Advanced Ministry Formation
for Deacon Candidates and Lay Ecclesial Ministers
Diocese of Las Vegas
The Deacon Formation Program is a three-year program that focuses on the human, spiritual, doctrinal, and pastoral formation of candidates preparing for ordination as Permanent Deacons in the Diocese of Las Vegas. It will run from August 2008 to June 2011, and includes weekend sessions once a month, annual weekend retreats, bi-weekly faith sharing evenings, individual spiritual direction, and a five-day pre-ordination retreat. The wife of each deacon candidate is expected to participate in the annual retreats and in the spiritual/pastoral portions of the monthly sessions, and also strongly encouraged to attend the academic/doctrinal portions of the formation program, if possible.
The monthly instructional sessions of this program are also intended for Lay Ecclesial Ministers (men and women, religious sisters and brothers) not preparing for ordination as deacons. All participants must already have successfully completed the L.E.M.P., or have similar prior formation. Current priests and deacons may also attend the sessions for continuing education purposes.
While integrating all aspects of diaconal formation at all times, each year will concentrate on one of the three main functions of diaconal ministry:
[Years 1-2: Lay Ecclesial Ministry Program, 2006 – 2008]
Year 3 (Aug. 2008 – May 2009):
Diaconia of the Word (Scripture and Preaching)
Assignments for Fall 2008 | | Assignments for Spring 2009
Year 4 (Aug. 2009 – May 2010):
Diaconia of the Liturgy (Sacraments and Prayer)
Assignments for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010
Year 5 (Aug. 2010 – May 2011):
Diaconia of Charity (Service in the Diocese and the World)
Detailed Schedule for Group A: 2008–2011
Monthly sessions will meet on the third weekend of most months, but sometimes earlier (esp. Nov. & Dec.) to avoid various conflicts.
Unless otherwise noted, all monthly sessions are held at Bishop Gorman High School (5959 S. Hualapai Way, Las Vegas, NV 89148; Mapquest)
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Note the extended Sundays, beginning Sept. '09)
| Date / Fecha | Topical Focus | Instructor |
| YEAR 3 | WORD / SCRIPTURE | . |
| Aug. 29-31, 2008 | RETREAT - Falcon Ridge Hotel, Mesquite | Team from Loyola Institute, Orange |
| Sept. 20-21, 2008 | Ministry / Community / Diakonia | Ms. Gail Gresser |
| Oct. 18-19, 2008 | Liturgy of the Hours | Sr. Jeremy Gallet, S.P. |
| Nov. 8-9, 2008 | Preaching / Homiletics | Fr. Thomas Scirghi, S.J. |
| Dec. 6-7, 2008 | Lectionary for Mass | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| Jan 17-18, 2009 | Synoptic Gospels | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| Feb. 21-22, 2009 | Gospel of John | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| Mar. 21-22, 2009 | Old Testament | Rev. Robert Kugler, Ph.D. |
| Apr. 18-19, 2009 | Pauline & Deutero-Pauline Letters | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| May 16-17, 2009 | Acts, Catholic Epistles, Revelation | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| YEAR 4 | LITURGY / SACRAMENTS | . |
| Aug. 28-30, 2009 | RETREAT - Alexis Park Resort, Las Vegas | Team from Loyola Institute, Orange |
| Sept. 19-20, 2009 | Presiding, esp. Communion (SCAP) | Sr. Jeremy Gallet, S.P. |
| Oct. 17-18, 2009 Lector Installation |
Eucharist, esp. Deacon's Role | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| Nov. 7-8, 2009 | R.C.I.A. - Christian Initiation | Ms. Gail Gresser |
| Dec. 5-6, 2009 | Infant Baptism & Family Preparation | Fr. Bill Kenny |
| Jan. 16-17, 2010 | Confirmation & Catechesis | Fr. Bill Kenny |
| Feb. 20-21, 2010 | Marriage & Pre-Marital Preparation | Deacon Tom & Joann Halt |
| Mar. 13-14, 2010 | Anointing & Pastoral Care of the Sick | Ms. Ann Karner |
| Apr. 17-18, 2010 | Funerals & Bereavement Ministry | Team from Christ the King |
| May 15-16, 2010 Sun 8:00-12:00 only |
Reconciliation & Pastoral Counseling | Fr. Joe Annese |
| YEAR 5 | CHARITY / SERVICE | . |
| Aug. 27-29, 2010 | RETREAT - Center for Spiritual Development, Orange | Team from Loyola Institute, Orange |
| Sept. 18-19, 2010 Acolyte Installation |
Social Ministries | Msgr. Pat Leary |
| Oct. 16-17, 2010 | Ministerial Ethics | Fr. Richard Gula, S.S. |
| Nov. 6-7, 2010 | Pastoral Policies & Practices | Fr. Bob Stoeckig |
| Dec. 11-12, 2010 | Youth and Young Adult Ministries | Fr. Bill Kenny |
| Jan. 15-16, 2011 | Multicultural Church | Fr. Allan Deck, S.J. |
| Feb. 19-20, 2011 | Canon Law I | Bishop Joseph Pepe |
| March 12-13, 2011 | Canon Law II | Fr. Francis Vivona |
| April 5-10, 2011 | Pre-Ordination RETREAT Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale |
Team from L.I.S. |
| May 14-15, 2011 | Recap: Diaconal Ecclesial Ministry | Fr. Felix Just & Fr. Bill Kenny |
Thurs., June 2, 2011 |
Ordination Rehearsal (6:00 p.m. - Cathedral) | Michael LaRocca |
Fri., June 3, 2011 |
ORDINATION to the
Permanent Diaconate (7:00 p.m. - Guardian Angel Cathedral) |
Most Rev. Joseph Pepe, D.D. |
Tentative Schedule for Group B: 2010–2013
Monthly sessions will meet on the third weekend of most months, but sometimes earlier (esp. Nov. & Dec.) to avoid various conflicts.
