you informed as to activities which pertain to his ministry?

 

  

6.       How does he relate to you and other ministers in your parish/agency?  Is he collaborative?  Is he open to supervision?

 

 

7.       How well does he involve others in his ministry?

 

  

8.       The deacon’s most outstanding qualities are:

 
 

9.       The deacon needs to improve his ministry by:

 

Signature_______________________________________

 Date __________________________________________

  


Office of the Diaconate
429 E Sharp Avenue  Spokane, WA 99207
(509) 326-3761