October 31, 2014

Religious Vocations Supplement

New deacon candidates come from varied backgrounds

By Sean Gallagher

On Sept. 27, 21 men from across central and southern Indiana were accepted by Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin as candidates for the diaconate during a Mass in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

They have completed one year of formation. Over the next three years, they will continue participating in the four dimensions of deacon formation: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral.

During that time, they will meet as a group for classes or on retreat one weekend a month for 11 months each year. Additionally, they will participate in various ministries of charity in parishes to which they will be assigned as well as other places outside of parishes (e.g., jails, hospitals, etc.).

Deacon Kerry Blandford, archdiocesan director of deacon formation, is leading the candidates in their formation. Father Jeffery Godecker serves as the director of spiritual formation for the deacon program.

This third class of deacon candidates ranges in age from 41 to 67. They have been married as few as 15 years and as many as 46.

Most continue to work at careers in the secular world, although two are retired. Their occupations vary from professional musician to firefighter to video editor.

Eight of the 11 archdiocesan deaneries are represented in the new class of deacon candidates. This includes the Tell City Deanery, which has not had a candidate in the previous two classes.
 

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2014 deacon candidates

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