Diaconate Formation

- WHEN WILL THE NEXT DIACONATE FORMATION CLASS BEGIN?
  
  Journey To The Diaconate Begins With Participation In The Lay Formation InstituteIn coordination with the Lay Formation Institute (LFI) offered by our diocesan Office of Formation and Evangelization, new diaconate formation classes are scheduled to begin every three years. Men who are discerning whether they are genuinely called to a diaconal vocation must meet minimum requirements: have successfully participated in a lay ministry formation program such as LFI; not be more than 59 years of age as of September, 2024; be active in one or more parish ministries; have a letter of recommendation from their current pastor; have received all their sacraments of initiation; wife is agreeable to full participation in diaconal journey beginning with the Aspirancy year, and have no canonical impediments to ordination. Applications will be available starting October through December 2023. For further information, contact the Permanent Diaconate Office by clicking on the “Contact Us” link. Normal diaconate office hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  
  Inquirers begin their journey for discernment as to whether they have a diaconate vocation by registering with the Office of Formation and Evangelization to participate in the Lay Formation Institute (LFI). Applications for LFI are available NOW from the Office of Formation and Evangelization at the Pastoral Center in Fresno. LFI is a multi-year catechesis program in the Catholic faith, and is conducted by interactive remote teleconferencing classes at specific parish centers in the diocese. These are located in cities near you:
  
  Fresno (English and Spanish presentations)
  
  Visalia (English and Spanish presentations)
  
  Bakersfield (English presentations only)
  
  Merced (Spanish presentations only)
  
  Hanford (Spanish presentations only)
  
  For further information, you may call (559) 488-7474. Completed applications require a letter of recommendation from your pastor. Accepted applicants will also have a personal interview with the School of Ministries Coordinator. Time commitments are weekly classes, September through May for two (2) hours, plus homework assignments. Applicants will need an active email for class participation.