Unless otherwise noted, all monthly sessions are held at Bishop Gorman High School (5959 S. Hualapai Way, Las Vegas, NV 89148; Mapquest)
Year 3: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
| Date / Fecha | Topical Focus | Instructor |
| YEAR 3 | WORD / SCRIPTURE | . |
| Aug. 20-22, 2010 | RETREAT - Marywood Pastoral Center, Orange | Team from Loyola Institute, Orange |
| Sept. 18-19, 2010 | Lectionary for Mass | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| Oct. 16-17, 2010 | Ministerial Ethics | Fr. Richard Gula, S.S. |
| Sun., Oct. 24, 2010 | Rite of Candidacy (Cathedral) | Bishop Joseph Pepe |
| Nov. 6-7, 2010 | Liturgy of the Hours | Sr. Jeremy Gallet, S.P. |
| Dec. 11-12, 2010 | Preaching / Homiletics | Fr. Thomas Scirghi, S.J. |
| Jan. 15-16, 2011 | Synoptic Gospels | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| Feb. 19-20, 2011 | Gospel of John | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| March 12-13, 2011 | Pauline & Deutero-Pauline Letters | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| April 2-3, 2011 | Acts, Catholic Epistles, Revelation | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| May 14-15, 2011 | Old Testament | TBA |
| YEAR 4 | LITURGY / SACRAMENTS | . |
| Aug. 26-28, 2011 | RETREAT - Center for Spiritual Development, Orange | Team from Loyola Institute, Orange |
| Sept. 17-18, 2011 | Presiding, esp. Communion (SCAP) | Sr. Jeremy Gallet, S.P. |
| Oct. 15-16, 2011 Lector Installation? |
Eucharist, esp. Deacon's Role | Fr. Felix Just, S.J. |
| Nov. 5-6, 2011 | R.C.I.A. - Christian Initiation | Gail Gresser |
| Dec. 3-4, 2011 | Infant Baptism & Family Preparation | Fr. Bill Kenny |
| Jan. 21-22, 2012 | Confirmation & Catechesis | Fr. Bill Kenny |
| Feb. 18-19, 2012 | Marriage & Pre-Marital Preparation | TBA |
| Mar. 17-18, 2012 | Anointing & Pastoral Care of the Sick | TBA |
| Apr. 21-22, 2012 | Funerals & Bereavement Ministry | TBA |
| May 19-20, 2012 | Reconciliation & Pastoral Counseling | TBA |
| YEAR 5 | CHARITY / SERVICE | . |
| Aug. 24-26, 2012 | RETREAT - Center for Spiritual Development, Orange | Team from Loyola Institute, Orange |
| Sept. 15-16, 2012 | Ministry / Community / Diakonia | TBA |
| Oct. 20-21, 2012 Acolyte Installation? |
Social Ministries | TBA |
| Nov. 10-11, 2012 | Pastoral Policies & Practices | TBA |
| Dec. 8-9, 2012 | Youth and Young Adult Ministries | TBA |
| Jan. 19-20, 2013 | Multicultural Church | TBA |
| Feb. 16-17, 2013 | Canon Law I | TBA |
| March 16-17, 2013 | Canon Law II | TBA |
| April 20-21, 2013 | Pre-Ordination RETREAT - Serra Retreat House, Malibu | Team from L.I.S. |
| May 11-12, 2013 | Recap: Diaconal Ecclesial Ministry | Fr. Felix Just & Fr. Bill Kenny |
Fri., May 31, 2013 |
ORDINATION to the Permanent Diaconate (Cathedral) | Most Rev. Joseph Pepe, D.D. |
Click the following links for other materials:
For more information, please contact
Fr. Bill Kenny Phone: 702-871-1904; Fax: 702-437-9548 |
Fr. Felix Just, S.J. Phone: 714-997-9587 x28; Fax: 714-997-9588 |