“I am in your midst… as one who serves.”
“Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant…
just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.”
(Matthew 20:26–28)
The Permanent Diaconate is a ministry of service within the Church. Permanent deacons assist the bishop and priests in serving the People of God through proclamation of the Gospel, works of charity, pastoral ministry, and the celebration of certain liturgical rites.
Men who feel called to serve the Church in this way are invited to enter a period of prayerful discernment and formation.
The Formation Program
Formation for the Permanent Diaconate takes place over four years. The program is designed to help candidates deepen their spiritual life, discern their vocation, and prepare for ministry through theological study and pastoral experience.
The first year is a guided discernment period, followed by three years of continued discernment and formation. During this time, candidates study biblical, theological, pastoral, spiritual, and liturgical topics.
Program Structure
- Classes are held from September to June, with candidates meeting every Tuesday evening and for a full day on the first Saturday of each month.
- Candidates may be assigned pastoral ministries outside their home parish as part of their formation.
- The program includes a weekend retreat at the start of the discernment period and at the end of each of the three years of study.
- The candidate’s wife is required to attend the discernment year and is encouraged to participate during the following three years of formation.
- The program includes approximately 900 hours of formation over four years, including coursework, reading, written assignments, and study.
- Each candidate is expected to work with a spiritual director to deepen his life of prayer and assist in vocational discernment.
Information Session
Men who are discerning a call to the Permanent Diaconate are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the program and the application process.
Location
Diocesan Centre
1209 Michael St. North
Ottawa, ON
Session Times
- Saturday, March 14 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Monday, March 16 – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
How to Apply
Requests for application forms should be addressed to:
Permanent Diaconate Formation Program
1209 Michael St. N., Suite 200
Ottawa, ON K1J 7T2
For further information, please contact:
Deacon Charles (Chuck) Fink
Coordinator, Permanent Diaconate Ministries
📞 613-880-7723
✉️ [email protected]
Leadership of the Program
Most Reverend Marcel Damphousse
Archbishop of Ottawa–Cornwall
Reverend Paul Shepherd
Director, Permanent Diaconate
Deacon Charles (Chuck) Fink
Coordinator, Permanent Diaconate Ministries
Deacon James Kubina
Formation Coordinator
Deacon Alvaro Sanchez
Practicum Coordinator
