Where Love Becomes Service
The Office for Diaconate Formation (ODF) provides distinct ministry preparation for Catholic men discerning a vocation calling to the permanent diaconate. The ODF counsels, guides and forms men who through adult formation programs, advanced theological education or some other experience encounter Christ and seek a deeper, permanent response to a perceived call to be servants of God's people through ministry in the Church.
Diaconal ministry works hand in hand with both priestly and lay ministry as a sacrament to bring about the kingdom of God. Deacons are men with a charism and a calling to radical availability for service to the People of God, the Church. The deacon’s vocation calls him to collaborate with the bishop and the priests in an exercise of a ministry that is not of their own but the Word of God — calling all to conversion and holiness. It is a ministry of reconciliation, of outreach to the most marginalized and those most in need of care, of education and justice.
The Diaconate was not re-instituted because we have a shortage of priests or lay ministers but to relieve the shortage of ordained deacons. It was restored as “a living icon of Christ the Servant within the Church...a visible sign or sacrament of the Lord Christ himself.”
For more information about the diaconate, please read our brochure (English, Español).
Para leer la información de esta página en español vaya aquí.
Ordained Deacons, going the distance to serve the People of God.
Information and discernment sessions for those interested in learning more about the ministry of a deacon.
The process for admissions to the diaconate program is described.
Information, programs, the Deacon Servant newsletter and schedules in English or Spanish (Español) to better serve you.
Within the Office for Diaconate Formation, we are prepared to assist you on behalf of the Church in discerning a response to your vocation.
Please pray for our current classes of aspirants, candidates and their wives, as they continue to discern their call to diaconal service.
The Inquiry for Discernment Sessions are four required meetings conducted for men and their wives (if married) interested in knowing more about the vocation to the permanent diaconate. This sessions are done regionally. For schedule and places go here.
This tool will help to have a vision of the deacon presence in our Archdiocese. These maps also show where this presence is needed. And where are the men responding to the call to be servants for the Church. They will be updated as needed. You can see the maps here.
If you want to know more, read these "Quick Facts" / "Puntos Claves" or please fill out this form and we will contact you.
Mary Mother of the Church Pastoral Center 3501 South Lake Drive PO Box 070912 Milwaukee, WI 53207-0912
Deacon Dale T. Nees Director of Formation 414-758-2212 neesd@archmil.org
Manuel Maldonado-Villalobos Associate Director of Formation (Bilingual) 414-758-2207 maldonadom@archmil.org
Maria (Maritza) Espino Associate Director Pastoral Formation (Bilingual) 414-758-2205 espinom@archmil.org
Jennifer Michaels Administrative Assistant 414-758-2202 michaelsj@archmil.org
3501 South Lake Drive PO Box 070912 Milwaukee, WI 53207-0912