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.
Check out a recent episode of the 'Living Our Faith' podcast, covering the journey of three recently oradained deacons right here in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee!
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.
Information session is a one-hour presentation that explains what and whom a permanent deacon is. It is intended for men interested in knowing about the vocation or a permanent deacon. If the man is married, we highly encourage that his wife participates in this session as she plays a very important role in her husband vocation. To see the schedule and region of these sessions please go here.
The Inquiry for Discernment Program is a series of four required sessions conducted for men (30—60 yrs.) and if married (in the Church at least 5 yrs.), together with their spouses, who wish to explore a vocational calling to the ministry of the diaconate. To see the schedule and places of these sessions please 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 St. Francis, WI 53235
Deacon Dale T. Nees Director of Formation 414-758-2212 neesd@archmil.org
Deacon 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 St. Francis, WI 53235